Pattaya officials say roadwork that has turned Beach Road into a disaster zone during high season will complete by Feb. 13.
Speaking to the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association at the Dec. 18 meeting at the Green Park Resort, Deputy City Manager Worapot Pongpalee urged business leaders to be patient, arguing that the long-term benefit of better flood-drainage will be worth the current inconvenience.
Pattaya began ripping up Beach Road this summer to lay larger flood-drainage pipelines, culverts and sewer grates to handle the torrents of water that flow from higher ground to the beach, wiping out huge tracts of the rebuilt sand base.
The start of the project lagged badly, however, with workers advancing less than one block at one point in August and September. With the delays, the worst of the roadwork, traffic and detours have landed square in the middle of high season.
Worapot said city hall has met regularly with affected business owners and has adjusted work schedules when necessary to avoid major problems.
PBTA members expressed their frustration over the slow work that not only aggravates tourists, but shows the city in the worst-possible light at the worst-possible time.
But they agreed the project was necessary and implored city hall to wrap it up as soon as possible.
