Pattaya, Thailand – A decorative cement shim plate fell from the 37th floor of a 45-story condominium in Pattaya on the evening of May 28, 2025, injuring an Australian tourist who was relaxing by the poolside, as The Pattaya News reported earlier today here.
The incident, which occurred around 5:36 PM, left the tourist with a broken leg and head injuries. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition but will need surgery. Several motorcycles belonging to residents were also damaged in the incident.
The collapse sparked widespread concern on social media, with misleading images of a leaning building—later clarified to be distorted due to the angle from a nearby hill—causing confusion and alarm among residents and tourists.
Mr. Patcharapatch Srihanyanon, Banglamung District Chief, assured the public that the building’s structural integrity remains intact. “The fallen shim plate was a decorative element, not part of the building’s core structure,” he stated. Pattaya city officials, along with engineers, inspected the site and confirmed the building’s stability, noting that the condo, built eight years ago and housing over 1,000 units, complies with Thailand’s Building Control Act. Previous inspections, including after a recent earthquake in Myanmar that caused a building to collapse in Bangkok as reported here, had found no structural issues.
However, concerns remain about the remaining shim plates on three sides of the building. Mr. Patcharapatch noted that the condo’s management is urgently discussing their removal to restore confidence among residents, which include both Thai nationals and foreigners. “These plates are like ornaments on the building. Over time, they may deteriorate and fall,” he explained.
Pattaya Mayor Mr. Poramese Ngampichet echoed these sentiments, stressing that the incident does not reflect structural failure. “We’ve ruled out concerns about the building’s core structure,” he said. To prevent further risks, areas beneath the remaining decorative panels have been cordoned off, and residents have been instructed to avoid these zones. The mayor added that further inspections are scheduled for tomorrow to ensure safety.
Mr. Suwit Chaisatra, the condominium’s manager, confirmed that immediate measures were taken, including notifying residents and securing the affected area. “The building’s structure is safe, but we are planning to remove all remaining decorative panels to prevent future incidents,” he said. The management is also in constant contact with the injured tourist, pledging full compensation for medical expenses and damages to property, including the affected motorcycles.
Authorities have urged residents and visitors to cooperate with safety measures while the condo’s management addresses the issue.
