"Forgotten Landmark" - "Dancing Fountain" Project Collapses in Pattaya

[webfact]

 

The ambitious project of creating a new landmark in the heart of Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya, called the "Dancing Fountain," has been abandoned after only a few years of operation. Recently, a fresh coat of paint was applied to cover the deteriorating area, where tourists often encountered accidents. The community questions whether the investment budget was thoroughly evaluated.

 

Photo: Siam Rath

 

Initiated by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the policy aimed to organize the tourist pier in South Pattaya, Chonburi province, to enhance the city's tourism image and reclaim public space for maximum benefits. Additionally, it was meant to improve the landscape to accommodate various international maritime activities. In November 2560, the Pattaya City Administration approved a budget of over 95 million baht for renovating and expanding the new pier, reported Siam Rath.

 

Photo: Siam Rath

 

Furthermore, there were landscape improvement projects covering an area of over 10 rai, with a budget of more than 81 million baht. Among these projects was the "Dancing Fountain," designed to create a vibrant and new tourist landmark in Pattaya. The project boasted a dancing water feature accompanied by synchronized light and music, powered by a hydro-liquid water pump system with a 50-60 cubic meter reservoir and LED lighting.

 

Photo: Siam Rath

 

However, soon after its construction, continuous deterioration occurred due to a lack of knowledgeable and skilled personnel to maintain and repair the complex system. Thus, it became necessary to coordinate with professional contractors for repairs. Ultimately, after the warranty period expired, Pattaya City failed to fully utilize the project. It was only operational for the first 1-2 years before being left abandoned, ultimately destroying the dream of creating a luxurious new landmark in Pattaya.

 

Sadly, this project has been forgotten by the public.

 

To this day, the newly renovated Bali Hai Pier has become a spacious recreational area for the public, allowing parking and leisure activities. Recently, city officials ordered the area to be painted with different colors than the rest of the pier to create a distinct separation.

 

Photo: Siam Rath

 

It was found that in the past, many tourists stumbled or fell due to the elevated platform of the dancing fountain area, which was about 10 cm higher than the pier. This led to the "Dancing Fountain" project being forgotten, including the substantial investment of hundreds of millions of baht.

 

Photo: Siam Rath

 

This project became another example of short-term utilization without proper maintenance. Eventually, it was left abandoned and deteriorated over time, prompting the majority of people in society to question whether it is time to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these investments.

 

#news

Top Photo: Siam Rath

 

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[jacko45k]

Wasting money on hare-brained projects..... and  no doubt some pockets get well lined in the process. 

Edited July 4, 2023 by jacko45k

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The community questions whether the investment budget was thoroughly evaluated.

It was, by those who commissioned the project in the 1st place!

[Skipalongcassidy]

"However, soon after its construction, continuous deterioration occurred due to a lack of knowledgeable and skilled personnel to maintain and repair the complex system."

 

Long range planning not a strong suit here... 

[Mr Meeseeks]

A stupid idea that was designed to profit a few people through graft.

 

Usual standards of Thai planning, management and maintenance applied thereafter.

[KhunBENQ]

Better invest in a ton of dynamite to blow up the ruin that ruins the view.

[hellohello123]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Wasting money on hare-brained projects..... and  no doubt some pockets get well lined in the process. 

Who would have thought a led-water fountain required the services of a plumber and electrician!

 

I wonder if they would hire me to build a submarine

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, hellohello123 said:

Who would have thought a led-water fountain required the services of a plumber and electrician!

 

I wonder if they would hire me to build a submarine

The one that was in The Royal Garden was there for some time and kept working.... much enjoyed by many kids. 

[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

question whether it is time to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these investments.

The junta NCPO government led by Prayut used its absolute power to undertake projects that it thought would gain it political support without regard to cost or efficiency. Hopefully under the Pita democratic regime that will change. 

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The community questions whether the investment budget was thoroughly evaluated.

Thoroughly spent I'm sure of that.

[PETERTHEEATER]

1 hour ago, hellohello123 said:

Who would have thought a led-water fountain required the services of a plumber and electrician!

 

I wonder if they would hire me to build a submarine

No but, do you do engines?

[champers]

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

The one that was in The Royal Garden was there for some time and kept working.... much enjoyed by many kids. 

Run by Minor Group, a proper company, not City Hall.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

However, soon after its construction, continuous deterioration occurred due to a lack of knowledgeable and skilled personnel to maintain and repair the complex system.

Quote

This project became another example of short-term utilization without proper maintenance. Eventually, it was left abandoned and deteriorated over time,

 

It seems like the same could be said for all kinds of construction / mechanical / infrastructure things here in Thailand. (Lucky the project here didn't involve any "travelators" or escalators!)

 

Not to mention, it's entirely possible that the initial construction was substandard from the get-go because various parties needed to take their personal cuts of the construction budget.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[newnative]

     It's been my experience that it's a rare project, indeed, that can keep a water feature of any kind working for a continuing period in Thailand.  I've lost count of the number of projects I've encountered where there was a water feature at some point but it is no longer working.  Or, part of it is working and part isn't.  Or, the water is still there, usually dirty, but the fountain part isn't working.  Sometimes they've wisely given up the ghost and turned into something else.   

    My Bangkok condo, fairly high-end, had a water fountain set into the pavement, somewhat like Bali Hai, at the center of a circular driveway entrance, to guide traffic around the circle.  I never actually saw it working--before my time.  Unfortunately, at some point years ago someone drove over the fountain and that was that.  For at least 3 years the fountain space has been blocked off with ugly orange traffic cones while the condo committee dithers and dithers and dithers about what to put there.  So far, it seems they have only managed to decide, not another water feature.

[Bangkok Barry]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

However, soon after its construction, continuous deterioration occurred due to a lack of knowledgeable and skilled personnel to maintain and repair the complex system. Thus, it became necessary to coordinate with professional contractors for repairs.

Applies to so many things in Thailand. Except the part about actually using professionals, people who (might) know what they are doing. Thai no need, mista. I have nephew who know everyting.

[RocketDog]

On 7/5/2023 at 4:35 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

It seems like the same could be said for all kinds of construction / mechanical / infrastructure things here in Thailand. (Lucky the project here didn't involve any "travelators" or escalators!)

 

Not to mention, it's entirely possible that the initial construction was substandard from the get-go because various parties needed to take their personal cuts of the construction budget.

 

Ah, but the construction was not sub-standard because of lack of money spent.

It was sub-standard because......

well, nevermind. We all know why.

[billd766]

On 7/5/2023 at 7:58 AM, mikebell said:

It was, by those who commissioned the project in the 1st place!

Send the entire bill to the persons who signed it off with 1 month to pay it in.

 

Block ALL their bank accounts and passports (if any).

 

If they have not paid it within 1 month, arrest them (no bail) and charge them with theft of public funds.

 

10 years in jail minimum.

[Phulublub]

On 7/5/2023 at 1:55 PM, Srikcir said:

The junta NCPO government led by Prayut used its absolute power to undertake projects that it thought would gain it political support without regard to cost or efficiency. Hopefully under the Pita democratic regime that will change. 

Unlike, say, the UK (to use one example of where many on this forum come from)...

 

No graft there at all.  Move along, nothing to see here...

 

PPP contracts for £££ given to "friendly" companies - most with absolutely no knowledge or experience of producing any such.

 

HS2 now due to arrive in Euston in 2040 apparently.....well evaluated?  Well funded?  Good idea? 

 

Maybe if the UK was run by a junta they wouldn 't have such.

 

PH 

[blackshadow]

On 7/5/2023 at 7:58 AM, mikebell said:

It was, by those who commissioned the project in the 1st place!

HOW CAN IT be an investment ????

[steven100]

stick a damn elephant & a monkey in a cage on the site ......  it'll be alot cheaper

[redwood1]

That this fountain was a failer is no surprise....

 

The pressing question is what in the heck is the new paint job all about? Very strange design....With some sort of  monolith in the center.....Similar to 2001 Space Odyssey...

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by redwood1

[redwood1]

So any opinions on this eye sore paint job..

[2baht]

On 7/5/2023 at 4:47 AM, webfact said:

Sadly, this project has been forgotten by the public.

I'm sure someone profited from the disaster! ????