Not all fees go directly to bar girls — arrangements vary widely across Pattaya’s nightlife venues. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – As Pattaya’s low season sets in and tourist numbers dip, many foreign visitors worry how bar girls — the heart of the city’s nightlife — will cope financially. At first glance, the logic seems straightforward: fewer tourists mean fewer drinks bought and fewer customers, leading to less money in the girls’ pockets. Yet the truth is more layered. Pattaya’s nightlife is a complex ecosystem built around salaries, commissions, drink quotas, and flexible freelancing. Many bar girls work under contracts that include a small base salary, boosted if they meet targets like selling lady drinks or attracting customers. Others choose to work as freelancers, earning solely from tips and direct arrangements with visitors. While freelancers enjoy more freedom, they also take on greater financial risk. Over time, changing tourist demographics have added to the challenge. Thailand’s tourism shift toward larger groups from markets like China and India hasn’t replaced the spending power of the Western “two-week millionaires” who traditionally supported the nightlife economy. Bars and businesses now find themselves crowded yet still struggling, as newer tourists often spend differently. Economic pressures have intensified post-pandemic. Visitors and locals alike point to rising prices — drinks, services, and entertainment costs have all climbed, making nights out less affordable and pushing some workers to leave the industry or head home temporarily. Some argue price cuts in low season could bring back customers, as hotels do with off-peak room rates. At the same time, many bar girls have adapted by diversifying. Beyond earnings from nightlife, they build financial safety nets through online sponsorships and long-distance relationships. Monthly support sent via apps like LINE often keeps them afloat when local business slows down. Popular girls who balance several income streams tend to fare better, while those relying solely on bar work face the toughest times. The downturn isn’t limited to bars. Restaurants, massage shops, and other businesses also report sharp revenue drops in the low season. Staff cuts and temporary closures follow, reflecting how deeply tourism affects the entire local economy. For visitors, the story isn’t simply about pity or charity. The best way to help, locals say, is to understand how the industry really works — recognizing the mix of contracts, commissions, and private arrangements that sustain workers — and to spend thoughtfully and respectfully. Despite predictions of decline, Pattaya’s nightlife has survived decades of change, shifting markets, and even the pandemic’s blow. While the low season brings real hardship, many bar girls prove resilient, adapting to new realities and finding ways to keep going. The city’s famous nights may be evolving, but they aren’t over yet.

Pattaya braces for storm Wipha’s tail with heavy rain and high waves; small boats ordered ashore. PATTAYA, Thailand — The vibrant coastal city of Pattaya is bracing for a bout of turbulent weather as the powerful tropical storm Wipha pushes moisture across the region. According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the influence of Wipha, currently located over the upper South China Sea, is expected to intensify rainfall across several regions of Thailand, particularly in the east. The storm is forecast to make landfall in northern Vietnam between July 21 and 22, but its trailing edge will drag across eastern Thailand, including Chonburi Province. In its latest bulletin, the TMD issued heavy rain warnings for Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, and Phang Nga, with Pattaya and the broader eastern region likely to experience localized heavy rainfall. Central and northeastern Thailand are also expected to see strong downpours in isolated areas. Authorities have urged residents to be vigilant for flash floods and runoff, particularly in foothill communities, near waterways, and low-lying areas. The southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is gaining strength. As a result, waves in the upper Andaman Sea are forecast to reach 2–4 meters, with stormy areas seeing waves above 4 meters. In the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, waves may reach 2–3 meters, surging higher during thunderstorms. Wipha’s Impact Looms: Thai authorities warn of heavy rains, flash floods, and rough seas as storm nears Vietnam. Mariners are advised to proceed with extreme caution and avoid navigating in areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are advised to remain ashore until conditions improve. Despite the gloomy forecast, foreign visitors have praised local authorities for their diligent communication and proactive safety measures. However, local vendors continue to express concern about the slow return of foot traffic, and are urging the government to organize more public events and activities to keep tourism afloat during the rainy season. As Wipha approaches the region, residents and tourists in Pattaya are advised to monitor weather updates closely, take precautions during outdoor activities, and be prepared for potential travel disruptions. TMD issues heavy rain warnings for Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, and Phang Nga as Wipha approaches.

Handwriting expert Mike Maran gives another informative and interesting talk to the PCEC about forgeries and the technical aspects used to identify them. PATTAYA, Thailand – On July 16, 2025, forensic handwriting specialist Mike Maran delivered a presentation to the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC), shedding light on the intricate world of forgery and simulation in handwriting. Drawing from his extensive experience in New Zealand, Mike shared real-world cases and expert techniques used to detect forgery, emphasizing the critical role of forensic handwriting examination in safeguarding legal and financial interests. Mike began by explaining that forgery in handwriting is often driven by financial motives, involving documents such as wills, contracts, insurance claims, checks, immigration applications, and tax returns One of the key points Mike discussed was the concept of simulation, which involves freehand imitation of writing or signatures. He explained that this requires fluency and natural variation due to cognitive motor functions. Mike also touched on common forgery methods such as tracing and electronic manipulation, including cut-and-paste techniques. Mike provided several examples of common document types subject to forgery. Wills, he noted, are frequently questioned, with microscopic analysis revealing subtle differences in line quality and pen pressure that distinguish genuine from forged signatures. Financial documents, such as checks, are also prime targets for forgery. Mike shared a case involving an elderly gentleman with dementia whose checks were altered by a caregiver for excessive amounts. Legal and employment disputes often involve forgery as well. Mike described a case where a lawyer forged a client’s signature on a bank cash request and another where parties denied signing employment agreements, necessitating forensic comparison of signatures. He emphasized the importance of having multiple known exemplars to assess natural signature variation. Mike also discussed the challenges of verifying signatures on photocopies rather than originals, which can limit the conclusiveness of forensic opinions. He outlined various forensic examination techniques, including the preference for original documents to observe pen pressure and line quality, the use of comparison standards with multiple known signatures, and the cautious framing of opinions on a scale from inconclusive to highly probable. Human factors and signature variability were another focal point of Mike’s presentation. He explained that signatures naturally vary due to cognitive and physical factors, including age-related deterioration. Identical signatures, he noted, are suspicious and usually indicate forgery or copy-pasting. Mike also addressed the impact of language and cultural differences on handwriting. New immigrants, he explained, often exhibit signature variations influenced by their first language and writing systems. Forensic examiners must consider these factors and may consult interpreters for non-English scripts to accurately assess handwriting authenticity. In conclusion, Mike underscored the ongoing challenges and importance of forensic handwriting examination in legal and financial contexts. Despite technological advances and emerging AI tools, expert human analysis remains essential to interpret subtle handwriting traits and provide prudent opinions. After the presentations, MC Ren Lexander brought everyone up to date on upcoming PCEC events and conducted the Open Forum where the audience may ask questions or make comments about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya. For more information about the PCEC and their meeting location, visit their website at https://pcec.club.  To view a video of Mike’s presentation, visit the PCEC’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2dFV6mOTYw&t=11s.

Mason Pattaya Hotel staff and management bring joy and vocational training to underprivileged youth at CPDC as part of their “MASON Giving Together” CSR project. PATTAYA, Thailand – At the Child Protection and Development Center (CPDC) in Huay Yai, Ms. Pornpan Rattanapitakgul (Ning), General Manager of Mason Pattaya Hotel, along with department heads and staff, organized the “MASON Giving Together Project.” This social initiative aims to support and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged youth and the local environment. The event was warmly welcomed by Mr. Siromet Akarapongpanich, Director of the CPDC, together with staff and the participating youth. The children performed to bring smiles and joy to everyone present. The MASON Giving Together 2025–2026 project is part of Mason Hotel’s ongoing commitment to sustainable social responsibility. Since January 1, 2025, a portion of proceeds from the hotel’s organic product sales and travel packages has been donated to the Child Protection and Development Center (CPDC). Additionally, 2% of revenue from MASON SHOP, CONCIERGE, and MASON SPA is allocated to support the local community and youth at CPDC. During the event, workshops were held to teach various vocational skills. These included a mocktail-making competition called The Little Mixologists Lab, cupcake decorating demonstrations, creative gel candle crafting, and vegetable gardening activities. Seedlings such as galangal, lemongrass, shallots, coriander, kale, and mustard greens from Mason’s nursery were transplanted into the vegetable garden at CPDC. Children from CPDC brighten the event with lively performances, fostering community spirit and happiness. Mason Pattaya donates part of its organic product and service revenues to support disadvantaged youth and local development at CPDC.   Workshops teaching mocktail making, cupcake decorating, candle crafting, and gardening inspire creativity and practical skills among CPDC children. The initiative aims to uplift disadvantaged youth and enhance the local environment through meaningful community engagement.

Developers cut costs and redesign projects as consumers hold back amid rising debt and living costs, while Pattaya’s property market is going through a 3-year slump with an annual 3% decline. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya’s real estate sector is bracing for a long recovery, as the broader Thai property market continues to shrink by an estimated 3% annually over the next three years, weighed down by household debt, sluggish economic growth, and tighter mortgage approvals. Despite the city’s allure as a coastal destination for foreign retirees and investors, developers here are confronting the same national headwinds. Consumer confidence remains low, with many prospective buyers—both local and foreign—delaying decisions amid economic uncertainty and rising living costs. “People still want homes, but they’re too cautious to commit,” noted one developer familiar with the Eastern Seaboard market. The situation is particularly difficult for townhome projects, long seen as a gateway product for urban middle-class families. Recent data shows that ownership transfers for townhomes dropped by 16% from October 2024 to April 2025. Although some developers reported decent sales in H1 2025, the outlook remains weak without policy stimulus or deeper financial flexibility. Single detached homes, especially those in the premium segment, offer a glimmer of hope. Well-designed units targeting long-term value-conscious buyers have fared better, particularly when positioned in quieter areas of Pattaya with good infrastructure access. Meanwhile, townhome developers are shifting focus toward premium offerings, designed to attract those who still have purchasing power and seek quality over speed. In this tough climate, cost-cutting has become the survival strategy. Developers are: – Reducing construction costs by switching from pre-cast systems to on-site wall casting — trading speed and smooth finishes for affordability. – Using substitute materials that maintain structural quality but lower overall expenses. – Launching new designs tailored to specific buyer personas rather than mass-market rollout. As one executive put it, “It’s no longer about building fast, but building right.” While some hope rests on upcoming transport infrastructure and a possible interest rate easing cycle, industry insiders agree that recovery will be gradual. In Pattaya, where oversupply and investor pullback have long been concerns, the next few years may test resilience more than ever before. For now, staying lean, targeting niche buyers, and designing smarter could be Pattaya’s path forward — at least until the economic tide turns.

Despite full flights, Pattaya’s long-term visitors say the strong baht is eroding charm and value, with many suspecting currency ‘manipulation’ from beach bars to banking boards. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – While Thai authorities continue to spotlight strong international arrival numbers, a different picture is unfolding among long-term visitors in Pattaya. It’s not the crowds, crime, or even the cost of beachside beer that has them concerned — it’s the strength of the Thai baht, which many feel is quietly squeezing their spending power and shortening their stays. Retirees who once transferred money monthly are now watching their remittances shrink. A few months ago, a thousand U.S. dollars could fetch over 35,000 baht. Today, it barely reaches 32,000. That 10% dip isn’t just academic — for some, it’s the difference between a relaxed retirement and a budgeted routine. Many believe the baht is being artificially supported, noting how it remains resilient despite global headwinds that, by logic, should have sent it sliding. This quiet currency frustration is playing out in small but telling ways. Some long-timers say they’ve stopped eating out as often, switched to cheaper accommodation, or cut their stays from months to mere weeks. A few joke that the exchange rate “barely covers a couple of beers” — and only if those beers are from 7-Eleven rather than a neon-lit bar with entertainment attached. Online forums and bar-side chats now double as currency think tanks, where theories of behind-the-scenes bank intervention are exchanged as often as travel tips. In these circles, the phrase “mystery baht” has caught on — a nod to the currency’s stubborn refusal to weaken, no matter how grim the headlines. Some see it as tradition: Thailand, they say, has always been skilled at “keeping the foreign visitors paying just enough to stay, but never quite enough to thrive.” Beyond the sarcasm lies a more serious shift in sentiment. Many visitors are starting to wonder if their loyalty is being taken for granted. Some admit they’re looking elsewhere — Vietnam, Cambodia, even parts of Southern Europe — where the perceived value is higher and the exchange rates more forgiving. The thought is spreading that if the baht were to return to 36 or even 38 to the dollar, planes to Thailand would once again be full of value-seekers, not just tourists on a week-long package tour. For now, Pattaya’s hotels remain full and its nightlife buzzing. But beneath the surface, there’s a subtle erosion in the kind of long-term loyalty that built the city’s reputation over decades. The food is still great. The sunsets still golden. But as one local businessman summarized it: “It’s not the women or their smiles anymore — it’s the exchange rate that decides whether I stay or go.”

Trouserless tragedy: Third mystery death hits PattayaLegacyA shirtless Thai man with his trousers round his knees has become the third mysterious death in Pattaya in less than a week, sparking fears of a grim trend in Thailand’s seaside province. Police and rescue workers were called to a house on Soi Huay Ku, Bang Lamung, on July 19 after the body of a 58 year old man was discovered sprawled in the front yard. Lieutenant Colonel Srisuphan Atthasri-anant of Bang Lamung police led the response, alongside officers from the Nawang Police Post and medics from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation. The deceased, Somkiat Nutrat from Nakhon Pathom, was found lying face-up, shirtless, with his black jogging bottoms pulled down to his knees. A bottle of alcohol and a toppled chair lay nearby. Prayuth Phitphongsuan, the 65 year old homeowner, told police: “Somkiat had been staying with me after losing his job. I felt sorry for him. But he drank heavily every day.” He said he last saw Somkiat alive at 6am when he left for work. When he returned home in the afternoon, he found him lying motionless and tried to wake him, but he was cold and unresponsive. With no phone on the body, Prayuth ran to a neighbour to call the police. Officers collected evidence from the scene and sent the body for autopsy. While early indications point to a drunken fall, police are waiting for the final post-mortem results. Officials are now working with the victim’s family to arrange funeral rites, Pattaya News reported. Picture courtesy of Pattaya News The case follows a grim double discovery just two days earlier at the Grand Shivalay condo in South Pattaya, where two foreign men,  an Australian and a Swede, were found dead in separate rooms just two hours apart. The 38 year old Swedish man was found naked in the bathroom of a fifth-floor flat, lying next to an overflowing tub. A gash on his forehead and blood in the water suggested he may have slipped and hit his head. Police are treating all three deaths as unrelated at this stage but locals aren’t so sure. One Bang Lamung resident, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “That’s three bodies in one week, something’s not right here.” The story Trouserless tragedy: Third mystery death hits Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.

สภ.บางละมุง จับกุมยาเสพติด 2 คดี สำคัญ รวบผู้ต้องหามีหมายจับติดตัว วันที่ 21 กรกฎาคม 2568 พ.ต.อ.สราวุธ นุชนารถ ผกก.สภ.บางละมุง ได้สั่งการให้ พ.ต.ท.กรณ์พงษ์ สุขวิสิฏฐ์ รอง ผกก.สส.ฯ, พ.ต.ต.วุฒิพงษ์ กาสา สว.สส.ฯ, ร.ต.อ.สมาน บุญแก้ว รอง สวป.ฯ พร้อมกำลังชุดสืบสวน ดำเนินการปฏิบัติหน้าที่เชิงรุกกวาดล้างยาเสพติดในพื้นที่อย่างเข้มข้น โดยสามารถจับกุมผู้ต้องหาในคดียาเสพติดได้ 2 คดีสำคัญ คดีแรกรวบหนุ่มวัย 24 ปี พกยาบ้า ตรวจพบสารเสพติดในร่างกาย เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจชุดสืบสวนออกตรวจพื้นที่บริเวณริมถนนทางรถไฟหนองมะนาว ม.8 ต.บางละมุง อ.บางละมุง จ.ชลบุรี พบชายต้องสงสัยขี่รถจักรยานยนต์มีท่าทีพิรุธ พยายามขับหลบหนีเมื่อเห็นตำรวจ จึงเข้าสกัดและตรวจค้น จากการตรวจสอบทราบชื่อคือ นายธีรพัฒน์ อายุ 24 ปี ตรวจค้นพบของกลาง ได้แก่ ยาบ้า 10 เม็ด อุปกรณ์การเสพยารถจักรยานยนต์ โทรศัพท์มือถือ […]

รปภ.หนุ่มสุดซวย ถูกสาวไทยฟาดหัวเลือดอาบ ขณะห้ามทะเลาะกับชาวต่างชาติกลางโรงแรมพัทยา เมื่อเวลา 01.06 น. วันที่ 21 กรกฎาคม 2568 ศูนย์วิทยุหน่วยกู้ภัยสว่างบริบูรณ์ธรรมสถานเมืองพัทยา รับแจ้งเหตุทำร้ายร่างกายมีผู้ได้รับบาดเจ็บภายในโรงแรมแห่งหนึ่ง บริเวณพัทยากลาง ตำบลหนองปรือ อำเภอบางละมุง จังหวัดชลบุรี จึงประสานเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจ สภ.เมืองพัทยา และอาสากู้ภัยเข้าตรวจสอบ ที่เกิดเหตุพบ นายวิสุวัฒน์ อายุ 37 ปี พนักงานรักษาความปลอดภัยของโรงแรม ได้รับบาดเจ็บบริเวณศีรษะ มีเลือดไหลอาบใบหน้า เจ้าหน้าที่กู้ภัยจึงให้การปฐมพยาบาลเบื้องต้น ก่อนเร่งนำส่งโรงพยาบาล ส่วนผู้ก่อเหตุเป็นหญิงไทย อายุประมาณ 30-40 ปี ได้หลบหนีออกจากที่เกิดเหตุก่อนเจ้าหน้าที่จะเดินทางมาถึง จากการสอบถาม นายวิสุวัฒน์ เล่าว่า ก่อนเกิดเหตุ หญิงไทยรายหนึ่งที่ชาวต่างชาติพามาจากชายหาดพัทยา เกิดมีปากเสียงกับชาวต่างชาติบริเวณชั้นสามของโรงแรม สาเหตุจากการตกลงค่าตัวกันไม่ลงตัว เมื่อได้ยินเสียงดัง ตนจึงขึ้นไปห้ามและขอให้ทั้งคู่ลงมาพูดคุยด้านล่าง เพื่อไม่ให้รบกวนแขกคนอื่น แต่หญิงคนดังกล่าวเกิดไม่พอใจ คว้าโทรศัพท์มือถือมาฟาดเข้าที่ศีรษะอย่างแรง ก่อนรีบหลบหนีออกจากโรงแรม เบื้องต้นเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจ สภ.เมืองพัทยา ได้วิทยุสกัดจับผู้ก่อเหตุตามรูปพรรณสันฐานที่ผู้บาดเจ็บให้ข้อมูลไว้ แต่ยังไม่พบตัวผู้ก่อเหตุ จึงได้ประสานเจ้าหน้าที่ชุดสืบสวนลงพื้นที่ ตรวจสอบพยานแวดล้อมและกล้องวงจรปิด เพื่อเร่งติดตามตัวหญิงผู้ก่อเหตุ มาดำเนินคดีตามกฎหมายต่อไป.

Pattaya tourist police examine technology which can read car number plates remotely and match individuals to criminal data bases. PATTAYA, Thailand – Thai provincial police claim that their latest technology has reduced physical assault cases and property-related crimes in Pattaya by at least 40 percent. Police lieutenant general Yingos Thepchamnong, chief of region 2, said that targeted and proactive policing has led to quicker identification of both threats and the arrest of individuals in the seaside resort. The latest Pattaya “model” is based on new-generation mobile vehicles which use smart surveillance cameras in popular areas and an AI-promoted data base of wanted or high-risk individuals. The system has been developed by the tourist and immigration police in particular, working with Pattaya city authorities and the Central Investigation Bureau. A UK-based company Gorilla Technology is also contractually involved in international security enhancement, artificial intelligence and smart resource management. Street cameras can now identify random individuals by facial recognition, whilst the latest technology can detect mobile devices even when they are not switched on. Mike Wang, Gorilla’s director for Thailand and Asia, said “Pattaya is becoming a new benchmark both regionally and globally.” New York police stand with an airport patrolling robot packed with the latest technology. It is difficult to prove improvements in criminal statistics because the date is so soft. For example many crimes are never even reported, let alone solved, and some offences are committed by mutually consenting adults, for example drugs use. But technology experts say that ever more sophisticated anti-crime devices are just round the corner. They include self-driving police cars and forensic software to recover fingerprints as well as virtual reality training potentially to react to threats such as mall shootings or public riots. There are also upcoming drones with hi-definition zoom lenses, computers which can identify deleted files on laptops and fingertip devices to expose computer users indulging in online financial crime or child pornography. China already operates the AnBot, resistant to gunfire, to patrol banks and schools, whilst touchscreens at Dubai airport are linked to robotic officers. If Big Brother used to be watching you from afar, he is rapidly becoming a close family member.