Police detain migrants after clash on Pattaya Walking Street

2026-03-16 - 06:53

PATTAYA — 16 March 2026, Police detained nine migrant workers and seized weapons after more than 20 foreigners reportedly gathered for a fight on Pattaya’s Walking Street late Sunday night, causing panic among tourists. At 23:46, Pol. Lt. Col. Chaowalit Suwanmanee, an inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, led officers from Pattaya police, tourist police and city enforcement officials to investigate reports of a planned brawl in front of the Siam Bayshore Hotel on Walking Street in South Pattaya, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Authorities found a large group of migrant workers gathering and preparing to confront a rival group. Officers quickly moved in to control the situation and detained nine suspects, including two Myanmar nationals and three Karen men. The nationalities of the remaining detainees were still being verified. Police also seized two weapons, a pointed knife and a short folding knife. Some individuals involved in the incident fled the scene amid the confusion and the large number of tourists in the area, escaping on parked motorcycles. One detained suspect from Myanmar, who could speak limited Thai, told police that more than 20 Myanmar migrant workers had arranged to meet to settle a dispute with a rival group following a previous conflict at the “Blue Square” area of Bali Hai Pier. However, while the two groups were talking to resolve the issue, Pattaya officials arrived to inspect the area. Believing they were about to be arrested, both sides panicked and scattered, fleeing on motorcycles, the suspect said. He was unable to escape and was taken into custody. Police have handed the suspects and the seized weapons to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings and are continuing efforts to track down others who fled the scene.