Greek Tourist's Pickup Stuck on Jomtien Beach During Test
A 58-year-old Greek tourist drove a two-wheel-drive Mitsubishi pickup onto Jomtien Beach in Pattaya to test if it could tow a jet ski from the sea. The vehicle became stuck in the sand as the tide rose, requiring a private tow truck and municipal officers over 30 minutes to recover it. The driver may be fined for driving on the beach and will be summoned for questioning.
At 03:36 on October 24, 2026, the Pattaya Special Operations Center received a report of a vehicle stuck on Jomtien Beach in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district. Officials rushed to the scene where a crowd of tourists had gathered. They found a Mitsubishi pickup stuck on the sand. The driver, 58-year-old Greek national George, was revving the engine trying to get the vehicle back on land, but because it was a two-wheel-drive vehicle, it could not gain traction.
Pattaya municipal officer Chainchai Wai Dee contacted a private tow truck, which used equipment to winch the pickup back onto the beach after more than 30 minutes. Chainchai said he had been alerted about a vehicle stuck in the sea and brought personnel to help, but they could not free it, so they called for a private tow truck.
The driver's friend, who owns the vehicle, told officials the foreigner had bought the used car and drove it onto the beach at the Dong Tan curve area to test whether it could tow a jet ski from the water. The vehicle lacked sufficient power and became stranded in the middle of the beach as the tide rose, submerging the wheels. Panicked, he called for help.
The driver may face a fine for driving on the beach and will be summoned to explain the incident.
