PATTAYA, Thailand – Once promoted as a model tourist city with clean beaches and orderly streets, Pattaya’s public spaces are increasingly being swallowed up by disorder. Sidewalks that should serve pedestrians are now lined with motorcycle rentals, illegal food stalls, and piles of junked vehicles, while green areas are being claimed by the homeless and opportunistic vendors.
Municipal officers in Jomtien recently discovered unlicensed tents set up along Jomtien Second Road, apparently for selling goods without authorization. The items were seized, but locals say it’s just one symptom of a much wider problem spreading across the city — from Soi Buakhao to Beach Road and Naklua.
One of the biggest offenders, residents say, are motorcycle rental operators who park dozens of bikes directly on sidewalks and public spaces, blocking walkways and forcing pedestrians into the street. Some even use beachfront promenades and road corners as long-term storage areas, turning scenic routes into open-air showrooms.
“It’s not just inconvenient — it’s dangerous,” said a Pattaya resident. “You can’t even walk with a stroller or wheelchair without stepping onto traffic.”
Adding to the mess are abandoned cars, street-side repair operations, and makeshift shelters built from scrap materials. Homeless individuals occupy pavilions and parks overnight, while unregulated pop-up markets take over public parking zones on weekends.
Despite regular clean-up campaigns, critics say City Hall’s actions are inconsistent and short-lived. After temporary crackdowns, the same vendors and rental operators return within days.
“Officials only act when people complain online,” another resident commented. “There’s no sustained enforcement or proper zoning.”
If Pattaya hopes to maintain its international appeal, residents argue, the city must reclaim its sidewalks, parks, and beachfronts — not just for tourists, but for the people who live here year-round.
