Thread: Local Pattaya residents urge authorities to do more to help the rising homeless

Locals in Pattaya are urging relevant authorities in the area to “do more” to assist the homeless in the city, which has seen a considerable increase recently due to strict Covid-19 related measures and restrictions that have shut the majority of Pattaya’s businesses.

TPN media has regularly covered the homeless situation in Pattaya, as you can view by reading this article here. This article is also a good source for why the homeless situation has taken place and is increasing in Pattaya, driven heavily by Covid-19 restrictions that have essentially shuttered Pattaya for months, and only seem to be getting stricter as cases continue to rise. However, according to Chonburi Provincial authorities who work with local homeless shelters, a primary reason for the amount of homeless on the streets is not just the restrictions closing job opportunities but the lack of financial aid from the central government during the current period. Additionally, many homeless are not Thai and come from other countries but due to closed borders, lockdowns, or political unrest (Myanmar) in their own homes, it is difficult to leave.


Additionally, currently, nearly all domestic travel options that are inexpensive, such as bus travel, have been shut down, leaving limited options for many people to travel on a severe budget. Indeed, some of the homeless in Pattaya don’t want to leave as the city has many charity food lines and organizations helping those in need and many abandoned and closed buildings for people to take shelter in. Pattaya relies on tourism, entertainment, and hospitality for about 80% of its GDP-all sectors basically either mandated shut by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19 or essentially shut, like hotels, due to no customers.


Even businesses that are legally allowed to operate are struggling as many residents, both ex-pat and Thai, have left Pattaya behind with limited job opportunities and what seems like a neverending partial lockdown that has now closed even popular ex-pat activities like beaches, pools, golf courses, parks, and tennis courts. This, in turn, leads to fewer customers and less spending in the local economy. Businesses that can open, like restaurants, as takeaway or delivery only have also seen many choose to close for now until the situation improves, with owners claiming the strict rules make being open unprofitable.

The Pattaya News received concern from several local residents recently that a woman and her young daughter were living on a sidewalk near a bank in Soi Nern Plubwan, in Eastern Pattaya. Residents were especially concerned, according to them, for the young daughter’s well-being.


The mother, aged around 35 – 40-years-old and her daughter aged around three years old have taken up residence on a sidewalk with a mat and some belongings nearby. Local residents have been giving food, money, and supplies to them. The mother is reportedly from Roi Et and had fallen on hard times.

Mr. Sek, first name only given, who was one of several local residents who alerted reporters to the situation told The Pattaya News, “She and her two daughters have stayed here for several days, living on the streets.”


“Earlier this week on Sunday (August 1st) there was a man who claimed that he is their father and picked one of the girls up before leaving, according to the girl who is still there. Their mother appears to be suffering from mental health issues and needs further support and will not answer questions.” Sek added.

“I have already called the Chonburi Social Development and Human Security Office. They said this family might be the same one that they have helped many times.” Sek stated.


“I don’t think that the woman is using her child to beg for food and money and I think she just has personal issues and needs a helping hand. Residents are providing food, water, and supplies but more is needed.” Sek concluded.


Authorities have reportedly been notified about this particular situation and are looking into it.


The homeless situation in Pattaya is a difficult one, and indeed, there were homeless before the Covid-19 crisis as well, although the situation has certainly been compounded by it. There are homeless shelters in Chonburi, contrary to some beliefs, but many have strict rules and requirements around things like sobriety or actively looking for employment and not turning down potential job offers, leading many to state they prefer to stay on the city streets.


Law enforcement has taken mostly a “hands-off” role, understanding how difficult the situation already is for those living on the streets of Pattaya. Police often offer to give transportation free to homeless people who have family in Thailand or come from other provinces, but as previously stated many don’t want to leave, seeing things as better in Pattaya for a homeless resident than in a rural province.


For now, as long as both the Covid-19 virus and the related restrictions and measures (along with what is claimed by many to be a lack of financial aid) continue that shut many job opportunities, the situation will not see any significant improvement in the Pattaya area, according to Sek.

Local Pattaya residents urge authorities to do more to help the rising homeless population in the city - The Pattaya News

Originally Posted by Norton

mile and be happy. Things could be worse. So I smiled and was happy. And, behold, things did get worse.

Ya know Norton, all things considered. Thailand is a much easier situation to manage. You ought to see the shit going on in the states. Mask or no mask, Antivaxxers fighting off getting vaccinated, People fighting in public when not wearing a mask. Some stores don't care, others require masks. Then you have the personal integrity issue of people who are not vaccinated saying they are and people cannot ask for validation as that infringes up their god given rights. So people have to assume they are but people flat lie. Then you have the children where parents will not make their kids wear masks and they are little spreaders.

Thailand just needs to get the people vaccinated and a lot of this will quickly be corrected. However I wouldn't expect international tourism to pick up anytime soon. Traveling is a major pain in the ass and really takes the fun out of going anywhere. I have been Covid tested 3 times just getting here to the states and making sure others are safe. Now due to the Delta variant, I have to get Covid tested 3 days before my oldest daughters wedding as the church is mandating it. Then we travel back a few weeks later to Thailand and I have to get another covid test, then 3 times in ASQ. Fark me.!!!

So Yeah, smile and be happy in Thailand. Just stay isolated near term until the vaccine is available. As for the homeless and displaced, They just need to suck it up for the near term. Most of those businesses in Pattaya cut a fat hog for years.

"There are homeless shelters in Chonburi, contrary to some beliefs, but many have strict rules and requirements around things like sobriety or actively looking for employment and not turning down potential job offers, leading many to state they prefer to stay on the city streets. " Or to put it another way if they do return to the village they will be expected to work to help the family.

Originally Posted by JPPR2

Thailand just needs to get the people vaccinated and a lot of this will quickly be corrected.

Indeed and here in is the bottom line problem. Same as the US except the US has a surplus of vaccine and Thailand has nothing even close to vaccinating it's citizens.

May be some mask objectors here but I have seen none. Everyone wears a mask.
The stupidity of the many anti jab and mask folks in the US is really beyond comprehension.

We had a guy walk into our front kitchen and when my wife discovered him and asked what he was doing there he said he come to see the farang and walked back outside.

My wife told me someone had come to see me and when I confronted him and he asked me for a bottle of water. We gave him a bottle and some food.

Some very desperate people out there.

Maybe lock your doors next time?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

We had a guy walk into our front kitchen

I admire your charity.

At the same time, I'd assume he was looking around to see what he can steal next time. Or worse, he comes back when only your wife is home.

If it were I, then I might lock things down and leave a small table outside with a sign, a small bottle of water and a packet of rice or something. Of course that could escalate into feeding the five thousand.

Originally Posted by Norton

All the gov is doing now is spouting smile and be happy bullshit

Remember a week or two back when the PM toldus the worst would be over in 2 to 3 weeks? Surely he wasn't trying to mislead us?

Ive 2 empty single beds in my spare room. Ive offered them to young ladies claiming to be doing it tuff... Don't hear from them after they have earn't their 500b.

Originally Posted by Norton

The stupidity of the many anti jab and mask folks in the US is really beyond comprehension.

It is Norton. While here taking care of my Mom I have to suffer through watching news shows at 200db and the shit I hear on the news is as stupid as the anti vaxxers fighting to avoid the vaccine.

Good Ol Merica. The single biggest population of the smartest dumb people you will ever meet.

Count down to exiting this place has started.........

Originally Posted by Shutree

I admire your charity.

At the same time, I'd assume he was looking around to see what he can steal next time. Or worse, he comes back when only your wife is home.

If it were I, then I might lock things down and leave a small table outside with a sign, a small bottle of water and a packet of rice or something. Of course that could escalate into feeding the five thousand.

Apparently he also went to other houses in the Mooban begging for food.

In his defence there is a sign outside presenting that building as a shop although we are not officially open yet.

He is lucky Bruno didn't find him first.

Anyway thanks for your advice.