A viral video posted on the Facebook page “We Love Pattaya” raised concerns about sewage overflow contaminating the sea in Na Jomtien Soi 8, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. The clip depicted a massive discharge of dark water onto the beach, prompting calls for immediate action from officials. The incident sparked panic among social media users, leading to widespread criticism and sharing.
Upon investigation on March 27, 2024, reporters discovered the drainage area depicted in the video, situated within Soi Na Jomtien 8, Village No. 1, Na Jomtien Subdistrict. Officials from the Na Jomtien Subdistrict Municipality responded by deploying heavy machinery to spread sand along the beach, aiming to seal off the wastewater discharge channel and mitigate the environmental impact.
Punyarat Thanirom, Director of the Engineering Division at Na Jomtien Subdistrict Municipality, attributed the overflow to heavy rainfall overwhelming the treatment system designed to process water before releasing it into the sea. The damaged system failed to contain the excess water flow, resulting in the observed contamination.
In response to the public outcry, municipal authorities acted swiftly to address the issue and minimize disruptions to both tourists and residents. However, this incident is not isolated, as similar occurrences were reported in May 2019, underscoring the persistent challenges of wastewater management in the area.
