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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  • Woman held over court attack may be key operative

    Woman held over court attack may be key operative

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Woman held over court attack may be key operative The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police believe a suspect arrested for her alleged role in the March 7 hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court is a key operative coordinating with a high-profile US-based suspect who has…

  • Iranian arrested as DSI busts fake-passport syndicate

    Iranian arrested as DSI busts fake-passport syndicate

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iranian arrested as DSI busts fake-passport syndicate The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday arrested an Iranian as it cracked down on a syndicate engaged in making fake passports, and possibly linked to international human trafficking. S Rafil Bonda, a…

  • Missing temple cleric charged over court grenade attack

    Missing temple cleric charged over court grenade attack

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Missing temple cleric charged over court grenade attack The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police yesterday took custody of a key suspect – accused of involvement in the grenade attack on the Criminal Court – from the military. The woman was then charged with terrorism and…

  • Mastermind of court attack reportedly in Australia | Thaiger

    Mastermind of court attack reportedly in Australia

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mastermind of court attack reportedly in Australia The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police will seek the extradition of a man suspected of masterminding the hand-grenade attack on the Criminal Court last week, who is also wanted for allegedly committing lese majeste and failing to report…

  • Phuket a top choice for inaugural Thailand yacht show

    Phuket a top choice for inaugural Thailand yacht show

    PHUKET: Phuket has been named as a top choice for the launch of a Thailand Yacht Show, to be organized by the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS). The location for the yacht show, planned for the end of this year, has been narrowed down to Phuket and Pattaya, explained Deputy Minister of Transport Akom Termpittayapisit…

  • Phuket charity drive for world record attempt crosses B1mn mark

    Phuket charity drive for world record attempt crosses B1mn mark

    PHUKET: Graham Haslam and Mark Cameron have already raised more than 1 million baht for a local charity without having driven their electric golf cart a single meter in a Guinness World Record attempt. Dubbed “The Longest Drive” the duo plan to drive the golf cart from Pattaya to Phuket, about 1,400km, as the raise funds for the Phuket Has…

  • Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee | Thaiger

    Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Bangkok travel firm is suspected of breaching the Foreign Business Act by having a Thai nominee to hold a majority share in the company, according to the Business Development Department. Pongpun…

  • Finnish golf pro Puhakka takes a swing on Phuket

    Finnish golf pro Puhakka takes a swing on Phuket

    PHUKET: The island’s Loch Palm and Laguna Phuket golf courses were tested out last week by Finnish pro golfer Peter Puhakka. Puhakka spent the last three-and-a-half months playing courses in Pattaya and Bangkok, taking part in the Bangkok Open Championships (finished 30th with a 151, seven over par) and the Singha All Thailand Tour (finished 50th), before falling short of…

  • Police raid bags nigh B3mn in counterfeit goods

    Police raid bags nigh B3mn in counterfeit goods

    PHUKET: Fake brand-name products valued at nearly 3 million baht were seized on Tuesday in police raids on shops in Patong. The early evening raid, led by officers of Economic Crime Division 4 (ECD 4), resulted in the seizure of more than 2,200 counterfeit items masquerading as luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Channel, Prada, Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein and Billabong,…

  • Singapore officials consider Phuket consulate

    Singapore officials consider Phuket consulate

    PHUKET: Phuket is one of several popular tourist destinations in Thailand being considered as the location for a consulate for the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore. Gabriel Liow, a counsellor from the Singapore Embassy, visited Phuket on Wednesday to wish the island’s officials a happy eew year and discuss issues that concern Singaporean tourists and expats in Phuket. “Mr…

  • Phuket Pads: The island’s chalk and cheese

    Phuket Pads: The island’s chalk and cheese

    PHUKET: Phuket is, in many ways, becoming similar to Pattaya, with more and more cheap condos popping up in Patong, Kathu and other areas of the island. One-bedroom units from 1-3 million baht are becoming the norm to cater to the once-a-year tourist, and Thai investors are becoming eager to make an investment in Phuket’s booming property market. CHALK AND…

  • Fugitive bomber Singh arrested, faces extradition

    Fugitive bomber Singh arrested, faces extradition

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fugitive bomber Singh arrested, faces extradition The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai Police have arrested a Pakistani passport holder convicted of involvement in a high-profile bomb attack in India two decades ago that killed 18 people, including the Punjab chief minister at the time, Beant…

  • Phuket sailors head for Platu Trans World Invitational

    Phuket sailors head for Platu Trans World Invitational

    PHUKET: Fresh from his team’s 2014 Platu One Design Championship victory, Kingdom Property helmsman Scott Duncanson has announced his intention to compete in the Platu Trans World Invitational. Held from March 18-22 out of the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya, up to 20 crews will compete for the internationally recognized trophy. Five European teams have entered, including current world…

  • Asian Beach Games: China makes its move

    Asian Beach Games: China makes its move

    PHUKET: Thailand were given a scare yesterday when their grip on the Asian Beach Games crown was loosened by a strong surge from reigning champions China, who scooped nine golds to leapfrog into second. At press time, the hosts lead the medal charge with 34 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze medals, with China on 14 golds. Thai athletes enjoyed…

  • Swingers tee up record golf cart drive from Pattaya to Phuket

    Swingers tee up record golf cart drive from Pattaya to Phuket

    PHUKET: Golfers Graham Haslam and Mark Cameron are preparing to set a world record by driving an electric golf cart from Pattaya to Phuket to raise funds for local children’s education charity Phuket Has Been Good To Us. The “standard” electric golf cart selected for the record-breaking undertaking, to begin in March next year, will include some modifications, namely solar…

  • Thai youth crowned world sailing team racing champions

    Thai youth crowned world sailing team racing champions

    PHUKET: The Thai team claimed gold in the team racing event at the Optimist World Championship 2014 Argentina on Sunday, returning to shore to cheers from around the world. After a two-year absence from the prestigious international event, the five member team defeated Asian Games gold medalist Singapore in the team racing finals which saw 38 nations competing for the…

  • Buakaw Under Fire: Fighter flees the ring in championship fight

    Buakaw Under Fire: Fighter flees the ring in championship fight

    PHUKET: Once famous for his exhilarating K-1 boxing style, controversial Buakaw Banchamek’s tarnished reputation has suffered yet another setback with his latest antics in the ring, opting to flee the arena and shocking the crowd before the end of his fight. Rising to stardom as one of the most acclaimed K-1 fighters, who drew plaudits with countless captivating fights, Buakaw’s…

  • Phuket property rental platform aspires to clear muddied waters

    Phuket property rental platform aspires to clear muddied waters

    PHUKET: Being an entrepreneur can be daunting at times. It often entails subjecting oneself – and one’s bank account – to an unknown level of risk and necessitates taking a blind step into the unknown. There are usually no guarantees and failure is a common, yet unwelcome, outcome. “Five months ago we said ‘we are going to come out to…

  • Boating: Peeking behind Phuket’s Boatshed

    Boating: Peeking behind Phuket’s Boatshed

    PHUKET: Alan Giles from the UK initially came to Phuket 14 years ago to be a sailing instructor for Sunsail. As the years passed, he finally made the move to become a permanent island resident, and to open Phuket’s own Boatshed brokerage. Testament to the name on the door is the assortment of boating goodies in the office at the…

  • Phuket Classic competition to attract 145 bodybuilders [VIDEO] | Thaiger

    Phuket Classic competition to attract 145 bodybuilders [VIDEO]

    PHUKET: This year’s edition of the Phuket Classic bodybuilding competition will see 145 contestants flex their muscles to please the audience. The event will be held at Central Festival Phuket on October 12, from 11am to 7pm and will see 10 foreigners competing in a separate category. “The judges will be evaluating the contestants depending on body type, weight and…

  • German beggar faces deportation for charity-paid partying in Pattaya

    German beggar faces deportation for charity-paid partying in Pattaya

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community German beggar faces deportation for charity-paid partying in Pattaya The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: After attracting sympathy and donations from Thais in Bangkok, a German with an excessively swollen leg was seen enjoying drinks and the nightlife in Pattaya on Wednesday night. Tourist police have…

  • Vietnamese men arrested for kidnap, extortion and torture

    Vietnamese men arrested for kidnap, extortion and torture

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Vietnamese men arrested for kidnap, extortion and torture The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Three Vietnamese men are in police detention for allegedly kidnapping and chopping off their victim’s finger in an unsuccessful attempt to extort Bt1.5 million from his family. The victim, who is also…

  • Soccer Schools Tournament to kick off at Thanyapura

    Soccer Schools Tournament to kick off at Thanyapura

    PHUKET: Phuket Soccer Schools (PSS) is bringing the National Youth Tournament back to the island, with over 320 players competing in four age divisions. This year’s tournament, to be held on September 27 and 28 at Thanyapura, will see clubs flying in from various parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui, as well as local Phuket teams. To…

  • K-1 World Max Final is coming to Thailand

    K-1 World Max Final is coming to Thailand

    PHUKET: The world-renowned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournament – K-1 World Max Final – is coming to Thailand on October 11. During the event, which will be held at the Indoor Athletics Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand’s martial arts fans will witness Buakaw Banchamekgoing battle it out with Enriko Kehl. The event will be telecast live worldwide. Should Buakaw be able…

  • Phuket sailors top Thailand Platu 25 National Championship

    Phuket sailors top Thailand Platu 25 National Championship

    PHUKET: Local sailors Scott Duncanson and Alfie Rowson have won the open division of the 2014 Platu 25 National Championship held off Jomtien, Pattaya. The championships, raced over August 16-17, saw nine teams compete in the identical class of Platu yachts, known elsewhere in the world as Farr 25s, after their designer Bruce Farr. Day one started in light winds…

  • Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket

    Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket

    PHUKET: In hopes of further capitalizing on the success of their first venue in Bangkok, Escape Hunt has opened franchises worldwide, including in Phuket, where a venue opened recently in Kathu. Business partners Jasnam Sachathep, Surasit Sachdev and Navin and Dave Anandsongvit quickly realized the business’ potential in Phuket and celebrated their grand opening on August 11, joining the 23…

  • Full Metal Dojo brings MMA to Patong once more

    Full Metal Dojo brings MMA to Patong once more

    PHUKET: “Full Metal Dojo 2: Protect Your Neck” saw fighters from around the globe (including Thailand, Sweden, France, Canada, Philippines, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Japan and more) enter the cage. History was also made as a professional Thai-against-Thai women’s MMA bout took place inside the kingdom for the first time. FMD veteran Michael Dubois took care of business in under 30 seconds,…

  • British children, abducted by Thai mother, reunited with father in Pattaya

    British children, abducted by Thai mother, reunited with father in Pattaya

    PHUKET: British school children Annie and Aleena Day, abducted by their Thai mother in June while on holiday in Thailand, have been reunited with their father in Pattaya. “I’ve got them. They’re with me now,” a tearful Robert Day told Pattaya radio station Fabulous 103FM late Friday night (click here). Onwarat Gamlem, the 36-year-old non-custodial mother of the children, was…

  • Hotel association believes junta’s beach crackdown will lure tourists back

    Hotel association believes junta’s beach crackdown will lure tourists back

    PHUKET: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is encouraged to continue improving the public image of attractions across the country in a bid to draw more tourists in the coming high season. “More major tourist destinations such as Pattaya and Bang Saen in Chon Buri, the city of Chiang Mai, Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Koh Chang in…

  • The fire-powered business of barbecues

    The fire-powered business of barbecues

    PHUKET: In Thailand you’re never far from a barbecue. A massive chunk of the ever-present street food is based on grilling different kinds of meat over an open fire. Still, Brad McElroy felt he wanted a barbecue of his own and decided to import one from his home country, the motherland of barbecue – Australia. That was 18 years ago…