Police swept up street thugs and prostitutes after gangs brawled on Pattaya Beach.

About 100 Pattaya, Tourist and Immigration police officers, soldiers and volunteers blanketed the Pattaya shoreline April 22 to restore order after four gang-bangers left one dead and three bleeding in the street the day before, causing panic among tourists.

Chonburi’s police chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachart Suppamongkol ordered a major crackdown on the Pattaya promenade, where female and transvestite prostitutes work largely unfettered, often overseen by pimps and street thugs.

The beach also has become a place for youth gangs to congregate and drink alcohol, which was the case when a rival gang started trouble April 21. Knives and clubs flew with two gang members on each side ending up in the hospital. One later died.

About 100 people were hauled in, their criminal records checked, DNA samples taken and fines issued.