Pattaya, Chonburi – A newly installed massive LED display screen in northern Pattaya has gone dark after thieves stole power cables, dealing a blow to the city’s tourism image just days after it was used for New Year celebrations and the recent fireworks festival.
The incident was discovered on January 5th, 2026, along Sukhumvit Road inbound to Pattaya, near the traffic light intersection with the motorway in North Pattaya.
The Pattaya News reporters visiting the site found that four large power cables, each about 1.5 meters long, connecting the electricity meter to the control cabinet had been cut and removed. This caused the giant LED screen – intended for promoting tourism events and information to visitors – to become inoperable.
Local motorcycle taxi drivers in the area reported noticing the screen had been off for approximately 2-3 days. Initially assuming it was simply turned off, one driver discovered the theft while discarding trash and spotted the severed cables leading to the LED control box.
The stolen cables, estimated to fetch no more than 300 baht each if sold for scrap, have rendered the high-value promotional display useless, significantly impacting Pattaya’s efforts to showcase events and attractions to incoming tourists.
Pattaya City officials have dispatched staff to file a police report at Banglamung Police Station, where authorities will investigate and pursue legal action against the unidentified suspects.
This theft shows ongoing issues with cable vandalism in Thailand, often driven by the black-market value of copper and other materials, which can cause far greater disruption than the minor financial gain for thieves.
City administrators are urged to expedite repairs to restore the screen, a key tool in enhancing Pattaya’s appeal as a premier tourist destination.
