Pattaya Residents Protest Motorcycle Rentals Taking Over Parking Spaces

[webfact]

 

Pattaya residents are expressing frustration over motorcycle rental businesses dominating public parking spaces along Beach Road, causing significant inconvenience for both locals and tourists.

 

On June 15th, 2024, affected residents reported to local media that numerous motorcycles rented out by these businesses are parked en masse on Beach Road, making it challenging for tourists to find available parking. They pointed out that some bikes are even parked illegally, obstructing traffic flow and making it difficult for cars to navigate side streets.

 

Pol. Lt. Col. Panupong Nimsuwan, Pattaya Traffic Police Chief, stated that the police currently lack the authority to issue fines to these businesses since the motorcycles are technically parked in public spaces. Enforcement is only possible when motorcycles are parked in prohibited zones marked by white and red lines, according to Pol. Lt. Col. Panupong.

 

Despite these limitations, Pattaya police regularly patrol the area and issue fines to violators. However, the police chief noted that the broader issue persists due to the Land Traffic Act of 2019, which places the responsibility for regulating parking on public roads on local governments.

 

In a positive development, Pattaya authorities are working on new regulations specifically targeting motorcycle rental businesses. Once these regulations are in place, operators who violate them will face fines and penalties similar to those enforced under existing traffic laws, according to Pol. Lt. Col. Panupong.

 

Meanwhile, Pattaya police will continue to deploy officers to help alleviate parking congestion for tourists. However, one motorcycle rental business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media that ample parking is available in nearby shopping malls.

 

The owner also mentioned that the presence of numerous rental motorcycles on Beach Road is due to it being the low season, which has resulted in fewer customers.

 

This ongoing issue highlights the need for clearer regulations to balance business interests and public convenience, ensuring a harmonious environment for both residents and visitors.

 

Picture courtesy: Matichon

 

-- 2024-06-17

 

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[jacko45k]

Funny, didn't seem to bother anyone for the last 20 years....

Low season, more of them not in use.. 

[Geoffggi]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The owner also mentioned that the presence of numerous rental motorcycles on Beach Road is due to it being the low season, which has resulted in fewer customers.

How come car rental companies don't crowd the streets with all their cars ??? ..............LOL

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

How come car rental companies don't crowd the streets with all their cars ??? ..............LOL

You see the odd ones, frequently a large jeep for example with a 'For Rent' sign. 

[2baht]

2 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

How come car rental companies don't crowd the streets with all their cars ??? ..............LOL

The bikes have taken all the parking spaces! 

[thailand49]

The explanation are full of holes, they cant do anything because it is public but patrol and hand out fines?

Hows that?  Why patrol if you cant do a damn thing.

It is all a show and lies, they can because bidg donation os made to Soi 9

[Paul Henry]

Not only the parking areas try and get onto a pedestrian crossing on second road all accsess blocked by motor bikes.

City council and police don't care. A sign that these two identities employ a lot of people but non of them work.

Wonder why they are losing tourists.?

[Gsxrnz]

Applying statistical logic, they should park the scooters on the pavement (sidewalk, footpath). This would cause much less inconvenience as nobody uses the pavement, especially the Indians.

 

For the same reasons, trains should be made to stop at road crossings, not cars.

[ignore it]

Yeah,

It's just something of a motor bike renting company tradition.

[brianthainess]

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

The bikes have taken all the parking spaces! 

That reminds me of an Australian joke;

Is it safe to swim here mate ? 

Yer there are no Crocs.

Oh good.

Yer mate the sharks ate them all. ..................................................

[brianthainess]

They do the same on Koh Chang, and some even on the footpaths. 

[Darksidedude]

been like that for decades, but would be good to see them go

[hunkidori]

I always got the feeling that some of those motorbike rental places were run by the police or people very close to them and so did what they liked.

It would never be a good idea to try and park too near them or in one of the spaces they believed to be theirs 

[Peabody]

This rental parking has been deemed illegal in numerous posts over the last 25 years. Now it's OK and nothing can be done.

 

Numpties.

[roger101]

If my memory serves me right they did pass a bye-law some years ago banning rental bikes on Beach Road at the weekend.

[mikebell]

On 6/17/2024 at 3:49 AM, webfact said:

the police currently lack the authority to issue fines to these businesses

 

On 6/17/2024 at 3:49 AM, webfact said:

Despite these limitations, Pattaya police regularly patrol the area and issue fines to violators.

So they choose which companies to hit; avoiding the police-run firms and thus targeting the competition.

[Joebuzzz]

I live in a condo building, very close to a bus station, and our parking lot has turned into a storage lot due to no parking enforcement. It really sucks.

[Tony M]

The simple solution would, possibly, be to stop all parking on Beach Road ?  

 

Or even put parking meters along that side of Beach Road.  Make the rental businesses pay to use the public parking spaces.

[actonion]

For the last 22years that I know of  frustrated residents have been complaining  and the Motorbike rentals  have been parking along Beach Rd,  nothing gets done of course due to the Brown Envelopes that keep  the Authorities quiet...I wonder when the Parking Meter idea  on Beach Rd thing will rear its head once again...

[connda]

On 6/17/2024 at 3:49 AM, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Pattaya police will continue to deploy officers to help alleviate parking congestion for tourists. However, one motorcycle rental business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media that ample parking is available in nearby shopping malls.

Well, go park your motorcycles in shopping malls.

[jacko45k]

22 hours ago, Tony M said:

The simple solution would, possibly, be to stop all parking on Beach Road ?  

 

Or even put parking meters along that side of Beach Road.  Make the rental businesses pay to use the public parking spaces.

For some reason, every time a few beach chair vendors complain, they rescind restrictions. 

[Henryford]

That's why virtually no one goes to Pattaya beach. There are very few parking spots and thais won't walk more than 10 yards.