Nightlife operators in Pattaya are pleading to be allowed to revert to the later closing times that were in place prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, while the government’s Covid-19 task force is further easing restrictions on transport, schools, and sporting events, the emergency decree still remains in place. This means that former tourist hotspots like Pattaya, whose special designation meant bars and clubs could stay open longer than many other parts of the country, must currently adhere to a mandatory closing time of midnight. However, some business owners accuse others of not observing the midnight closing requirement, putting those […]

3 Chinese men have been arrested for illegal entry, living in Thailand without a visa and allegedly operating a pornography and gambling website. The Immigration Bureau began an investigation after a tip from locals that some Chinese men had illegally entered the country 8 months ago and were working illegally Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung District. The arrest was at their house on Monday. 3 suspects, identified only as Wang, Dong, and Si, were caught along with a computer reportedly used for running a pornographic website. 31 year old Wang reportedly admitted to being an administrator of the site. He claimed […]

Now that Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street is open to traffic along with parking for the first time in many, many years, what’s next? Thai officials and the local constabulary have long had a love-hate relationship with the red light district. It has attracted tourists but perhaps to the tourists the bosses in Bangkok were hoping for. It was a hive of lawless rents, sub-leases, sub-sub-leases and graft. Whilst police turned a blind eye to much of the illegal activities along the strip, they were happy to profit from kick-backs, “security” and tea money. Now the Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume says the […]