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

    The 5 best luxury villa rentals in Koh Samui by The Luxury Signature 

    Koh Samui has long been known as one of the world’s finest luxury travel destinations. Its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and crystal-clear waters create an idyllic setting that attracts travellers seeking an escape from the everyday grind. And opting to...

  • Frenchman’s financial woes and marijuana meltdown led to knife-wielding drama

    Frenchman’s financial woes and marijuana meltdown led to knife-wielding drama

    A distressed Frenchman, grappling with financial turmoil and the aftermath of marijuana use, brandished a knife in a threatening manner on December 28. The drama reached a boiling point in the picturesque Bang Saray sub-district, Sattahip, as the Sattahip Police swooped in to defuse the intense situation. At 4.30pm, Sattahip Police, accompanied by emergency responders, responded swiftly to a distress…

  • Pattaya: British tourist injured in road accident involving motorbike

    Pattaya: British tourist injured in road accident involving motorbike

    A 52 year old British tourist was struck by a motorcycle while crossing Thepprasit Road, Bang Lamung, Pattaya on the evening of December 28. The British man, known only as Mei, was struck by Thai motorcyclist, 35 year old Suphansa Taengthong, while crossing Thepprasit Road, creating a spectacle near a PTT gas station around 5.50pm. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s…

  • Tourist forgets Pattaya hotel location after heavy drinking on arrival

    Tourist forgets Pattaya hotel location after heavy drinking on arrival

    A recent event saw a foreign tourist, having just landed in Thailand, consume a substantial amount of alcohol and subsequently forget his accommodation’s location in Pattaya. The intoxicated traveller insisted on remaining in the taxi after arriving in Pattaya, causing a predicament for 53 year old taxi driver, Sayan Yodsanga. According to Sayan, a member of the Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative,…

  • Thai deputy PM rolls out road safety measures for New Year holidays

    Thai deputy PM rolls out road safety measures for New Year holidays

    The Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, in conjunction with relevant agencies, convened a conference at 10:30am yesterday. The meeting aimed to lay out strategic measures for preventing road accidents, specifically focusing on the safety of drivers during the upcoming New Year holidays. Anutin expressed the Thai government’s deep concern for driver safety, a priority that takes on heightened importance during…

  • Pattaya: Free rabies vaccinations in January

    Pattaya: Free rabies vaccinations in January

    Pattaya‘s Department of Public Health and Environment proposed free vaccinations to battle rabies in 2024. The crusade covers a wide stretch of neighbourhoods, from the trendy Naklua (Moo 1 to 7) to the vibrant Nong Prue (Moo 5, 6, 9 to 13) and the serene Huay Yai (Moo 4). This groundbreaking initiative is not just about jabs; it throws in…

  • Waves ban on Pattaya boats after tourist catamaran capsizes

    Waves ban on Pattaya boats after tourist catamaran capsizes

    The Marine Department, Pattaya Office, imposed a ban on small boats venturing into the Pattaya sea. With a red flag fluttering halfway up the mast yesterday, December 25, the Department issued a stern warning to fishing boats, jet skis, speedboats, and towing boats, urging them to stay ashore amid the turbulent waters. Large fishing vessels escaped a categorical ban but…

  • Intoxicated tourist’s festive frolic on Pattaya Walking Street

    Intoxicated tourist’s festive frolic on Pattaya Walking Street

    On Pattaya Walking Street, a tourist found himself in the spotlight after refusing to foot the bill for his drinks, stirring a peaceful intervention by the local law enforcement on December 24. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, showcased signs of inebriation, becoming uncooperative in settling his tab amounting to 198 baht. Responding swiftly to the distress call from the…

  • Tourist speedboat capsizes near Bubu Island: all passengers rescued

    Tourist speedboat capsizes near Bubu Island: all passengers rescued

    The tourist speedboat Bandaya 19 met with an unfortunate incident on Sunday (December 24) as it capsized near Bubu Island, a mere 3 kilometres from Satun’s Lipe Island. The boat was ferrying 73 tourists, which included 3 children, and had 4 crew members on board at the time of the mishap. Without losing a beat, the Navy’s 491st Special Warfare…

  • Pattaya floating market: Loss of Chinese tourists amidst safety concerns

    Pattaya floating market: Loss of Chinese tourists amidst safety concerns

    In a bid to revive Pattaya‘s reputation, the operator of the iconic Pattaya Floating Market is sounding the alarm, urging authorities to dispel safety concerns that have plagued Thailand. Amidst the ongoing struggle for a tourism comeback, Sumaporn Srimuang, the market’s general manager, reveals shocking statistics and pleads for a shift in perception. “China remains the linchpin of Pattaya’s tourism,…

  • Pattaya: Traffic chaos at Bali Hai Pier

    Pattaya: Traffic chaos at Bali Hai Pier

    The picturesque road from Walking Street to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya has transformed into a bustling bazaar, causing mayhem for both locals and tourists alike. The 1.5-kilometre stretch, once a serene link between nightlife and island getaways, is now a traffic-ridden nightmare. The situation has escalated to the point where motorcycles are haphazardly strewn across the road, leaving no…

  • Foreigners defrauded by Thai woman with their passports leads to arrest

    Foreigners defrauded by Thai woman with their passports leads to arrest

    More than 30 foreigners turned the tables on a 33 year old woman, dragging her to the Pattaya City Police Station with a trove of 40 passports. The former language school teacher, Supawadee Thongnoi, stands accused of a cunning visa renewal scam that left expats high and dry in Thailand. Previously, victims had lodged complaints at the Pattaya City Police…

  • Motorbike rider cheats death in Pattaya cable catastrophe

    Motorbike rider cheats death in Pattaya cable catastrophe

    In Pattaya, a Bolt motorbike rider narrowly cheated death when he collided with a hanging cable, leaving his neck gruesomely wounded. The motorbike rider, 22 year old Ethan Ketwongsa, took to Facebook to recount his harrowing ordeal that unfolded on December 17. Cruising down Soi Ban Nern Thang Rotfai 1, just off the parallel railway road in East Pattaya, Ethan…

  • BWH Hotels signs Best Western Hotel at Jomtien Beach, Pattaya

    BWH Hotels signs Best Western Hotel at Jomtien Beach, Pattaya

    BWH Hotels (BWH), the leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotelsâ„¢, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, has continued the rapid expansion of its portfolio in Thailand with the signing of the Best Western Jomtien Beach Pattaya, a brand-new midscale hotel which is being constructed just steps from the golden sands of Jomtien Beach. Just a short drive from…

  • Pattaya visa scam leaves hundreds of tourists out of pocket and overstaying

    Pattaya visa scam leaves hundreds of tourists out of pocket and overstaying

    Hundreds of victims have been financially swindled by an unscrupulous visa extension agency in Pattaya, with some foreign victims being illegally overstayed in the Kingdom. Today, 36 year old Chanidapha Thowasakul, represented a group of more than 30 victims, including foreign nationals, and brought 33 year old Suphawadee (surname withheld) to the Pattaya City Police Station. The victims, with 40…

  • Honesty prevails: Seafood restaurant staff’s noble act returns lost fortune to tourists

    Honesty prevails: Seafood restaurant staff’s noble act returns lost fortune to tourists

    In a heartwarming twist of fate, a group of tourists, seemingly from the Middle East, narrowly escaped a financial catastrophe after leaving behind a bag loaded with 9,275 Dirhams and 105 US Dollars, totalling around 100,000 baht at the renowned Moom Aroi seafood restaurant in the Na Kluea area. On the evening of December 13, two women and two men…

  • Mysterious body of foreigner floating in Sattahip bay

    Mysterious body of foreigner floating in Sattahip bay

    Sattahip police received a distress call from a vigilant local fisherman who stumbled upon a body about 500 metres offshore near an island in Sattahip Bay on December 16. Rushing to the scene, an elite team of investigative police and a search and rescue unit were met with the sight of an unknown male, clad in nothing but black shorts,…

  • Three injured in motorcycle collision on Sukhumvit Road, Sattahip

    Three injured in motorcycle collision on Sukhumvit Road, Sattahip

    A collision involving two motorcycles on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip, Chon Buri, has led to injuries for three people – a Thai national and two Burmese migrants. The incident, which occurred early Monday morning yesterday (December 18), took place at the Nong Chap Tao intersection. Paopong Thapklad, a 38 years old resident of Thailand, was riding a Honda Dream motorcycle…

  • Pattaya city plans for one-way roads trial in 2024

    Pattaya city plans for one-way roads trial in 2024

    Located in Thailand, the bustling city of Pattaya recently grabbed headlines as city leaders declared their intent to usher in a significant change. Leaders in Pattaya City have revealed a proposal to convert the traffic flow on the bustling Soi Buakhao to one-way roads system. The announcement elicited diverse reactions and viewpoints, yet the prevailing sentiment among our readers, according…

  • Pattaya Beach’s controversial sidewalks to be expanded following public outcry

    Pattaya Beach’s controversial sidewalks to be expanded following public outcry

    Pattaya Beach’s controversial sidewalks caught the attention of the city’s Mayor, Poramese Ngampiches, who, after inspecting the area late last week, committed to expanding and improving the walkways. This follows a wave of public disapproval that swept across social media platforms, triggered by images of the newly paved sidewalks near Soi 13/2 and Royal Garden Mall. The beach has been…

  • Foreign buyers flock to Thailand’s tropical condos: Chinese and Russians lead

    Foreign buyers flock to Thailand’s tropical condos: Chinese and Russians lead

    Foreign buyers such as the Chinese and Russian are dominating the condominium scene, turning Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket into international real estate playgrounds. A staggering 10,703 units, raking in a jaw-dropping 52.3 billion baht, exchanged hands in the nine months leading up to September, marking a whopping 38% surge from the previous year, according to the Real Estate Information Center,…

  • Daylight shooting in Pattaya leaves news reporter’s assistant critically injured

    Daylight shooting in Pattaya leaves news reporter’s assistant critically injured

    A brutal shooting incident occurred at 7am today, leaving a 28 year old assistant to a Pattaya City news reporter critically injured with more than 40 bullet wounds to his face and head. The incident took place within the Soi Saisamtadpettrakul, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chon Buri. The police, led by Assistant Inspector Dorkrak Sairoj along with Station Inspector Navin Thirawit, rushed…

  • Transgender woman accused of 200,000 baht gold theft in Pattaya

    Transgender woman accused of 200,000 baht gold theft in Pattaya

    Pattaya police recorded yet another transgender magpie thief case involving some gold and an Indian man in Sin City. This time a 39 year old transgender woman was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya’s Nong Prue district, following allegations of theft in the middle of the night. The victim, a 40 year old Indian tourist, reported the loss of a…

  • Highs and lows in Pattaya as marijuana shop puts its foot on the illegal laughing gas peddle

    Highs and lows in Pattaya as marijuana shop puts its foot on the illegal laughing gas peddle

    In Pattaya, a shop selling legal marijuana products was discovered to be selling laughing gas to tourists too. A discreet investigation revealed that the shop, operating under the guise of a legal enterprise, was surreptitiously selling nitrous oxide balloons to an unsuspecting clientele, comprising both Thai locals and curious foreign tourists. The audacity of the operation was epitomised by a…

  • Pattaya’s permanent secretary Pramote Tubtim passes away in service

    Pattaya’s permanent secretary Pramote Tubtim passes away in service

    The city of Pattaya is reeling from the unexpected and sorrowful passing of its Permanent Secretary, Sub Lieutenant Pramote Tubtim, during his active service. The news of Pramote’s death yesterday has left the community in shock and mourning. Just hours before his untimely death, he had been diligently fulfilling his duties, adding to the sense of disbelief surrounding his sudden…

  • Mekong momentum: Nakhon Phanom’s new bike lane sets sail for tourism boost

    Mekong momentum: Nakhon Phanom’s new bike lane sets sail for tourism boost

    In Nakhon Phanom, a new initiative has been launched to boost tourism along the scenic Mekong River. The local municipality has collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to introduce a Bike Lane Tunnel, an innovative attraction that’s set to captivate tourists throughout December. This project was announced to the public yesterday, December 7. The Bike Lane Tunnel, a…

  • Chon Buri: Peacock on residential rooftop captured by rescue teams in Nong Prue

    Chon Buri: Peacock on residential rooftop captured by rescue teams in Nong Prue

    A peacock was spotted yesterday perching on a residential rooftop at Eakmongkol Village 3, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The Nong Prue rescue teams, upon receiving the unusual report at 5.40pm, promptly arrived on the scene to manage the situation. The peacock, typically an inhabitant of the wilderness, had somehow made its way to the urban locality and decided to make…

  • Lampang high-speed chase ends with seizure of 1.3 million amphetamine pills

    Lampang high-speed chase ends with seizure of 1.3 million amphetamine pills

    Amidst the serene landscapes of Lampang, the tranquillity was shattered on December 6, as a high-speed chase ended in the capture of two alleged drug smugglers with amphetamine pills. The suspects, identified only as 43 year old Worapot and Chainarong, were found in possession of an astonishing 1.3 million amphetamine pills. The apprehension of such a significant drug haul was…

  • Thai Health Minister delivers bundle of joy and initiative: Give Birth, Great World

    Thai Health Minister delivers bundle of joy and initiative: Give Birth, Great World

    Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Thai Minister of Public Health and associated agencies, this week launched an initiative called Give Birth, Great World at a press conference in Ayutthaya. The primary concern addressed at the launch meeting was Thailand’s alarming demographic trends, which, according to reports, is causing the nation to be among 23 others worldwide with a higher death rate…

  • Pattaya police under fire for letting foreign sex offenders flee Thailand

    Pattaya police under fire for letting foreign sex offenders flee Thailand

    Three police officers are now in hot water for their alleged involvement in the escape of two foreign suspects accused of engaging in illicit activities with underage girls in Pattaya. The escapade involves a German and an American who, after arrests, managed to slip away under questionable circumstances. The controversy traces back to a case in September last year when a…

  • Slovenian national found dead in Pattaya condo, suspected suicide

    Slovenian national found dead in Pattaya condo, suspected suicide

    The lifeless body of a 47 year old man from Slovenia was discovered in a Pattaya condominium yesterday. The preliminary investigations suggest that the cause of death was likely suicide. The scene was inspected by a team led by Pattaya police chief investigator, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon Athipansee, alongside medics from Bang Lamung Hospital and rescue workers. The team was…