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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How to choose the perfect family-friendly property in Phuket
Phuket has long attracted visitors from around the globe with its golden beach and lush green hills. Many come for a holiday and leave captivated, often deciding they want a piece of the island for themselves. That’s why, despite fluctuations...
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Deserted Pattaya hotel turns into drug den, electricity theft hub
Law enforcement and municipal authorities were left stunned as they uncovered a web of trespassing, illicit drug activities, and unauthorised power usage lurking within an abandoned hotel nestled in Soi 1, Jomtien Beach, on Monday. Despite the warning of a No Trespassing sign, the three-story hotel, shuttered during the Covid-19 pandemic, was harbouring five individuals in separate rooms. Shockingly, each…
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Pattaya Mayor saves buffaloes from the slaughter for the blind
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngamphichet donated 30,000 baht to the Thai Association of the Blind to rescue two buffaloes from the brink of slaughter. In an initiative unveiled on Monday, Mayor Poramet’s collaborative effort with city officials aims to provide a lifeline for visually impaired individuals in Uthai Thani Province. The funds gathered through a charity event and contributions from dedicated…
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Beach blues: Na Jomtien residents wave off unauthorised businesses
Residents of Na Jomtien in Sattahip raised concerns over continuous disturbances and unauthorised commercial activities on the beach. These issues have previously been highlighted and rectified, thanks to the combined efforts of local officials and law enforcement. However, according to the community, the resolutions have been temporary rather than a permanent fix. The focal point of these complaints is the…
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Trunk trouble: Illegal elephant pants imports surge sparks probe
A surge of illegal imports of Thai elephant pants from China and neighbouring countries led to an official investigation on February 5. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, directed the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to look into this matter. These infringing items were spotted at various tourist hotspots, being sold at prices significantly lower than…
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Excavation work safety on Pattaya Third Road sparks concern
Residents and commuters traversing Pattaya Third Road are in a state of unease, particularly at Soi Chalermprakiat 25, where ongoing road excavation has plunged the area into darkness, raising alarming safety concerns. The absence of essential safety precautions such as warning signs and adequate lighting has turned the construction site into a breeding ground for accidents, endangering both drivers and…
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Pattaya police crackdown on underage entry at local club
Pattaya police cracked down on the city’s entertainment hotspots in an operation named Nightwatch, arriving at Area 39 on Pattaya Third Road at 1.30am on February 3. Amidst the sea of IDs, a 19 year old girl emerged, attempting to slyly slip past with a counterfeit identity. The venue management pointed fingers at the imposter, claiming she hoodwinked her way…
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Jaws drop in Huay Yai Village as 2-metre crocodile sunbathes by fishing pond
A 2-metre long crocodile weighing 30 kilogrammes sent villagers in Huay Yai Village, East Pattaya into panic as it casually sunbathed by Taklom Fishing Pond on Sunday, February 4. Locals and news crews flocked to capture the unexpected visitor on video, showcasing the reptile’s playful antics and its remarkable evasive skills during capture attempts. The owner of Taklom Fishing Pond,…
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Bus and truck collide on Highway 7, 13 injured, severe traffic
A collision between a passenger bus and a truck on a busy motorway resulted in 13 injuries and severe traffic congestion. The incident occurred at 1.25pm today when a bus, carrying approximately 30-40 passengers from Ekkamai to Pattaya, struck a trailer truck. The accident on the motorway (Highway 7) at the 37.6-kilometer mark towards Map Ta Phut prompted Highway Police…
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Thai stylist’s hair-raising encounter with furious Russian man
A Russian man shaved part of his barber’s hair after not getting his desired haircut in Jomtien, Pattaya on January 25. The hairdresser, 32 year old Supachai Maneecharoen found himself in a hair-raising predicament during a routine trim last month. The scissor showdown unfolded as the language barrier led to this salon drama. Amidst snips and clips, a Russian man,…
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Thailand’s ONCB hosts dialogue following decriminalisation of cannabis and kratom
Hot on the trail of the decriminalisation of cannabis and kratom, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) hosted a dialogue dubbed Perspectives and Feedbacks After Cannabis and Kratom Left the Narcotics Act. The main aim of the discourse was to amass opinions from various stakeholders, focusing on methods to protect the youth and children from potential abuse of…
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Illegal Cambodian beggars ring busted in Pattaya
The Thai authorities in Chon Buri province conducted a crackdown on illegal begging on Wednesday, targeting a Cambodian beggars’ ring in Pattaya. Led by Police chief Colonel Napatspong Khotsitsuriyamani and Pol. Col. Nawin Thirawit, the operation aimed to safeguard Pattaya’s tourism charm. What they discovered during their crackdown sent shockwaves through the city. In a bid to preserve the positive…
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TripAdvisor ranks Pattaya as 7th Best of the Best Destinations in 2024
Popular online travel platform Tripadvisor ranked Pattaya in Thailand 7th in the Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destination for 2024, suggesting the beach city is the perfect choice for great resorts, outdoor activities, cabaret and cultural tours. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award Best of the Best for 2024, is divided into five categories including destinations, restaurants, beaches, hotels and…
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Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider dodges death with IED discovery on Beach Road
A motorcycle taxi rider narrowly escaped death after discovering two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a Beach Road in Pattaya. Fortunately, he escaped without a scratch when one of the bombs exploded. The 57 year old motorcycle taxi rider, Suwit Srijantuek, told Channel 7 that he stumbled upon the IEDs hidden in a traffic cone he routinely uses daily to safeguard his…
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Pattaya’s high-speed car crash triggers explosion and blackout
Pattaya witnessed a catastrophic event last night at the entrance of Soi Chaiphonwithi 15, as a high-speed car crash triggered an explosion. This near-fatal incident took place around 11pm when a bronze Toyota pickup truck, bearing Bangkok number plates, slammed into a high-voltage electric pole. The impact ignited a fire, posing a severe threat to the surrounding area. Responding to…
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Entertainment guard gunned down at traffic light in Pattaya
An entertainment guard was shot multiple times while waiting at a traffic light at the intersection at Na Kluea sub-district, North Pattaya, at 6.16am yesterday. The 39 year old guard, Panya Khayanngan, succumbed to his wounds despite a swift rush to the hospital. The crime scene painted a gruesome picture, with Panya’s overturned motorcycle and his body riddled with bullet…
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Pattaya plight: Migrant beggars roam the streets
Migrant beggars, disabled individuals, and the elderly have been spotted roaming the streets near Pattaya Beach, raising eyebrows and causing discomfort among residents and tourists alike. The alarming scenes, particularly along Second Road and in front of the Wat Chai Mongkol Market in South Pattaya, triggered concerns about the city’s struggle to tackle street begging, leaving its impact on the…
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South African-Thai Chamber of Commerce host networking event in Pattaya
The South African-Thai Chamber of Commerce (SATCC) hosted the SATCC ESB Multi-Chamber Networking Evening at Pullman Pattaya Hotel G on January 19. The event, generously supported by Bumrungrad Hospital as the main sponsor, transformed the venue into a vibrant hub of collaboration. A constellation of sponsors, including Macallan Insurance Broker, Q Cars, Red Wolf Global, and CSP Construction, illuminated the…
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Police raid exposes massive counterfeit cosmetics operation worth millions
The Thai authorities have cracked down on a colossal counterfeit cosmetics ring involving a Chinese investor and the illicit sale of beauty products worth millions. The Commissioner of the Police Consumer Protection Division, Police Lieutenant General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, along with relevant agencies, orchestrated a press conference on Monday, January 29 that marked the unravelling of a major illegal cosmetics empire. A…
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Teenager had motorcycle stolen after leaving it for 10 minutes
A teenager had his motorcycle stolen after parking it outside a condo in Pattaya for a mere 10 minutes on January 27. The 16 year old victim, Panupong, reported the theft to Pattaya police at 5.30pm. The black Honda PCX, purchased by Panupong’s mother for his daily commute and delivery gigs, was snatched from its spot outside the apartment. Panupong…
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German tourist’s beachside stumble turns vacation into footsie disaster
A German tourist stumbled over construction wire mesh at a beachfront construction site in Pattaya on January 27, leaving him with a serious foot injury. Eyewitnesses revealed that the incident occurred as 24 year old Nils Gleissner ambled along the footpath near the beach. The treacherous mishap transpired at a spot undergoing renovations, with the unsuspecting tourist tripping over the…
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Foreign man refuses to pay fare and bites Bolt driver in Pattaya
A Thai Bolt driver in Pattaya reached out to a news agency after a foreign man refused to pay his transport fare and bit him, leaving him with a cut lip. Channel 7 announced that the reporters visited the Thai Bolt driver, Weeraphon, in hospital yesterday, January 29. The man was being treated for bite marks and scratches on his…
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British photographer dies after parachuting from Pattaya condo (video)
A British photographer died after parachuting from the 29th floor of a condominium in Pattaya, Thailand. Bang Lamung Police Station officers received a notification of the parachute accident at about 7.30pm on Saturday, January 27 and rushed to the scene, Lumpini Condo Town North Pattaya-Sukhumvi. Officers found the lifeless body of the foreign man, later identified as a 33 year…
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British BASE jumper dies in Pattaya condo plunge
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday evening at a Pattaya condominium when a 33 year old British national was killed in a BASE-jumping accident. At around 7.30pm, local authorities were alerted to a body that had fallen from a great height, landing amidst the condominium’s lush foliage before hitting the ground. The accident occurred in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Bang Lamung,…
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British man forges kidnap tale, arrested by Pattaya police
A seemingly distressing kidnapping report took an unexpected turn when a British national’s family in England alerted Thai police that the Brit had been abducted in Thailand. The Central Police Bureau was alerted via Interpol by Ian’s (surname withheld) family in the UK and Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridej, Commander-in-Chief of the Central Police Bureau, deployed an investigative team to…
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Drunken Thai man found dead on Jomtien Beach
A Thai man lost his life after taking a fateful dip into the sea at Jomtien Beach near The Now Hotel on January 25, possibly under the influence of alcohol. A rescue team and the Pattaya Police received a report of the incident at 4pm. Upon their arrival at the scene in Nong Prue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province,…
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Three injured in motorcycle accident on Pattaya Central Road
A motorcycle accident in front of McDonald’s on Pattaya Central Road left two Thai teens and a foreigner with injuries on the night of January 25. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation dispatched a response team to the scene upon receiving report of the accident. An unconscious 14 year old Thai girl, sprawled on the road, was found at the site.…
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German reporter allegedly makes up story about Thai police corruption
A German man arrested in Pattaya last year for having sex with an underage girl insisted that he had never paid a 1 million baht bribe to Thai police. The man said a German reporter distorted and sensationalised the story from his interview to attract public attention. Police raided a nightclub, Cobra Beer Bar, in Pattaya for human trafficking in…
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Thai man arrested for attempted murder in Pattaya
Pattaya police collared a 19 year old Thai man for an attempted murder incident that unfolded on January 24. The Thai man, Yanarot Suthi, was apprehended under an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court on January 17. The list of charges against him includes attempted murder, possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms, and causing an explosion that…
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Pattaya’s traffic nightmare: Deputy mayor tackles commute delays
In a bid to combat the chaos caused by the never-ending construction along Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya, Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai took matters into his own hands, leading a team on a mission to bring relief to frustrated commuters. Accompanied by reps from the contracted company, Pattaya police, and Engineering Office staff, the Deputy Mayor rolled up his sleeves and descended…
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My Thai Boyfriend, new LGBTQA+ dating sim game inspired by Pattaya
Game developer Alright Peaches Studio launched a dating simulator game inspired by the LGBTQA+ community in Pattaya called My Thai Boyfriend. My Thai Boyfriend has been available on Steam since January 1. The game is a dating simulator, also known as a dating sim or visual novel, which allows players to interact and build relationships with characters in the video…
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