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.
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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Aussie man sues Thai ex after Danish affair & money swindle
An Australian man is taking legal action against his Thai ex-girlfriend after she reportedly had an affair with a Danish man and swindled his money. The accused Thai woman, on the other hand, is also seeking justice, claiming the Thai police sided with her ex-husband and treated her unfairly. Paralee Saemalakor, the 48 year old accused, approached the superintendent of…
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Pattaya bars raided for operating beyond legal hours, illegal alcohol
Police in Pattaya raided four bars across the city yesterday after receiving complaints about these venues operating beyond legal hours, with some establishments selling alcohol without licences. The raid targeted establishments on Soi Kho Phai, South Pattaya Road, and Pattaya Third Road. Authorities discovered that these venues, one of which was a host bar, continued operations well past the permitted…
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American tourist a suspected suicide victim at Pattaya hotel
An American tourist was discovered dead this morning in a suspected suicide after a fatal fall from the seventh floor of a hotel in Pattaya. Pattaya police received the report at around 6.06am and quickly dispatched officers and rescue workers to the scene. The incident occurred at an unidentified hotel on Soi Thappraya 15, where the deceased, identified as Michael…
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Swedish man caught stealing 2 motorcycles in Pattaya (video)
Police arrested an injured Swedish man outside a hotel in the Na Jomtien neighbourhood of Pattaya on Sunday after he stole two motorcycles from a taxi driver and a local. Security camera footage from a kratom shop at the crime scene captured the first theft at midnight on June 2. The shop owner shared the video on social media. “Pattaya…
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Thailand sees 60% rise in Indian tourists with new visa-free policy
Thai Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the success of a visa-free policy for Indian tourists, effective from May 11 to November 11. This initiative aims to boost tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy. Bookings by Indian tourists surged by 60% between 2022 and last year, according to Airbnb. Searches for accommodations in Thailand by Indian tourists increased by over 200% during…
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Free zoo entry for children in Thailand for Queen Suthida’s birthday
Zoos across Thailand are offering free admission for children under 12 years old today in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s birthday. This initiative, announced by the director of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPO), Attapon Srihayrun, will include several prominent zoos, such as Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai Zoo, Songkhla Zoo, Khon Kaen Zoo,…
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Body of foreign man found on Pattaya beach
A foreign man was discovered dead and washed ashore in Pattaya around noon yesterday, sparking a police investigation. Police arrived at the beach opposite Soi Pattaya 3 Road to find the body of a white man with distinctive tattoos: a flower on his left arm and a bird on his right arm. The man was dressed in black shoes and…
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Pattaya mayor takes action to prevent parasailing accidents
Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has called for urgent action following a worrying increase in accidents related to parasailing and other water activities. In a decisive meeting held on Friday, May 31, the mayor sat down with city and tourist police to discuss tightening regulations for parasailing operators. Currently, these operators offer an array of activities: from thrilling jet ski…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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Motorbike mayhem: Pattaya’s underpass crackdown sparks debate
In a recent traffic enforcement blitz, the Pattaya City Peacekeeping Division, alongside the Pattaya City Police Traffic Division, brought the contentious issue of motorbikes using the underpass into the limelight. The crackdown, resulting in numerous prosecutions, has ignited a fiery debate among residents. Many locals have thrown their weight behind the operation. “Good deeds should be appreciated. This should be done…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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Pattaya: Drunken Scotsman hit by car after bar brawl gone wrong
A chaotic scene unfolded in Soi Buakhao, Central Pattaya on Tuesday, as an unidentified Scotsman became the unfortunate victim of a bizarre accident. Leaving a bar in a heavily intoxicated state, the 60 year old found himself struck by a car and suffering a serious head injury. The night took a dramatic turn when police officers discovered the man sprawled on…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Exotic pet trainer attacks South Korean in Pattaya ‘coin-troversy’
An exotic pet trainer attacked a South Korean man at a night market in Pattaya, accusing the victim of insulting him by throwing money at him during a performance. The South Korean victim, 38 year old Munsu Park, along with his Thai girlfriend and older brother, filed a complaint at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at 2am today, May 30. The…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Two killed as fatigued truck driver crashes on Pattaya highway
A devastating accident involving an 18-wheeler truck with a fatigued driver occurred yesterday morning on a highway near Pattaya, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The crash happened at about 8.40am in the Nong Pla Lai sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, on Highway 7 inbound to Pattaya. Sawang Boriboon rescue workers responded swiftly to the distress call. Upon…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Pattaya’s Nong Nooch Garden trumpets arrival of elephant calf
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya recently celebrated the arrival of a new elephant calf to its sanctuary. On Saturday, the garden’s president, Kampol Tansajja, and his team invited Phra Khru Kasem Kittisophon, Abbot of Wat Samakkhibanpot, to lead a welcoming ceremony for the newborn. The calf, named Pang Sapparot which translates to pineapples in English, was born to the…
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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…
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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…
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