British, French and German tourists arrested for 'flouting COVID-19 restrictions' at pool party in Thailand

British, French and German tourists arrested for 'flouting COVID-19 restrictions' at pool party in Thailand

Three British tourists were arrested after flouting coronavirus lockdown rules at a pool party in Pattaya, Thailand.

The trio were among 13 foreigners caught drinking at the Momento Beach Resort in Pattaya on Saturday afternoon (April 18).

Police said they raided the bar and swimming pool after complaints from neighbours that the group were ignoring a COVID-19 ban on socialising.

They arrested French resort manager Patrice Georges Edmond Jacquesson, 51, on suspicion of violating the country's emergency decree banning bars, restaurants and resorts from opening.

Along with the manager his partner Geraldine Pinetti, 53, was also arrested for allegedly selling liquor.

Police said the others were eight French tourists, three British, one German and one Thai.

They were all arrested for allegedly ignoring a ban on congregating which was introduced to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Police Colonel Khemmarin Pitsamai said the police are taking the state of emergency act seriously.

He warned that socialising over alcohol was against the country's state of emergency act and could lead to the COVID-19 spreading.

The police chief said: "The province has issued strict measures during the state of emergency to stop the spread of the Covid-19 and the police must use all of our law enforcement to ensure the pandemic will stop." Pattaya, a city in eastern Thailand best known for its adult nightlife, has been under strict lockdown conditions since April 9, with alcohol sales at supermarket banned and travel restrictions on entering the region.