German tourist stranded on beach for five weeks after ‘wallet and cards were stolen’ begs embassy for help
A German tourist who was allegedly robbed of his wallet and cards in Thailand is pleading for help to return to his home country.
Chris Grundner, from Ludinghausen, has reportedly been stranded on a beach for five weeks in coastal city Pattaya.
He claimed he had been sleeping on the sands of Jomtien Beach after thieves allegedly stole his belongings, leaving him wandering penniless through the Thai 'Sin City'.
Footage shows the holidaymaker, in a sand-covered black shirt and khaki shorts, sitting on a red-and-blue woven mat which he had been using as a makeshift bed.
His hair was unkempt and his long beard had been left to grow for days.
Without money to book a lodging, he was said to have been seen sleeping under a tree along the beach before Good Samaritans offered to help him.
Chris said he has not been able to eat or drink properly in weeks.
He said: 'How do I get a ticket? Can I get out of the country somehow?'
Residents who found Chris helped him get in touch with relevant agencies. They urged Tourist Police, the Immigration Bureau, and humanitarian organisations to help him return to Germany.
Tourists are regularly attacked or caught up in crime, leading Pattaya to be dubbed 'Sin City'.
Embarrassed officials in the central government have launched tourism initiatives to attract families and rebrand Pattaya as a safe destination.
Authorities have also introduced safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV.
Despite some success in cleaning up the town's image, alcohol and sex remain its biggest draws, often leading to a high rate of crime and accidents.
