Displaced Beach Vendor Arrested After Setting Fire to Pattaya Rental Room

Picture courtesy of Pattaya News

In a dramatic turn of events, a former beach vendor sparked chaos in Pattaya by setting his rented room ablaze in the early hours of June 10. The individual, identified as 35-year-old Boonmee Phubpaen—known locally as Thong—was reportedly under the influence of methamphetamine when he torched the premises, located on a side street off Soi Buakhao.

The disturbance erupted around 2:30am, prompting a swift response from Pattaya police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Alis Puangwai. Upon arrival, officers discovered that local residents, assisted by a vigilant hotel security guard, had apprehended Thong. He was found bloodied and disoriented amidst the charred remnants of his rental room.

The scene was one of destruction: burnt furniture and debris were strewn about, and in the bathroom, police discovered paraphernalia indicative of drug use, including a knife and foil for smoking meth.

Thong confessed to police that his troubles began after city officials cracked down on his beach mat rental business, his primary source of income. Left without a livelihood, he turned to drugs, which only compounded his despair. In a moment of frustration, he admitted to setting fire to items in the room, such as a sofa and clothing, as a way to vent his anger.

Security guard Somjai Kaikrathok recounted how he detected smoke during his routine patrol. "I followed it to the room and saw flames inside," he said. "A few nearby people helped put it out with water and extinguishers. After the fire was out, we found him hiding in the bathroom, possibly still using drugs."

Boonmee has been taken into police custody for drug testing, while authorities await the property owner's decision on pressing charges. Legal proceedings are expected once the full scope of the damage is evaluated, casting a spotlight on the challenges faced by those left vulnerable in the wake of strict policy enforcement in tourist areas.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-10