A 23-year-old British holidaymaker from London has been arrested in Thailand following an alleged public sex act on a beach in the resort city of Pattaya. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, January 23, has drawn significant attention due to the shocking nature of the allegations and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Alleged Incident on Pattaya Beach
According to police reports, the tourist, identified as Loucaides, allegedly paid a 61-year-old woman named Nuchjaree to perform oral sex on him while on the sand. Disturbing footage reportedly captured the intoxicated and naked British man lying on the beach with his legs raised as the older woman engaged in the act. Horrified onlookers quickly spotted the couple and alerted local authorities, leading to their prompt arrest.
Police Response and Charges
Upon arrival, police found the pair in a compromising position. The allegedly drunk British tourist hurriedly put on shorts before questioning officers, asking, "What's wrong? What's the matter?" Both individuals were then escorted to the police station and formally charged with public obscenity. This offence carries a maximum penalty of a 5,000 baht fine, equivalent to approximately £119.
Police Major Chanan Kesornbua confirmed that both offenders were handed over to investigating officers for further legal action. The tourist was subsequently released after the fine was paid, highlighting the standard procedure for such violations in the region.
Defence Claims and Aftermath
In their defence, both Loucaides and Nuchjaree made surprising claims to authorities. The British tourist allegedly stated that he has ADHD, while the woman asserted she was "a Singaporean student studying in Thailand." Police, however, allege she was a sex worker, contradicting her account. Both individuals claimed they were unaware that public sex acts were illegal in Thailand, a defence that did not prevent their charges.
Eyewitness Account from Taxi Driver
A taxi driver named Somsak Pativat provided a detailed eyewitness account of the incident. He initially thought someone was having a medical emergency due to the unusual position of the couple. "I pulled over and looked with another person," he explained. "They made a recording of what was happening for evidence while I called over the police, as the station is very near."
Somsak added, "I was only driving someone from Bangkok, and I don't visit Pattaya often, so this is the first time I have seen people doing that on the beach. They both must have been very drunk, because they didn't care who was watching."
Context of Pattaya as a Tourist Destination
Pattaya has long been known as Thailand's flagship tourist destination, fuelled by its vibrant nightlife, bars, massage parlours, and accessible sex industry. Some British tourists have even dubbed it a 'porn Disneyland' due to the availability of experiences not easily found in their home country. However, this reputation is increasingly seen as tarnishing Thailand's broader image as a family-friendly holiday destination with stunning beaches, rich history, and culinary delights.
Recent Similar Incidents Involving Foreigners
This arrest follows other recent cases involving foreigners in Thailand. For instance, a British yoga teacher was arrested in November 2025 for allegedly teaching tantric sex classes behind a popular restaurant for just £10. Police claimed she was conducting these classes under the guise of yoga instruction while holding a work permit for a different role. Such incidents underscore ongoing tensions between Thailand's tourist economy and local laws regarding public behaviour and work regulations.
The case highlights the legal risks tourists face when engaging in activities that violate local obscenity laws, regardless of their awareness or intent. It also raises questions about the balance between Pattaya's adult-oriented tourism and Thailand's efforts to maintain a wholesome international image.
