PATTAYA, THAILAND – Authorities carried out a coordinated pre-dawn sweep against illegal street vendors around the city’s famous Walking Street to clear public spaces and ease traffic congestion.
Early-morning checks in tourist nightlife district
Around 4 a.m. on 30 January 2026, teams from the Special Affairs Division under the Peace and Order Section of Pattaya City Hall inspected areas surrounding Walking Street, one of the city’s main entertainment and tourist zones. The operation followed numerous complaints from residents and visitors about traders selling goods without permission on roads, pavements and other public areas.
According to the city, these activities caused traffic disruption and narrowed or partly blocked pedestrian routes. Officials said access on some footpaths and road sections had become increasingly restricted.
30 sidecar motorcycles seized and instant fines imposed
During the inspection, officers encountered several groups of vendors using sidecar motorcycles, locally known as “rot puang khang”, as well as handcarts. They had parked and sold their goods in ways that obstructed walkways and roadways despite earlier public bans and warnings.
In total, 30 sidecar motorcycles linked to the illegal sales were confiscated, and each operator received an immediate fine of 500 baht. City representatives coupled the penalty with a firm warning to those involved.
“Repeat offenders will be prosecuted with the full force of the law,”
said city officials.
The vendors were explicitly instructed not to return to selling on public land.
Foreign flower sellers detained for checks
In a separate but related move in the same area, enforcement teams also stopped four foreign flower sellers. According to official information, one was a Cambodian national and three were from Vietnam.
The individuals were detained so that authorities could review their immigration status and compliance with work-permit regulations under current law. Violations of residency and labour rules were described as a sensitive issue in the coastal city, which is heavily dependent on international tourism.
City commits to daily enforcement
City officials reiterated that daily inspections and strict enforcement of regulations would continue. The aim, they said, was to keep public spaces clean, safe and orderly while improving the appearance of the popular destination.
They outlined three main objectives: keeping illegal stalls away from pavements and streets, ensuring footpaths remain free and safely accessible, and strengthening Pattaya’s image as a key tourist hub.
“Compliance with the rules for public spaces benefits everyone,”
said a city administration spokesperson.
Part of a broader public space strategy
The action formed part of wider efforts to correct misuse of public areas and enhance the tourism experience in one of Thailand’s most-visited coastal cities. Pattaya has long been among the leading destinations in Southeast Asian travel.
City authorities framed the latest measures as a step towards more orderly streets and a better balance between commercial activity and public access in the busy resort town.