Foreign riders in Pattaya report being regularly stopped and fined while Thai riders are allegedly ignored by police. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya police are stepping up traffic enforcement efforts, particularly targeting motorbike riders across the city. Officially framed as a safety campaign, the crackdown has increasingly raised eyebrows among foreign residents and tourists, who say they are being disproportionately stopped and fined — while Thai riders often pass by unchallenged. “I see every day police stop only farangs. Police say Thais have no money,” said one long-term visitor. The claim, echoed by others, suggests a double standard in enforcement, where foreigners are seen as more viable sources of revenue due to their perceived ability to pay. During March, one visitor recalled, “I noticed many times motorcycles being pulled over by police or stopped by police, and they were always foreigners. I was there in March, and I happened to notice it all the time.” The sentiment is echoed across online forums and local expat communities, where frustrations are growing. While some say they’ve never personally had issues — “I’ve never seen that in my 21 years here. But I use helmet and have my papers in order and always been told ok and get on my way,” said a longtime expat — others feel the pattern is hard to ignore. Long-term visitors claim traffic crackdowns focus on foreigners — “Police say Thai have no money,” one observed. Despite the growing discontent, authorities maintain that the enforcement is part of an ongoing effort to reduce accidents and ensure rider safety. However, critics argue that if safety were truly the priority, enforcement would be more evenly applied to all riders — regardless of nationality. Adding to the frustration is the steep cost of fines. The penalty for not wearing a helmet can be as high as 2,000 baht — a significant sum for local standards. Yet some Thai riders, particularly school-aged youth, are reportedly let off with nothing more than a wai and a smile, while foreigners receive full penalties on the spot. “As usual in Pattaya,” another commenter said dryly, “it’s just business as usual.” The broader question remains: Is Pattaya’s motorbike crackdown really about public safety, or is it becoming just another revenue tool targeting easy prey? For now, foreign riders are advised to keep their documents in order — and their expectations in check. Expats in Pattaya say they’re singled out for motorbike checks, raising concerns about fairness in enforcement.