Despite the perceived failure of efforts to bring order to Pattaya’s parking zones, Pattaya-area politicians aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho and Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekachai met with city and police officials March 5 to review efforts to better regulate bus stops, parking zones and motorbike taxis on Beach Road and Third Road.
The Beach Road plan, launched amid much fanfare in January, called for 17 new designated stops for baht buses, tour coaches and taxis. Strict enforcement of the zones and ticketing of double-parkers and other scofflaws was promised but, except for the few times when television cameras shined on their efforts, the new regulations have been largely ignored and unenforced.
(L to R) Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho, and Pol. Lt. Samret Chanviset, deputy chief of Pattaya’s traffic police, meet with city administrators to discuss the traffic situation in Pattaya.
Ronakit, however, said Pattaya police have been tasked with dispatching traffic officers to back up municipal officers in enforcement, which has produced “satisfactory results,” he claimed. However, two bus stops, next to the Best Friend bar complex and outside the Chada shop, face problems due to conflicts with shop owners, he said.
Khomkrit Polvichien, chief of the Special Affairs Division, reported better results for a no-parking zone on Third Road near the Bali Hai Pier-Pratamnak Road intersection. Stepped-up enforcement has reduced the number of cars parking in red zones, he said.
The effort to control motorbike taxi stands, however, is not faring as well.
Kosin Veerananthanaphan, chief of the Chonburi Transport Department’s Banglamung branch, said 307 motorbike taxis and 951 motorbikes have been registered, but he believes there are many more taxis not registered.
Ronakit said more stands pop up every day, making enforcement of parking laws difficult. Pattaya city has allocated funds to Banglamung to make motorbike taxi vests and train taxi drivers to assist the government by keeping a watchful eye on the safety of the city.
