Pattaya, February 23rd, 2026 – Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampichet, popularly known as “Mayor Beer,” has pushed forward with enforcement measures against a building owner found in violation of building control regulations. The building is the notorious Waterfront condo at the Bali Hai Pier, which has been unfinished for over a decade and already tied up in dozens of lawsuits and debate over the legal usage of the land as we have covered extensively over the years like here.
On February 22nd, 2026, Pattaya City authorities filed a formal complaint with Pattaya police investigators. The action was initiated by an expert official from the Building Control Division under the Pattaya City Engineering Department. This designated knowledgeable officer, serving as a building control inspector, lodged the complaint based on factual evidence of the offense.
During inspections, city officials discovered that the building owner had defied an order prohibiting the use of the structure or allowing any person to use it when it posed potential hazards, as the building has had construction stopped for legal reasons since 2014. This breach falls under Section 40, paragraph one, or Section 41, paragraph one of the Building Control Act.
The violation specifically involves construction, modification, relocation, or demolition of the building that deviated from the approved plans under Form Kor 6 (the building permit). Such actions constitute an offense under Section 67 of the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (1979), as amended.
Penalties for this offense include imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. In addition to the primary penalties, the violator faces a daily fine of up to 30,000 baht for each day the non-compliance continues, until the situation is rectified in accordance with regulations.
Mayor Beer has stated Pattaya City’s commitment to strict enforcement of building laws to ensure public safety and maintain urban standards. The case is now under police investigation, with further legal proceedings expected to follow.
This legal action followed it being revealed that the building, despite obviously not being in a finished or secure state, was being used as a private parking lot and pictures as seen in this article were going viral. Meanwhile, many Thai commenters continue to call for the city and Thai government to finally make a decision with the Department of Land on the title deed of the building and demolish it, as it is seen by many as an eyesore and was recently called by a prominent leader of the People’s Party a monument to corruption.
