Pattaya Police Deny Allegations of Demanding 15,000 Baht from British Tourist
PATTAYA, Thailand – The chief of Pattaya Police Station has denied allegations made by British media that officers demanded a 15,000-baht bribe from a detained British tourist in exchange for his release.
Pol Col Nawin Theerawit dismissed claims published by the UK’s Daily Mail, stating that the reports were largely untrue. However, he assured that the evidence surrounding the case would be reviewed to ensure transparency.
The Daily Mail reported on Sunday that Andrew Hopkins, 55, was staying in an Airbnb in Pattaya when he decided to take a late-night stroll. According to the report, he accidentally knocked over a neighbor’s entrance sign, leading to an altercation with two security guards who began shouting at him. Shortly after, local police arrived, allegedly throwing Hopkins into the back of a pick-up truck and detaining him for 36 hours in a dirty, overcrowded cell.
Hopkins claimed that while in custody, an Italian man informed him that he would have to pay 15,000 baht in cash for his release. He stated that he was taken to an ATM to withdraw the money, which was then handed over to two senior officers before he was freed. The Daily Mail also published photos of what it described as the prison cell, showing grimy floors and about 130 detainees crammed inside.
However, Pol Col Nawin provided a different account of the incident. He stated that Hopkins, who was intoxicated, damaged a vehicle barrier on the night of November 22 last year, prompting police to detain him at the station to calm him down. He was fined 100 baht before being released.
According to Nawin, Hopkins returned to his accommodation but was denied entry due to previous disturbances caused by his drunken behavior. This led him to create another scene, resulting in his re-arrest.
The police chief maintained that Hopkins was processed legally, with all of his belongings returned and photographic evidence recorded. He also stated that Pattaya’s detention cells are cleaned daily and monitored by 24-hour CCTV surveillance.
While rejecting the bribery allegations, Nawin confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing to ensure full transparency for all parties involved.
