Pattaya’s police chief warned tourists against donating to street peddlers, saying many of the so-called charities they’re raising money for are bogus.
Pol. Col. Apichai Kroppech said Jan. 24 that both Thais and foreigners are roaming the streets, hoping to take advantage of kind hearts. He said donors should carefully check their credentials before giving money.
In any case, the public should contact the police about the panhandlers so their charity-fundraising licenses can be checked.
The warning came after a group of Filipinas was arrested for raising funds for a children’s group. They presented genuine-looking documents for the charity and raised about 5,000 baht in three hours, but the “charity” didn’t exist.
