Officials from Pattaya’s Water Quality Division collect water samples at Wongamat Beach to monitor the plankton bloom. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya recently faced environmental concerns as a plankton bloom caused the waters at Wongamat Beach to turn a dark green, accompanied by a sulfur-like odor that worried both locals and tourists. The phenomenon, which started a few days ago, led to a significant change in the sea’s appearance and raised fears about its impact on marine life and beach activities. In response, the Water Quality Analysis and Pollution Control Division, along with the Complaints Reception Unit from Pattaya City Hall, promptly took action. Teams were dispatched to the beach area to collect water samples and conduct thorough analyses to monitor the bloom’s progress and its effects on water quality. Good news arrived on June 20, when officials reported that the water at Wongamat Beach had begun to clear, signaling the natural decline of the plankton bloom. Despite this improvement, authorities continue to keep a close watch on the situation to ensure environmental safety and maintain a healthy beach environment for residents and visitors. Beachgoers, including foreign tourists, have cautiously returned to enjoy the water, reassured by the ongoing monitoring efforts. This event highlights the importance of environmental vigilance and rapid response to natural occurrences that can affect tourism and local ecosystems. The once murky green waters of Wongamat Beach begin to clear as plankton bloom subsides. Continuous testing and close monitoring aim to ensure the safety of marine life and beachgoers.   Despite the bloom, some tourists cautiously resume swimming at Wongamat Beach under official supervision.

Intoxicated Swedish tourist collapses in Pattaya parking lot, seriously injured after being accidentally run over by car. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya rescue unit received a report of a serious accident where a car ran over a person, causing severe injuries at 3:56 a.m. on June 20. The incident occurred in the parking lot of an entertainment venue along Pattaya Third Road. At the scene, a 54-year-old Swedish tourist was found lying injured on the ground. His head had been run over by the wheel of a white Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. The man was groaning in pain beside the car. Rescue personnel provided initial first aid before rushing him to the hospital. The driver of the sedan, Polwat Onlamai, 38, who works as a Bolt ride-hailing driver, was visibly shocked when he spoke to officials. He said he had come to pick up a passenger waiting in the parking lot and did not see anyone lying on the ground. He did not expect a person to be there. As he turned a curve, he felt the car hit something and bounce, so he immediately stopped to check. When he opened the door, he was shocked to find a person lying injured. People nearby quickly came to help and called the authorities. CCTV footage captured the incident, showing the foreigner lying on the ground while security guards stood nearby observing. According to the security staff, the foreigner was intoxicated and had fallen. His wife tried to assist him, but he appeared heavily drunk and lay down again. It was at this moment that the sedan turned the corner and ran over him. The security guards and the wife rushed to help immediately. Police investigator Pol. Lt. Wuttinan Kongdee documented the scene and reviewed the CCTV footage as evidence. The sedan driver was taken in for questioning to proceed with the case fairly for all parties involved. His wife tried to help him, but he lay down again, heavily drunk—just as a sedan turned the corner and accidentally ran him over; security guards and his wife rushed to his aid immediately.

Pattaya clamps down hard on illegal parking — luxury cars included, no exceptions. PATTAYA, Thailand – In Pattaya, authorities have launched a strict enforcement campaign against illegal parking, targeting all vehicles regardless of how expensive or prestigious they are. The key rule is that vehicles must strictly follow the odd-even parking schedule on South Pattaya roads — fail to comply, and your car could get clamped. The curb aims to restore order and ease chronic traffic congestion in busy areas like South Pattaya, where illegally parked cars often block roads and cause frustration among residents and drivers alike. A particularly pressing issue is taxis left idling or parked in no-parking zones, which further worsen traffic jams, especially near the Walking Street. Local residents have shown strong support for the clamp-down, emphasizing fairness and the need to respect traffic laws. Many expressed that all cars should be clamped without exception, regardless of the owner’s wealth, and stressed that ignoring the signs leads to trouble for other road users. Some even joked about taking tougher measures such as removing wheels if the problem persists. However, there were also reminders for officials to be careful when clamping to avoid damaging expensive rims. South Pattaya roads get cleaner as officials enforce odd-even parking rules with wheel clamps. The community also called for authorities to tackle related issues like street vendors dumping food waste into drains causing flooding and requested stricter enforcement near popular spots like Bali Hai and the Thappraya Road. Traffic on South Pattaya roads remains congested, particularly near the head of the street and traffic lights, where illegally parked cars continue to be a major nuisance. Many people complained about taxis blocking the road in front of the Marine area, urging officials to pay closer attention. One resident summed it up best: “Drive a luxury car all you want, but respect traffic laws. Signs clearly show parking is allowed only on odd or even days. Ignoring this causes headaches for everyone else. Full fines should be imposed.” With the clamp campaign in full swing, Pattaya is sending a clear message: No car is exempt, and orderly parking benefits all road users. Residents cheer clamp campaign to clear blocked roads and keep taxis in check near Marine area. No more excuses: In Pattaya, everyone must respect parking rules or face the clamp.

Wongamat Beach sea turns green with strong smell as hot weather and calm seas trigger plankton bloom. PATTAYA, Thailand – The plankton bloom phenomenon has returned to Pattaya, with the seawater at Wongamat Beach turning green and emitting a sulfur-like smell starting around noon today. On June 20, reporters observed that the clear green seawater at Wongamat Beach, Pattaya, Chonburi, changed to a dark green color around midday and began to emit a foul sulfur-like odor, raising concerns among local residents and tourists. One tourist said the seawater was still clear and normal in the morning, but after noon, the color started to change and the smell became noticeable. Local fishermen reported seeing green patches in the water since Thursday evening, likely caused by a plankton bloom that formed offshore and drifted into the area on Friday. This phenomenon coincides with the low tide at midday. The unpleasant odor results from the high concentration of plankton, which could affect the beach’s scenery. However, some foreign tourists continued to swim as usual. Authorities have prepared to collect water samples for quality analysis and are monitoring the environmental impact. The bloom is believed to be caused by several consecutive days of intense heat combined with calm sea conditions, which favor the growth of phytoplankton. When plankton multiplies excessively, it causes water discoloration and odors due to natural decomposition processes. Sudden plankton bloom at Pattaya’s Wongamat Beach changes sea color, prompting environmental monitoring. Despite plankton bloom and foul odor, some foreign tourists continue swimming at Wongamat Beach, Pattaya.   Plankton bloom turns Wongamat Beach waters dark green, emitting sulfur-like odor, alarming locals and tourists.

Eastern Task Force seals Thai-Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet, targeting illegal crossings and crime gangs. SAKAEO, Thailand – The Eastern Task Force has sealed the Thai-Cambodian border at Aranyaprathet district, Sakaeo province, intensifying efforts to stop illegal cross-border activities, including call center gangs and human trafficking rings. Recently, an unidentified drone was spotted near Khlong Phromhod, suspected to be used by smuggling groups to scout border crossing points. On the evening of June 19, soldiers from the Aranyaprathet Special Task Unit under Col. Chainarong Kasee of the 12th Ranger Battalion, Eastern Task Force, continued strict patrols along the Thai-Cambodian border amid unstable conditions. Particular focus has been on Khlong Phromhod, a critical waterway connecting Aranyaprathet district with Cambodia. Officials have stepped up proactive inspections and surveillance of the river boundary area. Drone sightings near Khlong Phromhod spark crackdown on smuggling and call center operations along the border. After detecting suspicious activity and capturing footage of an unknown drone, authorities suspect smuggling gangs or call center criminals are using it to gather intelligence on border crossing routes. To counter these threats, security forces have increased patrols and established checkpoints operating 24/7 to prevent illegal entries, especially human trafficking groups, call center criminals, and illegal migrant workers who might use natural pathways to enter Thailand. Col. Chainarong stated the operation aligns with the Eastern Task Force’s policy emphasizing proactive vigilance along all vulnerable routes to stop infiltrators from entering the kingdom or committing crimes on Thai soil. The task force is working closely with local security agencies including military, police, immigration, and local administration to closely monitor and control the border situation. 24/7 patrols and checkpoints intensify to stop human trafficking and illegal migration into Thailand. Military and security agencies collaborate closely to secure border amid ongoing cross-border crime threats.

Digital Economy Minister credits border checkpoint restrictions with significant drop in online crime and scam reports. PATTAYA, Thailand – Prasert Chantraruangthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, held a press conference to update progress on the decline in online crime statistics following the implementation of restricted opening hours at the Thailand-Cambodia border checkpoints. Prasert explained that Cambodia has recently been under scrutiny as the largest hub for transnational cybercrime in the world. Behind the online scam networks exploiting human trafficking labor is a systematic enabling environment supported by state structures and high-level ruling classes. A detailed report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) explicitly described groups of transnational criminals involved in cybercrime, online fraud, and call center scams. The report also mapped the scam operation bases located along the Cambodia-Thailand border, particularly Poipet city, which sits opposite Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province. This area is a strategic hotspot for scam networks, generating approximately 80% of Cambodia’s income from these illicit activities. Prasert stated that as the Digital Economy Minister, he has continuously worked to halt cybercrime and online fraud in all forms. According to monthly reports from June 2025, online crime complaints decreased from approximately 1,300 cases during the period when border checkpoints were intermittently opened and closed. Specifically, on June 7, 2025, after the border was closed, complaints immediately dropped to 900 cases on June 8, 2025. Although there were some fluctuations later, the numbers remained lower than before the closures, and continued to decrease following orders prohibiting Thai nationals from working in Cambodia. Looking back to the period from March 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, there were 229,923 reported online scam cases, causing damages totaling 34.5 billion baht. After the launch of the “Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Operations Center (AOC 1441)” on November 1, 2023, from March 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, over 1.18 million cases were handled, and more than 521,915 fake accounts (“mule accounts”) were suspended. This effort has helped prevent losses of over 19.9 billion baht, reducing damages by more than 42.14%. Most recently, from November 1, 2023, to May 31, 2025, the AOC 1441 hotline received 1,769,958 calls, leading to the suspension of 686,515 scam-related accounts and verified damages totaling 29.75 billion baht. From these data, it is clear that measures such as border closures, power cuts, and internet shutdowns have significantly reduced transnational crime, cybercrime, and online scams, especially call center gangs. In particular: Scam calls through mobile networks to defraud the public have disappeared entirely.   Money withdrawals via mule accounts used to move funds overseas have decreased, thanks to links with banking and financial institutions requiring facial scans, making money transfers more difficult and allowing victims to recover their funds. Although these measures have caused some inconvenience to citizens, the overall impact has been a substantial reduction in financial losses. Mr. Prasert urged the public to unite and serve as a central hub in combating transnational crime, cybercrime, and online fraud to protect the nation’s and people’s interests. He concluded by saying the government will accelerate enforcement under the Technology Crime Prevention Act, including managing mule accounts, tightening registration controls of caller IDs (“Sender Names”), intensifying telecom service suspensions, establishing ministerial regulations and operational guidelines for the Technology Crime Operations Center, developing centralized platforms and databases, strengthening international cooperation, supporting victims, raising public awareness, controlling borders and natural entry points, and introducing many additional measures in the near future.

Former Pattaya beach chair attendant arrested after targeting tourists relaxing on the beach—confesses to multiple thefts. PATTAYA, Thailand – A 38-year-old man who once worked as a beach chair attendant in Pattaya has been arrested for allegedly stealing from tourists and locals while they were off-guard. On June 20, Pattaya police apprehended the suspect, Wichart Tunheng, near Soi Jomtien 10. He was found in possession of numerous stolen items including bags, clothing, and ATM cards. The arrest followed complaints from several victims who reported that a thief had snatched belongings—such as an iPhone 12, Apple Watch, small wallets, clothing, hats, and large bags—from beachgoers earlier that morning. The thief reportedly fled the scene before victims could react, prompting them to file police reports. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and traced the suspect to the area around Soi Jomtien 10. Officers conducted a search and quickly located the man, who confessed to the thefts. He revealed that he had previously worked laying out beach chairs for hire but lost his job and turned to drugs. The suspect later led police to a wooded area roughly 500 meters from the beach, where he had hidden some of the stolen items. Officers retrieved the evidence for use in prosecution. He has since been taken into custody and handed over to the investigation unit of Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Tourists monitor currency swings closely, hoping for a weaker baht to unlock more affordable trips to Thailand’s beaches. PATTAYA, Thailand – The Thai baht opened on the morning of June 20 at 32.70 per U.S. dollar, a slight appreciation from the previous day’s close of 32.77. Traders expect the baht to remain range-bound over the next 24 hours, likely moving within 32.60–32.90, as global markets digest recent developments in the Middle East and wait for key economic data from the U.S. and U.K. Overnight, trading activity remained thin due to the Juneteenth holiday in U.S. financial markets. Still, the baht saw modest support from a rebound in the Japanese yen, which gained on the back of speculation that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) could raise interest rates in response to May’s CPI inflation reading of 3.5% — a divergence from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s expected rate-cut trajectory. The baht also gained some backing from the rebound in global gold prices, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Market participants are watching whether these tensions will escalate or ease — either of which could influence safe-haven flows and currency trends. Tourism Caught in the Crosscurrents: Foreign Travelers Waiting to Book Pattaya Trips Amid the currency fluctuations, Thailand’s tourism sector is seeing a different kind of volatility. Many long-term foreign visitors and repeat travelers — particularly those who love Thailand and frequently return to destinations like Pattaya — are delaying travel plans in hopes of a weaker baht. “Our European and Australian guests are telling us they’re watching the exchange rate day by day,” said a hotelier in South Pattaya. “They want to come. They always come. But they’re holding off booking their rooms and tours until the baht weakens past 33.” According to Chiang Mai-based travel consultants, some digital nomads, retirees, and budget-conscious tourists are also waiting for more favorable conversion rates before buying tour packages or long-stay accommodations. For travelers planning multi-week holidays, even small fluctuations in the baht can significantly affect overall spending power. Many observers see the 33.00 baht per dollar mark as a psychological threshold — one that, if breached, could trigger a wave of late-season bookings, especially in value-focused destinations like Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin. Currency Outlook: Two-Way Risks Remain Despite the short-term appreciation, analysts caution that the baht remains exposed to “two-way risks” — meaning it could move in either direction depending on how external factors evolve. These include movements in the U.S. dollar, shifts in gold and oil prices, and the trajectory of conflict in the Middle East. If the conflict worsens — for example, if the U.S. becomes militarily involved in direct strikes on Iran — global uncertainty may rise, strengthening the U.S. dollar and safe-haven assets like gold. This scenario could put pressure on the baht to weaken. Conversely, if diplomatic efforts gain ground and tensions de-escalate, gold prices could fall, and the baht might again find support. In technical terms, the 32.90–33.00 zone remains a key resistance level for USD/THB. Some traders are positioning to sell dollars around that range, while the support zone is now viewed at 32.50–32.60. Until clear economic data or geopolitical shifts emerge, the baht is likely to remain in a sideways or sideways-up pattern. “If the baht breaks above 33.00 decisively, that could be the green light international travelers have been waiting for,” said one Bangkok-based analyst. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin)

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