Pattaya Cracks Down on Foreign Beggars After Viral Video of Child Begging

PATTAYA — Thai authorities have detained three Cambodian nationals during a crackdown on foreign beggars in Pattaya following public outrage over a viral video showing a disabled man begging while carrying his young child. The operation was carried out at about 21:20 on Tuesday by officials from the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter, Pattaya police and the Chon Buri Immigration Office. Officers located the disabled man, identified only as Tok, 35, in Pattaya’s Soi 6 area. Police said he appeared to notice the authorities and attempted to wheel himself away before being detained. The child seen in the viral video was not with him. During questioning, Tok admitted he had previously taken his child with him while begging because his wife was sometimes unavailable to care for the child. He said he stopped doing so after images of him circulated on social media and drew widespread criticism. Tok told authorities he had lived in Thailand for more than 10 years and earned about 200-300 baht a day from begging. He said he remained in Thailand because he could earn more money than in Cambodia, where he claimed he would struggle to find work. He also admitted that he had previously been arrested and deported several times but repeatedly re-entered Thailand illegally through natural border crossings in Sa Kaeo province. He told investigators he paid about 5,000-6,000 baht each time to be transported by van into the country. During the operation, officials also detained two Cambodian women. One, identified as Moi, 42, was allegedly begging while carrying her two-month-old baby, with her seven-year-old child sitting nearby. Another woman, identified as Por, 50, was also found begging in the same area. All three adults were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for processing before being handed over to immigration authorities for legal action, verification of their immigration records and deportation proceedings. The two children were placed under the care of the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter to ensure their safety and welfare. Authorities said they would intensify efforts to crack down on foreign beggars and human smuggling networks, particularly cases involving the use of children for begging, saying the practice harms children’s welfare and damages Pattaya’s image as an international tourist destination.