Eleven homeless people were taken into custody by Pattaya police after causing disturbances to both residents and tourists. The operation, which took place on October 30 at 10am, was spearheaded by Wichak Phetnooch, Senior Community Development Officer.
A team of 50, comprising officers from Pattaya Police Station, social development officials, police volunteers, and special operations officers, conducted a thorough search across Pattaya to locate and apprehend homeless people.
During the operation, 11 were detained, with seven testing positive for illegal drugs. Among these, five were men, two were women, and some were found with drug paraphernalia. These individuals had reportedly been causing significant disruptions by occupying abandoned buildings, littering the surroundings, and collecting waste from the streets, said Wichak.
“The disturbances caused by these individuals have been quite troubling for both residents and tourists in Pattaya.”
Those who tested positive for drugs were handed over to Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the individuals who did not test positive are set to be transferred to the Chon Buri Centre for the Destitute, reported The Pattaya News.
This centre will provide them with social assistance, and arrangements will be made for their return to their home provinces or countries if necessary.
In related news, Pattaya City officials took to the streets on October 7 in a bid to clear homeless hotspots and maintain the city’s pristine image for tourists. The sweep targeted key areas, including the Bali Hai overpass, the Thappraya junction on Pattaya Third Road, and Pattaya Second Road, where they encountered 10 homeless individuals.
The initiative, designed to keep Pattaya attractive to visitors while offering support to the homeless, resulted in mixed reactions. While four individuals agreed to receive help and were transferred to the Chon Buri Homeless Protection Centre, six others turned down the offer, a city official explained, reaffirming the city’s commitment to help.
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