Clampdown on Parking: Pattaya Enforces Strict Odd-Even Rule

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Facebook

 

Pattaya officials are stepping up their efforts to curb traffic congestion and reclaim pedestrian walkways by strictly enforcing the odd-even parking rule on South Pattaya Road. From 3rd February onwards, parking on this busy 850-metre stretch—spanning from Pattaya Third Road's Communications Intersection to the Wat Chaimongkol Intersection—is restricted on alternating odd and even dates, between 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

 

To ensure compliance with these regulations, the city has stationed 12 officers per shift to oversee this bustling area. Drivers caught flouting the rules will face immediate consequences, including fines and wheel clamping.

 

Despite these rules, some tourists and locals seem unaware of the system, primarily due to insufficient English signage. A foreign visitor expressed frustration, remarking, "I don't see English signs!" The lack of clearly visible or multilingual signs has led to misunderstandings, with many drivers parking illegally, unaware of the regulations.

Authorities have been employing wheel clamps and issuing fines in their efforts to deter unauthorised parking. The fines are set to help encourage a more structured order on the roads and lessen congestion. Offenders must remember that getting your car unclamped can be a costly affair, with fines reaching up to 2,000 Thai Baht.

 

To tackle this issue, authorities are advising visitors and residents to consider alternative parking solutions. Options include public car parks, designated beachside zones, and park-and-ride services, which are all initiatives aimed at easing the traffic woes while helping preserve the walkways for pedestrian use.

 

City officials stress the importance of abiding by local traffic laws and parking regulations, not only to avoid penalties but more importantly, to contribute to the collective well-being of the community. They urge both residents and tourists to cooperate by parking responsibly and adhering to the odd-even rule.

 

For those sceptical of the system’s efficacy, it’s worth noting that organised parking not only prevents gridlocks but also makes for a safer and more pleasant experience on Pattaya’s roads.

 

The city hopes that through collective obedience and understanding, it can pave the way toward a smoother, more efficient flow of traffic, benefitting all road users and maintaining easy access for pedestrians, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

-- 2025-02-24

 

 

[JoePai]

remarking, "I don't see English signs!" 

 

555 what a muppet

[pattjock]

The police should also enforce the white-yellow/white-red curbs no parking and no stopping areas in the rest of the city.

[edwardflory]

I would think, because of the international status / nature of Pattaya, signage ( words ) should be in at least 3 languages.  Thai, English, Chinese - at least on Beach Road - time numbers are almost universally understood.  Add a no parking graphic between the wording and the numbers.

[spidermike007]

I certainly don't see anything wrong with this it sounds like the RTP are actually doing their jobs. 

 

Reading signposts on a street when you're parking is just part of thriving and surviving in contemporary society, those that don't do it are subject to penalties. I like the tire boot a lot more than the fine because it results in a lot more hassle for the ignorant person who did the parking. 

[bkk6060]

4 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

I would think, because of the international status / nature of Pattaya, signage ( words ) should be in at least 3 languages.  Thai, English, Chinese - at least on Beach Road - time numbers are almost universally understood.  Add a no parking graphic between the wording and the numbers.

No money in that.

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I certainly don't see anything wrong with this it sounds like the RTP are actually doing their jobs. 

 

Reading signposts on a street when you're parking is just part of thriving and surviving in contemporary society, those that don't do it are subject to penalties. I like the tire boot a lot more than the fine because it results in a lot more hassle for the ignorant person who did the parking. 

 

I agree....  

 

But none of this will matter when in two weeks all of this is forgotten and the Police go back to their AC booths and office.....   after all, this is hard work !!!...

...  Then everyone will go back to the usually state of ingnoring all rules and doing what they want and the BiB thinking they've tried hard enough already... 

 

None of these initiatives every work without consistent all year round enforcement....  rather than these 'weeklong' crackdowns... 

[CallumWK]

I noticed in the past few weeks they also added a lot more red/white curbs, thereby limiting available parking spaces even more. Add to that the parking spaces occupied by rental bikes and cars, and it is very difficult to find a parking space.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

authorities are advising visitors and residents to consider alternative parking solutions. Options include public car parks

 

Maybe build them first?

[Nickcage49]

Another great article.

 

Something is missing, what is the "odd even rule"???

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Another great article.

 

Something is missing, what is the "odd even rule"???

 

Look the the signs....  ah.. .erm...   yeah.. valid point !!... 

 

Years ago, it took me a while to work it it out too, and its only in certain area's and not in others.

 

The 'Odd - Even Rule' is that on Odd days of the Month (1st, 3rd, 5th etc) cars can park on one side of the road..... And on Even days of the Month (2nd, 4th, 6th etc) cars can park on the other side of the road....

....  I believe this was to do with some form of past conflicts which existed with Vehicle blocking the visibility of peoples shop fronts etc...  and the road was too narrow for parking on both sides.... 

 

Its one of those Thai things... clear as mud, but locals seem to get it... 

 

To this day, when I'm in an area that 'may' have such parking, I still look out for signs and still can't easily work out which side I park...   I usually rely on a local who will quite assertively shout at me...

"no no, you, you, no, no, go, you go, go......... "       (and its usually this sort of 'ill mannered' comment because the area is in a location where parking is hotly contested in area's of high tourist footfall and the locals have become tainted to towards foreigners).... 

 

Meanwhile in other area's of lesser tourist footfall, someone may come up to me and softly explain in Thai... "sorry, today you cannot park here, park on the other side"...  and there will be smiles all round....  

 

Location location !!! 

 

 

 

 

[lordgrinz]

46 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I certainly don't see anything wrong with this it sounds like the RTP are actually doing their jobs. 

 

Reading signposts on a street when you're parking is just part of thriving and surviving in contemporary society, those that don't do it are subject to penalties. I like the tire boot a lot more than the fine because it results in a lot more hassle for the ignorant person who did the parking. 

 

They really need to go the towing route, get the cars off the street immediately. Also, like in other countries, if the car isn't registered or insured, it doesn't get released until it is, along with any unpaid tickets associated with that vehicle owner. 

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Look the the signs....  ah.. .erm...   yeah.. valid point !!... 

 

Years ago, it took me a while to work it it out too, and its only in certain area's and not in others.

 

The 'Odd - Even Rule' is that on Odd days of the Month (1st, 3rd, 5th etc) cars can park on one side of the road..... And on Even days of the Month (2nd, 4th, 6th etc) cars can park on the other side of the road....

....  I believe this was to do with some form of past conflicts which existed with Vehicle blocking the visibility of peoples shop fronts etc...  and the road was too narrow for parking on both sides.... 

 

Its one of those Thai things... clear as mud, but locals seem to get it... 

 

To this day, when I'm in an area that 'may' have such parking, I still look out for signs and still can't easily work out which side I park...   I usually rely on a local who will quite assertively shout at me...

"no no, you, you, no, no, go, you go, go......... "       (and its usually this sort of 'ill mannered' comment because the area is in a location where parking is hotly contested in area's of high tourist footfall and the locals have become tainted to towards foreigners).... 

 

Meanwhile in other area's of lesser tourist footfall, someone may come up to me and softly explain in Thai... "sorry, today you cannot park here, park on the other side"...  and there will be smiles all round....  

 

Location location !!! 

 

We have the same type of rules in the USA when it's snowing, as they need to clear the snow from the streets.  Believe me, people figure it out quite quickly, or get towed.

[richard_smith237]

8 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

They really need to go the towing route, get the cars off the street immediately. Also, like in other countries, if the car isn't registered or insured, it doesn't get released until it is, along with any unpaid tickets associated with that vehicle owner. 

 

Effort - thats the problem... 

 

The laws and regulations here are all perfectly decent and match many of those in our home countries... 

... the simple difference is the absense of consistent and firm enforcement, which effectively enables complete disregard amongst the general public for any respect of the laws. 

 

 

[treetops]

Plenty of these signs on South Road.  Two languages and a widely recognised symbol for no parking.

 

[newnative]

They need year-round dedicated parking enforcement crews working all over the city, not just one road.   Fines collected will pay the salaries, plus incentive bonuses after expenses are met.  

[champers]

Where is the park and ride facility?

[AhFarangJa]

1 hour ago, champers said:

Where is the park and ride facility?

According to Google there isn't one......

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Effort - thats the problem... 

 

The laws and regulations here are all perfectly decent and match many of those in our home countries... 

... the simple difference is the absense of consistent and firm enforcement, which effectively enables complete disregard amongst the general public for any respect of the laws. 

 

 

 

Preaching to choir my friend, preaching to the choir 😉

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, champers said:

Where is the park and ride facility?

 

Your local friendly TukTuks for 300 baht or Song Thaews, which will move off in the heat when they are full and ready to go... 

[Dionigi]

4 hours ago, edwardflory said:

I would think, because of the international status / nature of Pattaya, signage ( words ) should be in at least 3 languages.  Thai, English, Chinese - at least on Beach Road - time numbers are almost universally understood.  Add a no parking graphic between the wording and the numbers.

The signs between Tukcom  and Friendship are in Thai and English

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

We have the same type of rules in the USA when it's snowing, as they need to clear the snow from the streets.  Believe me, people figure it out quite quickly, or get towed.

I don't expect there are many of those very capable lifting and towing vehicles here in Pattaya... putting a clamp on the wheel is about the limit of their abilities. 

[mikebell]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

the city has stationed 12 officers per shift to oversee this bustling area

I didn't know the city had 12 officers.  Where have they been the last 20 years?

[henryford1958]

19 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I noticed in the past few weeks they also added a lot more red/white curbs, thereby limiting available parking spaces even more. Add to that the parking spaces occupied by rental bikes and cars, and it is very difficult to find a parking space.

 

 

Maybe build them first?

 

Those red/white curbs are a joke. Thais just park on them, and the pavement, and the Police do nothing.

 

On Pattaya Tai they should just make no parking on one side permanently and paint double yellow lines. No need for any signs.

[roger101]

The signage is perfectly adequate. The problem will be in a few weeks when they stop enforcing it. Like they did with the bylaw that stated no rental bikes on Beach Road at the weekend. Drive down Beach Road now at the weekend and see the hundreds of rental bikes taking up all the parking places. At Beach Road between 13/3 and13/4 I've even seen the servicing the bikes on the road.