Pattaya Plans Red Line Monorail to Boost Urban Mobility

[webfact]

Artist impression. Picture courtesy: Future South East Asia

 

Pattaya City is set to enhance its public transport infrastructure with the introduction of a new monorail system known as the Red Line.

 

Recent feasibility studies have identified the monorail as a boost to the city’s transport efficiency and economic growth. Stretching 17.37 kilometers, the proposed Red Line will feature ten stations along a route that traverses key areas of the coastal city.

 

The route will commence at Thappraya Intersection, progressing through major thoroughfares including Thap Phraya Road and Jomtien Second Road, and will extend to the Eastern National Sports Training Center. This alignment was detailed during the second public hearing on the project, which drew considerable interest from local business owners and residents.

 

The choice of a monorail system was dictated by its minimal spatial demands on existing roadways, making it a suitable option given Pattaya’s dense urban layout and its prominence as a tourist destination. Despite these benefits, the study noted the higher costs associated with constructing and maintaining a monorail system.

 

To facilitate this development, the study recommends a public-private partnership (PPP) model, a collaborative investment approach between the government and private entities. This strategic move is expected to leverage both public oversight and private efficiency, driving forward Pattaya’s ambitious urban transport project.

 

City officials have expressed optimism about the positive impact of the Red Line, projecting reduced traffic congestion and enhanced connectivity for both locals and tourists. The project is seen as a critical step in modernising Pattaya's public transit system and keeping pace with rapid urbanisation.

 

Public feedback has been generally positive, with many expressing hope that the monorail will alleviate long-standing transport issues in the area. The next phase will involve more detailed planning and negotiation phases with potential private partners, aiming to begin construction by the end of next year.

 

-- 2024-08-01

 

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[Geoffggi]

All I can envisage is even more clutter on the streets of Pattaya ...............LOL😎😎

[2baht]

Oh? Is this the same monorail they've been proposing since 1985 or there abouts but never seems to complete the feasibility studies , damn! The money must go SOMEWHERE???

[thaibeachlovers]

That old rubbish again.

 A for every time it's been trotted out.

 

Must be time for a few more brown envelopes.

[thaibeachlovers]

  On 8/1/2024 at 12:26 AM, webfact said:

To facilitate this development, the study recommends a public-private partnership (PPP) model, a collaborative investment approach between the government and private entities.

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Has to be the best way to get more of those brown envelopes- the government is going to have loads more loot from making farangs pay tax, so lots to share with their buddies.

[Henryford]

Can you imagine the chaos it would cause if they ever started to build it. The whole of Pattaya would grind to a halt.

[LennyW]

Since most of the jams are due to current roadworks, influx of Bangkokians at weekends and holiday weekends, this would do little, if anything, to improve the situation. 

Start at ground level, enforce parking regulations, remove half the Baht buses, and control tour busses, there you go - fixed it for you!!

[rocketboy2]

A nice little earner, if they can get it off the ground.

Bumper brown envelopes for years to come.

Win, Win.

[2baht]

  On 8/1/2024 at 1:31 AM, LennyW said:

Since most of the jams are due to current roadworks, influx of Bangkokians at weekends and holiday weekends, this would do little, if anything, to improve the situation. 

Start at ground level, enforce parking regulations, remove half the Baht buses, and control tour busses, there you go - fixed it for you!!

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Finally, the definitive solution, they should give it a whirl, I'm sure they'd have it mastered in no time!  I'm proposing you for a pay rise, Len!

[Upnotover]

  On 8/1/2024 at 1:27 AM, Henryford said:

Can you imagine the chaos it would cause if they ever started to build it. The whole of Pattaya would grind to a halt.

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Not for this bit of the plan, it's not in downtown Pattaya, but might cause distress to those further South.

 

[Gottfrid]

  On 8/1/2024 at 1:31 AM, LennyW said:

Since most of the jams are due to current roadworks, influx of Bangkokians at weekends and holiday weekends, this would do little, if anything, to improve the situation. 

Start at ground level, enforce parking regulations, remove half the Baht buses, and control tour busses, there you go - fixed it for you!!

Expand  

Yeah, but it would surely kill off some of the motorbike riders, tuk tuk´s and songthaews.

[Gsxrnz]

That 90 degree turn might pose some issues.

[patman30]

they have been "planning" this for 20 years now

[Peterw42]

Pattaya should have one, after all Shelbyville has one

[mikebell]

  On 8/1/2024 at 12:26 AM, webfact said:

Recent feasibility studies

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They spend millions on these studies every few years and nothing happens except those who are connected get richer.  The scheme is a non-starter as the police and their partners the taxi-drivers will not allow it.

[Georgealbert]

Some images of the proposed routes and the main layout plan used at the presentation of the feasibility studies, with my translation.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 8/1/2024 at 12:26 AM, webfact said:

Recent feasibility studies have identified the monorail as a boost to the city’s transport efficiency and economic growth.

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I would love to see that study... 

[scubascuba3]

One thing for sure, will be more expensive than the baht bus

[nakhonandy]

  On 8/1/2024 at 1:31 AM, LennyW said:

Since most of the jams are due to current roadworks, influx of Bangkokians at weekends and holiday weekends, this would do little, if anything, to improve the situation. 

Start at ground level, enforce parking regulations, remove half the Baht buses, and control tour busses, there you go - fixed it for you!!

Expand  

I'm sure they could reduce the baht buses but halve is a bit extreme, these work fairly well IMHO.

Controlling the tour buses is an essential. 

[Jumbo1968]

Will there be access for the elderly and the disabled at every station ?

[VBF]

  On 8/1/2024 at 1:31 AM, LennyW said:

Since most of the jams are due to current roadworks, influx of Bangkokians at weekends and holiday weekends, this would do little, if anything, to improve the situation. 

Start at ground level, enforce parking regulations, remove half the Baht buses, and control tour busses, there you go - fixed it for you!!

Expand  

Or perhaps prohibit private cars and certainly tour buses entering central Pattaya, and encourage use of Baht buses?

[newnative]

Looks absolutely horrible from the photo--a sea of ugly pillars.  Please don't build it.

[hotchilli]

  On 8/1/2024 at 12:26 AM, webfact said:

Pattaya City is set to enhance its public transport infrastructure with the introduction of a new monorail system known as the Red Line.

Expand  

Just give it up, sort out the roads and get some real transportation routes moving.

[hotchilli]

  On 8/1/2024 at 7:28 AM, VBF said:

Or perhaps prohibit private cars and certainly tour buses entering central Pattaya, and encourage use of Baht buses?

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Too sensible to work out a park it and ride system

[huangnon]

  On 8/1/2024 at 7:38 AM, newnative said:

Looks absolutely horrible from the photo--a sea of ugly pillars.  Please don't build it.

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Reminiscent of the abandoned "Hopewell" project in Bangkok. Thailand's own Stonehenge *titter*.

[PETERTHEEATER]

They already have a Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.😋

[KannikaP]

So the Green Line will be Pattaya beach road, and the Red Line Jomtien beach road. Sounds good. Will they fix the flooding and sand erosion at the same time?

[Tony M]

It's a good thing they just finished the road works on Jomtien 2nd Road (well, almost).  That could have been real messy.

[DGS1244]

Monorails are a total waste of money, they fail and breakdown frequently in nearly every country that has  installed them. The only one that really works is in Japan.

[jacko45k]

  On 8/1/2024 at 12:51 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

That old rubbish again.

 A for every time it's been trotted out.

 

Must be time for a few more brown envelopes.

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The TNT report I saw yesterday gave me an impression of work will be starting soon..... should be great for traffic.