On 4/4/2026 at 8:44 AM, SamSpade said:

We used to see an old guy (sounded German might have been Nordic, spoke very quietly) walking up & down Wongamat Beach collecting cans/bottles and he had a "Shack" at one end near the Golden Tulip Resort & one at other end just before you got to Cape Dara.

Used to joke that he must be minted having 2 ocean front properties, but it was very sad to see so we used to save any cans/bottles & take them to the beach with us to give to him but I haven't seen him for at least 6 months so fear the worst.

Have always wondered what his story was, guess we'll never find out.

I remember the bare footed farang guy who had a shack just past the Golden Tulip Resort, as I used to go for long walks, in the area up towards the beach that ended at the wall of the Sanctuary of Truth, before and during the covid years, when it was really quiet and the beaches hadn't yet been officially closed, except for the local fishermen who were always given a pass.

[edited, some words were censored and some really wierd spacing...?]

A huge black python once slithered out from his shack and scared the sh!t out of the missus!

Anyway, the shack before Cape Dara, as far as I was aware occupied by some living rough ladyboys who weren't the fairest of them all, but still seemed to attract a few farang punters.

I presume it is why that area was once know as bl0wj0b Beach, before Cape Dara and the once quiet beachside restaurant became really popular with thais, after some viral posts, until it was closed when the group that owns Sky Gallery, and all the other restaurants along Cosy Beach, opened up a premium restaurant next door. Not surprisingly, the ladyboy shack disappeared...!

There is the possibility this fellow had never experienced the tropics before, maybe never even saw a real, live palm tree, and the experience of not having to bundle up is quite the novelty for him. E.g. I met a traveller from Switzerland who was very put off by the way her fellow Swissies go so gaga when they see a banana tree etc.

On 4/3/2026 at 9:46 PM, VocalNeal said:

There but for the grace of God go I.

I think any person who witnesses such things should experience such humility. It can happen fast. IMO when the US cleans up its leadership some of those fools who went from bloggers living off of ads to cabinet members, and accumulating millions in grift adventures on the way, could go the way of Rudy Giuliani, having to shave and shower in airport bathrooms. That guy who was spraying the beer in the locker room a few weeks ago? His new fancy habits may see him in a tent under a freeway overpass before 2030.

On 4/4/2026 at 11:36 AM, Jim Waldron said:

I immediately thought that the Russian Embassy would assume responsibility for his repatriation.

However, a quick Web search reveals that a country’s embassy or consulate is not generally responsible for paying the costs of repatriating a destitute citizen from a foreign country.

It appears that while embassies exist to assist their citizens, they do not have a legal duty to pay for transportation, food, or lodging, as travelers are expected to be responsible for themselves.

However, they do provide limited support for such cases. For example, for US citizens, the government may offer a "repatriation loan" to help pay for transportation, short-term food, and lodging to return home. This is not a grant, it is a loan that must be repaid.

As for the Russian Embassy, it appears they could facilitate repatriation by issuing a Certificate of Return and liaising with family members to fund travel, rather than providing direct financial assistance.

If this individual has visa overstay issues this may also involve family funding, or formal deportation procedures.

Overstayers from Thailand are very lucky if caught in new Zealand, they are locked up for a few days processing and then flown home, no overstay fee and free flight home, also banned from returning but I don't know how long, they can get back in but it may be 10 years before they can, I have one friend who married a legal Thai and got back in after serving his suspension

On 4/4/2026 at 4:03 AM, Georgealbert said:

A Russian man has been found living rough on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Chonburi province, prompting calls for urgent assistance from local authorities. The man was discovered by local reporters in a weakened condition, sleeping along the beachfront without proper shelter or resources. His situation highlights immediate concerns about welfare and support for vulnerable individuals in tourist areas.

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Initial inquiries revealed that the man has no accommodation and is facing financial hardship, leaving him unable to sustain himself. As a result, he has been forced to sleep on the beach, relying on minimal means to survive. His physical condition was described as exhausted, raising concerns about his health and safety.

A local news team who visited the scene, provided basic assistance, including food, drinking water and a small amount of money to help ease his immediate difficulties. While this support offered temporary relief, it does not address the underlying issues surrounding his situation. The case has since drawn attention to gaps in social welfare coverage for foreigners experiencing hardship.

Authorities are now being urged to intervene and assess the man’s circumstances more thoroughly. This includes verifying his legal status in Thailand and determining appropriate forms of assistance under existing regulations. Relevant agencies in Pattaya have been asked to coordinate efforts to ensure that any support provided is both suitable and sustainable.

The incident also reflects a broader issue within popular tourist destinations, where economic vulnerability can affect both locals and foreign nationals. Without structured intervention, individuals in such conditions may continue to fall through the cracks of existing support systems. The situation underscores the importance of cooperation between local authorities, social services and immigration officials.

Officials are expected to investigate the case and decide on next steps, which will include working with the embassy and may include welfare assistance or other forms of support in line with legal frameworks. The outcome will likely depend on the man’s personal circumstances and eligibility for aid. Observers hope the case will prompt more proactive measures to identify and assist those in similar conditions.

Picture courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ฉลาม นิวส์ 4 Apr 2026

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On 4/4/2026 at 4:03 AM, Georgealbert said:

A Russian man has been found living rough on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Chonburi province, prompting calls for urgent assistance from local authorities. The man was discovered by local reporters in a weakened condition, sleeping along the beachfront without proper shelter or resources. His situation highlights immediate concerns about welfare and support for vulnerable individuals in tourist areas.

Get today's headlines by email

Initial inquiries revealed that the man has no accommodation and is facing financial hardship, leaving him unable to sustain himself. As a result, he has been forced to sleep on the beach, relying on minimal means to survive. His physical condition was described as exhausted, raising concerns about his health and safety.

A local news team who visited the scene, provided basic assistance, including food, drinking water and a small amount of money to help ease his immediate difficulties. While this support offered temporary relief, it does not address the underlying issues surrounding his situation. The case has since drawn attention to gaps in social welfare coverage for foreigners experiencing hardship.

Authorities are now being urged to intervene and assess the man’s circumstances more thoroughly. This includes verifying his legal status in Thailand and determining appropriate forms of assistance under existing regulations. Relevant agencies in Pattaya have been asked to coordinate efforts to ensure that any support provided is both suitable and sustainable.

The incident also reflects a broader issue within popular tourist destinations, where economic vulnerability can affect both locals and foreign nationals. Without structured intervention, individuals in such conditions may continue to fall through the cracks of existing support systems. The situation underscores the importance of cooperation between local authorities, social services and immigration officials.

Officials are expected to investigate the case and decide on next steps, which will include working with the embassy and may include welfare assistance or other forms of support in line with legal frameworks. The outcome will likely depend on the man’s personal circumstances and eligibility for aid. Observers hope the case will prompt more proactive measures to identify and assist those in similar conditions.

Picture courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

Join the discussion?

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ฉลาม นิวส์ 4 Apr 2026

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On 4/4/2026 at 4:03 AM, Georgealbert said:

A Russian man has been found living rough on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Chonburi province, prompting calls for urgent assistance from local authorities. The man was discovered by local reporters in a weakened condition, sleeping along the beachfront without proper shelter or resources. His situation highlights immediate concerns about welfare and support for vulnerable individuals in tourist areas.

Get today's headlines by email

Initial inquiries revealed that the man has no accommodation and is facing financial hardship, leaving him unable to sustain himself. As a result, he has been forced to sleep on the beach, relying on minimal means to survive. His physical condition was described as exhausted, raising concerns about his health and safety.

A local news team who visited the scene, provided basic assistance, including food, drinking water and a small amount of money to help ease his immediate difficulties. While this support offered temporary relief, it does not address the underlying issues surrounding his situation. The case has since drawn attention to gaps in social welfare coverage for foreigners experiencing hardship.

Authorities are now being urged to intervene and assess the man’s circumstances more thoroughly. This includes verifying his legal status in Thailand and determining appropriate forms of assistance under existing regulations. Relevant agencies in Pattaya have been asked to coordinate efforts to ensure that any support provided is both suitable and sustainable.

The incident also reflects a broader issue within popular tourist destinations, where economic vulnerability can affect both locals and foreign nationals. Without structured intervention, individuals in such conditions may continue to fall through the cracks of existing support systems. The situation underscores the importance of cooperation between local authorities, social services and immigration officials.

Officials are expected to investigate the case and decide on next steps, which will include working with the embassy and may include welfare assistance or other forms of support in line with legal frameworks. The outcome will likely depend on the man’s personal circumstances and eligibility for aid. Observers hope the case will prompt more proactive measures to identify and assist those in similar conditions.

Picture courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ฉลาม นิวส์ 4 Apr 2026

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I wonder what visa agent he is using?