Report Pattaya's Automated Parking Garage Incident Raises Safety Questions

snoop1130 · Thursday at 11:13 AM

Pictures courtesy of The Pattaya News

Visitors and locals alike were left astonished as a large hole emerged in the side of Pattaya City’s automated parking facility near Bali Hai Pier, sparking concerns over the safety of the city’s cutting-edge car park. The event unfolded on 7th May around 12:30 pm, when a mechanical lift arm accidentally pierced the wall during a routine car retrieval process.

The hole, visible from the exterior near the iconic pier clock tower, drew the attention of passersby, with tourists and locals questioning the structural integrity of the advanced parking system. The manager, Chukiat Wiwatthanakulthorn, 53, later clarified the mishap, stating, "A lift arm, while manoeuvring a customer's vehicle, struck the wall. The wall, constructed from concrete blocks, gave way, but fortunately, no cars were damaged, and the lift ceased immediately."

Chukiat reassured the public by emphasizing the robust safety features integrated into the automated system, including an emergency stop function that activated upon impact, preventing further damage or potential injury. "The lift system stopped instantly, and no other equipment or vehicles were affected," he reported, affirming that the garage continues to operate normally, with all systems functioning correctly.

No injuries or additional property damage resulted from the incident, which solely affected a section of the outer wall. Repair crews are set to reinforce and replaster the area using concrete blocks to restore it to its former condition.

Despite the dramatic visual of a damaged wall in one of Pattaya’s landmark infrastructure projects, city officials maintain that there is no lasting threat to public safety. Nonetheless, the incident has raised questions about the reliability of the automated facility. A concerned tourist remarked, "Imagine if this had happened with a car inside. I’m not sure I’d trust a robot with my wheels after seeing that."

The Pattaya City automated parking garage, a pioneering installation for the area, remains open to the public even as repairs proceed, with assurances that such occurrences are rare and manageable with the system's designed safeguards.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-08