Photo courtesy of THAIest

 

Pattaya finds itself in the grip of worsening traffic congestion, fuelling frustration among locals and visitors alike. The city, a key tourist destination, is urgently seeking solutions as its outdated transport system buckles under the pressure.

 

Central to discussions is the long-postponed Monorail Green Line project, part of a proposed tram-style light rail network aimed at easing the city’s chronic gridlock.

 

Yesterday, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet led a crucial meeting at City Hall to push forward this critical initiative. The meeting comes amid growing demands for action, as residents express their mounting frustration.

 

“The traffic situation is unbearable. We need real solutions now, not more delays,” voiced one exasperated commuter. “It’s impacting daily life and tarnishing Pattaya’s image as a leading tourist hub.”

 

The Green Line, part of Pattaya’s smart transport master plan, is one of three proposed routes. Stretching for 9 kilometres, it intends to connect Pattaya Train Station to Bali Hai Cape via key thoroughfares such as North Pattaya Road and Thappraya Intersection.

 

In addition to the Green Line, the Red Line will span 8.2 kilometres, reaching Bali Hai Pier via Beach Road, while the Purple Line is set to link major routes including Third Road. All lines aim to integrate vital areas like the motorway and tourist attractions.

 

However, progress has been stalled by disputes over land acquisition. Residents have resisted the city’s plans, delaying the crucial environmental impact assessment (EIA) report. The city now plans to ramp up negotiations to resolve these issues and advance the project.

 

Concerns grow as neighbouring regions implement modern transport solutions.

 

“Malaysia’s smaller cities like Penang already have modern train systems,” warned a local business owner. “If Pattaya doesn’t act quickly, we’ll fall behind.”

Others fear construction could exacerbate road conditions, disrupt utilities, and wreak havoc on local bus routes. Accessibility also remains a major issue, with calls for lifts and facilities to accommodate tourists with luggage. Long staircases are deemed impractical and exclusionary.

 

Despite these challenges, Mayor Poramet emphasised his administration's commitment to the project.

 

“We’re dedicated to seeing this through. A modern transport system is key to transforming Pattaya into a genuine smart city.”

 

For now, Pattaya's future remains uncertain, poised precariously between traffic chaos and transformative progress. The urgency for an effective solution grows ever more pressing as the city seeks to maintain its status as a premier tourist destination.

 

Costs for these infrastructure projects could impact the local economy, potentially exceeding billions of Thai Baht, but the hope is that such investment will pay off by alleviating congestion and enhancing the city's appeal.

 

As negotiations continue, residents and stakeholders await tangible movement. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Pattaya's transport dreams can finally come to fruition.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-01

 

Would be better if they did nothing and allowed people to leave due to frustration. Too many people

You could have seen this coming 20 years ago.

Now they're just still talking. 

Not a lot of space for optimism. 

What is this now the 8th  9th  10th  11th  12th 13th Study in the last 20 years on getting a tram, trolly, or Monorail in Pattaya........They have already made many many millions of dollars off these studies...

 

 

Tell  me about it.... couldn't get out onto Hwy 36 last night!

The annual railway feasibility scam; the bi-annual Railway road repairs; the daily lack of policing; the hourly stupidity of selfish drivers who log-jam every junction; all contribute to the mayhem.

Roundabouts are the obvious solution to Pattaya's traffic woes. Nothing could possibly go wrong. 

Strange, if you listen to all the old fogies who live in Nakhon Nowhere, Pattaya is a dump that no one wants to go to!

The provision of city centre public car parks and strict policing of city-wide parking offenders would be a lot easier than trying to construct a monorail.

Putting a mono rail up beach road is going to creat chaos with road traffic.

4 minutes ago, LennyW said:

The provision of city centre public car parks and strict policing of city-wide parking offenders would be a lot easier than trying to construct a monorail.

Wow.  Building the monorail will be impossible if strict policing is going to be easier.😆

Like Yogi Berra said "Nobody goes there anymore. It's always too crowded".

Been living here 20+ years. My brain jerk reaction when seeing new condos going up with big sign "EIA Approved" is 'I am sure they don't consider the environmental impact on highways and crowding...."

 

 

Wasn't an overhead monorail supposed to resolve all these problems?

I would say the same applies to all of Thailand, the highways are gridlocked, Bangkok is gridlocked, and the need for alternative transport is at an emergency level at this point in time.

 

Thailand has been ignoring this situation for 70 years now with the exception of public transport in Bangkok. 

LOL.. If I were in charge, I wouldn't even know where to start from, but it's good to see that now, everyone

is wearing their helmets now, just like they said going to happen.

With their impressive construction record I’d be very scared of this as well. They had their chance during Covid to clean some things up and they couldn’t even do it then. Now it’ll be a pure drawn out nightmare. 

Why not invite Cambodia to bomb the family friendly town, problem solved

They still need to resurface 2nd road so that is the next traffic jam lasting who knows how long.

The tram will be ready when the high speed trains are deployed. So, never.

maybe the tram will run on the road and cause even more congestion

33 minutes ago, Grumpy one said:

Why not invite Cambodia to bomb the family friendly town, problem solved

you want Cambodia to bomb innocent families ?

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Tell  me about it.... couldn't get out onto Hwy 36 last night!

Invite millions in and no more infrastructure, but the numbers look good on paper.

6 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Roundabouts are the obvious solution to Pattaya's traffic woes. Nothing could possibly go wrong. 

A lot would go wrong. You have not included the way many people drive.

 

The Riviera Santa Monica, Jomtien: 32 floors, 446 units, completion expected by 2028

 

Aquarous Jomtien Pattaya: 44 & 47 floors (2 towers), 606 units, completion expected Q4 2027

 

Copacabana Coral Reef Jomtien: (floor count and units not specified), completion by 2028

 

Harmonia City Garden: low-rise, floors and units not specified, completion in 2027

 

Grand Solaire Pattaya (border of Pratumnak & Jomtien): 67 floors, 2326 units, completion around 2026-2027 (estimated)

 

Pratumnak:

The Riviera Malibu: 30 floors, 279 units, completion around 2027 (estimated)

 

Siam Oriental Oasis: 8 floors, 377 units, completion expected approximately 2025-2026

 

SKYPARK Lucean Jomtien Pattaya located on 66 Jomtien Second Road. This development has multiple towers—with floors ranging up to 60 floors and a total of around 1,487 units across its phases. Its completion is expected around 2029

 

Will all be built before any new roads or transport systems are built, high season already a nightmare fir traffic 

Laughable, we need real solutions now and then he bangs on about a monorail that if started today wouldn't be operating for at least 10 years or more.

 

Just look at the 3 airport rail project as an example.

I have a quick and easy idea: close certain roads to general traffic and purchase EV buses. Problem solved. And much cheaper and faster for implementation. Where can I collect my consulting fee? Ah, forgot. Thais rarely listen to foreign ideas...

    I didn't see any 'solutions' in the article at all.  Just more talk, talk, talk.  Which, as others have been pointing out, they have been doing for years and years.   Endless talk, absolutely nothing 'urgent' being done whatsoever. 

     There's lots that could be done immediately, if they were really seeking 'urgent' solutions.  They could start with eliminating parking on the major roads, instantly adding an extra traffic lane in both directions with no distruptive road construction needed at all.  To make up for the lost parking, do some off-street parking using currently vacant lots, while building public parking garages for the future. 

    Extra routes could and should be added to the baht bus routes to cover more of the city--again, no road construction needed.   The baht bus system needs a major overhaul.   Add meters to the public parking spaces that remain and use the revenue to pay for parking police to ticket illegal parking.  

    Every traffic intersection should be looked at with the idea of improving traffic flow through the intersections--getting more cars thru on a cycle.  This could mean lengthening the no parking by the intersections to allow more cars thru with an extra lane.  Some intersections could benefit from double or triple turn lanes.   Lots could be done but what we get is talk, talk, talk.  

Time to face reality thailand. You really ffffd up your country. 

17 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

you want Cambodia to bomb innocent families ?

OMG, you don't understand sarcasm.

Meanwhile City Hall continues to approve the building of thousands of new condo units along 2nd/3rd  Road which will massively worsen the traffic situation.

Walking around pattaya on non sidewalk streets is getting fairly dangerous. Definately would not want to do that with kids. If you are an avid walker and want to retire there it's something to consider.