Police and social-welfare officials updated Pattaya’s permanent secretary on efforts to keep homeless people off city streets.
Pakorn Sukhonthachat heard from city municipal enforcement head Maj. Col. Jeerawat Sukhonthazup and Social Welfare Department chief Pannee Limcharoen at a city hall meeting June 11. Somchai Sriroroj of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security was on hand for the progress report.
Despite city efforts, homeless are still abundant in Pattaya, and in this case take naps under a beach coconut tree.
Pannee said most Thai homeless found in Pattaya are men who scavenge for recyclables and live in wooded areas or abandoned houses. The women and children seen in the streets are often illegal aliens, she said.
Jeerawat said city hall officers patrol area beaches and streets and send any Thai homeless people to a shelter in Nonthaburi. He admitted, however, than many fled the center and returned to Pattaya. Illegals, he added, are processed for deportation.
