In an attempt to address the issue, the Pattaya City administration teamed up with the State Railway of Thailand to lease a 19-kilometer stretch of Railway Road, both inbound and outbound, for an annual fee of 2-3 million Baht. This allowed the city to improve the road surface and offer an alternative route for drivers, easing traffic in the city center. Initially, these improvements showed promise, leading to plans for further upgrades, including the installation of traffic signals at all intersections along the road, with an investment of tens of millions of Baht. However, the new signal system proved ineffective, as the timing did not align with the heavy traffic flow during peak hours, causing additional delays.
To resolve the issue, Pattaya City officials commissioned engineers to study traffic patterns and adjust the signal system. Despite these efforts, the mismatch between signal timing and traffic volume continued, and the situation remained unresolved for years.
In response to the growing problem, local police, municipal officers, and volunteers were brought in to help manage traffic flow and enforce regulations during peak hours. Yet, congestion continues to worsen, and road conditions are deteriorating. While these issues do not directly affect tourism, they primarily impact local residents and workers who rely on the road daily. If left unaddressed, these traffic problems could eventually hurt Pattaya’s tourism industry, particularly as plans for high-speed rail projects to boost tourism could exacerbate the congestion.
The city’s inability to resolve these traffic issues raises concerns about its capacity to handle the growing infrastructure demands as Pattaya aims to become a major tourism hub within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Without swift and effective action, the situation could harm the public perception of the city’s planning, making it seem lacking in foresight and vision.
