Pattaya’s Entertainment Zones and Taxi System Get a Major Makeover

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

Pattaya is all set for a massive makeover! The bustling Bang Lamung district has launched a bold plan to transform its entertainment zones and motorbike taxi system, aiming to keep pace with the growing tide of tourists. At a meeting led by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon, industry leaders discussed these exciting developments, held at the Takian Tia Municipal Office.

 

A change has long been overdue for Pattaya's outdated zoning laws, which have been untouched for two decades. With the city rapidly expanding beyond its famed beaches and lively Walking Street, tourists are increasingly enjoying the nightlife. Unfortunately, many venues find themselves operating in a legal limbo due to these archaic restrictions, struggling to acquire official licences.

 

Currently, the official entertainment zone is a narrow slice of Central Pattaya, bound by Third Road and the Beach, North Pattaya Road, and Bali Hai Pier. The surge in unlicensed venues, especially in vibrant areas like Jomtien and Pratumnak, has sparked considerable debate. Now, district officials are actively negotiating with Chon Buri Province and the Department of Provincial Administration to potentially extend these zones, giving more venues the chance to become licensed and contribute to Pattaya’s economic growth.

 

By extending zoning laws, authorities aim to bring more venues into the legal fold. "We are moving ahead with discussions to ensure these venues can operate legally and contribute to the economy," said Patcharapat. The next meeting, poised for next week, will gather representatives from local police, Pattaya City officials, and the Nightlife Operators’ Association to assess the plan’s practicability.

 

Part of this ambitious initiative is also a complete redo of the motorbike taxi system, aligning with the broader goal of improved tourism safety. Bang Lamung oversees an impressive network of nearly 1,000 motorbike taxi stands and about 5,000 drivers. Planned changes involve updating driver registries and enforcing uniform standards, besides ushering in stricter penalties for offences like overcharging.

 

A possible revamp of driver uniforms, incorporating a local flavour with logos, driver names, and even QR codes for identification, is also on the cards.

 

Moreover, shared songthaew taxi services are slated for a boost in efficiency and tourist assurance in the city’s public transport system. While these plans are still in the initial stages, with no set timeline for rollout, they signal a commitment to elevating Pattaya’s appeal on the global tourism map.

 

The transformation of Pattaya’s entertainment zones and motorbike taxi system stands as a promising leap toward a brighter future for this tourist haven. As these plans take shape, the vibrant city is set to offer an even more thrilling experience for its visitors.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-15

 

 

[Upnotover]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

1,000 motorbike taxi stands and about 5,000 drivers

Will they tell them to get helmets for their passengers?  Thought not.

[NE1]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

aiming to keep pace with the growing tide of tourists.

Was it yesterday I read that the tourist industry was at a real low ?

[freedomnow]

12 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Will they tell them to get helmets for their passengers?  Thought not.

Sidecars would be a good idea ?...maybe not TiT....

[Upnotover]

25 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Sidecars would be a good idea ?...maybe not TiT....

Works ok in the Philippines, could be a plan.

[Jim Blue]

Are we phasing out or expanding ? 

Confused .

[blaze master]

12 hours ago, NE1 said:

Was it yesterday I read that the tourist industry was at a real low ?

 

Yes but the day before that I read it was surging. 

[jacko45k]

9 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

Are we phasing out or expanding ? 

Confused .

I got an impression of expanding. That nice quiet area condo or house, is now in a designated entertainment zone, Neon flashing lights outside your balcony and 4am closures coming your way!

[freedomnow]

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

Yes but the day before that I read it was surging. 

Low & surging - but then they changed their mind again.......TiT.

[freedomnow]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

Works ok in the Philippines, could be a plan.

Right enough, they have a name for it already here...a tuktuk !

[Pouatchee]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

aiming to keep pace with the growing tide of tourists.

 

quite confused... arent they crying their eyes out in thailand saying there are no tourists coming?

 

[JAG]

Nice to see half a dozen coppers catching some Aircon before another hard day pounding the beat ensuring law and order prevails!

 

All para trained too - impressive!

[mikebell]

Meanwhile the meterless taximeters continue to flout the law of the land with the BIB's blessing.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Unfortunately, many venues find themselves operating in a legal limbo due to these archaic restrictions, struggling to acquire official licences.

But I'm sure the owners and RTP have been able to negotiate these issues with a mutual happy ending.

[CanadaSam]

2 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Sidecars would be a good idea ?...maybe not TiT....

 

Would render them useless, as the main reason for getting on a bike is moving faster than cars, through narrow spaces between vehicles.

 

15 hours ago, webfact said:

shared songthaew taxi services are slated for a boost in efficiency and tourist assurance in the city’s public transport system.

 

Oh for the love of God, make them coloured according to routes, and maybe even use a modicum of intelligence to put a basic map on their sides showing route!

[jacko45k]

30 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

quite confused... arent they crying their eyes out in thailand saying there are no tourists coming?

 

It is confusing, they blame the lack of tourists on the  fact of there being too many for the infrastructure.

[dddave]

15 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Will they tell them to get helmets for their passengers?  Thought not.

Would you really want to put on a helmet somebody else has worn 5 minutes prior?  Head lice are common in Thailand along with a long list of contagious skin conditions.  Unless drivers would also be required to keep a box of sterile paper beanies to wear under the helmet it would be a no go for me.

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, dddave said:

Would you really want to put on a helmet somebody else has worn 5 minutes prior?  Head lice are common in Thailand along with a long list of contagious skin conditions.  Unless drivers would also be required to keep a box of sterile paper beanies to wear under the helmet it would be a no go for me.

We came up with a solution several days ago, that those using M/C taxis carry, or permanently wear, a shower cap!

[Mentors65]

means more noise coming 

[DezLez]

35 minutes ago, dddave said:

Would you really want to put on a helmet somebody else has worn 5 minutes prior?  Head lice are common in Thailand along with a long list of contagious skin conditions.  Unless drivers would also be required to keep a box of sterile paper beanies to wear under the helmet it would be a no go for me.

I would rather have head lice than a  non functioning head.

[isaanistical]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Meanwhile the meterless taximeters continue to flout the law of the land with the BIB's blessing.

In Bangkok?  (BIB)