Pattaya Nightlife Comes Under Scrutiny Amid Noise Complaints

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of John Borthwick
 

Pattaya's lively beer bar scene is facing scrutiny as local authorities respond to mounting noise complaints from residents. On Tuesday, February 24, at 8.30pm, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet spearheaded an investigation into a well-known beer bar complex on Soi Diana, South Pattaya. The bustling area, known for its vibrant atmosphere, has drawn the ire of locals who claim the noise is disrupting their nightly peace.

 

The raid saw city officials, accompanied by law enforcement, descend upon the noisy venue, aiming to curb the cacophony reportedly keeping residents awake. The identity of the venue is being kept under wraps as investigations are ongoing.

 

The complaints, already making waves on TikTok, accuse the venue of delivering relentless live music performances with pounding basslines and thunderous drums that echo well beyond the complex.

 

During the raid, officials reported discovering the venue's expansive setup, featuring ten distinct bar zones, a central seating area, and a conspicuous live music stage.

A sound test conducted on-site confirmed the claims, revealing music levels that exceeded permissible limits and easily reached nearby residential areas. Consequently, officials issued an order demanding that the venue contain its noise levels.

 

In response, Thakolrat, the bar manager, pledged to implement necessary acoustic improvements to prevent further disturbances. "The venue’s been up and running for barely a year and was trouble-free until this month," noted Thakolrat, expressing a commitment to resolving the issue within the coming 30 days.

 

To ensure compliance, authorities have scheduled a follow-up inspection, offering hope for quieter nights for the area’s beleaguered residents.

 

As Pattaya continues to balance its reputation as a popular tourist destination with the needs of its residents, the city's approach to managing its exuberant nightlife will be closely watched. Residents hope the recent actions signal a move towards a more harmonious balance between entertainment and community well-being, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-26

 

 

[JoePai]

Live in the center of Pattaya and complain about the noise   🤣

[AsiaCheese]

What are "permissible limits"? I wonder if those would apply to an open-air karaoke restaurant/bar in the middle of otherwise quiet non-entertainment buildings on Pratamnak? The owner seems to be the main guest, and the speakers are rock concert grade - as is the noise, somtimes until 1 a.m.

[Hanuman2547]

Probably not the area I would choose to live in if I thought my sleep might be disturbed.  

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A sound test conducted on-site confirmed the claims, revealing music levels that exceeded permissible limits and easily reached nearby residential areas. Consequently, officials issued an order demanding that the venue contain its noise levels.

For a couple of nights then ramp it up again

[petedk]

2 hours ago, Hanuman2547 said:

Probably not the area I would choose to live in if I thought my sleep might be disturbed.  

 

Sometimes you choose to live in a very quiet area, but then some wealthy tycoon buys 9 or 10 of the houses and turns that block into a night entertainment area open to 4 or 5 am every day.

 

I know from experience.

[bkk6060]

Probably the people at The Base and The Edge.  Stupid people who bought there in my opinion those bars have been there way before the condos were built.  Any idiot who invested failed to go there at night to see if it was noisy?  So excited about their 6 million b condo now they cannot sleep.  Ah, too bad tough luck why penalize the bars?  Dummies.

[ikke1959]

Not only in Pattaya noise pollution.. Everywhere in Thailand.. Somewhere in a temple about 800m my place they play music so loudly that we have turn on more volume on our TV. Don't understand why neighbours don't complain to the temple and/or police... Although we know that both don't care at all. Enforcing max DB's is impossible in the land of smiles

[Hanuman2547]

9 hours ago, petedk said:

 

Sometimes you choose to live in a very quiet area, but then some wealthy tycoon buys 9 or 10 of the houses and turns that block into a night entertainment area open to 4 or 5 am every day.

 

I know from experience.

Yes, that is always a possibility in Thailand and I would hate for that to happen to anyone.  

However, if the people are new residents in that area and the bars were already there then it wasn't such a good idea to move into that location.  

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

The identity of the venue is being kept under wraps as investigations are ongoing.

Why? 

We all probably know which one is meant, but I wonder what the incentive is to be secretive.

So many people are saying it is the residents own fault for living in that area, but this complex has only been there for under a year.... and much was said about how it had AC and would be sound proofed. That said, I used the adjacent hotel, which has been there many many years prior, and was not disturbed. I think I got to bed before 4am.

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Probably the people at The Base and The Edge.  Stupid people who bought there in my opinion those bars have been there way before the condos were built.  Any idiot who invested failed to go there at night to see if it was noisy?  So excited about their 6 million b condo now they cannot sleep.  Ah, too bad tough luck why penalize the bars?  Dummies.

The Base and The Edge pre date this particular complex.

The prior beer bars (one a live music venue) were small ventures making much less noise.... 

Planning permission was given I suppose, too late now. Perhaps these overpriced little boxes in the sky should have better sound insulation. 

 

[petermik]

ooh Las Vegas... you'll be the death of me 🤪

[jimn]

Yes it's that horrible Las Vagas complex, can't stand the place.

[KhunLA]

I can relate to the noise pollution.  Last time there, I actually left, never to return because of it.

 

Picked a quiet side soi, away from the action (or so I thought), and way after the witching hour, the bar across the road for blaring music.  We were on a higher floor, and could still hear it.

 

Silly 0'clock in the morning, and the saddest part was, they had no customers ... WTF.

[NorthernRyland]

18 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Not only in Pattaya noise pollution.. Everywhere in Thailand.. Somewhere in a temple about 800m my place they play music so loudly that we have turn on more volume on our TV. Don't understand why neighbours don't complain to the temple and/or police... Although we know that both don't care at all. Enforcing max DB's is impossible in the land of smiles

Exactly, I always laugh when Thai people complain about noise or pollution.

 

[Emdog]

"...pledged to implement necessary acoustic improvements to prevent further disturbances." Is the 'acoustic improvement" turning volume knob counter clockwise?