Report Pattaya Officials Crack Down on Sidewalk Encroachments

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Pattaya is taking strides to clear its sidewalks and public spaces, launching a campaign under the motto "Done, Doing, and Continuing—for Pattaya." On April 29, municipal officers conducted a sweep in Jomtien, targeting illegal signage and unauthorised structures encroaching onto pavements.

 

During the inspection, officials discovered that some businesses had extended their operations beyond legal boundaries. They found signs, sunshades, and other fixtures unlawfully occupying public areas. Business owners were given strict warnings to remove these encroachments immediately or face penalties.

 

"The aim is not to punish but to ensure order and accessibility in shared spaces," an official clarified. "We want to collaborate with the community to uphold the rules."

 

This initiative has sparked significant online conversation, with locals expressing support and urging for extended enforcement in Pattaya's congested areas. Residents have highlighted various problem spots, calling for attention on streets cluttered with unauthorised parking and overhanging structures.

 

 

 

Social media users are voicing specific concerns, pointing out areas like Soi Pothisarn 1/1 and Soi Buakhao where public roads have become obstructed by illegally parked cars and extended sunshades. Moreover, campaign posters are flagged as visibility hazards at intersections.

 

The sarcasm isn't lost on some users, with tongue-in-cheek remarks capturing the ongoing struggle with noncompliance: "I told you, it’s in front of my shop—I’ll do whatever I want!"

 

City officials assert that this is just the outset of a larger campaign. More neighbourhoods will be assessed in the coming weeks as part of Pattaya's commitment to improving urban order and ensuring accessibility across the city.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-30

 

 

[jas007]

Is LK Metro public or private?

 

I remember back when I first stayed in that neighborhood almost 20 years ago.  Businesses started to expand their operations into the street and there was some discussion about whether that was legal and should be allowed.

 

Fast forward to 2025 and that seems to be totally OK.  Not only do you have your business, you have a big portion of the street, as well. 

[jippytum]

I wish they woulf chrck Wongamat  beach.  The walkdays have been complely taken over by restaurants illegal  encroachment. 

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Business owners were given strict warnings to remove these encroachments immediately or face penalties.

Move it son or your nicked...

[Watawattana]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Social media users are voicing specific concerns, pointing out areas like Soi Pothisarn 1/1 and Soi Buakhao where public roads have become obstructed by illegally parked cars and extended sunshades. Moreover, campaign posters are flagged as visibility hazards at intersections.

 

The sarcasm isn't lost on some users, with tongue-in-cheek remarks capturing the ongoing struggle with noncompliance: "I told you, it’s in front of my shop—I’ll do whatever I want!"

Does this also mean that the women on Soi 6 will be required to stand off of the street to avoid causing an obstruction?

[roger101]

What about the bikes for rent on Beach Road?  Pattaya passed a new Bylaw some years ago banning the rental bikes on Beach Road at the weekend. At some parts of Beach Road they take up all the available parking places on the east side of the street. The police do nothing, but the traffic police in Pattaya don't even do anything about moving traffic offences.

[MadAtMatrix]

Gotta love this sign that was built out and around the power pole on the sidewalk. Highly doubt anything will be done about it. 

[digger70]

Pattaya Officials Crack Down on Sidewalk Encroachments.

 

Would be nice if officials are going to do this All the time .

What about the rest of the country there are Millions of shops operating on the footpath and some on the streets as well.

[jcmj]

Now they need to work on getting the motorbikes off of the sidewalks especially in Jomtien Beach 2nd road. I almost got run over by 2 last night while walking to my care after dinner. They are crazy and just lazy. Anyway keep up with what you’re doing and maybe get a few more out of the office to patrol the sidewalks. Not very difficult to do. Fine them 5,000 baht and maybe we’ll see the numbers lowering. 

[michaellee]

How about removing the motorcycle rental company that occupy all the public parking spade as their own as well as the win motorcycle guys. 

[fulhamster]

 

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

Does this also mean that the women on Soi 6 will be required to stand off of the street to avoid causing an obstruction?

Some punters go there hoping to be obstructed

[newnative]

Hope their slogan doesn't turn into "Not done, not doing, not continuing" but I suspect that will be the case.

[dlclark97]

Come to Ban Chang where they have installed water dams across the walkway to keep water from their shop.  Can't begin to count the number that have tripped on this with several having fallen and being  injured.

[newbee2022]

They remove one...

and next day there are 2 new ones😁

[Seppius]

They have been carting motorbikes away by the dozen that are parked on red and white marking curbs

[AlaskaDave]

This too will pass.

 

Thank the gods that I'm not trying to negotiate the streets in Chiang Mai in a wheelchair. Using the sidewalks for purposes other than as a thoroughfare is an epidemic in LOS. They installed new sidewalk paving near the popular tourist spot Wiang Kum Kam a few years ago. Nice to look at but impossible to use even by a fully mobile person. And notice the power poles. Smack dab in the middle of the "walkway."

Cops ticket people for riding a motorcycle without a helmet but many cops don't wear one either, and they do zero traffic control besides. We have sidewalks that are blocked by signs, utility poles, vendors' carts, etc. All part of the reality of living in Thailand.

Traffic laws are ignored by all. Remember the new seat belt law? This sidewalk measure will fail too.

[jacko45k]

15 hours ago, Watawattana said:

Does this also mean that the women on Soi 6 will be required to stand off of the street to avoid causing an obstruction?

Only the well endowed ones. 

[Andycoops]

The status quo will be quickly restored once the officials have left, as is normal 

[jas007]

19 hours ago, jippytum said:

I wish they woulf chrck Wongamat  beach.  The walkdays have been complely taken over by restaurants illegal  encroachment. 

Just out of curiosity, what restaurants and in which part of Wongamat beach?

[jippytum]

59 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Just out of curiosity, what restaurants and in which part of Wongamat beach?

Two large restaurants central ajacent with car park have taken over the walkway with tables and chairs

[jas007]

14 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Two large restaurants central ajacent with car park have taken over the walkway with tables and chairs

I'm sorry. I guess I just don't know where that is.   I'm at Wongamat beach and I don't see anything like that.  

[Guderian]

On 4/30/2025 at 5:55 PM, snoop1130 said:

Done, Doing, and Continuing—for Pattaya

 

Does that even make any sense in Thai???

[superal]

Many shop owners also claim the road outside of their shops by placing sack trucks etc 1 meter out from the kerb to stop parking . Clearing the sidewalks should be a nationwide law and whilst they are at it , repair or replace sidewalks and make them safe to use . Also the power cable posts that are often in the middle of walkways should be moved  

[Sydebolle]

Announce that as of Monday, 12 May 2025 anything standing around on public pavements will be removed and destroyed.

Trust me, works wonders; they managed on Nakluea road and maybe it is time to boot the backsides of the officials in charge of "cracking down".

There might be a conflict of interest though as the same crackers in charge of ensuring that everybody adheres to the laws and rules ...... went/go around for some contributions to unknown destinations. 

Quite simple, all those laws and regulations serve the sole purpose of lining pockets of those in charge of enforcement. Never came across another nation where literally any instruction is carefully read for the (always existing) possibility to bend it .... or ignore it completely. When caught with the fingers in the cookie jar, a "sorry, I did not know" followed by a little tip usually fixes (almost) all problems. The higher up the culprit or the mistake; the better the tipping gets 😉 

[Gsxrnz]

Just had an uh-huh! moment. Maybe explains why tourists from the Indian sub-continent walk on the road. 

[actonion]

Like the  local Vet  in East Pattata who threatens to scratch your Car if u park outside his shop, by moving the plastic chairs he puts there

[actonion]

Old Telephone boxes, Electrical boxes,  Electric poles, Fire hydrants, Direction Signage,  etc etc   all blocking Public footpaths, why they dont take care their own problem  before compaining about the public,  or is it a case of dont do as i do,.............. do as i say