Neo Pattaya: Project to transform resort into state the art metropolis begins - starting with Walking Street

[PatOngo]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Sontaya Khunpluem, who has already set aside some 80 billion baht in public funds

The trough is over flowing, how good is this! 

[Destiny1990]

Polluting vehicles besides us and a polluting monorail above us sounds very wonderful.. What’s wrong with ordinary city trams?

[Jonathan Swift]

2 hours ago, SuwadeeS said:

That is only an idea. A theory.

My point is, before there came millions of tourists each year, generated a sum of money.

Do you believe, the will regenerate the same money with that idea???

 

I don't think so.

 

Common misuse of the word "theory". An idea, speculation, a proposition, a proposal,  is a hypothesis. A theory is an idea and hypothesis that has been consistently tested and proven true. That's why the theories of evolution and relativity are considered well settled except among kooks. And it is the kooks' misuse of the word theory which is often used to support their ludicrous denials. Granted, this only matters to the educated and those who care to speak accurately and well, not always the domain of commenters here. I agree to your point. But it should be said, there are no business models quite like Thailand to rely on, so it's all speculation. Fingers crossed is the best that anyone can do. In this case a new history is being written in real time after an event that has never occurred in modern times here, Covid. To succeed requires visionary thinkers of the highest caliber, and a whole lot of just plain luck, because this will largely be the product of new and untested reimagination of a whole culture. As to the difficulty, looking at western examples, even before Covid, New York City's "Metropolis" has been steeply declining because of the influx of Trump styled real estate magnates swallowing up the culture and neighborhoods there. Nothing could, or can, stop such things. The dilution and extinction of culture by big money is a big risk here as well, and many of us have seen it

[moe666]

2 hours ago, Spellforce said:

It is quite possible that Chinese investors will buy a lot of bankrupt businesses on WS. Everything could then go very quickly.
Let's not forget that covid has had almost no economic impact on China.

You have to remember a bankrupt business doesn't equate to a bankrupt property.

[Regyai]

Life imitates art

 

 

 

[thurien]

1 hour ago, ginjag said:

Will they choose this moment to bulldoze down ALL the illegal businesses built over the beach in Walking Street ???

 

infact  it should read "bulldoze down ALL their illegal businesses..."

[Paul Henry]

For a metropolis to thrive and even exist it will not only require infrastructure but trade and commerce. I see neither in Pattaya as of the moment, take away the tourist and sex industry and the town has little to help it survive. Pattaya needs to have a manufacturing hub and attract big commerce from Bangkok. Relocating for some large organisation would give many benefits and cost saving. Staff would be able to afford better housing at much cheaper prices, breathe cleaner air and not sit for hours in traffic jams. School would also be cheaper and probably more accessible. In other countries governments offer business and workers incentives to decentralise Thailand should consider the same instead of aiming for the moon for no tangible reason. This may also be one way Bangkok can ease the current population and traffic problems it has which will continue to grow unless the Government takes some affirmative action now.

[geisha]

80 billion ? Monorail cost 50 billion ,which will take donkeys years,, 20 billion on drains and sewage which should have been done years ago ! Redoing Walking street before Chinese New Year which is I think the 12th February does this mean scrubbing the streets ? 
No actual redoing of the ugly second road , the dangling wires, the traffic infested polluted seafront. Pavements are dangerous. Let’s face it, Pattaya city center is an ugly shambles. I know you have to start somewhere, but you’d have to bulldoze Pattaya completely to make it attractive.  Baring the Monorail, this work and embellishments should have all been done generally over the past years . 

 

[chang1]

14 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Polluting vehicles besides us and a polluting monorail above us sounds very wonderful.. What’s wrong with ordinary city trams?

I would expect a monorail would be electric. As for trams - 34 km are proposed. 

[mr_lob]

2 hours ago, Spellforce said:

It is quite possible that Chinese investors will buy a lot of bankrupt businesses on WS. Everything could then go very quickly.
Let's not forget that covid has had almost no economic impact on China.

Yup, Chinese monorail connecting with Chinese high speed train...i can see it going the way of Sihanoukville...

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, spiekerjozef said:

Ready in the year 2138.

Sewer system 5 years later.

 

 

Sewer ? Lot of Chinese arriving that don't need a sewer

[BusyB]

"Walking Street is set to become a “modern entertainment area” with walking areas, recreation, shops and restaurants."

 

That's what the rest of the city is ...

 

Walking Street is a specialized enclave within that city.

 

Still, I'm glad I was able to experience Singapore's Bugis Street way back when. And I'm also glad to have experienced Walking Street just at the tail end of its heyday some 15 years or so ago.

 

Impermanence.

[jingjai9]

It is time for a change in Pattaya. If the old entertainment places still have a demand, they will find a place. Hopefully in an area where young children do not have to walk in the middle of adult nightlife. The worst thing they can do is ban the nightlife and make it go underground.  It is interesting here in Thailand how things reinvent themselves.

[chang1]

The new sewers and improving transport are good news and the sooner the better before tourists return. If they want to change from a sex town and drive out farangs, they need to see what the Chinese are attracted to. Then find something that other cities are not doing. Pattaya already had its niche, why risk losing it by becoming yet another boring resort? Years of building at huge cost, I can't see any gains for years to come. Then it would only take a little disagreement, between Thailand and the ccp, for it all to go tits up.

[dallen52]

Here we go again.

 

Yawn...

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

They are aware that Chinese New Year is on the 12th February, so anybody not in Quarantine by next Wednesday isn't going to make the celebrations... 

 

But, if they ever wanted to re-invent Pattaya (especially the beach area & Walking Street) then now is the time to do it... Hopefully it will be ready for CNY 2022

   

Chinese people don't have to quarantine 

[Orton Rd]

3 hours ago, Deli said:

The final nail in the coffin of this once great place. But... won't happen anyhow in this lifetime. Keep on rocking...

The only time it was a great place was when it really was a fishing village. Sex tourist mega attractions with the associated crime, drugs, disease and exploitation are never 'great'.

[dogfish180]

Transform Pattaya?.....they put up a flimsy sign, that will be faded and tatty by this time next year, and never replaced.....true story....the end ????????????

[SePl]

pattaya soon ????

 

 

 

[chang1]

4 minutes ago, jingjai9 said:

It is interesting here in Thailand how things reinvent themselves.

I don't see much in the way of invention just copying what everywhere else is doing. Thailand was outstanding at what it was. Now it is just another Spain living on its past reputation while quickly becoming a Chinese only getaway destination. 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Spellforce said:

It is quite possible that Chinese investors will buy a lot of bankrupt businesses on WS. Everything could then go very quickly.
Let's not forget that covid has had almost no economic impact on China.

Well, that is what they are telling us, anyway. A close friend who lived in China for many years, and maintains close friendships with many Chinese and ex-pats who currently live there, say the impact has been dramatic. Exports and manufacturing are way down. And many are hurting. 

[Call]

Yes, the monorail comes true. Hopefully along the "walking street", that make sense ????

 

[bullseye66]

Is it April 1 already?

[Bangkok Barry]

While they're at it, can they close Beach Road to all traffic except for deliveries, pave it over, make it a pleasant place to walk without constant traffic jams and exhaust fumes. You know, like many other seaside resorts around the world. Second Road is easily wide enough to take two-way traffic.

[chang1]

22 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

The only time it was a great place was when it really was a fishing village. Sex tourist mega attractions with the associated crime, drugs, disease and exploitation are never 'great'.

Personally I preferred Samui but I still totally disagree with you. If I wanted to see a dreary fishing port I can do that here and there is certainly nothing great about them. I first went to Pattaya in 2000 and it most definitely was great and well worth flying 6000 miles to EXPERIENCE in all its glory - good and bad. Went back about 8 years ago with my wife and her friends - all had a good  time. 

If they actually rebuild it as a super modern city (in my lifetime) with lots of high tech. I may want to see it but it is never going to happen. 

[bprinceuk]

3 hours ago, SuwadeeS said:

That is only an idea. A theory.

My point is, before there came millions of tourists each year, generated a sum of money.

Do you believe, the will regenerate the same money with that idea???

 

I don't think so.

 

Singapore did the same with Bugis street, then learnt that they had shot themselves in the foot, realizing how big a tourist attraction it had been. They built a modern version, which turned out to be a big flop to most tourists.

 

old bugis street                                                                                         new version

         

[smudger1951]

The Mayor and councillors seem mesmorized by the graphics of a Tomorrowland Pattaya and the contractors salivate over thecontracts to be won. Meanwhile the people were employed there continue to suffer along with families they supported. 

[Destiny1990]

What can possibly be improved more about the newly renovated Bali Hai pier with its beautiful leisure park and car storage box? 

[VBF]

1 hour ago, amexpat said:

If killing walking street is successful, maybe Las Vegas will eliminate gambling. 

 

 

 

[ed strong]

Pattaya is world famous for being the sex capital of the world, why on earth would they change it, many people visit just to see it not necessarily participate in all the activities however its quite an eye opener for anyone visiting.

Anyone whos walked along the beach road (bar side) are simply horrified by the type of people that hang around those bars. Its seedy as you like but worth a look.

 

Anyway nothings is going to change, Ive been there a couple of times and had some wild wild nights however its ok for a weekend with your mates, couldn't stand the place for much longer