PATTAYA, Thailand – Torrential rain swept across Pattaya on September 23, rapidly flooding several roads and leaving cars and motorcycles stranded as authorities moved to close waterlogged sections and speed up drainage. Heavy rain began around midday and quickly overwhelmed several flood-prone areas. In some locations, water rose to nearly one meter, making roads impassable for smaller vehicles and forcing motorists to turn back.
Affected areas included Pattaya Third Road near Moom Aroi, Sukhumvit Road around the Pattaya Highway intersection and the railway road near Wat Tham Samakkhi. Traffic officials were deployed to control vehicles and prevent motorists from entering sections where floodwater had reached dangerous levels. Several motorcycles were reportedly unable to continue, while a van was also left stranded in the floodwater. Motorists faced the difficult choice of turning around or risking expensive damage by attempting to drive through deep water.
Pattaya City officials worked to drain water from the affected roads while monitoring other known flood-prone locations. Traffic was closed or restricted where water levels became too high for safe passage. The flooding comes as Thailand’s Meteorological Department warns that the eastern region, including Chonburi, will face heavy rain in many areas and very heavy rain in some locations from September 23-27.
The department said a strong low-pressure area moving along the monsoon trough, combined with strengthening southwest monsoon winds, is contributing to the unstable weather. The public has been warned to watch for flash floods and accumulated water, particularly in low-lying areas. With several more days of heavy rain forecast, Pattaya faces continued flooding risks, particularly where intense rainfall arrives faster than drainage systems can clear the water.
Residents and visitors are advised to avoid flooded roads, especially where water is deep enough to conceal road surfaces, drains or other hazards, and to follow instructions from traffic and emergency officials. For motorists, the message from the flooded roads was clear: if the water is too deep, turn around rather than risk becoming another stranded vehicle.
