Australian Tourists Report Herbal Product Scam in Pattaya
Australian Tourists Report Herbal Product Scam in Pattaya
PATTAYA, June 19, 2026 – Two Australian tourists have reported being tricked into buying herbal coffee products at inflated prices in Pattaya, prompting a police investigation into an alleged scam targeting foreign visitors.
Police were alerted at about 6:10 p.m. on Thursday after the tourists complained they had been persuaded to purchase herbal products and slimming coffee for what they believed were excessive prices. Officers later inspected a herbal products shop inside a market on Pattaya Second Road.
The tourists, identified as Henry Reddy, 56, and Sam Alsuhery, 29, said they were approached by two foreign men wearing red and black shirts, who struck up a conversation before leading them to the shop.
According to the pair, the sellers initially quoted a price of 4,600 baht before gradually increasing it to 9,600 baht. They eventually paid a total of 14,600 baht for two bags of herbal coffee after being told the products were effective for weight loss.
The tourists said they became suspicious after consulting their Thai driver, who warned them they may have fallen victim to a common herbal product scam. They subsequently contacted police.
When officers arrived at the shop, they found herbal products on display but no staff or sellers. Police said those allegedly involved had left before authorities reached the scene.
Nopparat, 49, a taxi driver accompanying the tourists, said he had been showing them condominiums in Pattaya after they initially intended to buy medicine for stomach pain at a nearby convenience store. He said he later realised the pair had been approached by strangers and taken to the herbal shop.
Nopparat added that he had previously seen news reports and social media posts describing similar scams involving herbal products sold to foreign tourists.
Police advised the Australians to file a formal complaint at Pattaya City Police Station so investigators could open a case and use the information to identify the suspects. Although the tourists said they were more concerned about preventing others from being targeted than recovering their money, they agreed to provide photographs and video footage of the alleged sellers.
Investigators said they would review the evidence as they continue efforts to identify those responsible. The case follows previous complaints alleging that groups of Pakistani nationals have targeted tourists in Pattaya by selling herbal products while making exaggerated health claims.
