PATTAYA, Thailand – On May 19th, 2025, residents in Banglamung District, Chonburi Province, raised alarms over a homeless man, estimated to be around 50 years old, who has been seen walking naked in public areas near Banglamung School, Pattaya City School 2, and government offices. Locals provided video evidence of the behavior, expressing fears for […]

Pattaya, Thailand – On May 20th, 2025, at 2:06 PM, two waitresses, Ms. Rosukon (last name withheld), 26, and Ms. Rungtiwa (last name withheld), 33, approached the media to report a violent assault that left them injured. The incident, which occurred at a local eatery in the Jomtien area of Pattaya stemmed from a simple […]

All Talk, No Action? Pattaya slammed for letting grease and waste clog public drains. PATTAYA, Thailand – As complaints about grease and food waste being dumped into public drains surge, the city of Pattaya once again opts to issue warnings rather than real enforcement—leaving many residents frustrated and questioning the authorities’ seriousness in protecting public health and the environment. A recent inspection by multiple municipal departments—including the Health and Sanitation Division, Drainage Maintenance Division, and Pollution Control Division—was prompted by complaints about a seafood grill restaurant on Jomtien Second Road. Officials confirmed the business was dumping fat and food scraps into Pattaya’s public drainage system, causing blockages and raising fears of flooding and disease outbreaks. But instead of handing down fines or suspending operations, officials merely offered “guidance” on how to fix the issue. This lenient approach has sparked widespread public criticism online, with residents calling the city’s repeated warnings a joke and demanding tougher regulation. One local wrote, “The place looks nice in front, but the back is disgusting—slippery, smelly, and greasy water pouring into the drains. It’s been like this for ages.” Others echoed the sentiment, saying, “Every shop is doing it! There has to be real rules and enforcement. We’re tired of seeing the same problem over and over.” Disgust Behind the Grill: Locals outraged as restaurants dump waste into city sewers. Another comment read, “Why don’t they make it mandatory for every restaurant to install a grease trap? The current system is clearly failing.” One user added, “I once took my girlfriend to eat there. We both got sick after. Why is this still allowed?” There are also calls to investigate popular high-volume restaurants, such as one reportedly draining saltwater from fish tanks into the public system every evening. “It’s full every night, but they have zero responsibility. Fine them every day until they comply,” a frustrated local said. Despite the city’s recent placement in the Top 10 Safest Cities in ASEAN according to Numbeo, critics argue that safety and sanitation go hand in hand—and ignoring environmental health will only ruin Pattaya’s long-term reputation as a tourism hub. Locals are now urging city hall to act decisively: implement mandatory grease traps, enforce daily fines, and conduct surprise inspections. Until then, they say, Pattaya’s clean image will remain nothing more than a thin façade hiding a growing mess. Warnings Won’t Cut It—Pattaya demands real action against polluting eateries. Grease, Stench, and Silence: Drain dumping scandal tarnishes Pattaya’s clean city image.   Disgust builds in Pattaya as restaurants dump waste into drains and officials do little more than warn.

Pattaya climbs into ASEAN’s Top 10 safest cities – Mayor vows it’s just the beginning of a smarter, safer future. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya’s image has long been tied to its beaches, nightlife, and freewheeling tourism, but city officials want the world to see a broader picture. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet says the city has made serious strides in development and safety—and it’s paying off. According to the latest rankings from Numbeo, a global database based in Serbia, Pattaya has earned the 9th spot on the list of safest cities in ASEAN for 2025, beating out major cities like Johor Bahru, Cebu, Ho Chi Minh City, and even Phnom Penh. The Numbeo report takes into account overall crime perception, feelings of safety during both day and night, and specific concerns such as theft, assault, home invasion, and hate-related incidents. Pattaya scored 53.9 points, a strong showing for a city often labeled as chaotic or wild in the media. Mayor Poramet noted that this international recognition reflects years of ongoing effort. He pointed to several major improvements already underway, including the renovation of the Pattaya City sign on Pratumnak Hill, construction of a new roof over the passenger bridge at Bali Hai Pier, upgrades to all six pier pontoons to meet accessibility standards, and the addition of public toilets to serve Thai and international tourists alike. These upgrades are meant to increase both comfort and safety for visitors of all ages, including seniors and people with disabilities. The mayor emphasized that Pattaya’s place in the ASEAN top 10 is not the finish line, but a milestone. He said the city is committed to continuous development and integration of safety standards across its growing tourism infrastructure. Despite the fun-loving image often associated with Pattaya, authorities are working to elevate the city’s profile as a balanced, modern, and secure destination. With Chiang Mai and Bangkok also making the list at 1st and 7th place respectively, Thailand’s presence in the top rankings signals growing international confidence in its urban safety. Pattaya, with its evolving infrastructure and serious push for sustainable tourism, is positioning itself as more than just a party town. As Mayor Poramet put it, “This is just the beginning. Pattaya has a lot more to do.”

Two karaoke workers crash into 12 barriers after drinking—raise alarm over Thailand’s drunk driving culture. PATTAYA, Thailand – A troubling car crash in Trat Province has reignited questions about Thailand’s—and especially Pattaya’s—real commitment to cracking down on drunk driving, as incidents involving alcohol-impaired motorists continue to surface with alarming regularity. At 6 a.m. on May 20, two women who had just finished working at a karaoke bar crashed their Toyota Vios into 12 roadside concrete barriers at a three-way intersection in Wang Krachae, Trat. Both women, ages 25 and 28, admitted they had been drinking before getting behind the wheel. The driver, Ms. Chonticha (surname withheld), told police she swerved to avoid a motorcycle coming out of a side alley, lost control, and slammed into the barriers. Neither woman was injured, but their visibly intoxicated state prompted police to proceed with formal alcohol testing and legal action. While the incident occurred outside Pattaya, the pattern echoes what many locals and observers have long noted in the beachside city: a lax culture of enforcement where drunk driving remains a nightly norm rather than an exception. Pattaya’s nightlife, with its abundance of alcohol-serving venues and limited late-night public transport, has made driving under the influence almost routine. Yet enforcement is often reduced to occasional checkpoints or random stops that rarely result in meaningful deterrents. Arrests are uncommon, and prosecutions even less so. Critics argue that unless Pattaya authorities adopt a zero-tolerance approach and implement stricter, consistent enforcement—both for locals and tourists—the city risks sending the message that drinking and driving is simply part of the nightlife package. The Trat crash serves as a wake-up call: while it didn’t end in tragedy, it could have. If Pattaya truly wants to maintain its reputation as a world-class destination, the question must be asked—how many near misses will it take before real action is enforced on its streets? Trat crash highlights national concern: Is Pattaya turning a blind eye to drunk drivers? “We drank after work,” admit women after barrier-smashing wreck—calls grow for stricter DUI laws.   Late-night drinking and driving unchecked—Pattaya’s party image increasingly tied to road danger.

Have some expats taken the Thai income tax world too seriously? The Bangkok Post report that the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) is preparing a royal decree about a notoriously touchy subject has set the expat world aflame once again. It looks as if “Thais” who transferred income from overseas in 2024 won’t have to pay tax if moved in 2024, or indeed any time up to December 31 2025. The inference is that cash transferred here in 2025 won’t be taxed if moved in 2025 or 2026. The general idea is to encourage the repatriation of foreign funds to Thai bank accounts in order to boost domestic cash holdings. The whole issue, like the many-headed Hydra in Greek mythology, has many heads: cut one off and another grows in its place. So what is a “Thai”. It could mean a Thai national or Thai passport holder to the exclusion of anybody else. But not necessarily. Any foreigner who spends 180 days or more in Thailand in a calendar year is a “Thai tax resident” which comes pretty close. Sooner or later TRD will have to come absolutely clean about the matter. The most likely scenario is that expats will be included. Foreign expats in Thailand come in all shapes and sizes. Those who have any income gained within Thailand – say from employment or property – are eligible for Thai tax no matter even if they are physically here for just a few days in a year. In other words, being in Thailand for less than half a year does not excuse foreigners from all Thai taxes. However, income sent from overseas only kicks in if you are a Thai resident for tax purposes. Tax is paid when the individual obtains a tax identification number, fills in a tax form and writes the cheque so to speak. There’s no shortage of accountancy firms and tax specialists only to happy to act on your behalf. Most of the expat panic has centered on retirees who live on social security payments and/or different kinds of pensions from overseas. If TRD clarifies that the shorthand “Thai” does indeed include foreign tax residents, they become no longer liable for TRD taxes on regular income transferred from overseas, at any rate until the end of 2026. Beyond that it’s just guesswork until, at least, we see the royal decree. Even then, the ground rules could change if – for example – Thailand moves from a residency-based tax system to one based on worldwide income whether sent to Thailand or not. Many commentators say this is unlikely as wealthy Thais won’t like the idea of declaring publicly all their assets throughout the globe. Once the royal decree is public knowledge, several lurking gremlins will grab the center stage. If you transfer cash which is untaxable, do you none the less have to fill in a tax form? Where do double taxation treaties – there are 61 in total and all different in scope and detail – fit into the picture? Does the TRD excitedly see the typical expat as a potential mega-currency victim, or should we recall that the vast majority of adult Thais have never filled in a tax form in their lives? The best advice is to stay cool. It’s always a mistake to try and hurry the Orient.

Pattaya police continue beach inspections, but can name-taking alone solve the “coconut tree women” issue? PATTAYA, Thailand – As the sun sets over Pattaya Beach, another nightly scene plays out — groups of Thai women and transgender individuals, often referred to as “coconut tree women,” line the beachfront looking for foreign customers. This phenomenon is nothing new, but recent police activity raises a serious question: can Pattaya law enforcement truly manage this issue when their only tool appears to be jotting down names? On the night of May 19, Pattaya police launched yet another “crackdown” along a five-kilometer stretch from North to South Pattaya Beach. Led by Pol. Lt. Col. Siriwat Kachamat and Pol. Lt. Col. Suchart Dusadee under the direction of Pattaya Police Superintendent Col. Anek Srathongyoo, the operation aimed to “regulate” the presence of these individuals amid growing concerns about tourism-related crime and public image. This follows a recent altercation between a tourist and a transgender woman that went viral and sparked renewed scrutiny of Pattaya’s beachside nightlife. However, despite the dramatic optics of uniformed officers and flashing lights, the reality remains toothless: police are merely taking names and asking those present to report to the station to complete a basic identification record. No arrests, no fines, no legal actions — just a polite request for cooperation. When police approached, many individuals fled into side streets or across Beach Road, underscoring a lack of trust in the process and skepticism about its purpose. While some did cooperate and allowed their details to be recorded, the majority refused and quickly disappeared into the night. Authorities insist this is a “preventative measure” aimed at protecting tourists and upholding Pattaya’s image as a world-class destination. But critics argue that collecting names — without enforcement or social support — is an exercise in futility that fails to address the root causes, such as poverty, lack of employment, or exploitation. If Pattaya hopes to strike a balance between tourism appeal and public order, more than superficial name-taking will be needed. Until then, the beach will likely continue to host the same nightly scenes — watched over by police with notebooks instead of real solutions. Officers jot down IDs, but critics say the city needs more than paperwork to manage its nightlife image. Beachfront workers scatter as police approach—many still refuse cooperation during late-night checks.   Pattaya’s efforts to preserve its tourism image face scrutiny as enforcement remains largely symbolic.

While Vietnam upgrades its nightlife, Pattaya stumbles over cracked footpaths, dual pricing, and tourist frustrations. (Photo – Ho Chi Minh local bar) PATTAYA, Thailand – Once the undisputed king of Southeast Asia’s after-dark playgrounds, Pattaya now finds itself losing ground to Vietnam’s increasingly popular nightlife destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. While the Thai resort city still draws global crowds, cracks are beginning to show—literally and figuratively. From regular street clashes in bar zones to rampant dual-pricing and overcharging complaints, the city’s reputation is being tested. Tourists report inconsistent drink quality and inflated bills at bars and go-go clubs, often with little recourse. Meanwhile, local transport continues to frustrate visitors, with overcrowded baht buses and limited regulation giving rise to disputes and discomfort. Public infrastructure isn’t helping. Cracked footpaths, poorly maintained alleys, and inconsistent lighting create safety concerns, especially for tourists navigating late-night venues. It’s a sharp contrast to the cleaner, more walkable entertainment districts emerging in cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, where local authorities have invested in creating vibrant yet controlled nightlife hubs. Vietnam’s nightlife evolution—driven by creative cocktail bars, stylish rooftop lounges, live music cafés, and increasingly liberal attitudes—has made it a rising star for young travelers. Competitive pricing, improved safety, and a polished urban experience add to the appeal. In Pattaya, the fun hasn’t stopped—but the city faces an urgent need to modernize, regulate fairly, and ensure a higher standard of urban hospitality. Without those steps, it risks being outshone by its fast-rising regional neighbors.

Director of ATCC receives donations and gratitude as community joins hands to support children in need. PATTAYA, Thailand – The Russian community in Thailand, in collaboration with Central Marina Shopping Center, Rosinka Ballet School, and Super Kids Dance School, hosted the “Love Change the World” charity concert at the Central Marina stage in North Pattaya. The event featured ballet performances and various dance showcases, adding vibrancy to the local tourism scene while raising funds for children under the care of the Anti-Trafficking and Child Abuse Center (ATCC), known locally as Baan Kru Ja. Held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Thai-Russian diplomatic relations, the event was a symbol of “diplomacy for the people,” fostering cross-cultural understanding and humanitarian cooperation. Phalisorn Noja, Director of ATCC, was present to thank organizers and accept the donations on behalf of the center. The event was attended by local dignitaries, businesspeople, tourists, and community members, both Thai and international. The concert was especially meaningful as it aimed to raise awareness and provide sustainable support for vulnerable children affected by trafficking and abuse. With performances by both Thai and international youth, the event served as an artistic expression of hope, unity, and kindness. Through the universal language of dance, organizers hoped to inspire all attendees to join in the mission to “change the world with love.” “Love Change the World” concert raises funds for vulnerable children under ATCC’s care. A heartfelt celebration of 100 years of Thai-Russian diplomacy through music and movement. Russian and Thai youth dancers unite on stage to inspire change through art at Central Marina.  

Over 400 residents joined the wellness event to receive early detection tests for common chronic diseases. PATTAYA, Thailand – Nongprue Municipality in east Pattaya hosted its annual “Healthy Life, Happy Living” program, drawing over 400 local residents to participate in free health screenings. The event aimed to promote early detection of chronic illnesses and raise awareness about preventive health care. This initiative comes in response to the modern lifestyle’s negative impact on public health, including unbalanced diets high in sugar, fat, and salt; sedentary office routines; and environmental pollution. These factors have contributed to a rise in non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—all of which can lead to disability, dependency, and even premature death. Recognizing the importance of early intervention, the Nongprue Public Health Division secured funding from the Local Health Security Fund to organize this community outreach. The health screenings included checks for diabetes, high cholesterol, gout, lung and liver disease, and kidney function. The municipality hopes that by fostering a culture of health consciousness and encouraging regular check-ups, residents will adopt healthier lifestyles that benefit themselves, their families, and the broader community. Fighting modern health risks – Officials emphasized the dangers of poor diet, lack of exercise, and pollution in increasing chronic illness rates. Nongprue Municipality aims to catch signs of disease in early stages through regular community screenings. Supporting public health – The event was funded by the Local Health Security Fund to promote long-term wellbeing in the Nongprue community.