A Singaporean tourist has been arrested in Thailand for flying a drone above a popular night spot in Pattaya amid a nationwide ban imposed because of Thai-Cambodian border tensions.
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Goh, 44, was spotted by authorities in Pattaya piloting a drone above Walking Street in Pattaya, about 150km (93 miles) south of the capital Bangkok, just after midnight on Thursday, Amarin TV reported.
As he was unable to produce a permit for the drone, Goh was arrested and brought to a police station in Pattaya. Police also confiscated the drone, a remote control, drone glasses and spare batteries.
Speaking through an interpreter, the drone enthusiast told police that he wanted to capture high-angle photos of the bustling nightlife in the entertainment area. He said he was not aware of the drone ban.
Police later formally recorded the arrest and filed charges against Goh.
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Just a few days before Goh’s arrest, another tourist was detained for a similar offence. The 28-year-old Swedish tourist was caught operating a drone on Pattaya beach on Saturday and taken to the same police station, according to Khao Sod newspaper. His drone was confiscated, but he was later released with just a warning.