Thai police have started a major crackdown on foreign prostitutes in Pattaya after many tourists complained of being harassed and intimidated along the beach.
On Tuesday night, September 23, 2025, two Ugandan women, aged 31 and 40, were arrested by undercover officers. The women were accused of aggressively approaching tourists at Pattaya Beach and offering sex for money.
Police said the arrests came after repeated reports from visitors who said they were followed, insulted, and pressured by groups of African women, many of them Ugandans. Some tourists also claimed they were forced to give money or were threatened when they refused.
An undercover officer posing as a tourist confirmed the claims. The Ugandan women offered him sex in exchange for money, and they were quickly arrested. They are now facing charges of prostitution and may also be deported for breaking immigration rules.
Police explained that prostitution is illegal in Thailand for both locals and foreigners. They said the aggressive behavior of some sex workers makes tourists feel unsafe and harms the country’s image as a holiday destination.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Pueak-am, head of the Tourist Police Bureau, said officers will continue to patrol Pattaya Beach and arrest anyone found harassing or extorting tourists. He warned that the crackdown will spread to other cities such as Bangkok and Phuket.
The two Ugandan women remain in custody as police investigate further. Officials say more foreign sex workers could be arrested soon.
