PATTAYA, Thailand – The roar of modified motorbike engines tearing through the streets of Pattaya after dark is doing more than just disrupting the night’s peace — it’s driving tourists away and threatening the livelihoods of local guesthouse and apartment operators.
In areas such as Soi Yensabai, Soi VC, and parts of South Pattaya, residents and business owners have long raised concerns over groups of young tourists, particularly from the Middle East, engaging in high-revving motorbike antics well into the night. These disturbances have led to a steady decline in guest satisfaction, prompting many tourists to cut their stays short or avoid booking in affected neighborhoods altogether.
“The noise is unbearable,” said one guesthouse manager on Soi Buakhao. “Guests complain constantly about not being able to sleep, and we’ve seen a clear drop in repeat bookings. It’s hurting our business.”
The issue escalated last year when Pattaya police seized 15 rented motorcycles from Kuwaiti tourists after numerous complaints from both tourists and residents. Authorities have since directed motorbike rental operators to tighten oversight by requiring valid driving licenses and copies of ID documents, especially from high-risk groups.
Despite these efforts, the nightly revving persists. Some residents, frustrated by what they see as inconsistent enforcement, have taken matters into their own hands. Calls have been made for speed bumps on roads like Phratamnak Soi 5, and some locals have even confronted riders directly, urging them to tone down the noise.
“These bikes aren’t just loud — they’re dangerous,” one apartment tenant said. “We’ve seen near misses with pedestrians and other vehicles. If nothing is done, someone’s going to get seriously hurt.”
A recent incident on Jomtien Second Road has reignited concerns over reckless driving, after a speeding big bike struck two pedestrians attempting to cross at a zebra crossing. Eyewitnesses reported that the motorcycle, traveling well above the speed limit, made no attempt to slow down before the collision. The victims, both foreign tourists, were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Local residents say this is not an isolated case, citing frequent cases of speeding and near misses involving large motorcycles in the area. Despite repeated calls for stricter enforcement and traffic calming measures, accidents continue to plague this popular tourist corridor.
Local police have promised renewed efforts to tackle the issue, but business owners remain skeptical. With online reviews increasingly citing noise disturbances, some operators warn that Pattaya’s image as a top-tier tourist destination is at risk.
“Pattaya is supposed to be fun, not frightening,” said a frequent European tourist staying near South Pattaya Road. “The nightlife is great — but I didn’t come here to be woken up at 3 a.m. by motorbike racers.”
As the high season approaches, many are calling on authorities to implement stricter regulations and more visible patrols at night to curb the problem before it causes further economic damage to the city’s struggling hospitality sector.
