Over 100 Thai Tour Guides who work in Pattaya took part in an angry protest on Pattaya Beach Road on Thursday Morning to demonstrate their anger towards the Police who are claimed not to be taking any action against illegal foreign tour guides who are working in the City.
To make the situation tenser, the protesters spotted a Chinese Man, who they claimed to be an illegal tour guide and after some harsh words, some directed at the guide and others at the Police, the guide was allowed to leave with his group of Chinese Tourists.
Khun Paisan, the Chairman of the Thai Guides Association of Thailand, led the protesters and presented a formal letter of complaint to Pattaya Police, who suggested the arrest of illegal foreign tour guides was difficult and unless evidence of their wrongdoing could be collated, the arrest could not be completed.
The situation has been complicated further after an announcement earlier this week that plans are being considered to allow illegal tour guides to work legally as “Tour Coordinators”, alongside Thai Guides, to improve the standard of guides around Thailand.
The group later marched to Pattaya City Hall, under the watchful eye of a small group of Police and Army personnel who monitored the group to ensure no social disorder took place.
A similar letter of complaint was presented to Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, who said he would liaise with Pattaya Police to see if a solution to the problem is possible.