PATTAYA, Thailand – A group fight involving rival speedboat operators broke out on Tawaen Beach road on Koh Larn on the afternoon of August 27, with video shared online showing men who operate the Pattaya-Koh Larn tourist speedboats arguing before punches were thrown in front of beachgoers. The footage, posted with the description Battle of Pattaya-Koh Larn speedboat operators, highlighted a dispute that stemmed from competition for customers and fare-cutting among operators taking passengers back to Pattaya via Bali Hai Pier.

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Reports said one side consisted of speedboat operators based on Koh Larn who have worked in the trade for more than 30 years, while the other group comprised Pattaya-based speedboat operators who had crossed to Koh Larn to run the same business. The two sides had allegedly been in dispute for some time over attracting passengers and undercutting fares before the row escalated into the beachside fight that unfolded in front of tourists and locals.

A group of Koh Larn speedboat operators later posted online that island residents had previously lived and worked peacefully, accusing newcomers of bringing problems to the island. The post stated that Koh Larn people live peacefully and make a living and have never fought, adding that the newcomers brought problems and fought in a way that damages Koh Larn’s name, warning that if the situation reaches the media, people will say the island is lawless again, and urged them not to come and make a living on Koh Larn.

The local operators called on Pattaya City to take serious action to organise speedboat businesses on Koh Larn, stating that this would help prevent further conflicts and protect the island’s tourism image. The reported dispute centres on competing services and fares for the return journey to the mainland, rather than changes to official transport rules, and travellers choosing private speedboats may wish to agree the return fare, departure point, and timing before setting off, particularly during busy periods when several operators are competing for passengers.

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The incident has raised concerns about the impact of such conflicts on Koh Larn’s reputation as a tourist destination, which relies heavily on the speedboat trade for visitor access. Authorities have been urged to intervene and establish clearer regulations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of both operators and tourists.

-Thailand News (TN)