The sunny shores of Pattaya, a city known as one of Thailand’s prime beach destinations, are caught in a whirlwind of controversy. A newly enforced smoking ban has lit a fire under the expat community and regular beachgoers, whose tongues are wagging over what some see as a superficial solution to a smorgasbord of deeper issues. The decree slaps a hefty 5,000 baht fine on those caught indulging in a puff while splashing their toes on the sandy coastline or nearby promenades. Initially heralded as a heroic stride in the crusade for cleaner shores and healthier public spaces, the ban has instead become a flashpoint. It raises eyebrows and hackles among foreign residents, who view it as another hastily drawn-up plan that addresses symptoms rather than the root causes of Pattaya’s challenges. The reaction online has been nothing short of electric—social media feeds are bursting with critiques and sarcastic jabs…
