Thailand promising to crack down on miscreants

Bali recently jailed a badly-behaved Swiss tourist who disrespected Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, and now Thailand is vowing to crack down on badly behaved tourists.

Thai authorities have warned that tourist visas could be revoked as they move to protect the country’s tourism image, The Nation newspaper reported.

The warning comes amid reports of inappropriate behaviour by foreign visitors in popular destinations including Pattaya, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Phuket.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said Thailand remains open to visitors of all nationalities but expects them to respect Thai laws, local culture and communities.

He said authorities would not ignore misconduct or allow isolated incidents to escalate into wider problems affecting tourism.

"Thailand is ready to welcome every tourist who respects Thai law and culture, but we will not allow the country to become a venue for symbolic expressions of conflicts that have nothing to do with Thailand,” he said.

The government is prepared to co-ordinate with immigration and other agencies to take immediate action, including visa revocation, against foreign tourists considered to be causing serious trouble.

The issue has received particular attention on Koh Samui, where local concerns have been raised about the behaviour of some Israeli tourists. 

Israeli visitor numbers to Samui and neighbouring Koh Phangan have increased, putting the destinations under greater scrutiny as authorities seek to manage tourism growth.

A Thai activist group submitted a letter outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on August 24, urging Israeli tourists and residents in Thailand to "respect the country’s laws, customs and culture," Khaosodenglish.com reported.

Authorities in Koh Phangan said 13 foreign tourists had already had their visas revoked in recent weeks for inappropriate activities, highlighting the increasingly tough stance Thailand is taking toward unruly visitors.

Thailand has made clear that its tourism destinations should not be used as venues for political or symbolic activities linked to overseas conflicts.

Asked whether visas issued to visitors from particular countries would be reviewed, Surasak said authorities would consider each case individually.

Image: Bangkok, Suparerg Suksai, Scop.io

Thailand promises to crack down on crime

Thai authorities are promising to improve public safety after a series of incidents involving tourists. 

Many have occurred in Pattaya, a city with a reputation for sex tourism and wild nightlife. 

Officials in Chonburi, the province that is home to Pattaya, increasingly view security as essential to maintaining visitor confidence and supporting economic growth, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a nationwide crackdown on crime, making Chonburi one of the focal points of the campaign because of its strategic role as one of Thailand’s largest tourism and economic centres.

Speaking during a security policy meeting in the province, Charnvirakul said criminal activity -including organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, online scams and illegal gambling - poses a direct threat to both residents and visitors.

The Bangkok Post reported that the prime minister told provincial authorities that the government would fully support law enforcement officers carrying out their duties without political interference.

Charnvirakul said that no criminal organisation should feel beyond the reach of the law and called for closer cooperation between provincial governors, police commanders, the military and local communities.

Chonburi province welcomed approximately 25 million visitors in 2025, making it Thailand’s busiest provincial tourism destination outside Bangkok. Around 40% of arrivals were international travellers. 

The government’s tougher security stance comes as tourism operators themselves are demanding more decisive enforcement, the Bangkok Post said.

When you have to pilot a taxi yourself because your driver is asleep

Imagine having to drive a taxi because your driver is too sleepy. 

That's exactly what happened to a Thai woman this week. 

The woman from Pattaya became a social media sensation after sharing her hilarious encounter with the over-tired taxi driver online, Asean Now reported. 

 The woman posted a video on TikTok on May 21, sharing how she had to drive a taxi to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok at 3am after the driver fell asleep.

The woman and her friend called a cab in the early hours, and they noticed the driver looked tired while behind the wheel. 

When the driver actually nodded off at the wheel, the woman asked if she could drive instead.

In the video, it's clear that the driver allowed the woman to take over and moved to the back seat for some much-needed sleep. 

The woman's friend said: "We drove ourselves from Pattaya to Don Mueang Airport, with the driver sleeping soundly behind us."

"Only in Thailand!" says our Thai correspondent. 

Why you must watch your step in Thailand

Thailand is a wonderful tourism destination with beautiful beaches, stunning cuisine and fabulous resorts.

But it does pay to make sure you look where you are placing your feet.

Our Thailand correspondent reports: One of the first things you learn here is never to step on any kind of drain cover.

He was following up on a story about an American tourist who fell through a manhole cover in Pattaya earlier this week and spent several hours trapped in a sewer.

The man, named in media reports as Johnathan Vaimaona, said he fell several metres and wandered through the muddy sewer for hours looking for a way out until he heard people’s voices from above.

He then called out for assistance.

The Thaiger and the Pattaya News reported that police said that the man didn’t appear to have any injuries from his smelly ordeal in the sewers, so they escorted him back to his condo for a shower and some rest.

It sounded like a tall story to me, but our correspondent says: "I hope he's had a very thorough medical check. Those sewers are lethal."

Last year, an underground explosion cuased by methane gas sent manhole covers flying five meters into the air in Pattaya.

Our man says Thai sewer covers are notorious for their fragility and that in Bangkok prisoners are compelled to clean the sewers without wearing protective equipment.

Some years back, Bangkok Governor Bichit Rattakul had a first-hand experience of how rough it is to walk along the Thai capital's mean streets. He fell into a manhole.

The governor suddenly almost disappeared from view, local media reported

"If I were thinner, I would have fallen deeper into the sewage," he said at the time.

So do keep your eyes peeled.

Image: NewsFlare 

Heading for a few drinks on a night out? Don't forget your passport!

You are heading out for a night on the town in Thailand.

Conscious of drink spiking and other issues, you place your passport, credit cards and other important documents safely in your hotel safe.

Better safe than sorry, so to speak.

While you are enjoying a few drinks and the entertainment, the local police raid the establishment and demand your passport.

Our Thai correspondent says this is a growing trend. 

If you can't produce your passport you might be asked to pay a "fine" - in cash of course - to absolve yourself.

The Pattaya News reported this week that Pattaya Police and immigration authorities launched "a city-wide search" targeting foreigners who might have overstayed their visas, or been involved in illegal activities.

The paper reported, apparently tongue firmly in cheek, that "about 50 law enforcement officers swept across Pattaya City to deter illegal activities".

And what did they find? Nothing. How many criminals did they arrest? Err, none.

The officers told the Pattaya News that they mostly targeted foreigners working illegally in Pattaya, overstayers, and illegal migrant workers.

Separated into three groups, the police and immigration visited nightclubs and several venues around crowded tourist spots such as Walking Street and Soi 6 to check tourists’ passports for overstayers.

They also searched venue employees to see if they carried any weapons or illicit drugs.

Here's the kicker. Pattaya Police said the inspection "succeeded at deterring crime as nothing illegal was found".

Not exactly a way to encourage tourism though. And demanding tourists carry their passports surely increases their chances of being mugged, or robbed. Completely illogical. 

Hyatt's hip Andaz brand makes its debut in Thailand

Unless your focus is dodgy nightclubs, then Jomtein Beach is much better holiday destination than sweaty downtown Pattaya.

Hyatt Hotels this week opened the doors to its new Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach hotel property, , marking the debut of the hip Andaz brand in Thailand.

The resort sits on 6.4 hectares of beachfront overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

"With the growing demand for immersive, authentic experiences among luxury travellers, we are delighted by the launch of the vibrant Andaz brand in Thailand, one of the world's most appealing destinations," said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt.

"Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach is our first Andaz resort in Thailand, adding to the brand's growing portfolio in the region, which now includes properties located in Bali, Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Tokyo and Xiamen."

Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach is located between the holiday hub of Jomtien and the fishing village of Bang Saray.

 

It is within a two-hour drive from Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport with the Jomtien area becoming a lifestyle leisure precinct.

"While celebrating the spirit of exploration and the individuality of each guest and immersed in an unspoiled beachside setting, Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach offers low-rise clusters of rooms, suites and villas, shady courtyards, sparkling pools and creative event spaces, all of which reflect the dynamic charm of this up-and-coming destination," said Ranjeet Y. Rajebhosale, the hotel general manager.

"Through collaborations with local brands like the wellness provider, Panpuri, and artisans, we hope to create riveting experiences that will help guests reconnect with nature and discover Thai culture."

Set in low-rise clustered buildings, the hotel has 204 rooms, suites, and villas with walk-in rain showers and a balcony or terrace with a daybed.

Lagoon Access Rooms allow guests to step straight into the rippling waters of the resort pool, while the Pool Suites allow guests to cool down with a private dip at any time of day, and the Beachfront Suites are set directly on the beach.

The resort has six restaurants and bars featuring "local, seasonal, and sustainable produce" (doesn't everyone boast this nowadays?)

For more information see andazpattaya.com.