Time to clean up Pattaya

The murder of two Russian tourists should serve as a catalyst to improve the town's reputation

The brutal shooting of two Russian tourists on Saturday morning in Pattaya was shocking. This crime must not go unsolved. At stake is not only Pattaya's status as a world-famous resort but also the image of the Thai tourism industry as whole. Police have offered Bt100,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer. He was captured on camera but the quality of the picture was poor. Police are still uncertain about the killer's motive. The two Russians arrived in Thailand on February 16 and were scheduled to leave on Thursday. The murders have affected confidence in the Thai tourism industry. The Australian, Canadian and UK embassies have issued travel advisories to their citizens, warning of the danger of crime. Australia, in particular, has been very sensitive to the safety of its citizens since the Bali bombing a few years back. The warnings will certainly affect tourism in Pattaya.

A similar tragedy occurred last year when a British lady was raped and killed on Koh Samui. Police, led by Lt-General Assawin Khwanmuang, were quick to nab two suspects. The Thai justice process worked quickly and the defendants received harsh sentences.

This time, Assawin was again quick to arrive at the scene in Pattaya with his capable staff. We do hope that he and his team, with the help of local police, will be able to solve this case quickly in order to restore law and order in Pattaya.

Russian tourists are very important to Pattaya and Thailand. They have deep pockets and tend to stay longer than other foreign tourists. They are good customers of local gift shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, not to mention the hotels and resorts. Some local vendors can even speak Russian, as do some local guides. There are numerous charter flights carrying Russian tourists to Pattaya. On one occasion, a chartered flight could not take off because the Russian passengers were overloaded with luggage and goods bought in Thailand.

One hotelier says the local authorities must work harder to provide safety for foreign visitors in Pattaya. Russian tourists, particularly young women, have become convenient targets for Thai teenage gangs, who snatch handbags and other valuables then escape on motorcycles. At least one or two crimes of this nature happen every month in Pattaya. More security measures must be provided to ensure safety for Russian women and other tourists.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, last year the number of Russian tourists totalled 31,575, a big jump from 19,841 in 2005. Russian arrivals last year accounted for 2.5 per cent of all 12 million visitors to Thailand. The growing popularity of Thailand for Russian travellers has encouraged Thai Airways to begin direct flights between Bangkok and Moscow.

Pattaya has had its ups and downs. Yet over the past three years, it has significantly improved its image. It is booming again as foreign travellers opt for a short trip to the beach rather than travelling to Phuket and further afield. Water pollution in Pattaya has lessened as hotels have stopped pouring waste into the sea. Local administrators have worked hard to regulate city planning. The popularity of Pattaya has increased, as evidenced by new beach condominiums, hotels and resorts. It has an excellent exhibition centre at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, an Underwater World and numerous other attractions.

However, one worrying trend, which is not new, is that Pattaya has become a haven for international gangs. Foreign mercenaries have also found it convenient to settle in Pattaya. We hope the authorities will keep a close eye on such undesirable visitors in order to prevent any outbreaks of violence. Those who have broken Thai law must be punished and prevented from returning to Thailand.

It is now time for the local authorities and the national police to clean up Pattaya even more. Law and order are necessary to ensure confidence. But first, the authorities must be able to bring those involved in the brutal killing of the two Russian women to justice as rapidly as possible. Then they can work on a broad security programme to improve safety in Pattaya for the long term.