Laem Bali Hai Pier | Photo via Pattaya mail

 

Visitors to Koh Larn from Pattaya can now enjoy a more comfortable wait at Laem Bali Hai Pier, thanks to a newly installed roof over the ferry boarding area. This addition provides much-needed shade and protection from the sun, addressing long-standing complaints regarding the lack of shelter at the pier.

 

The timing of this upgrade is ideal, coinciding with the busy Songkran and summer travel seasons when thousands flock to the island daily. Previously, tourists and locals endured long, hot waits under the scorching sun, leading to repeated frustrations. The new roof effectively alleviates these concerns and is part of a broader initiative by city officials to improve infrastructure and enhance Pattaya's tourist appeal.

 

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising this seemingly small yet significant improvement. It underscores Pattaya's commitment to improving comfort and hospitality for visitors.

 

 

 

In addition to the new roof, Laem Bali Hai Pier has undergone broader changes to streamline operations and improve the tourist experience. On September 19, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet announced new regulations aimed at tackling longstanding issues such as parking disputes and aggressive, overpriced speedboat vendors.

 

The updated system seeks to ensure a fairer, more organised environment by eliminating unauthorised parking directors and establishing a single point for booking speedboat services. This eliminates the need for constant haggling, thus enhancing overall satisfaction.

 

Serving over 10,000 visitors daily, these changes at the pier represent a tangible commitment to addressing historical complaints and improving the overall tourist experience in Pattaya. As the city continues to attract more tourists, such improvements highlight a growing focus on comfort and efficient service.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-21

 

 

The timing of the upgrade may well be ideal. although it did take some many years to put a roof on it. News outlets were not so positive barely a year ago.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/pattayas-bali-hai-pier-project-disaster

I never understood the mentality of building a shade that is the same size as the area to be shaded.

The sun moves. A lot.

To be effective, the shade, roof in this case, needs to extend each side of the pier.

Whilst I laud the effort made to finish the roof, there will not be much shade twice a day.

(It is the same as with the roof over the walkway at Tong Sala on KPN.)