A Pattaya City Hall official is under investigation for demanding a bribe from a littering tourist after being caught red-handed on video at Bali Hai Pier.
In the video clip posted to various Facebook pages, the unnamed Special Operations Unit commander in charge of Bali Hai is seen taking telling a tourist to pay him 1,000 baht for littering near the South Pattaya Pier. He then pockets the money without issuing a receipt.
Komkrit Pollavichid, speaking for the head of the Special Operation Unit, said tourists must pay fines at city hall only and the money goes into the city treasury. In this case, the money was divvied up amongst the official’s coworkers.
A review board has been given the case and, if found guilty, the officer can be suspended or fired.
Mayor Anan Charoenchasri said the incident smeared Pattaya’s image, but defended the officer, claiming he told the tourist to pay the fine at city hall but the tourist wanted to pay on the spot. Fines for littering go as high as 20,000 baht, he added.
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