Pattaya beaches: Police chief warns tourists - we have the power if you break the rules

[webfact]

Pattaya beaches: Police chief warns tourists - we have the power if you break the rules

 

 

Pattaya's chief of police has warned tourists and deckchair operators that he and the local authorities have the power to act if mask wearing, social distancing and other regulations are not followed to the letter this weekend. 

 

Pol Col Khemmarin Phitsamai was talking to the Thai media after shocking scenes from nearby Bang Saen hit the national media on Wednesday when huge crowds flocked to the beach ignoring all the rules and promoting the temporary closure of roads by the local mayor.

 

The Queen's birthday holiday debacle has put the authorities in Pattaya on high alert ahead of this weekend that will be the first since easing of restrictions came in on Monday with the opening of the beach. Deckchair operators will be allowed to officially offer services for the first time this weekend. 

 

Pol Col Khemmarin - sporting goggles, face shield and what looked like a Superman top - called for discipline and order this weekend warning tourists who will mostly be Thai as there are so few foreign visitors in Thailand at the moment. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

He said that his men and the local authority have the power to act if people are not wearing masks or are congregating in groups that contravene the regulations. 

 

He also warned the deckchair vendors to make sure they do their part in checking temperatures of patrons, having gels on hand, observe distances between chairs and limit the number of customers. If they don't they run the risk of being shut down.

 

The unseemly scenes in Bang Saen midweek were commented on by the Thai PM Prauyut Chan-ocha and sparked fears that the easing of the lockdown and the unwillingness of people to follow the rules of the "new normal" would result in a second spike of coronavirus. 

 

Or worse still - a return to lockdown. 

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

 

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[darksidedog]

So you open the beaches and when people go there the authorities freak out. I have no problem being reminded of the rules, but it is a bit much when you are essentially threatened. Given so many of the other places to go remain closed, the beach is about the one place left that people can go, but with the cops in a power frenzy, get ready for stories of sad and stupid arrests and fines, especially one suspects for farang.

[colinneil]

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pattaya's chief of police has warned tourists and deckchair operators that he and the local authorities have the power to act if mask wearing, social distancing and other regulations are not followed to the letter this weekend. 

 

What he really means is, my men and me are getting desperately short of readies, now we have no tourists to scam, got to get some money from somewhere/ anywhere.????

[bluesofa]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pol Col Khemmarin - sporting goggles, face shield and what looked like a Superman top

In that article it doesn't look like a Superman top to me, but what do I know?
I thought they looked like this:

Perhaps confusing it with the Soup Dragon?

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, colinneil said:

What he really means is, my men and me are getting desperately short of readies, now we have no tourists to scam, got to get some money from somewhere/ anywhere.????

And the closed Go-Gos and bars no longer deliver envelopes, and we can no longer threaten them with closure to give us a cut. There aren't even hoards of foreigners stopping over the line at the Klang/2nd Rd lights without helmets to wave over. Times must be tough if they have a wife in need of a new Merc!

[mikebell]

48 minutes ago, webfact said:

we have the power if you break the rules

Pattaya Plod have unlimited power; they decide when an offence has committed irrespective of what Thai Law says; like the variations in Immigration Offices all over the country.

Agree with the above posters; having collected 'protection' money from every business in the city (most now closed); with fewer traffic 'offenders' to 'fine', they are desperately short of revenue and will be looking for every chance to 'punish' offenders - the older; the easier.

[smedly]

someone tell this (deleted) this is not a mask - this man is breaking his own rules 

 

[Phil McCaverty]

8 minutes ago, smedly said:

someone tell this (deleted) this is not a mask - this man is breaking his own rules 

Yes, completely clueless. Face shields are to protect the eyes and he's already wearing safety glasses. Masks are to protect others from you which is not the intention of a face shield. How wrong can you get it?

[petermik]

Numpty.........

 

[bluesofa]

18 minutes ago, smedly said:

someone tell this (deleted) this is not a mask - this man is breaking his own rules 

 

Pointless question: Will he report himself and fine himself?

[petedk]

Quote

He said that his men and the local authority have the power to act if people are not wearing masks or are congregating in groups that contravene the regulations. 

...but of course, if you are a minister in the government, you can do what you want and have a nice dinner together.

[essox essox]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

What he really means is, my men and me are getting desperately short of readies, now we have no tourists to scam, got to get some money from somewhere/ anywhere.????

well said lanckie lad.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NCC1701A]

Many Hua Hin hotels booked 100%.

 

People walking on the beach having a great time.  

[essox essox]

if you have the power..............THEN why not stop ALL that ride more than 2 on a motorbike....and catch those NOT wearing helmets.....and catch those that UNDERTAKE (which is ILLEGAL).....????

[essox essox]

5 minutes ago, petedk said:

...but of course, if you are a minister in the government, you can do what you want and have a nice dinner together.

AND not wear a mask or social distance......

[essox essox]

11 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Pointless question: Will he report himself and fine himself?

looks like some kinda mask people use when WELDING.....or has he just landed from the planet MARS ????

[ChipButty]

They might have the power but they dont have respect

[OneeyedJohn]

18 minutes ago, essox essox said:

looks like some kinda mask people use when WELDING.....or has he just landed from the planet MARS ????

He does look like a complete tool, that's for sure.

[Pilotman]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

What he really means is, my men and me are getting desperately short of readies, now we have no tourists to scam, got to get some money from somewhere/ anywhere.????

well translated Sir and dead on in meaning. 

[Pilotman]

Is he a welder in his spare time? 

[Pilotman]

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

They might have the power but they dont have respect

they don't look for, or need respect, just an income. They are hardly 'servants of the people' are they?  

[yuyiinthesky]

Looks like he's on a crusade to make sure the people feel miserable.

[Pilotman]

1 minute ago, yuyiinthesky said:

Looks like he's on a crusade to make sure the people feel miserable.

They all are 

[essox essox]

4 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Is he a welder in his spare time? 

no, he opens big brown envelopes stashed with baht paper money......

[yuyiinthesky]

Quote

He also warned the deckchair vendors to make sure they do their part in checking temperatures of patrons,

Temperature checks on the beach? What a nonsense! He can keep his deckchair for himself. 
One thing is sure, I won't be in LOS when SARS-CoV-3 shows up. 

Edited June 5, 2020 by yuyiinthesky

[holy cow cm]

Fleecing is not corruption. They gonna look like a bunch of land sharks running around to the one who has his or her mask down.

[fruitman]

Half of the vendors on Chatuchak weekend market don't wear a mask...but they are thai and that's different of course.

[essox essox]

3 minutes ago, yuyiinthesky said:

Temperature checks on the beach? What a nonsense! He can keep his deckchair for himself. 
One thing is sure, I won't be in LOS when SARS-CoV-3 shows up. 

are you actually saying "have to have temp taken " TO GET ONTO an effin beach???

[bluesofa]

54 minutes ago, essox essox said:

well said lanckie lad.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure if that was referring to Colin's origin or his height?

 

[pixelaoffy]

They always have the power > a thing with bullets on their hips and a pair of cuffs.. Just another franchise in Thailand  .. only difference is it can do anything it wants