Thailand's Pattaya Plans AI Drone Deployment to Monitor Visa Overstayers, Enhance Tourist Security

Pattaya, a popular Thai coastal city facing rising crime and concerns over public safety, is set to deploy AI-powered police drones linked to a centralized database to scan crowds and identify individuals with outstanding arrest warrants or expired visas. Mayor Poramese Ngampichet highlighted the initiative's goal to enhance security during large-scale events and in tourist hotspots, aiming to restore Pattaya's image as a safe and welcoming destination for both residents and visitors. The drones will enable real-time monitoring and response to suspicious activities, reflecting the city's commitment to smart crime prevention tailored to its international tourism context. Despite the mayor's confidence in this cutting-edge approach, some critics, including long-term visitors, feel the city is prioritizing spectacle and events over essential infrastructure and quality of life improvements. This initiative represents a broader effort by Pattaya's leadership to balance innovative technology deployment with the city's social and economic needs amid concerns about its safety and reputation. Other unrelated incidents, such as illegal drone flights over religious sites in India, have raised questions about drone security but are separate from Pattaya's plans.