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 Leap into English mastery with Green Valley's LEAP Programme
For many years, St. Andrews International School, Green Valley’s students who did not speak English as their first language have typically participated in English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes to build proficiency. However, the school has recently introduced a...
-
1 woman dies, another injured, after motorbike collides with truck in Chon Buri
An 18 year old student has died, and another has been injured, after a collision between their motorbike and an 18-wheel truck in the eastern province of Chon Buri. The incident happened in the district of Panat Nikhom, with rescue workers and police arriving on the scene to find the damaged motorbike and truck, on a road that is currently…
-
Drunk foreign woman escapes injury after crashing car into wall in Chon Buri | VIDEO
A foreign drunk driver has had a lucky escape after crashing her car into a wall in the Banglamung district of Chon Buri, in eastern Thailand. The Pattaya News reports that rescue workers arrived at a property in the Soi Chaiyapruek 2 housing estate to find a sedan car smashed into a wall. The 60 year foreign female driver was…
-
775 million baht earmarked for revival of Pattaya tourism industry
Officials in Pattaya are planning 2 development schemes, at a combined cost of 775 million baht, with hopes of reviving the city’s decimated tourism industry. The proposals have been named Neo Koh Lan and Old Town Na Klua, and will consist of 32 projects, which will be developed over the next 3 financial years. The Bangkok Post reports that funds…
-
Training grenades found along Chon Buri road
5 grenades were found dumped along with some garbage on the side of the road in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district. Officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team say the grenades are not dangerous and are used in training exercises. A resident contacted police after finding the grenades. Although the grenades are not explosive, police say the grenades were disposed of…
-
Pattaya bike rider injured after plunging into large construction hole in road
A motorbike driver has been injured after his bike plunged into a 2-metre deep construction pit in the Naklua area of Pattaya. The Pattaya News reports that the accident occurred around 4am on Thursday morning, with rescue workers arriving to find the bike at the bottom of the pit. The driver, 39 year old Wassapon Thataworn, had managed to climb…
-
Chon Buri man drives pickup truck into ex-girlfriend’s house in jealous rage – VIDEO
Police in the Pan Thong district of the eastern province of Chon Buri are hunting a 34 year old man who deliberately drove his pickup truck into his ex-girlfriend’s home in a fit of jealousy. His 42 year old ex, Uraiwan Kotsombat, has pleaded with police to find Chalermkiet Osodroob, saying he has previously threatened to burn her house down.…
-
Pattaya firework party lights up the weekend | VIDEO
After much anticipation, the Pattaya Fireworks Festival lit up the sky this past weekend, delighting spectators with beautiful night beachside spectacle. More importantly, it was the first time Pattaya was packed with tourists since March this year, albeit mostly Thai tourists. The event program was packed with long fireworks shows with hotels offering promotions for advanced bookings in an attempt…
-
Monk found hanged at Chon Buri temple in apparent suicide
A 68 year old monk has been found hanged at a temple in the eastern province of Chon Buri, in an apparent suicide. The Pattaya News reports that police and rescue workers were called to a temple in the sub-district of Baan Suan at around 7.30am yesterday. The body of the dead man was found hanging near the monk’s housing…
-
Police hunt armed man who robbed Chon Buri store of 200,000 baht worth of gold
Police in the city of Laem Chabang, the shipping port in the eastern province of Chon Buri, are hunting a suspect described as “armed and dangerous” following a robbery at a department store. Employees of the ‘Golden 99’ store were threatened at gunpoint before the man made off with gold valued at 200,000 baht. The 3 staff members were left…
-
Pandemic has washed away Pattaya’s “soapy” massage parlours
While the Covid pandemic has hit Thailand’s businesses hard, it has also washed away its not-so-legal soapy massage parlours after tourism has dried up its clientele. Such places, known as glorified brothels, have left many masseuses out of work as boards have barricaded the once booming establishments. Soapy Massage (àap-òp-nûat, อาบอบนวด, literally bath, steam, massage)… These are the bigger massage parlours where…
-
Phuket sees 300 million baht boost over long holiday weekend
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says that Phuket has received a much-needed 300 million baht boost over the 4 day long weekend with around 54,000 tourists flocking to the island from last Thursday through to yesterday. Phuket Office Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, reports that the average expenditure per visitor was about 5,500 baht, which was higher than the average spend for…
-
Mother travels to Pattaya to desperately search for her missing daughter
50 year old Chanapa Yuthiya has travelled from Chaiyaphum province to Pattaya, over 400 kilometres, to desperately search for her missing daughter. The grandmother has taken her 7 month old granddaughter along, after she says her daughter has been out of touch and unable to be reached since November 17. Chanapa filed a complaint to Pattaya City police last Thursday…
-
Pattaya Fireworks Festival hoped to boost economy over upcoming weekend
The Pattaya Fireworks Festival is approaching with many hoping it will boost the economy over the upcoming weekend. Stacked with long fireworks shows and some hotels offering promotional fares for advance bookings, officials say they hope it will wake up the weekend as Thais and foreigners alike take part in the annual short list festival. The festival runs over November…
-
Teenagers break vending machine by inserting beer bottle tops to pay for coffee
A group of teenagers in the eastern province of Chon Buri has been caught on CCTV inserting flattened bottle tops into a coffee vending machine, causing it to break. In the footage, 4 teenagers, male and female, can be seen arriving on a motorbike and parking in front of a convenience store in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They…
-
Pattaya supply boat destroyed in offshore blaze | VIDEO
A speed boat, moored off Pattaya, caught fire last night. It was in clear view for people at the nearby beaches. No one was injured in the incident but the vessel has received extensive damage. Pattaya City Police were notified of the blaze at 8pm. Local police, Pattaya marine officials and emergency services rushed to the scene. The boat was…
-
Hitman arrested over 14 year old cold-case murder in Pattaya of NZ businessman
An arrest has been made in a 14 year old Pattaya cold case following the arrest of a Thai man who allegedly murdered a New Zealander in 2006. 40 year old Yiamwut Julapong, aka. Pokpong, is now in custody in Phetchabun province after a raid led by Crime Suppression Division. ‘Pokpong’ was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Court back…
-
Pattaya beer bar catches on fire, landlord accuses evicted tenant of arson
A Pattaya landlord is accusing an evicted tenant of arson after a beer bar housed in his building caught on fire late yesterday morning. Police and firefighters are continuing their investigation and did not comment on what they suspect caused the fire. The building owner, 68 year old Chanathida Rasamussen, says the fire was out when he arrived at the…
-
Chon Buri royalists, pro-government groups, gather to show support for the Monarchy
Thousands of royalist supporters and pro-government factions have come together in Chon Buri to show their support for the Thai Monarchy. Actor brothers, Bin and Ekapan Bunluerit, were also present at the rally on Chonlamark Vithee Road, as well as the mayor of Pattaya, Sonthaya Khunplome, and his brother, Wittaya Khunplome. The governor of Chon Buri, Phakthorn Thianchai, was also…
-
Third person killed by an elephant in the past month in Chon Buri’s Bo Thong district
A woman tapping rubber trees was stomped to death by a wild elephant in Chon Buri’s Bo Thong district. She is the third person in the district killed by an elephant in the past month. The wild elephants have been an ongoing problem and district chief Kittipong Kittikul says he’s been trying to control the wild animals in the area.…
-
Chon Buri man allegedly killed neighbours over dispute about their barking dog
A Chon Buri man allegedly shot and killed his neighbours because their dog was barking. 49 year old Jirat Wuttimananon turned himself in to police and allegedly admitted to fatally shooting the married couple after an argument about the barking dog. He faces murder charges. “I have been annoyed with the dog for a long time and made many complaints.…
-
Thai protester released on bail, tells his side of the story after head-butt incident in Pattaya
A follow up to yesterday’s sad incident with a Thai protester ending up head-butting a 52 year old Russian man who was watching a small protest on the Jomtien foreshore with his 10 year old daughter and Thai wife. The incident happened on Monday evening at the Dongtan Curve. The protester, Narathiwat “Ken” Khamma, was arrested and jailed for the…
-
Investors see opportunity in Pattaya hotel market
Although travel restrictions are still tight, investors see potential opportunities in Pattaya’s hotel market. Many are reimagining the 2021 market by focusing on domestic demand. Property consultancy JLL says the ongoing Eastern Economic Corridor development comes into play. U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong expanding to increase capacity by 5 million passengers and a high speed rail is in the works…
-
52 year old Russian head-butted by Thai protest leader in Pattaya
A small protest gathering in Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach last night turned ugly when one of the protest leaders targeted and assaulted a 52 year old Russian expat who was watching on with his 10 year old daughter and Thai wife. The tall Thai man in the floral shirt, named as Narathiwat “Kane” Khamma, became agitated and started yelling obscenities at…
-
Cement truck driver blames brake failure after vehicle overturns
A driver was able to escape serious injuries after the cement truck he was driving flipped over in Banglamung yesterday morning. The driver has blamed brake failure for the incident. Emergency responders were notified of the accident on Saturday morning at 10am in Baan Ton Krarok. Police arrived to find the overturned cement truck on the road. The 61 year old sustained…
-
Norwegian expat in Pattaya arrested on child porn charges
An elderly Norwegian man has been arrested in Pattaya on charges of downloading, collecting, and possessing child pornography. The 87 year old expat was arrested yesterday in the Jomtien area, after authorities identified his computer IP address as being the source of illegal downloads of child sexual abuse material. The Pattaya News reports that members of the Institute of Forensic…
-
Pattaya journalist injured as foreigner steals gun, fires at police, then kills himself
An armed man has killed himself after a stand-off with police in Pattaya that lasted several hours, during which a journalist was shot. It’s understood the man, a 25 year old American citizen, stole a Glock 9mm with 8 bullets from a shooting range, with staff trying but failing to stop him from making his getaway on a motorbike, according…
-
Live grenade found in garbage pile near Chon Buri housing estate
A man found a live grenade in a garbage pile near a Chon Buri housing estate. 48 year old Sukhawut Wichada said he was looking around the area for papaya when he came across the grenade. “I was searching for papaya before I found this… I knew it was a grenade. I ran away before calling the police.” Both police…
-
Pattaya security guard arrested for indecent exposure in front of school
A security guard has been arrested for public indecency after exposing himself and masturbating in front of teachers and students at a school in Pattaya. The Pattaya News reports that 29 year old Marut Ruchiwong is accused of carrying out the acts at the gate of Wat Sukree Bunyaram School, in the district of Banglamung. It’s understood Marut drove his…
-
“Pattaya Model” to focus on Special Tourist Visa visitors from China and Russia
Pattaya wants to cash in on the new Special Tourist Visa scheme and local officials plan to introduce the “Pattaya Model” to help boost the local economy after it took at beating from the lack of international tourists due to the pandemic. They’ll focus on drawing in Chinese and Russian tourists on the new long stay visa, according to Pattaya…
-
Pattaya – fighting to survive its Covid crisis
Pattaya, like some of Thailand’s other former tourist hotspots, is facing some critical challenges. Hundreds of thousands of workers have left the city because there’s simply no work and up to 50% of the city’s shops are closed, some never to re-open. The Thaiger filmed most of this video on a long weekend at the end of October, the busiest…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.