Teams of law enforcement officers were deployed throughout Pattaya and its environs on Wednesday morning with the launch of a special operation to root out crime and "make the city livable".

"Operation rooting out crime for a livable city” was launched at 6am by Pattaya city police chief Pol Col Apichai Krobphet at Pattaya police station. It will continue until Monday. 

The emphasis will be on loan sharks, football betting, human trafficking, illegal possession of firearms and street racing, but all crime is being targeted.

Officials said the crackdown is aimed at ensuring foreign visitors can feel confident of their safety in the tourist magnet of Pattaya. 

Its launch comes just ahead of the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival on June 8-9, which is expected to attract many additional visitors. 

Pol Col Apichai said later that a search of a four-storey apartment in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district had resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Cherdsak Sae-kong for possession of 23 small packets of crystal methamphetamine, or ya ice, in his room on the third floor. 

Each packet was to be sold for 500 to 1,000 baht. 

Another team sent to check out three shophouses in Soi Bua Khao of South Pattaya found the premises tightly locked. After observing the buildings from outside for some time, the team moved on to other locations, he said. 

The operation was continuing and more arrests were anticipated.