PATTAYA, Thailand – Local authorities have announced new measures to address the city’s long-standing traffic issues. In a joint campaign, Pattaya Police and the Chonburi Provincial Transport Office will step up enforcement against overloaded vehicles, regulate motorbike taxi services more closely, and ensure stricter compliance with helmet laws.
Officials say the goal is to improve safety, reduce congestion, and restore public confidence in Pattaya’s transport system. Residents and visitors are encouraged to report violations through the city hotline at 1337, which operates 24 hours a day.
While authorities push for greater road discipline, discussions among foreign residents have taken a different turn. Some suggest that Thailand’s tourism slowdown coincided with the rise of frequent roadside checkpoints and changes to visa policies.
“The decline in tourism started the same time checkpoints became more aggressive, and free visa policies were adjusted. You can almost time it exactly to that,” one long-term visitor commented in an online forum.
Not everyone agrees. Other voices in the community argue that such claims are exaggerated or overlook larger economic forces. Inflation, a strong Thai baht, and rising hotel and food prices have cut into foreign purchasing power. Others point to different deterrents: dual pricing at attractions, complaints about petty scams, high taxi fares compared to Bangkok, and frustration over inconsistent law enforcement.
Infrastructure strains are another recurring theme. Visitors frequently cite chaotic traffic, uneven sidewalks, flooding after heavy rains, and noise pollution as factors that take away from the holiday experience. Safety concerns, from reckless motorbike riders to occasional violent incidents, also feature in online discussions.
The conversation reflects the mixed opinions surrounding Pattaya’s challenges. For city officials, however, the immediate priority remains clear: improving road safety, preventing accidents, and ensuring smoother transport for both locals and tourists.
