Pattaya, Thailand
City officials in Pattaya scrambled to clean up tons of marine debris that washed ashore along a 2.7-kilometer stretch of Pattaya and Jomtien beaches on Friday, following a monsoon surge that raised fears of negative publicity from tourist photos circulating online.
Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai addressed the issue on November 14th, 2025, explaining that strong monsoon winds on Wednesday and Thursday pushed floating garbage from the sea onto the shoreline overnight.
“Environmental teams from Pattaya City were deployed as early as 4:00 a.m. to begin cleanup operations,” Mr. Manoch said. “Despite the large volume of debris, some images were shared on social media in the early morning while residents and tourists were exercising on the beach. However, by 8:00 a.m., the entire affected area was fully cleared and restored to pristine condition.”
The deputy mayor added that the incident was a natural consequence of the ongoing monsoon season, during which ocean currents and waves regularly deposit marine litter onto the coast. He stressed that the garbage did not originate from local accumulation but was carried in from the sea.
“We urge the public and visitors not to worry,” Mr. Manoch added. “Cleaning crews are stationed along the beaches around the clock, except between midnight and 4:00 a.m. Any debris that washes up is addressed immediately.”
Pattaya City reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of its world-famous beaches, vowing that such temporary incidents will not tarnish the destination’s tourism image.
(Interview: Manoch Nongyai, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya)
