Pattaya City has agreed new controls for speedboat operators serving Koh Larn after staff from rival boats fought at Tawaen Beach on 26 August, damaging the resort's tourism image.

The measures were agreed at a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on 7 September, chaired by deputy mayor Manoch Nongyai. City officials, Bang Lamung district authorities, harbour officials, Pattaya police and speedboat operator representatives attended.

The action is intended to curb competition for customers, ease traffic problems around Tawaen Beach and raise safety standards for visitors travelling around Koh Larn.

Touting and transport restrictions

One of four initial measures bans operators from setting up points to solicit passengers between the songthaew parking area and the Pattaya City office branch on Koh Larn.

Three-wheeled saleng vehicles will also be barred from picking up and dropping off tourists from the Tawaen Beach access-road junction to the Pattaya City office from 3pm onwards. The restriction is intended to reduce congestion in the busy area.

Officers from Pattaya Police Station, Tourist Police and municipal enforcement teams will be deployed to deter problems and maintain order.

Marine police and rescue teams will be checking boatmasters' licences and vessel registrations.

Safety checks for island visitors

The measures follow the fight involving speedboat staff at the beach, footage of which circulated on social media. Authorities said the dispute had significantly harmed the island’s tourism image.

Manoch said the city would organise the area while also listening to operators. Boat associations will be able to discuss possible solutions together, while authorities will strictly enforce rules covering licences and mooring.

The aim, he said, is to bring services under a single standard, prevent further disorder and give tourists confidence over the longer term.

Operators to discuss longer-term solution

Pattaya's intervention focuses on the competition for passengers that has contributed to disorder around the beach, rather than changing the reported speedboat service itself.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

---

Related story

Koh-Larn-speedboat-crews-fight-over-fares-and-customers

---

Join the discussion?

9 September 2026

View full article

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

One of four initial measures bans operators from setting up points to solicit passengers between the songthaew parking area and the Pattaya City office branch on Koh Larn.

Three-wheeled saleng vehicles will also be barred from picking up and dropping off tourists from the Tawaen Beach access-road junction to the Pattaya City office from 3pm onwards. The restriction is intended to reduce congestion in the busy area.

And then toutfights as well.

Never bothered going over although I've spent plenty of time in Pattaya. Rather glad now, it sounds like the return trip is like a bloody nightmare.

More insanity of doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

This will only add another step to an operation that is already unsafe, unregulated, untrained, and poorly equipped.

Focus on operator safety, vessel safety, and safe operation. When the operator goes out in the water and carrying passengers, and completely ignores weather conditions or marine forecasts, with a vessel that is poorly maintained, and unsafe for the public.

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The aim, he said, is to bring services under a single standard, prevent further disorder and give tourists confidence over the longer term.

The aim is to create a monopoly, controlled by authorities, that allows all the Thai stakeholders to rip off tourists, thus, they all make money, and they wonder why tourism is down 7% in Thailand, whilst tourism is up 15% in neighboring Vietnam.