Thai chicken magnate’s mansion up in smoke after city orders demolition

Months after it was ordered demolished for encroaching public land, a Pattaya tourist hotspot and luxury beachfront property went up in flames this afternoon.

Fleets of firetrucks converged just after noon to put out a fire at Baan Sukhawadee, or Sukhawadee House, located along the beach in the Banglamung district. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Earlier this year, the city ordered the estate demolished because it was illegally squatting on 11 rai of public land. 

Covering over 80 rai (12.8 hectares), the complex was erected in 2000 as the beach mansion of Panya Chotitawan, owner of Saha Farms Co. Ltd., one of the country’s largest frozen poultry exporters. Since then, it opened its doors to paying tourists, offering tours of its opulent interiors and exteriors as well as buffet meals and performances including cabaret and traditional Thai dance. 

Read more of Coconuts Bangkok’s content here.



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on