Two temporary Pattaya City employees arrested for allegedly extorting fines from Chinese tourists
Two Pattaya City temporary employees were arrested for allegedly extorting money from Chinese tourists caught dropping cigarette buts on the street.
Wissanu Ketmuenwai, 27, and Krirkchai Khanthawong, 24, were arrested by police and the special affairs division of the Pattaya City and were brought to Pattaya police station for interrogation at 11.30pm.
The arrests were made after a Thai guide led two Chinese tourists to file complaints at the police station on Thursday.
The two tourists said they were fined for dropping cigarette buts at the Balihai pier but the two, who claimed to be Pattaya City officials, failed to issue them receipts.
The first tourist was fined Bt2,000 and the second 400 yuan (Bt1,900).
Pattaya City said the two were temporary employees hired via a third company and they had no authority to make an arrest as Pattaya City officials.
The administration ended their employment immediately and they were charged with unlawfully acting as officials without authority, which violated Article 145 of the Criminal Code.