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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  • Former Thai boxer stabbed to death outside Pattaya night market

    Former Thai boxer stabbed to death outside Pattaya night market

    A 54 year old former Thai boxer was killed and two others were injured after a fight broke out between rival groups outside Pattaya’s popular Tree Town Nightmarket on Saturday night. One of the three suspects has been arrested, but he says he wasn’t involved and attempted to break up the fight. Narawit Pongsoungnoen, known as Ae Marine who competed…

  • Paramotor accident on Chon Buri seriously injures foreign teenager and Thai instructor

    Paramotor accident on Chon Buri seriously injures foreign teenager and Thai instructor

    A paramotor accident on the island of Koh Larn, in the eastern province of Chon Buri, has left a teenage foreign tourist and her Thai instructor seriously injured. According to a Pattaya News report, the incident occurred yesterday afternoon when the device became stuck in a power pole as the Thai man and his 17 year old student were flying.…

  • Pattaya sets up 3 free Covid-19 testing points to access nightlife

    Pattaya sets up 3 free Covid-19 testing points to access nightlife

    After intensive rules requiring constant Covid-19 testing for Chon Buri restaurants and entertainment venues were announced last night, the Chon Buri Department of Public Health is now helping to ease the burden by setting up 3 free testing points in popular entertainment and nightlife areas. The Chon Buri Governor announced new rules late last night for venues that serve food…

  • Updates for food and beverage venues in Pattaya

    Updates for food and beverage venues in Pattaya

    (“Food and beverage venues” is a euphemism for ‘bars-pretending-to-be-restaurants’) Pattaya businesses are being thrown another curved ball with the Chon Buri governor releasing new orders last night to clarify, and in some cases increase, restrictions and conditions for food and beverage venues. The updated guidelines relate specifically to bars that are trying to re-open under a loophole that lets them…

  • Pattaya tourist leaders call for local Sandbox as hotel bookings drop

    Pattaya tourist leaders call for local Sandbox as hotel bookings drop

    “The permit to arrive in Thailand is the least of the problems for many potential international tourists as airlines around the world have been cancelling services.” Whilst the southern island of Phuket appears to be a winner in the government’s recent, and selective, alterations to its Thailand Pass options, Thailand’s other main tourist hot spot outside Bangkok, Pattaya, has again…

  • Covid-19 warning issued for Camel Toe Restaurant in Pattaya

    Covid-19 warning issued for Camel Toe Restaurant in Pattaya

    The Chon Buri Public Health Office issued a Covid-19 alert for a popular Nong Prue restaurant where patrons may have been exposed to infection. The notice last night instructed anyone who had been to the Camel Toe Restaurant in Soi Krom Tee Din – or anyone who had come in close contact with a patron of the restaurant – take…

  • Business leaders urge government to include Pattaya in sandbox entry scheme

    Business leaders urge government to include Pattaya in sandbox entry scheme

    Business leaders in Pattaya have joined a chorus of tourism operators around the country who are pleading to be included in the sandbox scheme. Businesses are expressing despair and frustration since the government suspended the Test & Go entry scheme citing concerns about the Omicron Covid-19 variant. The Pattaya News reports that members of the Chamber of Commerce and Board…

  • Crab and ice shops in Si Racha warned of Covid-19 outbreak

    Crab and ice shops in Si Racha warned of Covid-19 outbreak

    A new warning went out for a potential Covid-19 outbreak stemming from some ice and crab shops in Si Racha district of Chon Buri. The Chon Buri Public Health Office issued the notice yesterday urging anyone who was a patron or visited 3 crab shops and an ice shop to come forward for mandatory Covid-19 testing. The announcement said that…

  • Man arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly attempting to mail drugs to South Korea

    Man arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly attempting to mail drugs to South Korea

    A Thai man was arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly attempting to send methamphetamine and other illicit drugs to South Korea. Officers say they received a tip through the 1386 hotline that the suspect was smuggling drugs out of Thailand by hiding them in snack packages. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board says each package is included with 870…

  • Pattaya restaurant raided a fifth time for Covid-19 violations

    Pattaya restaurant raided a fifth time for Covid-19 violations

    Seemingly unfazed by an apparent complete lack of any punishment the first 4 times, a Pattaya restaurant has been raided a fifth time for violating Covid-19 restrictions. The restaurant, Sky Mountain, has been busted 4 times previously for operating as a bar, selling alcohol and opening without proper permitting, but has faced little repercussions for their disregard for the regulations…

  • Business and government leaders meet to reopen Pattaya bars

    Business and government leaders meet to reopen Pattaya bars

    A high-level meeting is the latest in the non-stop attempts by businesses in Pattaya to reopen bars and entertainment venues, with business leaders and government officials meeting at Pattaya City Hall yesterday to discuss the issue. The conference was run by the president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, the Bang Lamung District Chief, the mayor of Pattaya, and…

  • Man arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly killing a pregnant elephant

    Man arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly killing a pregnant elephant

    Police arrested a man who allegedly shot and killed a 25 year old pregnant elephant in Chon Buri. The man reportedly claimed that the elephant came to eat bananas on his land and he shot her because she was about to chase him. The police have filed two charges against the suspect for possessing a firearm and killing a protected…

  • 40 year old arrested for sexually harassing 12 year old girl

    40 year old arrested for sexually harassing 12 year old girl

    In Bang Lamung, a 40 year old man identified as Mr Fai was arrested, accused of sexually harassing a 12 year old girl after breaking into her house. The Nong Prue Police received notice of the break-in that took place on Wednesday in the Pong sub-district. The father of the 12 year old girl called the police after catching the…

  • “Thailand Tourism with SHA” festival set for December 17 to 19

    “Thailand Tourism with SHA” festival set for December 17 to 19

    “Thailand Tourism with SHA” – the blandly titled event the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Pattaya City created jointly – is set to run on Pattaya Beach from December 17 to 19. The event is scheduled to include dozens of vendors and attractions in hopes of encouraging tourists to visit Pattaya, a quest that will likely be aided by the…

  • 2,000 meth pills seized in alleged drug dealer arrest in Chon Buri

    2,000 meth pills seized in alleged drug dealer arrest in Chon Buri

    In the Mueang Chon Buri district of Chon Buri, police arrested a suspected drug dealer who was reportedly in possession of 2,000 meth pills. The arrest was carried out by Saen Suk Police as the 28 year old man was captured on Soi 5 of Sukhumvit Road in the Saen Suk sub-district, where police raided several restaurants selling alcohol illegally…

  • Tourists stranded an island off the coast of Sattahip rescued by Royal Thai Navy

    Tourists stranded an island off the coast of Sattahip rescued by Royal Thai Navy

    Six Belgian tourists stranded on an island off the coast of Chon Buri’s Sattahip district were rescued by the Royal Thai Navy on yesterday. According to the navy officials, the tourists took three small boats into the sea on Sunday and got themselves into trouble when one of the boats had a mechanical failure, and a water leak to another boat.…

  • Chon Buri and Pattaya bar scene get good news, but at what cost?

    Chon Buri and Pattaya bar scene get good news, but at what cost?

    The reality is that many ‘bars’ will rush to achieve certification as an SHA+ approved ‘restaurant’. The signwriters in Pattaya will be busy making new ‘restaurant’ signs as hundreds of bars vie to open up, serving food, so they can serve alcohol and get their businesses going again. It’s all smoke and mirrors but an advancement for the seaside party…

  • Alcohol sales and consumption allowed in Chon Buri again

    Alcohol sales and consumption allowed in Chon Buri again

    After what seems like an eternity of fighting, protesting, and petitioning, the party is back in Pattaya! Sort of. Last night, the Public Relations Facebook page of the Chon Buri Governor posted the order easing restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption in the Chon Buri Blue Zone. The Blue Zone includes Pattaya and Bang Lamung, as well as Koh Larn,…

  • Baby elephant rescued after being shot in the shoulder while leg caught in trap

    Baby elephant rescued after being shot in the shoulder while leg caught in trap

    An injured baby elephant has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment in the eastern province of Chon Buri, according to a Reuters report. Fahsai, whose name means, “fair sky” is thought to be around 3 months old. She was rescued after getting her leg caught in a hunter’s trap and then being shot in the shoulder several times. The…

  • Police arrest man for allegedly attacking and robbing a Russian woman in Pattaya

    Police arrest man for allegedly attacking and robbing a Russian woman in Pattaya

    A 42 year old man was arrested today for allegedly beating and robbing a Russian tourist in Pattaya six months ago, Khaosod English reports. The 56 year old woman was taking photos in South Pattaya when the man allegedly attacked her, stealing her phone and US$2,000 in cash. The victim’s face was left with bruises from the assault. The man,…

  • Thailand’s nightlife venues and bars told to keep closed until January 16

    Thailand’s nightlife venues and bars told to keep closed until January 16

    Thailand’s nightlife cat and mouse game between authorities and desperate bar and nightlife businesses will continue until the middle of January 2022. Following deliberations from the CCSA yesterday, entertainment venues will have to keep their doors closed until at least January 16. To put an exclamation mark after the latest announcement, the Thai government has also extended the emergency decree…

  • Pattaya mayor expresses frustration over no entertainment venues

    Pattaya mayor expresses frustration over no entertainment venues

    In Pattaya, the fight goes on to allow alcohol in restaurants and to reopen entertainment venues, at least in time for New Year’s festivities. After petitions and protests from various sectors, business groups, and tourism associations, Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunploem is again calling for nightlife businesses to be allowed to reopen in the city famous, or perhaps infamous, for…

  • Pattaya Music Festival attendees urged to get tested for Covid after positive cases

    Pattaya Music Festival attendees urged to get tested for Covid after positive cases

    Those who attended the Pattaya Music Festival on November 12 and 13 are urged to get tested for Covid-19 after several people who went to the festival later tested positive for the virus. While the festival ran under Covid-19 prevention measures, with the audience seated to ensure social distancing, the government spokesperson says many people outside of the event area…

  • Pattaya Fireworks Festival starts tomorrow under strict Covid-19 prevention measures

    Pattaya Fireworks Festival starts tomorrow under strict Covid-19 prevention measures

    Looking for a weekend trip to escape from the bustling city of Bangkok? The Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2021 is set to run from tomorrow until Saturday from 4pm to midnight at Pattaya Central Beach. Mayor Sonthaya Khunplome says those entering the main event area close to the stage will need to show proof that they have received two doses…

  • McDonald’s Covid-19 alert: Pattaya area residents cautioned

    McDonald’s Covid-19 alert: Pattaya area residents cautioned

    Following a similar announcement a few days, the Chon Buri Public Health Office issued a new warning today for anyone who attended an area McDonald’s to get tested for Covid-19. The statement released today advised anyone who had eaten at or been inside the Pattaya area McDonald’s located at Mini Siam Pattaya should use an antigen test kit to check…

  • Truck veers off road and smashes through Chon Buri grocery store

    Truck veers off road and smashes through Chon Buri grocery store

    A local grocer met with a rude awakening as he slept in a bedroom in the back of his grocery store in Chon Buri. At 2 am, the owner of a grocery store in Bor Thong was woken by a pickup truck smashing through the front of his shop, nearly into his bedroom behind the store. Bor Thong Police responded…

  • Pattaya mayor calls for more security on Bali Hai pier

    Pattaya mayor calls for more security on Bali Hai pier

    After a number of incidents went viral on social media, the mayor of Pattaya ordered officials to crack down on issues at the Bali Hai pier. Crimes like price gouging and tour boats operating without licenses have been frequently reported, so as of yesterday there will be a significant increase in police and security on the pier. Bali Hai pier…

  • Pattaya tourism quiet until entry and booze rules are eased

    Pattaya tourism quiet until entry and booze rules are eased

    According to the acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, Pattaya is still quiet, and 95% of tourists there are Thai since the reopening to international tourists on November 1. Of the 200 to 300 people per day who do come, the majority are not tourists but businesspeople and expats. And many of the tourists who do come end…

  • Pattaya sees big tourism growth, but mostly domestic

    Pattaya sees big tourism growth, but mostly domestic

    Pattaya has been frustrated for being passed over for an exemption from the national alcohol ban that other tourist areas like Phuket have received as a tourism “Blue Zone”, but nevertheless, one of Thailand’s most popular resort cities is seeing tourism slowly emerge from its Covid-19 pandemic induced slumber. With a menu of events through the end of the year,…

  • Pattaya restaurant busted serving alcohol for the fourth time

    Pattaya restaurant busted serving alcohol for the fourth time

    Fourth time’s the charm? After 3 previous raids with apparently little effect, the Pattaya Police have once again raided a restaurant near Bali Hai for breaking Covid-19 restrictions, selling alcohol and shisha. The raid took place last night and police found about 100 people at the restaurant that were not wearing masks, socially distancing, or taking any Covid-19 safety precautions.…