Complaints of lewd behavior in public cannot stem tide of prostitution
Boonlua Chatree
Police appear powerless to stem the tide of prostitution along Pattaya Beach, despite numerous complaints from tourists who are being harassed and also despite the lewd behavior that often occurs in full view of the public between the service girls and their prospective clients.
During an inspection by media reporters on July 14 there we saw an estimated 400 to 500 girls sitting along the beachfront offering their services to the public. Some were even going as far as to let men touch them, to the embarrassment of passers-by.
When the reporters asked Pol. Col. Suthin Sappuang, superintendent of Pattaya about the size of the prostitution problem, they were told that the police had effectively run out of ideas.
All they can do, said the superintendent is to book the girls for offering sexual services, and that 20 to 50 are brought in daily. They are fined and have their names recorded, and they are given a warning. The following day they are out there again offering their services to foreign tourists.
A meeting is to be held with the chairman of the Pattaya Cultural Council to consider what else can be done to remedy the problem.
Pattaya Mail