Holiday traffic in
Pattaya continues to get worse by the year, as shown here during this
year’s relatively minor Labor Day holiday May 1.
Vittaya Yoondorn
With the day off, workers across the region celebrated Labor Day by
going to Pattaya to relax, but many spent their holiday sitting in
traffic.
Cars moved at a snail’s pace underneath the scorching heat on Sukhumvit
Road and arteries leading into the city. Some opted for a shorter route
paralleling the railroad tracks, which proved faster than the highway.
Police officers and volunteers held red lights longer than three minutes
to allow the majority of traffic to pass, but frustrating those on
connecting roads to no end.
Beaches and shopping malls were packed, with Thais mixing with Russian,
South Korean and Japanese tour groups.
Beach vendor Piankhwan Sahawut, 46, said May Day would bring her 10,000
baht revenue with others earning up to 50 percent more. Most Thais were
visiting from elsewhere, she said, enjoying a work-free day on the
ocean.
May Day has been Thailand’s official Labor Day holiday since 1978.