PATTAYA, THAILAND – A late-night Chinese New Year fireworks celebration in a Chonburi housing estate left hundreds of residents furious after blasts continued well past midnight.
Complaints poured in after midnight
Residents said the Chinese New Year party in the Chokchai 9 housing estate in Bang Lamung district carried on deep into the night, with fireworks still exploding after midnight. At exactly 0:00, the first desperate calls reached a newsroom as the barrage of noise continued. Callers reported that, despite the late hour, powerful fireworks were still being set off.
“It just would not stop. The explosions were deafening,”
said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
International community caught in the middle
The Chokchai 9 estate in Soi Khao Noi is known for its international mix of residents, including many foreign nationals. Most of the community are Chinese, who traditionally celebrate the New Year extensively. Their festive mood, however, collided with neighbours sensitive to noise.
Older people and children were reported to be particularly affected by the constant blasts and smoke. Several families said the disturbance made the night unbearable.
Residents denounce sleepless night
A disgruntled neighbour described the situation to local outlet BLITZ.
“We have many elderly people and children here. The noise and the smoke are unbearable for them,”
said the resident.
According to neighbours, hours of fireworks completely destroyed the night’s rest, leaving many with hardly any sleep. They are now calling for a rethink of future celebrations, arguing that the health of residents must take priority.
Clear Thai rules on night-time noise
Thai noise regulations were clear for such cases, residents pointed out. Strict quiet hours applied between 22:00 and 6:00, limiting permissible noise at night. Only sounds that do not exceed the existing ambient noise level by more than 10 decibels are allowed.
Fireworks exceed that limit many times over, making their use in residential areas generally an administrative offence. In theory, the authorities could have intervened to stop the display.
Police present but no intervention
So far, no official statements had been made about the incident by any responsible agency. Officers from Nong Prue police were on site but did not intervene in the celebrations. The fireworks were apparently organised privately by the revellers, and no permit for firing them so late at night had been issued.
“We hope the authorities step in earlier next year,”
said one neighbour, adding that tensions in the estate were running high.
Next steps for local authorities
The complaints from residents have now been officially recorded. Local authorities must decide whether to take action, including the option of tighter regulation of future festivities. Clear time limits for fireworks could help ensure quieter nights for those living in the area.
Many in the estate said they wanted a better coexistence between cultures. They stressed that celebrations were welcome, but not at the expense of their neighbours’ peace and health.