PATTAYA, Thailand – A fire broke out at the “Smoke Weed” cannabis shop on Soi 13/2 at approximately 4:00 PM on May 26th, 2025, causing alarm among tourists and locals in the bustling city center. The blaze, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit, originated on the fourth floor of a four-story commercial building, where a cannabis cultivation lab was located.
Pattaya City Police, led by investigator Pol. Lt. Suthirapan Thapasi, responded swiftly, deploying two fire engines to combat the flames. Thick smoke billowed from the building, creating a pungent odor that disrupted the area and heightened panic among nearby tourists. Firefighters managed to control the blaze after approximately 30 minutes, but not before the lab equipment on the fourth floor was completely destroyed.
Ms. Pawarisa, the 26-year-old shop manager, reported that she had been employed for less than two weeks and noted that the shop’s systems were still being organized. She speculated that recent heavy rains may have caused leaks in the lab’s roof, potentially contributing to the electrical malfunction. The cost of damages is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of baht, though a full assessment is pending.
The ground floor of the building operated as a cannabis retail space, with the second floor serving as a customer lounge. The third and fourth floors housed the cultivation lab, where the fire began. Evidence near a power socket suggested a minor explosion caused by the electrical fault. Authorities have temporarily sealed the building to allow forensic officers to conduct a thorough investigation.
No injuries were reported, and the swift response from emergency services prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring structures. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in cannabis cultivation facilities, especially given a similar fire at a cannabis farm in Jomtien, in February 2025, which also resulted from a suspected electrical short circuit, as we reported here.
Local officials are urging businesses to review electrical safety protocols to prevent future incidents. The “Smoke Weed” shop remains closed pending further investigation.
This also comes amidst a proposal by the Thai government to strengthen regulations on buying and selling cannabis, potentially requiring medical certificates and prescriptions and limiting dosage amounts, as we covered here.
Photo credit We Love Pattaya Thai page.
