Thread: Condo Cement Shim Plate Collapses in Pattaya, Injuring Australian Tourist

At 5:36 PM on May 28, 2025, the Pattaya Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received a report of a cement shim plate collapsing and injuring a person at a condominium in the Khao Phratamnak area of Pattaya City near the Bali Hai Underpass. After receiving the report, authorities coordinated with Pattaya City Police, Pattaya Tourist Police, Pattaya City officials, and Sawang Boriboon Rescue volunteers, who rushed to the scene accompanied by reporters from The Pattaya News.

At the rear of the building, debris from a cement shim plate, essentially a decorative portion of the building and not part of the main structure, that had fallen from the condo was scattered on the ground. An injured foreign tourist, identified as Mr. Smith, 57, from Australia, sustained wounds to his head, right arm, and right leg. Rescue personnel provided initial first aid before urgently transferring him to a hospital. Several motorcycles in the area were also damaged by the falling debris.

Initial investigations revealed that the cement shim plate, attached to the side of the building, had previously allegedly shown signs of damage in photographs but had not been repaired. The debris fell onto a metal canopy near a poolside seating area, fortunately striking the structure rather than directly hitting tourists.

Mr. Weeraphon (last name withheld), 59, reported that while swimming in the pool, he noticed the cement shim plate suddenly collapse. This caused tourists in the area to flee in panic, and he quickly got out of the pool to escape.

Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyoo, Chief of Pattaya City Police Station, personally inspected the scene and instructed investigators to conduct a thorough examination. Pattaya City’s engineering department also inspected the collapse site, suspecting prior damage that had not been addressed, leading to the incident and injuries.

It has not yet been determined who, if anyone, is legally responsible but representatives from the condo were cooperating with the ongoing investigation as of press time.The full name of the condo and management company was withheld by police due to the ongoing legal investigation but photos have been widely made publicly available by law enforcement.

Luxury Condo Cement Shim Plate Collapses in Pattaya, Injuring Australian Tourist, Investigation Ongoing - The Pattaya News

Pattaya Mayor and Banglamung District Chief Give Update on Decorative Cement Shim Plate Falling From Condo and Injuring Australian Tourist

A decorative cement shim plate fell from the 37th floor of a 45-story condominium in Pattaya on the evening of May 28, 2025, injuring an Australian tourist who was relaxing by the poolside.

The incident, which occurred around 5:36 PM, left the tourist with a broken leg and head injuries. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition but will need surgery. Several motorcycles belonging to residents were also damaged in the incident.

The collapse sparked widespread concern on social media, with misleading images of a leaning building—later clarified to be distorted due to the angle from a nearby hill—causing confusion and alarm among residents and tourists.

Mr. Patcharapatch Srihanyanon, Banglamung District Chief, assured the public that the building’s structural integrity remains intact. “The fallen shim plate was a decorative element, not part of the building’s core structure,” he stated. Pattaya city officials, along with engineers, inspected the site and confirmed the building’s stability, noting that the condo, built eight years ago and housing over 1,000 units, complies with Thailand’s Building Control Act. Previous inspections, including after a recent earthquake in Myanmar that caused a building to collapse in Bangkok as reported here, had found no structural issues.

However, concerns remain about the remaining shim plates on three sides of the building. Mr. Patcharapatch noted that the condo’s management is urgently discussing their removal to restore confidence among residents, which include both Thai nationals and foreigners. “These plates are like ornaments on the building. Over time, they may deteriorate and fall,” he explained.

Pattaya Mayor Mr. Poramese Ngampichet echoed these sentiments, stressing that the incident does not reflect structural failure. “We’ve ruled out concerns about the building’s core structure,” he said. To prevent further risks, areas beneath the remaining decorative panels have been cordoned off, and residents have been instructed to avoid these zones. The mayor added that further inspections are scheduled for tomorrow to ensure safety.

Mr. Suwit Chaisatra, the condominium’s manager, confirmed that immediate measures were taken, including notifying residents and securing the affected area. “The building’s structure is safe, but we are planning to remove all remaining decorative panels to prevent future incidents,” he said. The management is also in constant contact with the injured tourist, pledging full compensation for medical expenses and damages to property, including the affected motorcycles.


Authorities have urged residents and visitors to cooperate with safety measures while the condo’s management addresses the issue.

Pattaya Mayor and Banglamung District Chief Give Update on Decorative Cement Shim Plate Falling From Condo and Injuring Australian Tourist - The Pattaya News