PATTAYA, THAILAND – City officials took new legal action against the owner of the controversial Waterfront condominium at Bali Hai Pier over alleged breaches of building regulations and unlawful use of the long-abandoned structure.
Criminal complaint over stalled high-rise
Authorities in Pattaya filed a formal criminal complaint with police on 22 February 2026. The move followed findings that the unfinished building, where construction had been halted since 2014 for legal reasons, was apparently being used despite an official ban.
Building inspector triggered legal steps
According to the city, a specialist officer from the Building Control Division of the municipal engineering department initiated the complaint. Acting in his role as building inspector, he proceeded on the basis of what were described as secured pieces of evidence documenting the violations.
Alleged breach of use ban at unsafe structure
During inspections, municipal staff determined that the owner had ignored an order prohibiting any use of the structure because the shell posed potential dangers. The conduct was said to violate Section 40 paragraph 1 and Section 41 paragraph 1 of the Building Control Act, which expressly forbid the use of such unsafe constructions.
Deviation from approved plans cited
Officials further accused the owner of having built on, altered, relocated or partially demolished parts of the Waterfront building without complying with the construction plans approved under form Kor 6. Such deviations were classified as a criminal offence under Section 67 of the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (1979), as currently in force.
Prison terms, fines and daily penalties possible
For the alleged offences, the law provided for imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. In addition, the regulations allowed a daily coercive fine of up to 30,000 baht until the unlawful situation was brought into compliance with building rules.
Mayor vows strict enforcement of building laws
Mayor Poramese Ngampichet, known locally by the nickname “Mayor Beer,” underlined his firm stance on enforcing construction regulations in order to safeguard public safety and uphold urban planning standards. The case was now under police investigation, and further legal steps against the owner of the Waterfront project were expected.
Viral parking photos fuel public outrage
The latest measures were prompted by revelations that the visibly unsecured, unfinished complex had been used as a private parking area, with photos spreading widely on social media. In online debates, numerous commentators urged the city and relevant agencies, together with the Department of Land, to finally decide on the land title and order the demolition of what many saw as an urban blight.
“Monument of corruption.”
said a leading representative of the People’s Party, describing the structure.