Thread: Pattaya Cracks Down on Foreign Beggars and Fake Monks, Arrests Over 20 People

Authorities in Pattaya have arrested multiple Cambodian nationals, including beggars and fake monks, in a crackdown on March 18th, 2025.


At around 5:00 PM, authorities inspected entertainment venues and tourist areas in Pattaya, where they found foreigners engaged in begging. The inspection revealed that the group consisted of Cambodian nationals, including mothers with their children, who had illegally entered Thailand via the Chanthaburi border.


Officers arrested a total of nine Cambodian adults along with ten children accompanying them. They were charged with illegally entering and residing in the country without permission, as well as begging. Additionally, eight Thai nationals were also arrested for illegal begging.

The following morning, March 19th, authorities arrested three Cambodian nationals posing as Buddhist monks on Walking Street in South Pattaya. They were taken to Wat Thammasamakkee, where Phra Khru Phisalchariyakorn, the chief monk of Naklua sub-district and abbot of the temple, carried out their defrocking. The individuals were then handed over to Chonburi Immigration for legal proceedings and deportation.

Pattaya Cracks Down on Foreign Beggars and Fake Monks, Arrests Over 20 People - The Pattaya News

So just cracking down on beggars…

Pattaya has to protect it's stellar reputation.