On August 10, Pattaya City suspended six officials following witness reports of them collecting unofficial fines from foreign tourists near the Bali Hai Pier parking area. Witnesses described men in navy uniforms and reflective green vests stopping motorists to demand between 2,000 and 3,000 baht for violations such as traffic infractions or smoking without providing official documents. Some accounts indicated that cash was handed over at a small tent after being escorted there by the group.
Pattaya City Permanent Secretary Kiattisak Sriwongchai addressed the reports on August 10, confirming that three law enforcement officers and three outsourced company employees were suspended pending an investigation. He acknowledged that issuing penalties for traffic violations or smoking was outside their authority. While financial transactions involving the collected money are under review, no official conclusion has been released regarding whether unlawful collection of funds occurred yet.
Readers may share any additional information they have on this situation in the comments below to help clarify what happened next.