A light-hearted yet eyebrow-raising video of an apparently tipsy foreign couple on a public baht bus in Pattaya has been making the rounds on Thai social media, drawing a mix of amusement and mild concern from viewers.
The footage, first shared by the local Facebook page Saih Khao Pattaya, shows the man and woman appearing intoxicated while travelling through South Pattaya on the evening of 2 August. The woman is seen sitting on the man’s lap as the songthaew — a converted pickup truck used as a shared taxi — sways in traffic. The scene, filmed just before the vehicle reached Pattaya’s lively Walking Street entertainment district, led some viewers to question whether the behaviour was appropriate in a public setting.
A local reporter later tracked down the baht bus involved. The 38-year-old driver said he had picked up the couple near Pattaya Second Road, heading towards the beachfront. As they approached heavy traffic near Walking Street, he noticed the back of the vehicle moving unusually.
“At first I wondered what they were doing,” he told the reporter. “When I looked closer, I saw they were simply drunk and joking around. I couldn’t help but laugh.”
The driver said he gently reminded the couple to be mindful of their behaviour, but they assured him they were “just playing” and meant no harm. He later dropped them off safely at their hotel in Pratumnak Hill.
While authorities have not taken action, the incident has served as a reminder for visitors to respect public spaces in Thailand. Public displays of affection — especially when combined with alcohol — can draw attention and criticism, particularly in more conservative settings outside entertainment areas.
