PATTAYA, Thailand – There may be painted zebra crossings and colorful smart lights flashing red and green, but for anyone trying to cross a road in Pattaya, there’s only one rule that matters: look everywhere, all the time — and trust no one.
Whether it’s Beach Road or Second Road, locals and tourists alike have adopted a 360-degree vigilance approach to road survival. “Cars, motorbikes, vans, baht-buses, taxis, trucks — they’d rather run you over than stop,” said one longtime expat with a shrug. “You can trust them 100%… to ignore you or try to run you over.”
Some visitors new to the city try to follow normal crosswalk etiquette — only to find themselves in dangerous situations. “Two weeks ago, my brother was knocked down on Beach Road at a zebra crossing near Soi 13,” one tourist recalled. “All the lanes had stopped — except the beachside one. The driver said he didn’t see him. He really shouldn’t be driving anymore.”
A common tale involves motorbikes zipping the wrong way down streets — or even sidewalks — catching pedestrians off guard. “I’ve almost been hit on the footpath. More than once,” one longtime Jomtien resident said. “And 10 years ago, a buddy of mine was killed by a bike going the wrong way near Boyztown.”
This reality shapes local wisdom: “Use your neck. Keep looking left, right, behind, ahead — until you can cross without a problem,” advised another. “Don’t be daft. Don’t trust anyone.”
For tourists, the chaotic traffic adds an element of danger — but also forces a mindset shift. “Only one rule in Pattaya,” one visitor quipped. “Look 360 all around. Stay safe, enjoy life, and the beautiful girls.”
Because in Pattaya, the crosswalk might be painted — but the survival skills? Those are entirely up to you.
