PATTAYA, Thailand – While the new LED screen landmark on Walking Street is set to light up Pattaya soon, many residents feel the city’s focus should shift to more pressing everyday problems. The recently completed structure is ready for screen installation by the end of this month, but locals are urging authorities to address ongoing traffic congestion and road safety issues on both ends, including Bali Hai, first.
Residents point out that the chaotic parking and pick-up/drop-off habits along the beach road are already squeezing the available traffic lanes. Left lanes are often clogged with two-row passenger vans and taxis stopping indiscriminately, causing bottlenecks that leave only one lane for moving traffic. This not only frustrates drivers and visitors but also undermines Pattaya’s image as a welcoming tourist destination.
Calls for better enforcement and clear designated zones for passenger vehicles are growing louder. Many suggest that officials focus on regulating these traffic issues and repairing the crumbling roads filled with potholes before investing heavily in promotional projects. Some even recommend deploying modern technology such as CCTV and AI for monitoring traffic violations and enhancing public safety.
Residents emphasize that improving the city’s infrastructure and traffic management will contribute far more to Pattaya’s attractiveness and visitor satisfaction than adding flashy PR displays. After all, a smart and well-organized city is the foundation for sustainable tourism growth.
