PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya City is continuing its campaign to reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season by prioritizing the cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems across the city. Over the weekend, sanitation and public works teams were dispatched to clear clogged drains and remove debris from key roads, including Sukhumvit Road in both North and South Pattaya.
According to officials from the Sanitation Engineering Department, the work focused on clearing sediment, trash, and vegetation that often block water flow in roadside channels and central road medians. Such blockages are a major contributor to flash flooding, which has long been one of the city’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.
“Even on weekends, our teams continue working,” a city spokesperson said. “The goal is to make sure water can drain quickly during heavy downpours, especially in high-traffic areas where flooding often disrupts daily life.”
Pattaya has faced repeated criticism in recent years over its drainage system, with residents and business owners expressing frustration after streets frequently became impassable during storms. City Hall has since ramped up maintenance schedules, introduced regular inspections, and increased manpower to deal with problem areas.
Authorities also reminded residents and businesses to cooperate by properly disposing of waste and avoiding dumping trash into drains, which greatly increases the risk of flooding.
The long-term solution, officials admit, lies in large-scale infrastructure improvements, including new drainage tunnels and upgraded pumping stations. Still, ongoing maintenance is a crucial short-term measure to minimize disruption and keep the city’s tourism and local economy running smoothly during the rainy season.
For now, Pattaya is pushing the message that “weekends don’t mean breaks” when it comes to flood prevention — a commitment they hope will reassure both residents and visitors that the city is serious about tackling one of its most chronic urban problems.
