Flooding tied to Thailand’s widening monsoon system has hit Pattaya hard this week: all boat departures have been suspended, a nearby town has evacuated over 200 households, and a foreign tourist remains missing after being swept into a drainage canal.
Tourist Missing After Being Swept Into a Flooded Canal
Early on September 24, a group of foreign visitors (believed to be South Korean nationals) were wading through floodwater on Soi Map Yai Lia 45 in Nong Prue, Pattaya, when two of them fell from a bridge into a drainage canal with a strong current. One was rescued; the other remains missing as of this writing. The Sawang Boriboon rescue foundation is continuing the search.
Pattaya Bans All Boat Travel to Koh Larn
On September 25, Pattaya authorities banned all boat traffic — fishing boats, speedboats, and jet skis — due to strong winds, high waves, and a red-flag warning along the coast. This directly affects day trips to Koh Larn, a popular island excursion from Pattaya, as well as ferries between Koh Loi and Koh Si Chang, which have also been suspended.
Sri Racha Evacuates Over 200 Households
Nearby, authorities in Sri Racha ordered the evacuation of more than 200 households in the Nong Kham area as floodwater approached one meter and continued rising. Evacuated residents are sheltering at Wat Nong Kham.
Why This Pattaya Flooding Matters for Travelers
This Pattaya flooding is part of the same widening Thailand flood alerts affecting Bangkok and dozens of provinces through September 27, but the Pattaya-area impacts are directly actionable if you have plans there this week: boat trips to Koh Larn and the outer islands are off the table for now, and low-lying areas near canals and drainage channels should be avoided, especially after dark or during heavy rain.
What Travelers Should Do
If you’re in Pattaya or planning to visit this week, check with your hotel or tour operator before heading to the pier for any Koh Larn or island-hopping trip — boats are not running until the ban lifts. Avoid wading through floodwater, especially near canals, drainage channels, or bridges, where currents can be far stronger than they look. If you’re staying near Sri Racha or Nong Kham, follow local evacuation guidance rather than waiting to see how bad it gets. Keep an eye on Thai Meteorological Department updates, since this system is forecast to continue through September 27.
Sources
Nation Thailand, Bangkok Post, and The Thaiger, September 24-25, 2026; boat ban and evacuation details via Nation Thailand, September 25, 2026.
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