Representatives from the British embassy called on top city, law enforcement and immigration officials to gauge how the government is responding to concerns of the area’s more than 5,000 United Kingdom nationals.
British Consul Michael Hancock and embassy Director of Trade and Investment Bradley Jones met with Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and heads of the Pattaya Tourist Police and Chonburi Immigration Office during a tour of the area June 3.
(L to R) Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, British Consul Michael Hancock and Director of Trade and Investment Bradley Jones talk about British citizens in Pattaya.
Hancock quizzed the mayor on how the city was protecting British investors and solving problems often cited by visitors to the embassy, such as ongoing scams with jet ski rentals and beach erosion. He also gathered information on Pattaya’s push to develop the city as a more-family-friendly tourist destination.
Itthiphol responded that Pattaya welcomes British investors, particularly those interested in real estate. As for the jet ski issue, the city has yet to make any arrests but is still working toward a solution, he said. The mayor also reviewed beach-erosion studies done by universities and plans to restore the beach.
The embassy group next called on local police units to gather information on what efforts are being made to ensure the happiness of British residents.
