The Royal Thai Police’s general Nareat presided over the 2015 ceremonies. He told officers it was especially important to ensure the Thai seaside resort was crime-free as the country is set to join the ASEAN Economic Community bloc in the new year.
The commander said the membership was vital to Thailand’s tourism industry and, with the relaxation of travel restrictions, could attract 30 million overseas visitors during 2016. He continued by saying officers based in Pattaya needed to weed out illegal tour guides and make sure criminals who perpetrated crimes on foreigners were dealt with harshly.
As a final comment, the general said there were still too many incidents involving drugs or guns and these two scourges needed eradicating. The police parade takes place annually and is timed to coincide with the start of the peak holiday season.
Locals claim it is a show of force to prove police mean business and will come down hard on any offenders. Holidaymakers travelling from Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya can book their tickets with 12GO ASIA.
Pattaya police stage parade to mark onset of high season
News in Asia
Pattaya’s police force held a parade on the resort’s beachfront esplanade on Monday to mark the start of the tourist high season. More than 800 regular officers plus a contingent of volunteer special constables took part in the parade and subsequent pep talk on Beach Road.