Throngyasin Chonpathathip,
director of the Chonburi Highway Improvement 2 program.
Warunya Thongrod
A 15 billion baht extension of Highway 7 to Ban Chang set to launch
in 2015 will be the seventh major road project to boost the Pattaya area’s
infrastructure, the project’s manager told the city business leaders.
Speaking at the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association’s July 10 meeting at
the Grand Sole Hotel, Throngyasin Chonpathathip, director of the Chonburi
Highway Improvement 2 program, said the Bangkok - Ban Chang Highway is
scheduled for completion in 2020.
Before it is, however, six other projects will be completed, some very soon.
Among the 4 billion baht Highway 7-related jobs now up to 99 percent
finished are off ramps at Bangphra and Nongkham in Laem Chabang, an access
road at the 36th kilometer marker, and toll booths from Phantong to Pattaya.
When complete, the Bangkok-Ban Chang Highway will be a
toll road, with main booths at Banbung, Bangphra, Nongkham, Pong and
Pattaya, he said. Tolls will be distance-based, at 1 baht per kilometer
traveled. Construction on the toll booths will also start in 2015.
At the meeting, Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome also updated business
leaders on measures to improve security and accident response, noting that
public closed-circuit television feeds and traffic control systems are being
integrated to improve pursuit of criminals by police.
He also said the Tourist Information Center near Walking
Street was now operational as a base for marine-accident response and other
emergency services.
“I believe that these measures will help increase
confidence in tourist regarding safety while vacationing in this town,”
Itthiphol said. “Hence, this will help promote a better business circle
leading to more growth.”
PBTA President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn applauded city efforts, but urged
business owners to increase their own security measures by installing
private CCTV systems.
“All members must give importance in this matter since Pattaya has a high
population consisting of good and bad people,” he said.
