Pictures courtesy of SiamRath.

 

Pattaya is to become the first place in Thailand to formally license sea walker tourism activities, introducing new safety and environmental standards. On 9 September, Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Ruemkijakarn chaired a meeting with sea walker operators to present a draft framework for operating licenses. The initiative aims to improve tourist safety, regulate operations and protect marine ecosystems.

 

The sea walker activity allows tourists to walk underwater with helmets and air supply systems. Until now, the service in Pattaya operated without a formal licensing structure, raising concerns about safety and environmental risks. The draft regulations set clear conditions for operators, ensuring consistency with laws and marine protection policies.

 

The framework includes 19 requirements for licensing. Among them, applicants must be Thai nationals with prior business registration and new applicants will be considered only after existing operators receive approval. Operating areas must be designated by Pattaya City or local administrative organisations and endorsed by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

 

Other rules require a tourism business license from the Department of Tourism and certified training for operators. Vessels must meet the Department of Marine standards, while diving equipment such as air compressors, tanks and underwater helmets must pass safety checks. Operators are also required to maintain lifesaving equipment in line with diving safety standards.

 

The city plans to issue licenses from October 2025. A monitoring committee will be established to inspect services and ensure compliance with standards. Officials said the licensing system is designed to strengthen public confidence in marine tourism safety while balancing conservation goals.

 

Currently, Pattaya has 19 active sea walker service points, with prices at about 1,600 baht per person. Each boat may operate two service points depending on tidal conditions. With licensing, Pattaya becomes the first regulated location in Thailand for this tourism activity.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Pattaya to introduce Thailand’s first licensing system for sea walker tourism.

• The framework sets 19 conditions covering safety, training, and marine protection.

• Licenses will be issued in October 2025 with compliance monitoring in place.

 

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Pattaya-authorities-act-after-begging-concerns-on-third-road

 

Opposition-grows-against-pattaya-beach-camping-idea

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Siamrath 2025-09-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A  fish bowl  ? 

Can anyone who knows the waters in Pattaya imagine what they will see when sea walking there? Just a short boat trip to the island gets you passing by hoards of floating garbage. Stepping in the sand under the water at the beach feels you are walking through sludge. I wonder where they plan to hold this sea-walking adventure? 

What could possibly go wrong ?

Hub of sea walking.

Hope they remind the hapless tourists not to touch the coral, feed the fish ,take a shell as a memento...or the most ludicrous  take a photo as they could be prosecuted under marine environment laws.

It's being talked about everywhere.

 

Gonna put Patts on the world map for sure.

16 minutes ago, kwan said:

What could possibly go wrong ?

we will find out soon enough when shortcuts are taken and equipment gets into disrepair, maintaining standards - something thais are not good at - it works great until it doesn't 

16 minutes ago, johng said:

Hope they remind the hapless tourists not to touch the coral, feed the fish ,take a shell as a memento...or the most ludicrous  take a photo as they could be prosecuted under marine environment laws.

And not to play a game of cards down there!

Great idea... extra flights being laid on to accommodate the rush 😕 

1 hour ago, kwan said:

What could possibly go wrong ?

You took the words out of my mouth. indeed, what possibly could go (and will go) wrong?

I'd rather take my chances with a pair of flippers and snorkel with a mask.

23 hours ago, thesetat said:

Can anyone who knows

 

I knew a guy many years ago, his name was Jesus, he could walk on water.

I

23 hours ago, thesetat said:

 

 

.......and the operators fled the scene.