(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.
Jetsada Homklin
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.
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.
