Pattaya News

Welcome to The Thaiger’s Pattaya news page, your one-stop destination for the latest happenings in Thailand’s coastal town, AKA Sin City of the East! Our dedicated team delivers up-to-the-minute news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Pattaya, covering everything from local politics and business to entertainment and lifestyle. Stay informed about the city’s thriving tourism industry, expat community, and vibrant nightlife, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.

The Thaiger is your essential guide to navigating Pattaya’s dynamic landscape. To stay connected with the most trusted news source in town, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

  • Sponsored

    Why is Bangkok's air quality so bad?

    Imagine waking up early in Bangkok and you see all the beautiful morning fog from your balcony, but as you sip your coffee you realise it's just Bangkok's air pollution that's making the sun rise aesthetic. Ranked as the 36th...

  • Pattaya’s persistent peddlers: Foreign flower sellers annoy tourists | Thaiger

    Pattaya’s persistent peddlers: Foreign flower sellers annoy tourists

    Reports have emerged once more on May 26 of a troublesome trend in Pattaya: foreigners with young children in tow, struggling to speak Thai, are pestering tourists by aggressively hawking flowers and candies. Despite polite refusals, these persistent peddlers continue to follow potential customers, even tugging at their arms, creating a significant nuisance for holidaymakers. Witnesses have also reported groups…

  • Thai man falls from six-story Pattaya hotel | Thaiger

    Thai man falls from six-story Pattaya hotel

    A tragic incident occurred yesterday morning when a 23 year old Thai man fell from a six-story hotel in Soi Pattaya 5, Banglamung, Chon Buri. The incident took place at 9.36am yesterday, prompting an immediate response from Pattaya City police and the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Sahatsawat’s body in the hotel parking lot, causing panic…

  • Chadchart signs MOU on renewable energy projects in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Chadchart signs MOU on renewable energy projects in Bangkok

    Bangkok has taken a significant step towards becoming a smart city, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor Wilas Chaloeysat. The agreement, formalised yesterday, aims to advance smart city development and renewable energy projects in Thailand’s bustling capital. Chadchart stressed the importance of sustainable energy and efficiency,…

  • British granny’s pension nightmare in Thailand | Thaiger

    British granny’s pension nightmare in Thailand

    An 87 year old British woman regrets her move to Thailand to be closer to family, as she struggles to survive on a frozen UK state pension of just £300 (approximately 14,000 baht) a month. Christine Gloria Fox, who lives near Pattaya on Thailand’s east coast, laments her decision to relocate to what she describes as an expensive area where…

  • Pickup truck crashes into streetlight in Pattaya, driver injured | Thaiger

    Pickup truck crashes into streetlight in Pattaya, driver injured

    A pickup truck crashed into a streetlight in Pattaya early yesterday morning, leaving the driver seriously injured. The accident took place at 2.20am on Sukhumvit Road in the Banglamung district of Chon Buri province. Emergency responders and local news teams quickly arrived at the scene following reports of the incident. Upon arrival, rescue workers discovered a white Nissan Navara pickup…

  • Pattaya mayor gets to root of the matter: Plants for a greener future | Thaiger

    Pattaya mayor gets to root of the matter: Plants for a greener future

    Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches led a tree-planting ceremony to celebrate Thai National Tree Day, held as part of a wider initiative to move Pattaya towards a low-carbon city. The event, held yesterday, May 30, was a city-wide affair, consisting of attendees from members of the Pattaya City Council, citizens, and volunteers. The city announced that Pattaya has been chosen by…

  • Thai man found dead in Sattahip pond | Thaiger

    Thai man found dead in Sattahip pond

    The Royal Thai Police discovered the body of a Thai man in a pond in Sattahip district, Chon Buri on Wednesday. Sattahip police, along with rescue workers from the Sawang Rojanatham Sathan Foundation, responded to the report around noon, on May 29. At the scene, officials identified the deceased as 48 year old Pongthep Thongho, who was found lying face…

  • Pattaya: Outrage as iconic Dolphin Fountain left high and dry | Thaiger

    Pattaya: Outrage as iconic Dolphin Fountain left high and dry

    In a fiery city council meeting, Pattaya City Councillor Jidapha Suwathaphon spotlighted a troubling oversight: the Dolphin Roundabout fountain on North Pattaya Road remains an unsightly eyesore. “The dolphins have been motionless and dry since I assumed office.” Jidapha reminded the council that funds had already been approved to replace the fountain’s pumps. Despite this, no action has been taken.…

  • Bar bill brawl in Pattaya: Injured British tourist comes forward | Thaiger

    Bar bill brawl in Pattaya: Injured British tourist comes forward

    In a dramatic incident that captivated social media and sparked intense debate, three British tourists were violently assaulted by contracted guards following a heated argument over a bill on Pattaya Soi 6. The Pattaya police said there was nothing they could do about the brutal assault on the British men unless they came forward and lodged a complaint. Today, May…

  • Overtourism may put Koh Larn’s future in jeopardy | Thaiger

    Overtourism may put Koh Larn’s future in jeopardy

    A Pattaya City Council member issued a warning about the urgent need for tourist number controls and construction regulations on Koh Larn, an island now teetering on the brink due to its popularity. Phasakorn Yusoomboon, representing Pattaya District 1, voiced his concerns at the council meeting yesterday. He highlighted the island’s daily influx of over 10,000 tourists, with numbers soaring…

  • Indian guests find a ‘Thai’-light in Airbnb bookings surge | Thaiger

    Indian guests find a ‘Thai’-light in Airbnb bookings surge

    New data from Airbnb reveals a significant rise in bookings by Indian guests in Thailand between 2022 and 2023. The statistics show an impressive increase of over 60% year-on-year, with notable peaks during the recent long holiday weekends. During these periods, searches by Indian guests for stays in Thailand surged by more than 200%. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism…

  • Ex-con Brit arrested for fatal punch to Russian in Thailand | Thaiger

    Ex-con Brit arrested for fatal punch to Russian in Thailand

    The British man who punched a Russian businessman, resulting in his death, over sexual advances on his teenage daughter had been previously imprisoned for drug offences. He has recently been arrested for the fatal assault. The businessman allegedly propositioned the Welshman’s 15 year old daughter during a pool party in Pattaya. The 34 year old Welshman, known locally as Flash…

  • Murder suspect spends victim’s valuables and flees to Pattaya | Thaiger

    Murder suspect spends victim’s valuables and flees to Pattaya

    A Thai man suspected of killing his boyfriend in a condominium in the central province of Nonthaburi hid himself in Pattaya and narrowly escaped arrest yesterday, May 29. The murder of the 54 year old man, Paisarn Thong-on, came to light on May 26 after residents reported an unpleasant smell coming from his room, leading to the discovery of his…

  • British man found dead in Sattahip condo, suspected suicide | Thaiger

    British man found dead in Sattahip condo, suspected suicide

    A 58 year old British man was found dead in his condo bathroom in Sattahip, Chon Buri on May 27. Sattahip police responded to a report of a suspected suicide at a luxury condominium behind Bang Saray Market. Upon entering the third-floor room, police discovered the man, identified by police as Michael Devalle, dead in the bathroom. He appeared to…

  • Pattaya tourism aims for diverse travel experience beyond nightlife | Thaiger

    Pattaya tourism aims for diverse travel experience beyond nightlife

    The private tourism sector in Pattaya convened a workshop yesterday to discuss strategies for repositioning the city as a comprehensive travel destination, aiming to shift its reputation beyond just a nightlife and entertainment hub. Representatives from eight tourism associations, four tourism clubs, and major tour operators within Pattaya City and Chon Buri province attended the event. Government officials from the…

  • Thai mother accuses son’s girlfriend of swindling 891,000 baht | Thaiger

    Thai mother accuses son’s girlfriend of swindling 891,000 baht

    A Thai mother in Pattaya accused the mother of her son’s ex-girlfriend of tricking her 17 year old boy into giving them 891,000 baht. The half-Irish, half-Thai teenager was reportedly in a romantic relationship with his ex-girlfriend’s 33 year old mother. The teenager’s mother, 44 year old Kung, explained that she was married to a 74 year old Irish man,…

  • Pool tragedy sinks holiday: 74 year old Austrian drowns in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Pool tragedy sinks holiday: 74 year old Austrian drowns in Pattaya

    A 74 year old Austrian man tragically drowned at a condominium pool in Pattaya. The incident took place at an unidentified complex in the Naklua area of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The Thai authorities received a report about the drowning around 9.30pm yesterday, May 27, prompting Banglamung police and rescue workers to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, officials…

  • Pattaya man calls for support to repatriate overstaying Russians | Thaiger

    Pattaya man calls for support to repatriate overstaying Russians

    A Thai apartment owner reached out to the Thai authorities to help an overstaying Russian man and his two daughters in Pattaya as they faced financial constraints preventing a return to their home country. The Russian originally fled with his girls to escape the ongoing conflict between his home country and Ukraine. The apartment owner alerted the Chon Buri Provincial…

  • Revved up: Bolt & Grab snubbed parking in Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya | Thaiger

    Revved up: Bolt & Grab snubbed parking in Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya

    A debate has sparked on social media over a sign banning cars and motorcycles using the Bolt and Grab apps from parking in a specific area. Located in Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 42, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Banglamung District, the sign’s restrictive language has caught the public’s attention. Reporters verified the presence of three identical signs near a convenience store, each clearly…

  • Pattaya police powerless unless three British men lodge attack complaint | Thaiger

    Pattaya police powerless unless three British men lodge attack complaint

    Pattaya Tourist Police declared they cannot take action regarding the assault on three British men, which left one of them in a coma, unless an official complaint is lodged. Three British men were attacked on Friday, May 24, at the Helicopter bar on Soi 6 in Pattaya over an unpaid bar bill. One of the men is now in hospital…

  • Security guards arrested after tourist assault in Pattaya (video) | Thaiger

    Security guards arrested after tourist assault in Pattaya (video)

    Pattaya City Police apprehended three security guards after a viral video captured them allegedly assaulting a tourist. The incident, which has caused widespread condemnation and raised concerns about Pattaya’s image as a tourist destination, occurred at approximately 11.36pm yesterday. Police Colonel Navin Teerawit, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, led the operation to detain the suspects. The individuals, identified as…

  • Sri Racha residents in uproar as drainage construction poses risk | Thaiger

    Sri Racha residents in uproar as drainage construction poses risk

    Residents and business owners lining Sukhumvit Road in Bang Phra Subdistrict of Sri Racha are in uproar, demanding immediate action to resolve a debacle at the Bang Phra-Klong Sukreeb junction. The construction of a drainage system on Highway No. 3 has hit a standstill, plunging the area into chaos and risking the safety of locals, especially schoolchildren. For nearly a…

  • Over 200 busted in drug-fuelled Pattaya pub | Thaiger

    Over 200 busted in drug-fuelled Pattaya pub

    Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised spearheaded a surprise raid on an illicit pub in Pattaya, exposing a drug scandal. The clandestine operation targeted a notorious establishment in Soi Kor Pai Pattaya, Banglamung district, following a barrage of complaints from neighbours about deafening noise, all-night parties, and rampant drug use among its youthful patrons. Upon the officials’ arrival, the scene inside…

  • Get treated anywhere in Thailand with a single ID card | Thaiger

    Get treated anywhere in Thailand with a single ID card

    The Public Health Officer of Banglamung District announced the implementation of Thailand’s innovative healthcare initiative, Single Thai ID Card, Treatment Everywhere. This game-changing policy promises universal healthcare access and has already been rolled out across 45 provinces, though Chon Buri province remains an exception for now. As the Ministry of Public Health accelerates its mission for nationwide coverage, the spotlight…

  • Road rage: Motorcyclist swipes fist at minibus driver in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Road rage: Motorcyclist swipes fist at minibus driver in Pattaya

    In a shocking incident of road rage, a Thai motorcyclist assaulted a minibus driver in Pattaya following a minor collision on Thepprasit Road on Thursday, May 23. The altercation occurred at the entrance to the Colosseum Theatre on Thapprasit Road, in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescue workers and Pattaya police arrived at the scene to…

  • Pattaya drug dealer arrested after car chase and shootout | Thaiger

    Pattaya drug dealer arrested after car chase and shootout

    An intense car chase and shootout occurred in Pattaya yesterday afternoon, leading to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer. The incident escalated when the suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at police officers, resulting in him being shot in the leg. Pattaya police, spearheaded by Police Chief, Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, responded swiftly to reports of gunfire and injuries at…

  • Fake monks cause a holy ruckus at private firm in Pathum Thani | Thaiger

    Fake monks cause a holy ruckus at private firm in Pathum Thani

    A report from a private company in Nong Suea, Pathum Thani, prompted an investigation into a group of men dressed as monks who had been gathering at the company’s private location. The Pathum Thani Office of Buddhism received the complaint and coordinated with relevant agencies to conduct a field inspection at the 20-rai location. During the inspection, more than 27…

  • Man assaulted with iron rod in Pattaya, suffers severe injuries | Thaiger

    Man assaulted with iron rod in Pattaya, suffers severe injuries

    Security footage revealed a group of men assaulting a victim with an iron rod in Pattaya, leading to severe injuries requiring eight stitches. The victim, who had no prior acquaintance with the assailants, calls for authorities to apprehend the attackers. Today, 25 year old Pattaya native, Thawatchai reported being attacked by a group of unknown men. He suffered a head…

  • Tired & tuk tuk: Thai woman drives sleepy taxi driver from Pattaya to airport | Thaiger

    Tired & tuk tuk: Thai woman drives sleepy taxi driver from Pattaya to airport

    A Thai woman in Pattaya attracted significant attention on TikTok after sharing an amusing encounter with a sleepy taxi driver. In a video posted today, the woman, whose identity remains unknown, described how she ended up driving the taxi herself for most of the journey from Pattaya to Don Mueang International Airport. The woman had initially called the taxi at…

  • Foreign man causes chaos at Pattaya insurance office | Thaiger

    Foreign man causes chaos at Pattaya insurance office

    Pattaya authorities yesterday were called into action when another badly behaved foreign man caused a disturbance at a local business. Around noon, May 21, concerned residents contacted Pattaya City’s 1337 hotline to report the erratic behaviour of a foreign man in front of an insurance office on Chaiyapruek 1 Road. Upon arrival, municipal officers, peacekeepers, and the Pattaya Mobile Rescue…