PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya City plans to invest approximately 2.75 billion baht over four years in major drainage improvements, aiming to reduce flood-prone areas and increase the system’s capacity to handle rainfall of up to 130 millimeters per hour.
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet outlined the program during a Pattaya City Council meeting, after Councilor Banjong Bantoonprakyuk, representing Constituency 3, questioned the city’s response to flooding following heavy rainfall in September. Flooding had affected roads and homes in several areas, prompting calls for faster drainage and more effective measures.
Poramet said a comprehensive solution to Pattaya’s flooding problems would require an estimated 21 billion baht, far beyond the city’s financial capacity, while government support had so far been insufficient. Since 2022, the city has used council-approved budgets and special accumulated funds to implement drainage projects in stages.
The existing drainage system can handle rainfall of up to 70 millimeters per hour. When rainfall exceeds that capacity, water accumulates while awaiting drainage. Floodwater measuring around 10–20 centimeters can take between 30 minutes and three hours to clear, depending on rainfall intensity and local conditions.
The city has also established a Water Crisis Center to monitor flooding and alert residents to avoid affected routes. Pattaya has reduced its main flood-risk locations from 24 to around nine, with another three to four smaller problem spots remaining. These include the railway road near Soi Noen Plub Wan, Third Road near the former Moom Aroi restaurant and South Pattaya Road.
The new investment program is divided into four phases:
- Phase 1 (2027–2029): Improve drainage on lower South Pattaya Road, Pattaya Second Road Soi 18 and lower Chalerm Phrakiat Road.
- Phase 2 (2027–2029): Upgrade upper Chalerm Phrakiat Road and upper South Pattaya Road.
- Phase 3 (2028–2030): Improve Sukhumvit Road, the railway road and the Land Office road.
- Phase 4 (2028–2030): Upgrade areas from Sukhumvit Road to Sukhumvit Pattaya Soi 69 and Soi Kor Pai.
Once completed, the projects are expected to increase drainage capacity from 70 to 130 millimeters of rainfall per hour, covering approximately 15 square kilometers, or 9,375 rai, across South Pattaya, Central Pattaya and Thepprasit Road. The improvements are expected to benefit more than 37,300 households. The projects are currently at the stage of preparing terms of reference (TOR) and selecting contractors before construction can proceed.
