A Chinese visitor in Pattaya was abducted and robbed of over 230,000 baht by men posing as police officers early Thursday morning. The incident has raised concerns among tourists and residents about personal safety in one of Thailand’s most popular coastal cities.
The crime occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. near a food stall on North Pattaya Road. CCTV footage shows two men dressed in dark clothing approaching 52-year-old Lin Yifan as he waited alone for a ride booked through a mobile app. Moments earlier, Lin had been dining with friends, who had already left the area.
Witnesses initially believed they were witnessing a routine police action and did not intervene. However, the two men, wearing black hooded sweatshirts and driving a white SUV, quickly forced Lin into their vehicle. Despite his attempts to resist, he was overpowered and driven away.
According to Lin’s statement to Pattaya City Police, he was bound and threatened with a weapon inside the car. The attackers spoke a mix of Thai and English while they searched him, seizing 15,000 baht in cash, two iPhones, and his eyeglasses. They also used Lin’s Chinese banking application to transfer an additional 150,000 baht.
The assailants eventually abandoned Lin near a local shooting range about nine kilometres from where he was abducted. After freeing himself, he sought help and reported the crime to authorities. The total losses exceeded 230,000 baht, equivalent to approximately USD 6,300.
Local police have launched a full investigation and are reviewing security camera footage to identify the suspects. Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and beaches, frequently attracts international visitors. Crimes involving imposters pretending to be police officers are uncommon but not unheard of in Thailand, where uniformed police are generally regarded with respect and authority.
Authorities are urging both tourists and residents to exercise caution, especially in busy areas and late at night. Visitors are advised to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer and to report suspicious behaviour to the Tourist Police, who can be reached by dialling 1155. The investigation remains ongoing as Pattaya City Police work to locate and apprehend those responsible for the abduction and robbery.
