Pattaya City to revoke lease, demolish café at Bali Hai Lighthouse

Pattaya City plans to revoke the lease and demolish a café at Bali Hai Lighthouse after discovering the tenant, who was supposed to build a restroom, had opened a café and placed tables and chairs in a public area.

During a Pattaya City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 27, council member Methakrit Suthonros, representing District 4, raised concerns about the café’s presence at Bali Hai Lighthouse.

Methakrit questioned why the building, initially intended to be a restroom according to the city’s contract with the tenant, had instead become a café. He noted numerous complaints from residents alleging misuse of public space, as the café had placed tables and chairs in the public area, restricting access for those not purchasing food or drinks from the café.

Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai responded, explaining that the area at the tip of the Bali Hai Lighthouse is managed by the Pattaya City Environmental Office. The space was initially auctioned once for commercial use but was cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic due to Thailand’s economic decline. Previously housing public restrooms and a small souvenir shop, the area was auctioned again to prevent it from becoming abandoned.

The auction started with a bid of 20,000 baht, and the winning bidder secured the lease for 50,000 baht. However, Manoch emphasised that the bidder was granted the lease solely to operate a restroom facility, covering an area of 30 square metres, not a café. Based on photo evidence presented by Methakrit, Manoch acknowledged that the operator might have violated the contract by converting the restroom into a café.

“The city will immediately inspect the café. If the tenant is found to have violated the lease agreement, their contract will be terminated.”

Manoch added that any unauthorised placement of tables and chairs outside the designated area along the seafront would also result in the lease’s termination, reported Pattaya News.