At 1 am on the 29th of August Pattaya tourist police carried out a rigorous crackdown of hawkers on Walking Street, South Pattaya. The tourist police officers were under strict orders to rid the area of the hawkers who were selling flowers, souvenirs, clothes and even pornographic material which were not suitable for the eyes of the type of tourist that Walking Street attracts.
This was after numerous complaints from local traders and other groups who said that the travelling salesmen were causing a nuisance to the tourists and no doubt cutting into their own bottom lines. Over 40 traders were captured in the sweep and the police say they could face serious charges even imprisonment. They were all given a talking to, fined 100 Baht and released no doubt eager to get back to work to recoup their lost earnings.
