PATTAYA, THAILAND – Two foreign men were caught on CCTV spraying graffiti on a pet food shop in central Pattaya, triggering renewed calls for a tougher stance on vandalism.
Incident on Central Pattaya Road
The vandalism occurred on 12 April at about 2:30 a.m. along Central Pattaya Road near Soi Chalerm Phrakiat 21. CCTV footage showed two men interfering with a storefront in the area.
According to the recordings, the suspects wore hip-hop-inspired clothing. One man appeared to stand guard while the other sprayed the metal shutter of the shop.
CCTV shows step-by-step actions
The surveillance images documented how the pair covered the entire door with paint within minutes. They then fled the scene, leaving the freshly painted graffiti behind.
The shop owner said the footage clearly showed the men’s faces and actions. The material was later used to warn others in the neighborhood and business community.
Damage to shutter and shopfront
In the morning, the owner discovered the word “LAUPS” sprayed in blue, white and red on the approximately 3×4 meter shutter. The lettering covered the whole surface of the metal door.
He also found that paint had seeped through and stained the glass and aluminum elements behind the shutter. This caused additional damage beyond simply repainting the metal surface.
Indications of further property damage
The 41-year-old owner stated that the same individuals were suspected of having damaged another property in the Soi Buakhao area beforehand. After that alleged incident, they were believed to have targeted his business.
So far, only the attack on the pet food shop has been clearly confirmed, as it was captured on video. The reference to another possible incident was based on the owner’s own assessment.
Why the owner has not filed a complaint
By his own account, the shop owner had not yet filed a complaint with the police. Instead, he published the CCTV footage online.
He said he wanted to warn other residents and business operators and draw attention to the problem. He also expressed anger that the perpetrators apparently showed no fear of Thai law.
Call for firm action against vandalism
To restore the façade, the affected surface now had to be completely repainted. The owner expected considerable effort to bring the storefront back to its original condition.
He called on the authorities to respond decisively within the legal framework to such offenders so that similar incidents could be prevented in future. The case has also fueled a broader debate about law enforcement and deterrence in Pattaya.
“Should harsher penalties and faster investigations follow in vandalism cases like this in Pattaya, or is there a greater need for prevention and surveillance?”
said the article, inviting readers to comment.
“How should residents and business owners react when they identify perpetrators on CCTV: file a police report immediately or first issue a public warning?”
said the article, urging the community to discuss possible responses.