Pattaya: City reveals plans for Walking Street - major "mall" style makeover for Thailand's "world class resort"

[webfact]

Pattaya: City reveals plans for Walking Street - major "mall" style makeover for Thailand's "world class resort"

 

Picture: Pattaya City

 

Pictures on the Facebook site of Pattaya City revealed plans for a major revamp of one of the resorts most notable landmarks - Walking Street

 

Gone is the grotty road, broken pavements and out of date frontages - now there is an easy to navigate walking area fit for families.

 

The futuristic designs and bright new look makes the notorious red light district resemble a shopping street - some critics online said it resembled just another mall.

 

There is not a hanging wire - or street walker - in sight!

 

The designs were presented by the city's engineering team to mayor Sontaya Khunpluem and his deputies yesterday.

 

Reading between the lines of the post it appears that the mayor gave the plans a rather lukewarm reception. 

 

Picture: Pattaya City

 

He commented that Walking Street has to be "fit for purpose" and not adversely affect livelihoods.

 

He stressed that any makeover must ensure that the "special smell and flavor" of Walking Street must be maintained.

 

Though he seemed to concur that the area must be fit for day as well as nightlife use.

 

After all, said the mayor, Pattaya is a renowned world class resort. And it must be able to generate revenue, that's important.

 

He sent the engineers away to come up with some revised designs ahead of the next discussion on the issue. 

 

Thai and foreign comments on the news were extensive but mixed.

 

Most agreed that it was time for a makeover but opinion differed over exactly how. 

 

Source: Pattaya City

 

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[Boomer6969]

Was  about time. But in my opinion this should go with a full redeployment of Soi 6. And probably a few others areas as well. Sex workers should move up market, a couple of thousand of them should be enough for a family resort. Some affluent happy husbands and dads might get the need.

[redwood1]

This picture gives walking street a computer game look....

[ianezy0]

Part 2 - Soi Buakhao - Plans afoot to transform the street into high end shopping malls very similar to Orchard Road.

[redwood1]

If walking street is going to be a family destination they need to make the ping-pong shows family friendly too...

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

Was  about time. But in my opinion this should go with a full redeployment of Soi 6. And probably a few others areas as well. Sex workers should move up market, a couple of thousand of them should be enough for a family resort. Some affluent happy husbands and dads might get the need.

oooh deary me....the worlds oldest profession being lambasted again..........

[petermik]

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

If walking street is going to be a family destination they need to make the ping-pong shows family friendly too...

The Chinese are the world leaders in ping pong......

[Oldie]

The whole filthy nightlife of the Walking Street should be moved to a different location. Nightlife doesn't need a very expensive beach location. In addition many buildings seem to be not legal anyway as often discussed. 

[Kerryd]

Note how this time, they've left all the businesses on the "water side" of the street intact, unlike previous plans where those were gone and a Beach Road style promenade extended all the way to the Bali Hai pier.

A bit of "artistic" license there as well, what with Lucifers being across the street from the Sea Zone restaurant. I guess they left Skyfall in there because they didn't realize it's a go-go bar maybe ?

As far as the "no hanging wires" and new road surface - aren't they doing a project right now to get rid of the hanging wires ? Probably could redo the road surface as well seeing as they are tearing it up anyways.

So all they need to do to make that picture come true then is relocate Lucifers and they are set ! Oh, and add some more "Western" tourists to the mix (or redo the picture to include wall to wall Chinese tour groups).

[redwood1]

Just now, Oldie said:

The whole filthy nightlife of the Walking Street should be moved to a different location. Nightlife doesn't need a very expensive beach location. In addition many buildings seem to be not legal anyway as often discussed. 

Its very expensive BECAUSE of the nightlife.....Take away the nightlife and there will not be much left....

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Oldie said:

The whole filthy nightlife of the Walking Street should be moved to a different location.

Nearer perhaps to your location.....

[bert bloggs]

6 minutes ago, Oldie said:

The whole filthy nightlife of the Walking Street should be moved to a different location. Nightlife doesn't need a very expensive beach location. In addition many buildings seem to be not legal anyway as often discussed. 

Off to bed grandad ,its nearly 9 oclock alrady????

[Silent Number]

15 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

If walking street is going to be a family destination they need to make the ping-pong shows family friendly too...

.? Smaller tables and Bats for the kids.

[ChipButty]

14 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

If walking street is going to be a family destination they need to make the ping-pong shows family friendly too...

So tourist can participate?

[ChipButty]

Should make a proper tourist attraction just like Amsterdam with the windows 

[Oldie]

24 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Its very expensive BECAUSE of the nightlife.....Take away the nightlife and there will not be much left....

This is just another red light district. Really nothing special. Many Chinese walk there. But they come from the Bali Hai pier and need to get to their busses or from the busses to one of the boat restaurants using the pier. I don't have the feeling that they walk there because of the nightlife. Some perhaps but not all of them. 

 

[uncleP]

Walking street is not my cup of tea but there can be little doubt that it's what brings the tourists. There are plenty of nicer beaches around with no tourists thus no infrastructure.

[Grumpy one]

What must these people be partaking in ( drug wise )  

To include the words World class resort and Pattaya

I can just see families enjoying the sights and smells of this cess pit

[Oldie]

3 minutes ago, uncleP said:

Walking street is not my cup of tea but there can be little doubt that it's what brings the tourists. There are plenty of nicer beaches around with no tourists thus no infrastructure.

Correct. If you ask tourists why they come to Thailand their first answer will be to the see the Walking Street...

[connda]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

Gone is the grotty road, broken pavements and out of date frontages - now there is an easy to navigate walking area fit for families.

..wearing N95 masks and maintaining proper social distancing. 

However, gone too are the tourists.  Welcome the New Normal: Thai Tourism without tourists. 

[bkk6060]

It is some of the most valuable real estate in the country that is not utilized properly.

I really really like the idea.

Get the bulldozers running tomorrow.

But, should happen around the same time the monorail is completed.

[Henryford]

4 minutes ago, Oldie said:

Correct. If you ask tourists why they come to Thailand their first answer will be to the see the Walking Street...

Exactly, would they walk down the street in droves if it was just another plastic Mall.

[Guderian]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He stressed that any makeover must ensure that the "special smell and flavor" of Walking Street must be maintained.

And what would that be, fish?

[bkk6060]

2 minutes ago, Henryford said:

Exactly, would they walk down the street in droves if it was just another plastic Mall.

Why not?

They walk the malls in the city all day.

[fruitman]

Well here's some pictures of examples...mind you these are cheaper, closer to home and much better than anything in asia so far.

 

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=promenade+italy&iax=images&ia=images

[Silent Number]

9 minutes ago, Oldie said:

Correct. If you ask tourists why they come to Thailand their first answer will be to the see the Walking Street...

I spent 2 days in Pattaya a few years back I must add that was 1 1/2 days too long. The only thing I found interesting at all was Walking Street at night.

 

[19DL86]

55 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

If walking street is going to be a family destination they need to make the ping-pong shows family friendly too...

Firing out paint balls instead perhaps?

A Habor Mall style Soft play area where punters can go short-time, whilst their kids play.  

Who knows the endless options for the very keen willing and penniless girls soon!

[bolt]

we have plenty of malls, at the north end, and the Middle, so why not put one South of the city, plus its right next to bus park Bali High, so its a win win, Walking Street is dead, but they need something to draw in the tourists ????

[ezzra]

I once saw an Real estate sign on a dilapidated house for sale " Renovate or detonate" and in Pattaya it looks like when things are in doubt, Renovate...

[Justgrazing]

Piffle .. There's no way they'd ever get a smooth road surface with people following designated painted lanes like that pic' .. 

The place is dirty and dodgy and that's part of its attraction .. start sanitising it and it'll lose that attraction ..