Pattaya
City officials plan to demolish abandoned Pattaya condo project

After years of talks, threats, and complaints, the abandoned Waterfront condo development at Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier looks set to be demolished. The Waterfront Suites and Residence is a half-finished condo project that was stalled in 2014 after safety inspectors discovered that the building’s fire escapes and elevator systems designs varied from the already approved construction designs. Read an earlier story about the eyesore HERE.
Pattaya’s mayor, Sonthaya Khunplume, says officials plan to tear down what many have condemned as an eyesore, “as soon as possible” – and charge the owners for it. According to a Pattaya News report, the date of the demolition, along with the name of the company being hired to carry out the work, have not yet been confirmed.
The controversy surrounding the development dates back to 2014, when construction was halted following multiple legal threats and complaints from local residents. The Israeli-owned development company, Bali Hai, are accused of violating building regulations, by building a structure that exceeds the legal height limit, as well as restrictions on proximity to the beach. Local residents have also complained that the development obstructs the panoramic vista of the bay from Pattaya Hill, and the view of the memorial to the renowned Admiral Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon.
For their part, the developers insist they have complied with all regulations and had the necessary paperwork and permits for the project. It seems however, that Pattaya officials have had enough, and, ignoring the developer’s claims of bankruptcy, they say the whole Waterfront saga must end. They say the demolition will not affect lawsuits being brought by those who paid for condo units that never materialised, insisting that court hearings can still go ahead, regardless of the condition of the building.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Thailand
Massage workers in Pattaya call for reopening of spas and massages shops

A group of about 50 workers from Pattaya massage shops and spas gathered together to call for the reopening of their businesses after being closed for the past month due to Covid-19 restrictions. The group called themselves the “Pattaya Health Massage” presented a letter signed by 60 massage shops, spas and gyms to Bang Lamung District Sheriff this morning.
Chon Buri is listed as a “high risk” area with maximum restrictions. Many nonessential businesses in the province have been closed including massage shops, spas and gyms.
Now that Chon Buri has gone 5 consecutive days without a local Covid-19 infection, the workers say it’s time for businesses, like massage shops and spas, to reopen.
The workers also raised the point that other provinces and districts across Thailand are loosening restrictions as the number of active cases continues to drop. The workers also said that there are no Covid-19 clusters or major outbreaks related to massage shops or fitness venues.
Bang Lamung District Sheriff Amnat Charoensri met the protesters and collected the petition and says he understands that many people need to get back to work to earn income. Local officials are expected to hold a meeting within the next week to potentially loosen restrictions.
SOURCE: Pattaya News
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Crime
29 arrested in Pattaya for smoking shisha above Indian restaurant

Police are investigating an Indian restaurant where they arrested 29 people for a late night party in Pattaya’s Soi 7. The incident took place at 12:30am at a 5 story building which had the first 3 floors closed. Police say the venue was actually operating as a shisha lounge, pool hall, and bar.
The raid was based on a tip from an undercover officer who had previously confirmed the location was open and operating. When police entered the building, they found 29 people either smoking shisha, or hookah pipes, while others were playing pool, or snooker. Police say they found 18 hookah pipes (as distinct from 18 hookers).
In Thailand, shisha and hookah is illegal. 11 foreigners from India, Cambodia, and other countries were found at the venue. The remainder were Thai nationals. All 29 were arrested and taken to the Pattaya Police station where they will face charges under the Emergency Decree Act, the Communicable Disease Act and possession of an illegal substance.
Police say they don’t know who owned or managed the venue and they claimed many of the people present were “playing dumb” in terms of how they knew about the venue or who was responsible for it. Police say they will be interrogating and interviewing those arrested today to determine who should be held responsible. They also seized documents from offices on the top floor relating to ownership.
Pattaya is a “highly controlled” zone as set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, which sees it under the toughest rules in the country in order to curb the spreading of Covid infections. Chonburi has seen 0 new cases in the past 3 days, sparking anticipation from residents and business owners for the strict measures to relax. Health authorities say they will review the measures at the end of the month, but are not promising to make a change.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Pattaya
Chonburi sees 0 new Covid-19 infections for 3 days in a row

Chonburi province has reported another day of 0 cases of Covid-19, marking the third day in a row to see no cases. In the past 6 days only one case has been reported in the province and all of that person’s relatives have tested negative for the virus.
The provincial health office says they will keep doing doing targeted mass testing for all of next week in the community. It says those in the province’s high risk groups will receive free testing.
Those who fall into the high risk category either worked or visited places recently like the Chonburi Provincial Employment Office, are migrant workers living in crowded camps, are people showing symptoms of the virus, and people who work with the public like taxi drivers and supermarket employees.
The Department did not say if any measures or restrictions will be lifted any time soon as the province remains under stiff travel restrictions with many businesses having been forced to close. The provincial Administrative Organisation President, Wittaya Khunplume, says that the province is preparing to propose to the government to be downgraded from a deep red high-risk zone to an orange zone and ease measures.
There is no timeline or date for this proposal, however, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is due to meet on January 31 to officially discuss measures and restrictions. But health authorities in the province say there’s no guarantee of a relaxation of measures by the end of the month.
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SG666
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 11:30 am
Another example why you should never ever invest in property in LOScam.
Garry
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 11:53 am
It should have been clear enough during the construction process as to whether or not the developer had a permit for this. . It should never have dragged on for so long.
7.62mm of darwin
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Unfortunately you are correct. Rent only if you are farang and leave if that is not satisfactory
MIke
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 3:20 pm
You are right. I bought a condo in this building and 4 in other projects in 2013. None were finished after the government change in 2015. I will never buy anything in Thailand. As you said, Rent a place and then leave when needed.
Issan John
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 5:02 pm
The only thing that surprised anyone who’d been in Pattaya for a while about this project was that it actually got off the ground, which no-one had expected it to as it was expected to go the same way as Ocean One which was never more than a few pilings and drainage pipes in what been a swamp, despite the developers (mainly Australian) happily driving around for a while in a Roller, Bentley and a red Ferrari.
That they managed to persuade so many people to part with so much money based on so little explains rather a lot more about the ‘investors’ than it does Thailand.
Maag
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Israeli….again and again !
Mike Frenchie
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 1:48 pm
“and charge the owners for it” – sure… the company is bankrupt! Good luck with that.
Toby Andrews
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 2:36 pm
They could sell it to a developer to finish off.
The building is structurally sound – it still stands after six years. So just finish it and put in new safety standards.
Kevin Skinner
Friday, November 27, 2020 at 8:07 am
By Maya Taylor
Creative writer maybe but not an informative one. So many unanswered questions.
Khunplastic
Friday, November 27, 2020 at 8:41 am
Pretty difficult to get any decent developer any time any place to take over this kind of mess.
Demolition is not that cheap or simple either.
Sad state of affairs all round.
Never buy off plans.
Crevat emptor.
James Pate
Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 5:43 am
Absolutely right! Why would anyone take on this liability?!?
Shane
Monday, November 30, 2020 at 9:27 pm
Caveat emptor.
Flying Flip Flops
Friday, November 27, 2020 at 9:37 am
When I first visited Thailand 2002 my best friend told me ” welcome , just 3 things 1) never buy a house/ apartment in Thailand 2) never fall in love with a Thai girl 3) stay away from drugs especially the hard ones.
Number 2 wasn’t easy I have to admit.
But he was right.
Only buy /invest what you can put in two suitcases
Issan John
Friday, November 27, 2020 at 11:20 am
The risks, apart from not being able to put a house in your name as a foreigner, are no greater than they would be elsewhere but for some reason people who would never take the same sort of risks in their own country come here and don’t think twice before making an off-plan purchase from foreign companies with no guarantees and no track record …..
….. and they don’t just buy one and see how that goes but they buy four or five …..
….. and then when the inevitable happens and they’ve lost their money, and the “developers” have done a runner back home to their own countries, they look round for someone to blame for their own greed and stupidity …..
….. well, som nam na.
johnnyd
Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Honestly done/been doing all three and living my best life, making more money year by year. Just don’t be naive doing them and you’re fine.
albert meichtry
Friday, November 27, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Its a shame that another developer cant come inand finish the project.
I guess theres no profit to be made on it
Its a shame to tear it down after all that work has been put into it
I would like to see it completed.
I think it adds vakue to the marina waterfront