PATTAYA, Thailand – Tourists flock to Pattaya for its beaches, nightlife, and lively street life—but a growing danger lurks beneath the city’s sunny facade: its roads. Visitors and locals alike face daily hazards from blocked sidewalks, speeding motorbikes, and drivers who ignore traffic rules, creating an environment where even crossing at a zebra crossing or waiting at a traffic light can feel life-threatening.
One pedestrian remarked, “Yes, as a pedestrian you have to be damn careful and if you cross the road anyway… especially at zebra stripes and traffic lights, they drive you over the heap.” Such experiences are not isolated. Social media posts and travel forums are filled with warnings about Pattaya’s chaotic streets, where careless driving endangers everyone—tourists unfamiliar with local traffic norms are particularly at risk.
Sidewalks, intended as safe havens for pedestrians, have increasingly been overrun by motorcycles, parked vehicles, and street vendors, forcing people onto busy roads. Even experienced travelers find themselves navigating a gauntlet of speeding bikes and impatient drivers, who often flout rules with impunity.
Local authorities have made attempts to improve road safety, but the rapid pace of urban growth, combined with lax enforcement and the city’s focus on tourism revenue, has left streets dangerous and poorly managed. This is particularly concerning for foreign visitors who are unfamiliar with Pattaya’s unique traffic patterns and may underestimate the risks of crossing a street or walking along a roadside.
For Pattaya to maintain its appeal to international tourists, road safety must become a priority. Without decisive action to clear sidewalks, enforce traffic laws, and educate drivers, tourists will continue to face a perilous cityscape—a stark contrast to the idyllic image promoted in travel brochures.
