A careless cigarette butt discarded under the iconic Pattaya City sign nearly sparked a major blaze on Pratumnak Hill, threatening the popular viewpoint and landmark.
On January 28th, 2026, at approximately 2:50 PM, officers from the Pattaya City Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit on Land rushed to the scene with three water trucks after receiving reports of a wildfire near the famous “Pattaya City” sign at the Khao Phra Tamnak (Pratumnak Hill) viewpoint.
Upon arrival, responders encountered widespread smoke and flames spreading across a broad area of dry grass and fallen leaves. The team immediately deployed water hoses to suppress the fire, successfully bringing it under control within just 5 minutes. Only residual smoke remained afterward. Officials then monitored the site to ensure the blaze did not reignite before withdrawing.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was most likely caused by a discarded cigarette butt in the dry vegetation. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of intentional arson and plan to conduct a thorough follow-up investigation to determine the exact cause. If negligence or deliberate action is confirmed, legal proceedings will follow.
Fortunately, the iconic Pattaya City sign, a beloved landmark and photo spot for tourists, was not damaged, and no injuries or significant property loss were reported. The incident caused alarm among visitors and locals at the scenic viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of Pattaya Bay.
