Pattaya, March 14, 2025 – Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Krisana Boonsawat, along with a team of city officials and the Pattaya City Permanent Secretary, conducted an on-site inspection today to follow up on noise pollution complaints related to a shooting range in South Pattaya. The facility, located adjacent to a residential community, has been ordered to suspend operations until it complies fully with legal construction and operational permits.
The issue stems from ongoing complaints by residents of a housing estate in Soi 17, Thepprasit, South Pattaya, Chonburi Province. They reported disturbances caused by loud noises from the shooting range, which is built right next to the estate’s boundary wall. Residents claimed the gunfire disrupted their daily lives, caused annoyance, and instilled fear among those living nearby. They also noted that no public consultation was held with the community prior to the range’s construction, prompting them to lodge formal complaints with Pattaya City authorities.
In late 2024, Deputy Mayor Krisana Boonsawat took charge of the matter, coordinating with relevant agencies to investigate and address the issue. During an initial inspection, Krisana and his team found the shooting range divided into two zones—one with steel targets and another with paper targets—separated by bulletproof barriers made of brick blocks and soil embankments adjacent to the estate wall. However, when asked to present its operating permit, the range’s management failed to produce the necessary documentation. As a result, authorities ordered a temporary suspension of operations until the facility obtains a valid shooting range permit and rectifies discrepancies in its building permit, which was also found to be non-compliant at the time.
Today, at 2:30 p.m., Krisana led another delegation, including Pattaya City Council members, the Permanent Secretary, and heads of relevant departments, to assess progress on the issue. Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization Councilor Sitthichai Arjatrong joined the team to verify the facts.
Representatives from the housing estate’s management and residents provided additional input, while the shooting range’s caretaker guided officials through the facility. Test firings of various firearms were conducted to measure noise levels in accordance with legal standards, as the operator seeks permission from Pattaya City to resume operations officially.
Pattaya City Permanent Secretary Kiattisak Sriwongchai, who accompanied the deputy mayor, provided an update after the inspection. He explained that the investigation focused on two key aspects: first, the construction permit, which was initially approved as it complied with urban planning laws; and second, the building certification process, which revealed a minor issue—a 10-centimeter shortfall in the side wall setback. The operator has been instructed to correct this to meet legal requirements.
Additionally, noise levels were tested to determine if they exceeded legal limits. The Public Health and Environment Office measured sound levels inside the bedrooms of complaining residents and found them within the legal threshold. Outdoor measurements near the boundary fence adjacent to the range recorded 75 decibels—below the legal limit of 85 decibels.
Despite the findings, Kiattisak acknowledged that while the noise levels were legally permissible, they still caused significant disturbance to residents. “Even though the decibel levels don’t exceed legal standards, we understand the residents’ concerns and want to promote a harmonious coexistence,” he said.
As an interim measure, Pattaya City will request the shooting range to adjust its operating hours to minimize disruption to the community. The range’s management expressed willingness to cooperate, promising to install additional soundproofing equipment to further reduce noise and alleviate residents’ concerns.
Authorities plan to reconvene soon with all stakeholders to finalize an agreeable operating schedule, aiming to balance the needs of the community and the shooting range while ensuring fairness for both parties. The exact name of the range was withheld by authorities.
