Once a beautiful landmark, Pattaya’s
lighthouse is falling into disrepair just 5 years after it was built.
Warunya Thongrod
The Pattaya lighthouse is shining a bit less brightly these days as
neglect and subpar construction have led to its early dilapidation.
A Dec. 27 visit to the South Pattaya beacon found the ground has sunk
near the structure, exterior chairs are broken, the spotlight is fading
and the steel used in construction was not stainless and now is rusting.
Only five years old, the lighthouse was meant to be an important part of
the city’s Bali Hai Pier complex and a key to either expanding the pier
or building a new yacht marina. These days, however, it’s mostly ignored
by tourists.
Resident Sunet Tayathong, 56, said although he used to like to bicycle
around the lighthouse, it’s now less of an attraction.
“I would like Pattaya to restore the lighthouse because it is the only
point where tourists can rest or watch the view and I believe that if
Pattaya renovates this place, it will become a tourist attraction
again.”
Ampol Yuttisri, an engineer in the city parks department, said he
already submitted a request to renovate the lighthouse to city
administrators, but was told it was a waste of money because Pattaya’s
elected officials would rather build a new marina.
“Pattaya is rushing to finish the larger project before dealing with the
lighthouse,” he said.
