PATTAYA, Thailand — Pattaya City is moving forward with plans for a monorail public transport system, with the project currently undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ahead of public consultation this month. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet chaired a meeting on Sept. 1 to hear a proposal from TRANS ASIA FUTURTEC Co. on the development of a monorail system for Pattaya. City officials and relevant government departments attended the meeting at Pattaya City Hall.
The company, which specializes in monorail technology and mass-transit systems, presented the system as a potential solution to Pattaya’s growing traffic congestion and the need for better connections between different parts of the city. TRANS ASIA FUTURTEC highlighted several technical advantages of monorail technology, including its relatively compact elevated guideway, which requires less ground space than conventional rail systems. The company said the system could be suited to major urban roads where available space is limited.
The proposed system would also be capable of navigating tighter curves and adjusting its alignment around obstacles, potentially making it suitable for Pattaya’s built-up urban environment. Other features presented included lower noise levels, reduced environmental impact and automated operation. The company said the trains are designed to straddle the guideway, eliminating the possibility of conventional derailment, while construction could be completed more quickly than heavy-rail systems.
Mayor Poramet said Pattaya has already been studying the feasibility and design of a monorail system as part of efforts to improve public transportation, reduce reliance on private vehicles and provide safer and more convenient travel. He said the project is currently undergoing the EIA process.
The mayor welcomed the opportunity to hear TRANS ASIA FUTURTEC’s technical proposal and exchange views on potential cooperation, but stressed that no decision had yet been made on which company or system would ultimately be selected. The suitability of different proposals will depend on the outcome of the EIA and a public consultation process scheduled for September.
Following the environmental assessment and public feedback, Pattaya will consider the most appropriate approach before presenting the project to the Cabinet for further consideration and a final decision. The proposal comes as Pattaya continues to face increasing pressure on its road network, particularly in busy central areas, with the city seeking longer-term public transport solutions to accommodate future urban growth and tourism demand.
