Pattaya News

Pattaya news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s coastal entertainment hub. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Pattaya news source.

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  • Bangkok police address transgender conflict in Bangkok

    Bangkok police address transgender conflict in Bangkok

    In an intriguing turn of events, a conflict between Thai and Filipino transgenders captured the attention of Bangkok, transpiring in Soi Sukhumvit 11, Watthana. On March 5, the commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 5, Police Major General Wittawat Chinkham, held a press conference to shed light on the situation that has led to legal actions and police investigations. Unfolding…

  • Chanthaburi noodle shop owner returns 300,000 baht overpayment

    Chanthaburi noodle shop owner returns 300,000 baht overpayment

    In the heart of Chanthaburi, a remarkable event transpired at 6pm on Tuesday, March 5. Samart Wongnapa, a 49 year old noodle shop proprietor, found himself in the spotlight of local media. The cause of this sudden attention was his commendable action of returning an accidental overpayment of 300,000 baht (US$8,417) to a group of Chinese customers who had dined…

  • Chinese tourists flock to Pattaya amidst new free visa policy

    Chinese tourists flock to Pattaya amidst new free visa policy

    Pattaya‘s hospitality sector is witnessing a notable influx of Chinese visitors, a development credited to the newly introduced Thai-China free visa policy. This detail was shared by Boonkerd Suksrikan, Vice President of the Eastern Thai Hotels Association. Boonkerd noted a significant increase in hotel reservations made by Chinese tourists, particularly those planning to stay until April, which is when Thailand’s…

  • CISW medical cannabis festival comes to Pattaya

    CISW medical cannabis festival comes to Pattaya

    In a groundbreaking announcement, Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, chairman of the Thailand National Charter of Health and other industry bigwigs, unveiled plans for the much-anticipated CISW MedCann Festival International (CMCF) 2024 for medical cannabis. This year’s CMCF pledges to dazzle attendees with an array of innovative products, exclusive items, and exhilarating activities, all centred around the burgeoning medical cannabis sector. Acting…

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport uncovers shocking wild animal smuggling operation

    Suvarnabhumi Airport uncovers shocking wild animal smuggling operation

    In an episode that shook Suvarnabhumi International Airport on March 5, a remarkable seizure of 87 wild animals was carried out. The operation was a joint effort by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Customs Office, and other pertinent authorities. This intervention unfolded when airport security personnel caught sight of these creatures, secreted away within eight pieces…

  • Thai man found asleep in police van outside Nong Prue station

    Thai man found asleep in police van outside Nong Prue station

    Nong Prue Police officers were taken aback last Friday, March 1 when they stumbled upon a Thai man sleeping inside a police van parked right in front of the local station. The bizarre incident left the officers bewildered and concerned for the man’s welfare. Initially appearing innocuous with the van’s engine off and windows tightly shut, the situation took a puzzling…

  • Indian tourist survives 6th floor plunge onto floating deck

    Indian tourist survives 6th floor plunge onto floating deck

    In North Pattaya, a 43 year old Indian tourist defied the odds as he miraculously survived a terrifying fall from a condominium building’s 6th floor, only to land on a floating deck one floor below. Responding to a frantic distress call at approximately 4.36am today, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s rescue volunteers arrived on the scene to find the tourist,…

  • Russian boy cheats death after gate mishap

    Russian boy cheats death after gate mishap

    Pattaya rescue volunteers received a distress call reporting a Russian boy trapped beneath a fallen gate in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province on Monday, March 4 at 8.36pm. Arriving swiftly at the scene, responders discovered a harrowing sight: a seven year old Russian boy pinned under the weight of a large metal gate, his head injury…

  • Russian roulette: Man’s Pattaya Flying Club attempt grounded by rooftop rescue

    Russian roulette: Man’s Pattaya Flying Club attempt grounded by rooftop rescue

    A Russian man appeared hellbent on joining the Pattaya Flying Club but was rescued just in time as he attempted to jump from a condo rooftop in the popular seaside resort. The reason for his suicide decision was not clear, whether it was an accusation of theft or the murder of his girlfriend. Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang…

  • Pattaya woman injured by glass thrown in dog-caused dispute

    Pattaya woman injured by glass thrown in dog-caused dispute

    A 37 year old local woman named Amawalee Tongfark, found herself in an unfortunate altercation when a glass, thrown by a foreign man, left her with an arm injury in Pattaya. The incident, which was sparked by an agitated response to a barking dog, occurred at a cafe near Jomtien Beach where Amawalee and a friend were spending time. The…

  • Drunken altercation in Pattaya ends in injuries and property damage

    Drunken altercation in Pattaya ends in injuries and property damage

    In Pattaya, a heated altercation escalated into a violent incident in a rented room in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The incident, which occurred at around 2am yesterday, ended in multiple injuries and a considerable amount of property damage. The police were first alerted to the situation when they received a call from the Nongprue Police Station…

  • Suspect surrenders in Pattaya Bolt rider murder case

    Suspect surrenders in Pattaya Bolt rider murder case

    Pattaya experienced a shocking turn of events when a man suspected of a brutal murder yesterday voluntarily handed himself over to the police. Piriyapong Nampetcharoenphon, known locally as U, presented himself at the Nongprue Police Station at 12.30pm on Monday, March 4, following an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The warrant was connected to the fatal shooting…

  • Pattaya introduces safe swimming zones at popular Tawaen beach

    Pattaya introduces safe swimming zones at popular Tawaen beach

    The thriving beachfront city of Pattaya, known for its bustling tourism scene, has recently taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety of beachgoers. The authorities of Pattaya City have put measures in place to establish dedicated swimming zones at Tawaen Beach, an immensely popular spot located on the island of Koh Larn. These zones are expected to cater to…

  • Thai man shoots wrong car in road rage incident

    Thai man shoots wrong car in road rage incident

    A startling incident unfolded in Pattaya over the weekend when a local man turned himself in at the Nongprue Police Station. Supakrit Wannajinda confessed to discharging a firearm at a vehicle, only to realise later that he had targeted the wrong car. The event occurred on March 2 and has since sent ripples to the local community. The 33 year…

  • Tourist’s near-death ordeal at Pattaya Beach, rescued from waters

    Tourist’s near-death ordeal at Pattaya Beach, rescued from waters

    Pattaya Rescue Radio Centre received a report of a foreign tourist drowning at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri yesterday afternoon at 4.20pm. Emergency services rushed to the scene with urgency, locating an unconscious tourist, aged between 50 and 60, who had been brought ashore. Pattaya Beach lifeguards and rescue teams swiftly administered vital first aid before transporting the stricken…

  • Intoxicated driver crashes into police car in Chon Buri, two injured

    Intoxicated driver crashes into police car in Chon Buri, two injured

    Chaos erupted on Rural Road 2081, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, as a pickup truck careened into a police vehicle yesterday at 12.06am, leaving two officers injured. Pattaya Rescue Radio Centre received a distress call detailing a collision between a grey pickup truck and a police vehicle. Rushing to the scene, local emergency crews found themselves amidst a forest, confronted by…

  • Pattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn

    Pattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn

    In a bid to stem the tide of tragic accidents, the Pattaya Tourist Police have joined forces with multiple agencies to spearhead a campaign aimed at curbing tourist fatalities during water activities in Koh Larn. The curtain rose on this vital initiative on the shores of Tawaen Beach, Koh Larn, with Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Manot Nongyai taking the helm…

  • Bolt taxi driver killed, another injured in Pattaya shooting incident

    Bolt taxi driver killed, another injured in Pattaya shooting incident

    A shooting incident claimed the life of a Bolt driver and left another individual injured in Pattaya on Wednesday. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattiphong Jiampuak, leading the investigation from Nong Prue Police Station, was alerted to the crime scene at 9.36pm. As officers descended upon the unnumbered house within Soi Mab Yai Lia 24, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri…

  • Thai man’s descent into madness ends in shocking temple death

    Thai man’s descent into madness ends in shocking temple death

    A mentally disturbed Thai man yesterday wreaked havoc within the sacred walls of Nimman Ratbumrung Temple, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The individual, identified as Preecha, barricaded himself inside the temple’s main chapel, setting off a chain of events that would end in tragedy. As news of the disturbance reached authorities, Ban Bueng Police swiftly descended upon the temple…

  • Chon Buri apartment owner battles raucous bars in neighbourhood

    Chon Buri apartment owner battles raucous bars in neighbourhood

    In a neighbourhood near Wat Boon Kanjanaram, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, a battle rages between the tranquillity of the residences and loud music from neighbouring bars. Seven nearby bars, each blasting tunes with the fervour of a rock concert, have transformed the once-tranquil area into a sleepless nightmare. International tourists, seeking refuge in apartment owner Kanjana Brousa’s building, now toss…

  • Pattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India

    Pattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India

    Pattaya tourism chiefs are lobbying for a permanent visa-free travel agreement with India in a move driven by the Asian giant’s projected ascension to the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The conviction behind this push lies in the promising impacts of a temporary visa exemption for Indian tourists, which is due to conclude on May 10 but is proposed for…

  • Terrifying mishap leaves young boy’s foot impaled by metal rake

    Terrifying mishap leaves young boy’s foot impaled by metal rake

    A chilling incident shook a quiet townhouse complex on Soi Chaiyapornwithi 14, East Pattaya, as a young boy faced a harrowing ordeal when his foot became impaled by a metal rake. Rushing to the scene near the forest’s edge, rescuers found the 10 year old boy, Heng, in agony, his right foot pierced through by the sharp implement. The rescue…

  • South Pattaya canal plagued by environmental catastrophe

    South Pattaya canal plagued by environmental catastrophe

    In a recent session of the Pattaya City Council, member Metakrit Sunthornrot ignited concern over the persistent challenges besieging the South Pattaya Canal. Despite assurances of advancement, the situation continues to spiral, prompting intensified calls for immediate intervention. Metakrit underscored the city’s dedication to tackling environmental adversities, particularly in the crucial management of the South Pattaya Canal. Plans were detailed…

  • German tourist sexually assaulted on Phuket motorcycle taxi ride

    German tourist sexually assaulted on Phuket motorcycle taxi ride

    A 37 year old female German tourist was sexually assaulted while riding a motorcycle taxi in Phuket in the early hours of yesterday. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported the incident to authorities at Patong Police Station around 4.26am. Following a night of exploring Phuket City’s Old Town, she sought a ride back to her hotel at approximately 12.45am.…

  • Fender bender escalates into Pattaya Police showdown (video)

    Fender bender escalates into Pattaya Police showdown (video)

    A minor traffic mishap in Pattaya spiralled into a full-blown confrontation outside a local police station yesterday, with tempers flaring and fists flying. A BMW driver, 36 year old Watcharaphon Phonpakdee allegedly collided with the back of Theerapong Manisri’s Toyota Yaris near a gas station on Soi Phothisan in Pattaya. As the two parties failed to reach an agreement at…

  • Chinese nationals caught with illegal firearms in Pattaya

    Chinese nationals caught with illegal firearms in Pattaya

    Pattaya and Chon Buri police teamed up for a targeted operation on Wednesday, February 21, leading to the apprehension of two Chinese nationals for possession of illegal firearms. The duo, 28 year old Cai Qingqing and Lei Chen, also 28, were caught red-handed with a cache of weapons including a 9-milimetre semi-automatic pistol, two magazines, handcuffs, ammunition, and a mysterious…

  • Drunken argument leads to violence on Pattaya Beach

    Drunken argument leads to violence on Pattaya Beach

    A domestic argument between a couple turned violent on the Pattaya beachfront, shocking onlookers on Wednesday evening, February 21. Responding promptly to distress signals, authorities and rescue teams discovered a 53 year old Thai man, Sommai, gravely injured and bleeding profusely near a trash receptacle, the aftermath of a fiery altercation with his spouse. Concerned bystanders had congregated around him,…

  • Thai man arrested for selling drugs to teens with illegal firearms

    Thai man arrested for selling drugs to teens with illegal firearms

    In an undercover operation, police arrested a 55 year old Thai man on February 22 for allegedly peddling drugs to teenagers and harbouring illegal firearms in Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The suspect, identified only as Gomol, fell into the police net following an extensive covert probe. Seizing the moment, authorities swooped in and confiscated two bags containing a staggering…

  • South Korean man arrested by Thai police for fraud

    South Korean man arrested by Thai police for fraud

    Chon Buri Immigration Bureau arrested a notorious South Korean fugitive for fraud and a call centre syndicate on Wednesday. Acting swiftly on intelligence shared by foreign counterparts, immigration officers seized 51 year old Oh Suk Yeon in Pattaya for orchestrating a call centre fraud ring that preyed on unsuspecting victims back in South Korea. According to Chon Buri Immigration, this…

  • Dutchman found dead with 2 holes in neck in Pattaya condo

    Dutchman found dead with 2 holes in neck in Pattaya condo

    Police are investigating the cause of death and the weapon that left two holes in the neck of a 72 year old Dutchman in a Pattaya condominium. A luxury condominium security guard, on Thap Praya Road in the Bang Lamung district, asked officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station to investigate room number 408 on the fourth floor of the…