Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand-
Following proposals from some restaurant and bar owners as well as business and tourism associations to consider closing Jomtien Beach overnight to discourage illegal behaviours and loud noises, over 200 Banglamung District officers toured the beach early this morning at 1:30 A.M., August 12th, 2023.
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Led by Mr. Phisit Sirisawatdinukul Bang Lamung District Chief, the team toured the beach, finding hundreds of people sitting and socialising along the length of Jomtien Beach even despite the late hour.
Mr. Phisit stated to The Pattaya News that the team had several focus areas:
-Making sure that there were no loud noises or people playing loud music
-Stopping illegal sales of alcohol, kratom, and marijuana on the beach
-Reminding beachgoers that technically drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis on the beach is illegal.
-Reminding beachgoers not to litter and pick up any trash before they leave the beach.
-Ensuring that no illegal weapons were brought to the beach.
Two Thai men were arrested, Mr. Ead Srisuwanwichien, 48, and Mr. Nirawit Yaikratok, 40, for illegal sales of alcohol, kratom, and cannabis on the beach without proper licenses, according to Mr. Phisit.
Banglamung officials also inspected several “Mom and Pop” convenience stores to remind them that alcohol sales past midnight were illegal.
Mr. Phisit stated that the beach inspections would continue and that district officials had heard the proposals for closing the beach entirely overnight but these proposals were complex to enforce and would need intense discussion with Pattaya City officials and Banglamung leaders.
