With the planned 90 smart poles in and around Pattaya and Koh Larn, you should be able to set up a free 5G WiFi connection to your smartphone within a radius of 200 meters around a pole.

We were able to spot one of the promised 5G WiFi hubs on Jomtien Beach Road, but for now it's just a non-working dummy.

A majority of Thais have sent the military junta home but some military-backed senators have already announced that they will disregard the will of the people and re-elect dictator Prayut Chan-o-cha or Prawit Wongsuwon. as prime minister .... Since the senators appointed by the military junta ultimately determine who leads the country as prime minister, it is quite possible that Thailand's well-being will continue to be determined by a dictator.

Thai PBS World Srettha becomes the 30th prime minister of Thailand Former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin has been selected as the 30th prime minister of Thailand on Tuesday, after having received overwhelming support from members of parliament and senators in a joint sitting.

Thai Enquirer reports on its Twitter account: Srettha Thavisin received 482 votes from the joint parliament to become the new prime minister of Thailand.
165 parliamentarians voted against him, while 81 abstained.
Out of the 482 parliamentarians who voted for Srettha, 152 were senators.
Out of the 165 who voted against him, 13 were senators.
Among the 81 abstentions, 68 were senators.
Nineteen parliamentarians did not cast their votes.
Srettha is expected to receive his royal endorsement at 8 PM.

Reuters Thai property mogul Srettha Thavisin's unlikely rise to prime minister Srettha Thavisin, until recently chief of one of Thailand's biggest real estate developers, was on Tuesday voted in as prime minister at the head of an unlikely alliance of populists and pro-military parties after weeks of post-election deadlock.

Pravit Rojanaphruk reports on his Twitter account: Phalang Pracharath Party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who's former deputy junta leader & Caretaker PM, didn't bother to vote for Pheu Thai PM candidate Srettha Thavisin despite his party being part of the coalition.

Thai PBS World Move Forward MP collapses in parliament Move Forward MP Arnuparp Likhitamnuaychai collapsed in parliament during the vote for the new prime minister today (Tuesday), prompting the deputy parliament president, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, to suspend the selection process temporarily.

Bangkok Post New government forms, but at what cost? Thai politics is entering a new chapter as the colour-coded political divide which has polarised the country for several years is expected to end after Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin won parliament's endorsement to become the country's 30th prime minister on Tuesday.

Thai PBS World Prime minister's most complicated, treacherous and unenviable task Tough as they were, the jobs of Prayut Chan-o-cha, Yingluck Shinawatra, Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared straightforward. And it would have been the same for Pita Limjaroenrat if he had been named the 30th prime minister of Thailand. Srettha Thavisin, on the other hand, is having the most intricate work full of booby traps, outright dangers and potential traitors.

Khaosod The Surprises and Effects From the Votes For Srettha Thavisin It's all surprising: the senators closely related to Gen Prayut voted for Srettha while those connected to Gen Prawit voted against or abstained & 16 of the 25 Democrat MPs violated the party agreement and voted for Srettha.

Thai Enquirer reports on its Twitter account: The Constitutional Court has granted Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), an additional 30 days to file a statement regarding his media shareholding case. Moreover, the court has also provided an extension for both Pita and the MFP to submit their statement in another petition that could potentially result in the party's dissolution. This particular petition pertains to a case in which a lawyer has asked the court to ascertain whether Pita and the party have intentions to undermine the constitutional monarchy through amendments to the lese-majeste law.

Khaosod reports on its Twitter account: The National Anti-Corruption Commission on Tues concludes there's enough ground to believe that former Culture Minister Ittiphol Khunpluem was involved in corruption related to Pattaya Water Front project when he was Pattaya mayor. It will refer the case to the Criminal Court.

The Pattaya News reports on July 26th, 2023: Anti-Corruption Organization Finds Possible Guilt Against Former Pattaya Mayor in Waterfront Suites & Residences Condo Scandall

Foreigners pay many times the entrance fee as Thais when visiting a historical park, a national park, a museum or an amusement park. The fraud is officially sanctioned. It is even recommended to only display the Thai entrance fee in Thai script to hide it from foreign visitors.

Thailand's Marine Department said it would ask the new cabinet to approve its plan to build a 7.4 billion baht port in Pattaya that will accommodate two large cruise ships. According to the Marine Department, it will be the first port of its kind in the country to dock two large ships at the same time. You may recall that former Pattaya Mayor Ittiphol Khunpleum, now accused of corruption, built a slightly smaller port during his tenure, the unused remains of which can still be admired today....

The Nation Cruise ship terminal to be built in Pattaya for 7.4bn baht. Bangkok Post B7.4-billion Pattaya cruise port promoted. Pattaya Mail Design for Pattaya cruise terminal unveiled. Please click the links for more information.

Japanese netizens had to complain on social media until efforts were made by the BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) and SRT (State Railway of Thailand) to at least clean the Phaya Thai area of the dirt. Thais are extremely clean people when it comes to their own bodies. However, most Thais still show very little understanding of environmental concerns.

Thailand, the land of many (widely heralded but never realised) hubs, is presenting a new one of its crazy hub fantasies: Turning Thailand into a space station hub for the Asia-Pacific region. The Nation Prayut urges Gitsda to get serious about selling Thailand as spacecraft launch base.

According to the Royal Thai Police, passengers will have to wear seat belts when travelling in taxis or other public transport from November 6th, 2023. This is not a new law, as the report suggests. The seat belt requirement was first published on August 7th 2022 and came into effect on September 4th the same year. According to this regulation, children under the age of 6 must also sit in child safety seats. Have you ever seen a safety seat in a car in Thailand or on a shelf in a shopping mall? TiT [This is Thailand] Bangkok Post Time to buckle up for taxi passengers.

One of the most powerful men in Thailand's military government is still being criticized for his penchant for expensive watches. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was investigating allegations that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan appeared in public with 25 different luxury watches with an estimated total value of US$1.5 million. The question is how he got all these assets, especially since the value of these watches is more than 30 million baht and his income is only around 2 million baht. According to Gen Prawit, the watches were loaned to him by a wealthy businessman friend who died in 2017. On June 16th, 2023 Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court ordered the NACC to disclose all details of Pravit watch probe, but now (August 10th), the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced that it will file an appeal on August 11th, 2023, against the Supreme Administrative Court's order for them to disclose to the public its findings.

ABC News Thailand's powerful Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan and his $1.5 million watch collection. Bangkok Post Prawit's watch case resurfaces. Bangkok Post NACC ordered to disclose all details of Prawit watch probe. Thai PBS World Corruption watchdog to appeal order to publish reports on Prawit’s wristwatch scandal. Bangkok Post Graft-busters refuse to turn over Prawit watch details. NACC chief says full disclosure could endanger witnesses in case filed against deputy PM..

Khaosod reports on its Twitter account: The National Anti-Corruption Commission on Tues concludes there's enough ground to believe that former Culture Minister Ittiphol Khunpluem was involved in corruption related to Pattaya Water Front project when he was Pattaya mayor. It will refer the case to the Criminal Court.

The Pattaya News Anti-Corruption Organization Finds Possible Guilt Against Former Pattaya Mayor in Waterfront Suites & Residences Condo Scandal The National Anti-Corruption Commission on Tues concludes there's enough ground to believe that former Culture Minister Ittiphol Khunpluem was involved in corruption related to Pattaya Water Front project when he was Pattaya mayor. It will refer the case to the Criminal Court.

Bangkok Post NACC red flags local student lunches Food billed as being substandard for kids.

Bangkok Post NBTC hints at withdrawal of AIS lawsuit Some commissioners on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have sent signals to Advanced Info Service (AIS) to withdraw its lawsuit against the NBTC board's resolution last year acknowledging the merger of True Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC), says an NBTC source who requested anonymity.

Bangkok Post Rethink after shady street lamp buys A fresh effort is under way to ensure accountability and transparency in any new local administrative organisation procurement projects and installation of so-called sculptural street lights.

Khaosod Thai Customs Appoints Investigation Committee After Counterfeit Watch Scandal The Customs Department issued a statement saying that the internal investigation will reach a conclusion within 15 days after the agency opened a watch auction offering at least 4 counterfeit watches of luxury brands such as Rolex, Richard Mille and Patek Phillips with a total value of 9.1 million baht.

Bangkok Post National park chief probed after discovery of encroaching resorts The head of Khao Kho National Park has been ordered to be transferred to an inactive post, and an inquiry has been launched after several resorts were found encroaching on a forest reserve in Phetchabun province.

The Nation Kuwaiti gang in Pattaya faces police prosecution Pattaya police confiscated 15 motorcycles from a Kuwaiti gang for disturbing traffic on Yen Sabai Road in Chonburi's Bang Lamung district in the early hours of Monday morning.

Bangkok Post Senior cop dismissed, woman recounts harrowing experience A police lieutenant colonel has been dismissed from the force after allegedly demanding 100,000 baht and sex from a woman motorist in exchange for dropping a charge of trespassing, after her car broke down one night in Saraburi province.

Bangkok Post Axed cop wanted 'sex for leniency' A police lieutenant colonel was yesterday dismissed from the force for allegedly demanding 100,000 baht and sex from a woman motorist in exchange for dropping a charge of trespassing after her car broke down one night in Saraburi province.

Bangkok Post Man seen holding tourists at gunpoint in Pattaya Police are hunting a man seen on video threatening a group of foreign tourists with a gun at a viewpoint on a local hill.

Bangkok Post Woman accused of heading romance scam gang Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman who is the alleged head of a romance scam gang who used photos of a well-endowed woman to gull men into buying new cars on time payment, and then stole them.

Asean Now Officials may be involved in illegally changing vehicle registration information Thailand's Land Transport Department (LTD) has insisted that its officials, who have access to the car registration database,were not involved in the altering of information to apply for new licenses for illegal cars, but a Thai PBS investigative team has discovered that one of the two suspected hackers is very close to one of the officials and can use the official's computer in his office.

Bangkok Post 16-year-old girl busted for pimping minors Police arrested a 16-year-old girl on Tuesday in Kamphaeng Phet province for human trafficking and luring minors to be prostitutes.

Khaosod Fake Luxury Watch Auction Case: Customs Files a Civil Lawsuit "This was the first such mistake in the history of the Customs Department," Pachara Anantasilp, the Director General of Customs, announced on August 10 the closure of the case involving the auctioning of counterfeit luxury watches by Customs.

Bangkok Post Officers transferred after gambling raid Five senior police officers from Chang Phueak police station have been transferred to inactive posts for allowing a gambling den to operate under their watch.

Bangkok Post Former insurance agent 'sold fake policies worth B22m' A former insurance salesman who continued to sell fake policies has been arrested in connection with damages totalling over 22 million baht, say police.

Bangkok Post New scam targets uni students Police have warned about a new scam where call centre gangs trick students into sending fake abduction video clips of themselves, which are then used to get money from their parents.

Bangkok Post Phone-scam warnings stepped up The government has warned people about the increasing number of call centre scam gangs claiming to be state agencies.

Khaosod Cyber Police Arrest Parcel Delivery Scammers Worth 20 Million Baht On August 12, the Cyber Police, led by Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Worawat Watnakornbancha, reported the arrest of a gang of scammers at the CCIB Headquarters for mailing cash-on-delivery parcels valued more than 20 million baht.

Bangkok Post Charges sought in 36 cyanide misuse cases The Department of Industrial Works has asked police to take legal action against 36 people including the accused serial killer whose crimes triggered a closer look at the use and misuse of cyanide.

Bangkok PostThai Examiner Biggest Sex for Sale site shut by police unit in early morning raid targeting foreigners Police arrest American Thai couple in Hua Hin after they suppressed what they believed to be Thailand’s leading prostitution website.

Bangkok Post Nigerian, 13 Thais arrested over romance scam A Nigerian man and 13 Thais, who were members of a romance scam gang responsible for siphoning about 800 million baht out of Thailand over a span of three years, have been arrested following police operations conducted across seven provinces.

Bell Travel Services now offers bus transfers not only from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya, but also from Don Mueang Airport to the Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Road. Timetable:

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya: 08:30 10:30 14:30 18:00
Departure from Level 1 Gate 8, near Airport Street Food hall

Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport: 06:00 09:00 13:00 17:00
Departure from Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Road

Fare (one way): 300 Baht

Don Mueang Airport to Pattaya: 10:30 15:00
Departure from Terminal 2 between Gate 10 and 11

Pattaya to Don Mueang Airport: 06:00 15:00
Departure from Pattaya Bus Terminal on North Road

Fare (one way): 350 Baht

Tickets can be purchased at the relevant departure points or booked online via Bell Travel Services.

Central Pattana, the owner of Central Pattaya (still known as CentralFestival), in partnership with Klook launched a 190-Baht Express Bus Service connecting CentralFestival with two of its Bangkok malls, the Central World and Central Village. For tickets or additional information please click Klook.

Ekamai to Pattaya Fare: 131 Baht 06:00 - 21:00 : Bus runs every hour

Pattaya to Ekamai Fare: 131 Baht 04:30 - 21:00 : Bus runs every hour

Bagna (Rungrueng Bus Station) to Pattaya Fare: 131 Baht 06:30 - 21:30 : Bus runs every hour

Morchid to Pattaya Fare: 131 Baht 06:00 - 18:00 : Bus runs every 2 hours

Pattaya to Morchid Fare: 131 Baht 05:00, 07:30, afterwards 10:00 - 18:00 : Bus runs every 2 hours

Suvarnabhumi to Jomtien Fare: 143 Baht 07:00 - 21:00 : Bus runs every hour

Jomtien to Suvarnabhumi Fare: 143 Baht 07:00 - 21:00 : Bus runs every hour

Hua Hin Airport to Suvarnabhumi Fare: 325 Baht 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00

Suvarnabhumi to Hua Hin Airport Fare: 325 Baht 07:30, 09:30, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00

Hua Hin to Pattaya Fare: 473 Baht 09:00, 15:00

Pattaya to Hua Hin Fare: 473 Baht 08:00, 16:00

U-Tapao Airport to Pattaya Fare: 150 Baht / Hotel drop off 250 Baht 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:00

Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Fare: 150 Baht / Hotel pick up 250 Baht 10:30, 13:30, 15:00

Pattaya Bus Station: Opposite Big C / B-Quik (South Pattaya)

Despite the lofty name U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport, the airport, which is still administered by the Royal Thai Navy in Sattahip, offers very limited connections to Pattaya and other destinations such as Rayong. Passengers have to make do with taxis or organise their own travel. It is therefore not surprising that the almost unrivaled cab drivers take advantage of this in their own way and charge, for example, up to 850 baht (and more) for the 35 km trip to Pattaya ....

Loy Kratong Festival 2023 Pattaya
Location: Along the beaches of Pattaya, Jomtien and Naklua

Pattaya Countdown 2023
Location: Bali Hai

The expansion work in Chonburi Immigration is obviously not yet complete.

The buildings of the formerly popular Elephant Trekking on Thepprasit Road have all been removed and the business itself has been closed.

All these buildings that housed smaller handicraft shops on Thepprasit Soi 17 will be demolished.

One of the many recommended bars on Soi 7 (off Jomtien Beach Road) is the newly opened Hog's Breath Saloon Bar.

Fancy some Japanese-inspired food at affordable Thai prices? Then we recommend the Kawyeepoon Japanese Rice Shop at the Blue PTT Service Station on Naklua Road. In addition to sushi, salmon and chicken specialities, there are also many different types of tasty salads. There are even steaks available, all from 59 Baht.

Apparently, construction work on the Akara Hotel resumed in early August. Since the beginning of the pandemic, local residents have described the unfinished hotel as a ruin. It also disappeared from Akara Hospitality Group's website "overnight". The Akara Hotel is located opposite the imposing Space Hotel of the Grande Center Point Group. Construction for the Akara Hotel began ahead of the Space Hotel breaking ground on June 1st, 2019. The hotel should be ready for occupancy on September 30th, 2021. According to the Akara Hotel Group on Linkedin, the new hotel will open in Naklua in early 2024.

The Rondelle, a popular meeting place opposite the CentralFestival mall, has fallen victim to the seafront promenade's refurbishment, as has a similar seating area on Soi 6 a few months ago. Earlier this year, Pattaya City Hall promised that the renovations would be completed by the end of July 2023. As things stand at present, the new promenade will not be available to the population and visitors to Pattaya until the end of this year.

La Meow opened in Terminal 21 early last month and has already garnered a large clientele with its reasonably priced and tasty Thai dishes.

Sushi Plus opened in Terminal 21 in the last days of July.

In mid-August, Mr. 9, a hotpot restaurant promising authentic Chinese taste, opened in Terminal 21.

Hawker Chan, the Michelin-certified Singaporean chicken restaurant, has now closed its Terminal 21 branch after previously closing its Royal Garden Plaza restaurant. Apparently both Pattaya's residents and their guests feel well served even without a Michelin Star.

Since August 3rd, you can once again enjoy your meal in a Michelin-star restaurant in Terminal 21. Since 2020, Ginger Farm Kitchen has received the coveted award for its outstanding northern Thai specialties every year!

Yellow Garage Bar & Restaurant opened on Pattaya South Road across from Shell Gas Station. The venue not only has ample parking but also a live band.

Lupa Bar opened on July 27th in the former Rosie O' Grady's Sports Pub in Soi 7.

On the second floor - called Tokyo - of Terminal 21, on the shopping street near the long escalator, is a shop for vinyl record lovers called Sabai Vinyl.

The shop not only offers a large selection of newly pressed records, but also a particularly friendly saleswoman.

Delicious Turkish Kebabs in many different varieties at reasonable prices are now available at Casa Dee Kebab on South Pattaya Road, just a few metres from Tukom.

A Ryoshi Box branch was opened in the Food Park on the ground floor of CentralFestival in Pattaya for friends of Japanese fast food.

Founded in Australia in 2018, 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle chain opened a branch on Pattaya Second Road, opposite the Soi 7 entrance. The company's name refers to a 'secret' soup recipe from 1919.

On Pattaya South Road, at Duck Square opposite the Vegas Club, Oscar will soon open as a Thai pub with live music.

On Pattaya South Road Patya will soon open as a Thai pub with live music.

On the corner of Pattaya 3rd Road and Chalermphrakiat 6, where the iSPA sauna and spa were located until the pandemic, Tahsiam opened a Thai pub dubbed Music Cafe Pattaya in a completely redesigned building.

99 Live House has now established itself where you could previously visit the not exactly successful Bubble. The building was completely redesigned for its new purpose.

Dragon Pattaya, a gay nightclub located on Soi 12 (off Pattaya Klang), has closed its door again without giving any reason.

Brauhaus, a German restaurant on Pattaya 2nd Road, has not survived the pandemic. The iconic pub is now to be sold. If interested, please call 087 283 5349 or 063 146 5777.

Kubala, a popular bar on Soi Chaiyapoon, expanded the venue in the last week of July and reopened on July 29th with a birthday party for its boss.

Located on the corner of Soi Buakhao and Soi Boomerang, The Spot, a live music bar, has been given a makeover.

The Ruby Rock 'n' Roll Bar opened on Soi Buakhao. The new venue replaces the defunct Bareback Bar to the right of The Town Bar.

Bullseye Bar has opened in Soi Lengkee off Soi Buakhao. The new place is located in a completely renovated beauty and laundry shop.

Emily Bar in Soi Chaiyapoon (off Soi Buakhao) is for sale. If interessted call 061 198 9391, 093 887 5202 or 089 247 8448.

Godgift Cannabis Cafe in Soi Lengkee (off Soi Buakhao) closed the door and removed all furniture.

Soi 6 Cafe closed the door. A beer bar called Boofies will open soon in its place.

Marine Disco, formerly the favorite hangout for dancers and freelancers on Pattaya's Walking Street, is finally being transformed to meet today's needs.

Palace A Go-Go gets a new impressive outfit.

One Night Jack opened a few days ago to the right of the Russian XO Club.

Deja Vu, a venue for Russian girl shows in the still-dilapidated Soho Square, closed its doors.

Roof Top Club, a venue mostly frequented by visitors from the Indian subcontinent, has once again turned out the lights. The attached Mauja Bar has done the same.