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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  • Shocking assault on Canadian tourist on Pattaya Soi 6

    Shocking assault on Canadian tourist on Pattaya Soi 6

    Pattaya’s notorious Soi 6 is back in the spotlight, and not for the right reasons. A brutal attack on a Canadian tourist has left the city’s reputation as a safe tourist destination in tatters. On the night of July 31, 65 year old Mark Robert Westendorf, a former oil company manager, was savagely beaten by men posing as bouncers. Now,…

  • Buakaw Banchamek shines in Muay Thai at Paris 2024

    Buakaw Banchamek shines in Muay Thai at Paris 2024

    Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek thrilled attendees yesterday as he led an impressive Muay Thai showcase at Club France in Paris. The event, held alongside the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was organised by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) in partnership with the French National Olympic Committee. The showcase included virtual competition displays and captivated a global audience, highlighting…

  • Five teens arrested after violent Pattaya Beach birthday clash

    Five teens arrested after violent Pattaya Beach birthday clash

    Five teenagers from Thailand were arrested after attacking a group of teens who travelled from another province to celebrate a birthday in Pattaya. The incident escalated into the violence on Pattaya Beach, resulting in many injuries. The Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, yesterday, August 4, around 9.30pm, led officers in the apprehension of the five suspects.…

  • Pattaya cops make a ‘clean sweep’ of ex-Dutch soldier’s drug stash

    Pattaya cops make a ‘clean sweep’ of ex-Dutch soldier’s drug stash

    Pattaya police last night arrested a former Dutch soldier for illegal drug possession after raiding his condominium room. The 63 year old Simon Leonardus Petrus Sjerps was found with crystal methamphetamine and equipment allegedly used for producing date-rape drugs. The raid, led by Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of the Pattaya Police Station, took place yesterday, August 4, at 5.36pm.…

  • Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk

    Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk

    Excitement filled the air at Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya City today as villagers and amulet enthusiasts gathered to secure amulets from Luang Pu Buaket Pathumsiro, a revered monk from the eastern region. The Barami Pathumsiro model, believed to bestow blessings, attracted significant interest. This initiative aims to raise funds for Bang Lamung Hospital. Since early morning, parents, siblings, and…

  • Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism

    Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism

    Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that…

  • Kuwaitis face deportation after Pattaya confrontation with Thais

    Kuwaitis face deportation after Pattaya confrontation with Thais

    Pattaya City police have initiated a detailed investigation following a violent confrontation between Thai and Kuwaiti nationals on Soi Yensabai this weekend. The Kuwaiti suspects are facing potential deportation after legal proceedings, according to police sources. The investigation is being led by Deputy Commander of Pattaya Police Station, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirach Nuethes, along with Superintendent of Tourist Police Division…

  • Pattaya cops stop brawl between Kuwaiti tourists & Thai bikers

    Pattaya cops stop brawl between Kuwaiti tourists & Thai bikers

    Pattaya City police intervened to halt a confrontation involving Middle Eastern tourists, primarily from Kuwait, and young Thai men, many of whom were Bolt motorbike taxi app riders, in the early hours of yesterday. Captain Pansan Krongsit received the report at 5am, Saturday, August 3, leading officers to Soi Yen Sabai in Nongprue, where they discovered evidence of a conflict,…

  • Korean tourist vanishes with free rent and cash in Pattaya

    Korean tourist vanishes with free rent and cash in Pattaya

    A Pattaya rental room operator was left high and dry by a cunning Korean tourist. A 49 year old owner of a rental room on Soi Chaloem Phra Kiat 11, Pattaya 3 Road, shared his experience yesterday, August 1, to caution other rental operators. Arinthat provided CCTV footage showing the face of the elusive Korean man who swindled him. Arinthat…

  • Pattaya minivan owner in despair after drain cover damages vehicle

    Pattaya minivan owner in despair after drain cover damages vehicle

    A 39 year old minivan owner has been left in dire straits after a dislodged drain cover severely damaged his vehicle in Pattaya. On the evening of July 13, near the entrance of Soi Phothisarn on Sukhumvit Road, Kosol’s white Toyota van encountered the rogue cover, which flew up and wreaked havoc on the undercarriage, damaging the fuel tank and power…

  • Pattaya initiates youth esports contest to foster unity

    Pattaya initiates youth esports contest to foster unity

    The Youth Esports Competition Project has been introduced by the Pattaya City Education Office to provide a platform for young people to display their esports talents while fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community. The grand opening event occurred yesterday at Pattaya City Hall, with Mayor Poramese Ngampiches presiding. Alongside Mayor Poramese were the 2nd Vice President…

  • Pattaya City achieves 99.41 score in anti-corruption assessment

    Pattaya City achieves 99.41 score in anti-corruption assessment

    Pattaya City achieved a significant milestone by securing a score of 99.41 in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). This assessment evaluates ethical practices and transparency among local administrative organisations across Thailand. Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampichet proudly shared the results for the fiscal year 2024, highlighting the comprehensive evaluation by the NACC. A…

  • Thai man denies role in alleged 700,000 baht extortion case

    Thai man denies role in alleged 700,000 baht extortion case

    A Thai man has surrendered to Pattaya Police amid allegations of involvement in an extortion case where two police officers allegedly demanded 700,000 baht from a group of Chinese tourists. Despite turning himself in, he denies all charges. The suspect, identified as Worapon, arrived at Nongprue Police Station on Tuesday, July 30. He was questioned by Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant…

  • Pattaya City launches nature restoration to enhance ecotourism

    Pattaya City launches nature restoration to enhance ecotourism

    Pattaya City has embarked on a significant nature restoration project aimed at enhancing ecotourism and revitalising the ecosystem in the Na Kluea area. The initiative kicked off with a ceremony at Khlong Nok Yang in Na Kluea, attended by local officials, including Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, and the mayor’s secretary, Phumipat Kamolnat. The…

  • Pattaya City buys crabs to boost marine life, supports fishermen

    Pattaya City buys crabs to boost marine life, supports fishermen

    Pattaya City has launched an innovative project to support local fishermen and conserve marine life by purchasing low-grade blue swimming crabs and releasing them into the mangrove forest in Na Kluea. The initiative involves paying 250 baht per kilogramme to fishermen, aiming to balance ecological preservation with community income generation. The Natural Resources Division, Environmental Quality Promotion Division, and the…

  • South Korean man arrested in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking

    South Korean man arrested in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking

    Police yesterday arrested a South Korean man in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking after finding him smuggling drugs from Thailand to South Korea. The South Korean drug control division recently arrested Thai and South Korean drug smugglers at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, seizing 600 grammes of ketamine during the process. The suspects confessed that they had smuggled drugs into…

  • Pattaya City unveils Red Line monorail to boost economic growth

    Pattaya City unveils Red Line monorail to boost economic growth

    Pattaya City is gearing up to enhance its public transport with the introduction of a new monorail line, which promises to significantly boost the coastal city’s economic development. The Red Line, as it will be known, is set to include 10 stations and cover a distance of 17.37 kilometres. A recent feasibility study, presented during yesterday’s public hearing, confirmed the…

  • Thai vendor denies assault, cites stress from poor sales

    Thai vendor denies assault, cites stress from poor sales

    A Thai grilled squid vendor turned himself in and expressed remorse after allegedly striking a Pattaya city official who requested him to move his sidecar motorcycle from obstructing traffic. The vendor, however, denied the physical assault, citing stress from poor sales as the trigger for the incident. He claimed their encounter was limited to a verbal disagreement and a shirt…

  • Severe flooding in Chanthaburi and Trat amid relentless rainfall

    Severe flooding in Chanthaburi and Trat amid relentless rainfall

    Severe flooding gripped Chanthaburi and Trat yesterday, as relentless rainfall continued to batter the regions. Heavy downpours, driven by the convergence of the monsoon trough over northern Thailand and upper Laos along with a moderate southwest monsoon, have caused significant water accumulation in these eastern provinces, according to Paitoon Kengkarnchang from the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). To…

  • Pattaya’s sharp teens: Samurai swords land youngsters in hot water

    Pattaya’s sharp teens: Samurai swords land youngsters in hot water

    Pattaya police arrested a group of teenagers, aged between 14 and 16 years, for possessing samurai swords and other weapons. The incident took place yesterday around 6pm near the Dongtan substation of Pattaya Police Station. Among the confiscated items were three samurai swords, each measuring between 30 and 50 centimetres, six pocket knives, and three brass knuckles. The teens, comprising…

  • Thief caught on camera breaking into Pattaya apartments

    Thief caught on camera breaking into Pattaya apartments

    A daring thief was caught on security cameras sneaking into an apartment building in Pattaya’s Soi Buakhao and breaking into unlocked rooms to steal valuables. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of July 20, was documented on security footage later released by the apartment owner to alert the public. Local reporters visited S.B. Apartments in Soi Buakhao after…

  • Foreign tourists found safe after night search in Doi Nang Mo forest

    Foreign tourists found safe after night search in Doi Nang Mo forest

    San Kamphaeng police, forest officers, and other relevant agencies initiated a search at 8.30pm yesterday, July 28, for two missing foreign tourists who had become lost in the Doi Nang Mo forest area near the Mae Pha Nhaen Reservoir in Chiang Mai. The search was prompted by the coordinates sent by the tourists before their signal was lost. The dense…

  • High crimes: Pattaya police arrest drug-dealing monk

    High crimes: Pattaya police arrest drug-dealing monk

    In the latest news of monks behaving badly, another member of the Buddhist faith has been arrested by local police in Pattaya on allegations of selling illegal drugs. This arrest also led to the capture of his supplier. The operation took place yesterday under the direction of Police Colonel Nawin Sinthurat, Chief of the Bang Lamung Police Station. Acting on…

  • Pattaya restaurant owner urges police to catch serial thief

    Pattaya restaurant owner urges police to catch serial thief

    A restaurant owner in Pattaya is urging the police to apprehend a thief who has repeatedly targeted her business. Boonyarat, the 40 year old owner of Chill Out 84 restaurant in Soi 5, Nongprue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, reported the incidents to the local police. The restaurant has been hit three times within this month alone. On…

  • Pattaya: Major electrical system overhaul on Walking Street

    Pattaya: Major electrical system overhaul on Walking Street

    To modernise Pattaya’s infrastructure, plans are underway for a significant electrical system upgrade in the bustling Walking Street area. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, aims to revitalise the city’s electrical grid and enhance public safety. At a recent City Hall meeting on Wednesday, July 24, Mayor Poramet and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) finalised the project details.…

  • Thai police seize assets worth 23 million baht in drug crackdown

    Thai police seize assets worth 23 million baht in drug crackdown

    Thai law enforcement officials announced a significant crackdown on drug operations on Thursday, July 25, targeting 237 locations and seizing properties valued at over 23 million baht. The Thai Patrol and Special Operation Division (PSD), along with other relevant agencies, held a press conference at 1pm on Thursday to reveal the details of the extensive operation. Police aimed their efforts…

  • Panipak aims for final gold at Paris 2024 Olympics

    Panipak aims for final gold at Paris 2024 Olympics

    Thailand’s taekwondo sensation, Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit, has her eyes firmly set on another gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. After her stunning victory in Tokyo three years ago, Tennis, now 26, is looking to replicate her success and cement her legacy in the sport. Approaching her late twenties, Tennis remains the top-ranked athlete in her weight category and Thailand’s…

  • Newborn pygmy hippo charms visitors at Khao Kheow Open Zoo

    Newborn pygmy hippo charms visitors at Khao Kheow Open Zoo

    Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Sri Racha announced the arrival of a newborn female pygmy hippo. Born on July 10, the baby hippo was introduced to the public yesterday, July 25. The zoo’s director, Narongwit Chotchoy, confirmed the birth at 10.30am, noting that both the mother, 25 year old Jona, and father, 24 year old Tony are in good health, along…

  • Hong Kong policeman’s fatal fall from baht bus sparks safety outcry

    Hong Kong policeman’s fatal fall from baht bus sparks safety outcry

    Pattaya Tourist Police are offering comprehensive support to the widow of a Hong Kong policeman who tragically lost his life after falling off a baht bus on Pattaya Second Road on July 22. The shocking incident has catapulted road safety in Pattaya into the national spotlight. The grieving widow is receiving assistance from police to navigate the investigation and manage claims…

  • Thai motorcycle taxi rider survives stabbing, robbery in Pattaya

    Thai motorcycle taxi rider survives stabbing, robbery in Pattaya

    A 60 year old motorcycle taxi rider managed to escape from an armed robber who posed as a passenger before stabbing him in the neck and an attempt to steal from him on Soi Thung Klom Tanman 13 in Pattaya. The motorcycle taxi rider, Sakchai, sought help from a rescue team in the early hours of yesterday, July 24, after…