Pattaya News
Pattaya news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s coastal entertainment hub. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Pattaya news source.
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Jomtien Beach revamp nears completion, flooding fix underway
Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach transformation is well underway, with more than 80% of the project completed as the city works to tackle persistent flooding and modernise its landscape. Set for completion by the end of this year, the massive upgrade promises better drainage, improved footpaths, more parking, and enhanced lighting—a game-changer for residents and tourists alike. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently inspected…
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Puff and cuff: Pattaya Teen’s e-cigarette hustle goes up in smoke
A 19 year old girl’s online side hustle took a dramatic turn when she was caught red-handed selling illegal e-cigarettes in a police sting operation in Pattaya. Bang Lamung district chief Patcharapath Sritanyanon ordered a Special Operations Unit to take down online sellers of illegal vapes. Police set up a sting after discovering the young suspect had been advertising e-cigarettes…
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Pattaya punch-up: Teenage girl kicks off in wholesale showdown
A violent punch-up erupted at a wholesale store in Pattaya yesterday between local Thai shoppers when a teenager kicked off after she was blocked by another consumer. The fracas sparked at a store on Soi Khao Noi, East Pattaya, at 8pm yesterday, March 9. The drama exploded when a 19 year old woman flew into a fury over a shopping…
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AI-powered surveillance to boost tourist security in Pattaya
Pattaya City is set to enhance tourist security with artificial intelligence (AI) powered surveillance systems, allowing closer monitoring and response to incidents. This follows a meeting between the mayor and the city’s Tourist Police. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet met with the newly appointed Pattaya Tourist Police Chief, Police Colonel Songwut Chueaplakij, and his team to discuss the initiative. The AI-integrated…
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Lover’s leap: Thai teen falls from Pattaya condo after lover’s spat
A Thai teen is fighting for her life after a heated argument with her foreign boyfriend ended with her falling from the 14th floor of a Pattaya condominium. The 19 year old girl, Jane, was left with critical injuries after plummeting from the 14th floor of a condo in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. At around…
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New Don Mueang Airport shuttle links to Thailand hotspots
A brand-new feeder shuttle bus service, linking Don Mueang International Airport to the dazzling shores of Pattaya, is going to make it a whole lot easier for tourists to experience some of Thailand’ most iconic destinations. Launched on Saturday, March 8, under the watchful eye of Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, the service is set to transform transport connectivity, seamlessly…
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Nature calls: Italian man denies public masturbation in Pattaya, blames UTI
An Italian man denied masturbating in public in Pattaya, claiming that he only took his penis out to urinate because he was suffering from urinary incontinence, a result of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A Channel 8 female journalist sought help from Mueang Pattaya Police Station after she and her friend caught a foreign man masturbating on a beach near the…
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Bang Bang Lamung: Thai man shot near Pattaya car shop
A 37 year old Thai man was shot after finding himself in the crosshairs of a rival’s rage in Bang Lamung at the weekend. The shocking scene, unfolded on Saturday, March 8, when a petty feud exploded into chaos at a local auto shop in the typically quiet Khao Mai Kaew area of Chon Buri province. The drama began at…
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Thai woman drowns off Pattaya Beach after swimming in unsafe area
A tragic incident occurred yesterday near Pattaya Beach, where a 40 year old Thai woman drowned while swimming. The Pattaya City Police were alerted to the situation at 10.06am, yesterday, March 8, at the beach adjacent to Pattaya Walking Street. Responding promptly, rescue divers, police, and news personnel arrived at the scene. It took the rescue divers approximately 30 minutes…
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Mongolian arrested for stealing goods worth 26,000 baht in Pattaya
A Mongolian man was detained by Pattaya City Police after allegedly stealing brand-name items from a mall near Pattaya Beach. The incident was reported by a security guard and a representative from the shopping centre. The 52 year old Mongolian national, Byamba, was found with 12 brand-name shirts and two bags, totalling 26,000 baht (US$770) in value. The security guard,…
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Pattaya traffic crackdown: Real reform or just for show?
Pattaya residents are divided over the city’s latest traffic enforcement efforts, questioning whether the recent crackdown by traffic police is a genuine attempt to tackle congestion or just a temporary publicity stunt during major events like the Pattaya Music Festival. While some appreciate the increased police presence, others argue that enforcement is inconsistent, with officers only taking action when the…
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Pattaya vendors clash with officials amid festival crackdown
Pattaya City officials have launched a crackdown on beachfront vendors during the Pattaya Music Festival aiming to clear footpaths for pedestrians and maintain order. However, the enforcement has sparked heated debate, with some supporting the move while others accuse officials of inconsistencies and unfair treatment. As festival-goers flock to the area, vendors have been forcibly removed from restricted zones, with…
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Koh Larn mystery: Tourist’s body leaves police puzzled
Thai police have been left scratching their heads after discovering the dead body of a tourist in a forest on the picturesque island of Koh Larn. A photograph of an elderly woman was found at the chilling scene, yesterday, March 6. Police Lieutenant Anan Mahakit Asawakun from Pattaya City Police Station’s Koh Larn branch today shared news of the unfolding…
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Splish splash splendour: Pattaya preps for a Wan Lai soaking (video)
Pattaya City is gearing up for a splash-tastic 2025 with its iconic Wan Lai Naklua and Wan Lai Pattaya festivals. Known for their thrilling water-pouring ceremonies, dazzling cultural performances, and energetic parades, these events promise a spectacle like no other. The vibrant preparations were discussed in a meeting led by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn at Pattaya City Hall. The festivals…
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Seoul searching! Tourist Police nab fake South Korean tour guide
A South Korean man found himself in hot water with the Tourist Police after allegedly masquerading as a tour guide without the necessary paperwork. Police clocked him on Wednesday, March 5, shepherding a group of international holidaymakers through a bustling local market, where he was seen snapping up tickets and handing out local information. But there was a catch: he…
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Lost and afraid: Chinese woman rescued from Pattaya woods
A Chinese woman suffering from mental health issues was found wandering in distress near a wooded area in Jomtien, prompting a swift rescue operation by Pattaya City officials. The alarm was raised when a concerned local spotted the woman looking lost and disoriented near a condominium complex and immediately alerted the police. Responding quickly, officials tracked her down in the…
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Failed enhancement: Pattaya rescuers remove steel ring from man’s penis
A Pattaya rescue team was called into action to remove a stainless steel ring from a Thai man’s penis. The man had hoped the ring would boost his sexual performance but he ended up in hospital instead. The 45 year old Thai man, whose identity remains undisclosed, visited a private hospital in Pattaya for treatment. His genital area was swollen…
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Holy spirits: Pattaya toasts to temple tipple alcohol tweak
Pattaya officials and business moguls are toasting the National Alcohol Policy Committee’s bold decision to uncork alcohol sales at select venues on major religious holidays, a move set to pour life into the city’s tourism juggernaut. The clinking of glasses will be heard in hotels, entertainment hotspots, and international airports, while other public areas remain dry. Optimists predict the change…
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Firefighters turn up the heat in Pattaya condo blaze
Firefighters were hot on the scene yesterday in Pattaya’s Soi Kor Phai after a blaze broke out in a plush condominium, causing panic among holidaymakers. The Land Disaster Relief Center got the call, sending fire crews and valiant rescue volunteers racing to the flaming fiasco, at 3.06am, yesterday, March 5. On arrival, both Thai and foreign guests were seen scrambling…
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Cambodian slashed in Pattaya over cigarette smoke dispute (video)
A late-night altercation in Pattaya turned violent when a Chinese restaurant worker allegedly attacked a Cambodian man with a knife, leaving him seriously injured on the roadside. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation radio centre received a call at 2.19am today, March 5, about a knife attack near Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 4/1, North Pattaya, in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province.…
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Pattaya security guard robbed in late-night phone snatch (video)
A 68 year old security guard in Pattaya was left shaken and desperate for justice after a brazen thief snatched his phone in the middle of his shift. The robbery occurred in the early hours of February 28, leaving the elderly guard powerless to stop the thief. Somkuan Chitphak, who works as a night security guard at a Pattaya condominium,…
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2 Foreign men give Pattaya monks a lift and get blessings in return
Two foreign motorcyclists went viral on Thai social media after a TikTok video showed them offering a ride to two Thai monks in Pattaya. The monks rewarded them with gifts for their kindness. The TikTok user @tubs096 shared a video of himself and his friend giving the monks a lift. In the video, the TikToker could be heard saying, “Just…
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Pattaya Squid Fair draws massive crowds to Jomtien Beach
Pattaya’s vibrant charm was on full display as thousands of tourists packed Jomtien Beach for the final day of the Pattaya Squid Fair 2025, themed Pirates’ Treasure Under The Sea. Held on March 1 in front of The Now Hotel, the festival transformed the coastline into a seafood paradise, drawing visitors eager to indulge in the city’s famed beachside dining.…
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Pattaya cracks down on shady grabs and sinking streets
Pattaya officials are cracking down on illegal land grabs and worsening flood woes, with urgent measures underway to reclaim public property and overhaul drainage systems. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharaphat Sritanyanon chaired an emergency meeting to address these pressing concerns, focusing on two major crises: illegal encroachment at Sukhawadee House and persistent flooding in the city’s…
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EM tagged foreigner lures Pattaya women into robbery and assault
Women in Pattaya have warned each other after a foreign man wearing an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet allegedly lured them into hotel rooms to rob and murder them. The Facebook page เดินรà¸à¸šà¸žà¸±à¸—ยา (which translates to Walking Around Pattaya) shared a video of the accused foreign man, along with a warning to local women. According to the page, the foreigner frequently…
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Gold jewellery worth 30,000 baht stolen from Pattaya apartment
A night out turned into a nightmare for a young Pattaya resident after her gold jewellery, worth over 30,000 baht, vanished in a brazen apartment break-in. Kawalin told reporters that the theft took place at her South Pattaya residence at around 10.30pm on Friday, February 28. Returning home the next morning, she was stunned to find her valuables missing, prompting…
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Boom to bust: Chinese investment in Thai property hits rock bottom
Once a beacon of opportunity, Thailand’s vibrant condo market for Chinese investors is now dimming, as economic clouds gather over China’s middle class. Stephen Yao, a former Chinese investments broker in Bangkok, and Pattaya, has seen his formerly bustling schedule dwindle. In 2017 and 2018, he made a staggering 32 trips from China’s Guangdong province to Thailand. But recent years…
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Pier pressure: Pattaya mayor answers abandoned condo concerns
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has addressed growing concerns surrounding the controversial abandoned waterfront condo at Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya, following multiple public inquiries. The fate of the structure remains uncertain as legal complications continue to unfold. The National Anti-Corruption Commission of the Second Region recently informed Pattaya City that the Certificate of Utilisation, which formed the basis for…
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Khao Kheow Zoo calls on public to name newest zebra star
Pattaya’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo is creating quite the buzz by inviting the public to name its latest black-and-white bundle of joy: a newborn zebra foal. Khao Kheow Open Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi proudly announced the debut of a charming female zebra foal, born on November 6 last year to her 6 year old mum and 8 year old dad.…
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Muay Thai-tanic World Championship to make waves in Pattaya
Pattaya City is gearing up for a mega showdown as it hosts the 6th World Muay Thai Championship from March 9 to 17. The prestigious event is backed by the Thai and Traditional Boxing Sports Association and the spirited Father Ray Foundation, promising a knockout experience for all involved. Kicking off the fierce festivities will be the weigh-in on March…
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