As Pattaya grapples with severe traffic congestion on inadequate roads, the city’s traffic police seem to have taken a back seat. Officers, easily identified by the word “Traffic” emblazoned on their uniforms, share responsibilities with the main police force, but locals are increasingly frustrated as cars, baht buses, and motorbikes appear to navigate the chaos unchecked.
Traffic control booths at major intersections, aside from the one at Second and Central Roads, often appear abandoned. Drivers park freely in red-line prohibited areas with little intervention, though occasional ticketing sweeps on Beach Road still occur. Double parking on Thepprasit Road has become a common sight, exacerbating an already chaotic situation.
Ahead of the festive season, Police Lt. Colonel Phanupong Nimsuwan, head of Pattaya’s traffic division, outlined four key priorities: reviewing road signs, conducting alcohol tests, cracking down on illegal parking, and addressing unauthorized U-turns. He also claimed that 30,000 additional parking slots had been created citywide, though details were sparse. What remains unclear is the number of officers actively enforcing traffic laws on the ground.
Individual police officers have cited various reasons for their reduced presence. Some attribute it to a focus on night patrols and breath tests, while others suggest officers have been reassigned to different duties. A more cynical perspective suggests that the sheer magnitude of Pattaya’s traffic issues might have prompted a hands-off approach as the holiday season nears. Expanded ring roads, intended to alleviate congestion, are also believed to have worsened traffic within the city.
Ultimately, the core problem lies in the sheer volume of vehicles competing for limited road space. As the adage goes, “You are not stuck in traffic; you are the traffic.” Long-term solutions, such as cable cars, mini-railways, or a vastly improved public transport system, paired with measures like fines or restrictions on private vehicles in the city center, could offer relief. However, these initiatives require decades of planning, massive financial investment, and the political will to weather public discontent. In the short term, however, increased police presence on Pattaya’s roads would be a welcome step forward.
