Granite blocks have been
placed in southern areas of Jomtien Beach to help slow erosion.
Councilman Thongchai Ardzong is calling for Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome to
reallocate some of the funds earmarked for restoring Pattaya Beach to go
toward the same goal in Jomtien.
Phasakorn Channgam
A long-time Pattaya city councilman says Pattaya
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome’s focus on combating erosion of Pattaya Beach
is coming at the expense of Jomtien Beach, which has received no funding
to reverse its gradual decay.
Councilman Thongchai Ardzong called on the mayor to
reallocate some of the funds earmarked for restoring sand levels in
Pattaya toward research and environmental studies in Jomtien.
While not as obvious as in Pattaya, Jomtien’s erosion
has resulted in the loss of most of the sand near the Soi Chaiyapruek
intersection and left the beach in front of the Lung Sawai restaurant
almost bare.
“Recently, Jomtien Beach’s sand has been taken away
by the sea currents, piling up more than 10,000 cu. meters at Najomtien
Beach,” Thongchai said. “This is because of construction and changing
currents. If the city does not take actions and prevention measures,
Jomtien Beach will face the same condition as Pattaya Beach.”
At a Sept. 12 council meeting, the mayor acknowledged
the councilman’s comments, but said the Designated Areas for Sustainable
Tourism Administration plans currently only call for landscaping
improvements and erosion abatement on Pattaya Beach.
The mayor pledged, however, that researchers will be
hired to study a solution for Jomtien Beach “soon.”
