PIcture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

Residents of Pattaya have successfully halted parts of a contentious hotel project following intervention from city authorities, marking a win for the local community.

 

Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, accompanied by Acting Head of Building Control Marut Uthaiwattananon and engineering experts from Pattaya City Hall, paid a visit to the Super Villa Village on Pattaya Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 29.

 

This action followed numerous complaints from residents who claimed that the transformation of a seven-storey concrete building into a small hotel was causing havoc in their peaceful neighbourhood.

 

Authorities discovered that although the developer had a demolition permit, the existence of the structure violated several regulations. Notably, parts of the building trespassed on both land boundaries and a public thoroughfare.

 

In response, Pattaya City rolled out three decisive legal orders:

 

Order Kor. 3: Immediate halt on all construction activities.

Order Kor. 4: Ban on the use of the structure.

Order Kor. 5: Mandatory dismantling of illegally constructed portions.

 

The specifics of the orders mandate the removal of:

 

A 5.6-metre frontage and a 1.7-metre rear section that intruded onto roads and adjacent land.

 

Two floors were added without proper authorisation. A 30-day window was given to the owner to seek approval for the building's elevation from five to seven storeys.

 

To curb further inconvenience, contractors are instructed to erect metal sheeting that surpasses the roofline by 1 metre to limit dust spread. The team is also expected to employ water spraying techniques and install guardrails to protect neighbouring properties from potential damage.

 

Furthermore, before commencing demolition, the contractors must sign a damage liability contract with nearby residents under the eyes of city officials. Should any property suffer damage during the process, contractors are held responsible for restoring it to its original state.

 

The entire demolition process is anticipated to last approximately one month, during which Pattaya City officials will maintain a close watch, as reported by Siamrath.

 

Deputy Mayor Manoch emphasised the city’s commitment to protecting residents from the negative impacts of uncontrolled construction activities. “We cannot permit illegal construction projects to tarnish the quality of life of our residents.”

 

As construction cranes prepare to dismantle the infringing hotel sections, Pattaya City stands firm in preserving hallowed community rights and ensuring that urban development aligns with local interests.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-27

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

residents who claimed that the transformation of a seven-storey concrete building into a small hotel was causing havoc in their peaceful neighbourhood

Knock it down, the Soi is a slum. 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Order Kor. 5: Mandatory dismantling of illegally constructed portions.

 

Might this be the same order put on THe Waterfront condo ten years ago?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

was causing havoc in their peaceful neighbourhood.

Peaceful??

It's some 3 years ago that I lived in a hotel on Soi Buakhao overlooking this Soi from the balcony. There was a Thai only nightclub close to 3rd Rd operating all night until dawn making terrible noise all over the area.

If things haven't changed this area is uninhabitable not peaceful.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Might this be the same order put on THe Waterfront condo ten years ago?

It certainly rings a bell

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Might this be the same order put on THe Waterfront condo ten years ago?

Palms will be greased... 

oh dear this will be an expensive purchase by the new owners ....i looked at the building to buy a few years ago - and it was 30mil - but there were so many issues with the property. 

 

also there is a a beacon or mast on the roof - not sure if that is still in operation.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Mayor Manoch emphasised the city’s commitment to protecting residents from the negative impacts of uncontrolled construction activities. “We cannot permit illegal construction projects to tarnish the quality of life of our residents.”

I am guessing here, but I reckon the owner is not a Senator...

Think they need to hire inspectors who have to inspect and sign off on this construction at different stages of completion.   This is what happens in the West. Electric, Plumbing, proper construction are all signed off on at different stages.

 

Looks like they need to adopt setback regulations that a building, structure, etc is a certain distance from the road, water source, or property boundaries 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

A 30-day window was given to the owner to seek approval for the building's elevation from five to seven storeys.

 

"seek approval"....hmmmmm

So are they building it - or tearing it down ?
 

Quote

This action followed numerous complaints from residents who claimed that the transformation of a seven-storey concrete building into a small hotel

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Two floors were added without proper authorisation. A 30-day window was given to the owner to seek approval for the building's elevation from five to seven storeys.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities discovered that although the developer had a demolition permit, the existence of the structure violated several regulations. Notably, parts of the building trespassed on both land boundaries and a public thoroughfare.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The entire demolition process is anticipated to last approximately one month

So they need approval for the illegal 2 floors that were added - before they demolish the place ?

I can see the locals issues. That building is in the middle of a tiny alleyway between soi 29 and 31. Everyone has fenced and gated their homes to the "edge" of the alley, leaving little room to park.
And this building is sitting right in the middle.



Got to love it when they just decide to add two floors to a building without ever considering the implications (i.e. the massive weight increase on the floors below that weren't built with that extra weight in mind).

It's like that eyesore at Bali Hai that's still standing there abandoned.

What was it - they just decided to add an extra 20 floors to that building and not tell anyone ? 
And then were told to remove those extra floors. Then it was discovered they'd made the stairwells and elevators smaller than had been approved.

And it's been sitting there now for how many years ? Construction was halted in 2014. In 2020 the Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem (older brother of the former mayor Itthiphol Khunpluem who had approved the project) said he would have the building demolished.

Lol - Ittipol and Sonthaya (as well as the Mayor of Bang Saen - Narongchai Khunpluem) are the sons of the former notorious "Godfather of Chonburi - Somchai Khunpluem aka "Kamnan Poh".
He was famous for having a political rival murdered and while in prison, he was charged in a land fraud case. Under Thai law, he was allowed to make bail and was released to fight those charges in 2005- and he promptly did a runner "somewhere". (Cambodia most likely.)
He finally came back in 2013 due to ill health and died in a hospital in 2019.

And, like father - like son, Ittipol was charged in connection with that condo project. He fled to Cambodia in Aug 2023, a week before an arrest warrant for him was approved. 
However, he returned to Thailand in Oct and was promptly arrested at the airport.

However, there's been no news on that case for almost 2 years now. Or about that condo project.
 

Pattaya's next Traffic congestion problem is over by Fisherman's Wharf in Pratumnak.  Gridlock the other weekend.  Cops sitting in Booth are not Traffic Police so they do nothing.

 

Traffic coming from six different roads funneling into one intersection with no Traffic Light.

 

Wait until the next holiday and high season on the weekend and it will be quicker to walk around that area.

 

Guess we will need to post on Facebook and call Amarin TV to report on it for a solution.

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Two floors were added without proper authorisation. A 30-day window was given to the owner to seek approval for the building's elevation from five to seven storeys.

Please allow me to clarify this sentence.............

If only we could go back!

5 hours ago, J Branche said:

Think they need to hire inspectors who have to inspect and sign off on this construction at different stages of completion.   This is what happens in the West. Electric, Plumbing, proper construction are all signed off on at different stages.

 

Looks like they need to adopt setback regulations that a building, structure, etc is a certain distance from the road, water source, or property boundaries 

In 2003, Pattaya hired a new Chief Building Inspector.  The position had been vacant for some time. 

At his swearing-in, the new Chief Building Inspector announced he would enforce all codes and rules and that any illegally built structures would be demolished.

At the end of his first day, he drove home, parked in his driveway and was shot dead.  

The Position of Chief Pattaya Building Inspector remained vacant for some time thereafter.

This isn't "urban legend", it actually happened.

2 hours ago, dddave said:

In 2003, Pattaya hired a new Chief Building Inspector. 

At his swearing-in, the new Chief Building Inspector announced he would enforce all codes and rules and that any illegally built structures would be demolished.

At the end of his first day, he drove home, parked in his driveway and was shot dead. 

Not doubting it couldn't happen again but times have changed in Pattaya.  They seem to be more focused on Pattaya presenting a more family friendly image.  Cyber crimes unit seems to be effective at discovering and arresting people almost daily.  

 

As everyone knows besides a motivated inspector the city needs a good team, resources and court system willing to act effectively and efficiently.

2 minutes ago, J Branche said:

As everyone knows besides a motivated inspector the city needs a good team, resources and court system willing to act effectively and efficiently.

 

No.....I shouldn't laugh..........you are right....sorry.

On 8/27/2025 at 7:15 PM, Will B Good said:

 

No.....I shouldn't laugh..........you are right....sorry.

Can always dream and hope a leader steps up and proves us wrong.

On 8/27/2025 at 12:53 PM, Kerryd said:

 

Lol - Ittipol and Sonthaya (as well as the Mayor of Bang Saen - Narongchai Khunpluem) are the sons of the former notorious "Godfather of Chonburi - Somchai Khunpluem aka "Kamnan Poh".

 

I believe this is the man who was interviewed ...completely  on his own , by journalists. When asked about the absence of bodyguards etc he " I used to have a lot of enemies ......but they all died!'

On 8/27/2025 at 10:31 AM, klauskunkel said:

I am guessing here, but I reckon the owner is not a Senator...

Or Thai native