Picture courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

In Pattaya, a coastal gem reliant on tourism, environmental negligence has hit a nerve as residents demand action over widespread drainage misuse. This week, tensions flared when municipal officers caught a contractor red-handed, pouring cement wastewater into a public drain on Pattaya Beach Soi 4. The contractor quickly faced a 2,000 Thai Baht fine (£44), highlighting the city's determination to curb these acts.

 

City officials were unequivocal, underscoring that such reckless behaviours not only tarnish the environment but also block the drainage systems, exacerbating flooding and causing public inconvenience. The message was clear: “Violations will not be overlooked.”

 

Locals argue this incident is just a fraction of a larger issue. Reports of food vendors disposing of oil, grease, and food scraps into the drains are rife, leading to frequent blockages, unpleasant odours, and flooded streets during heavy rain. The community is rallying for tougher fines and continuous enforcement for repeat offenders.

 

Safety concerns extend beyond the drains. In Jomtien's Soi 5-7, exposed metal bars on sidewalks pose a serious risk to public safety. “It shouldn’t take someone getting hurt before action is taken,” a local resident stated, calling for more proactive inspections from city officials.

 

Pattaya has implemented a 24-hour hotline, 1337, allowing citizens to report environmental offences and urban hazards. However, residents insist the system's effectiveness hinges on prompt and consistent follow-ups.

 

There is a growing chorus of voices advocating for harsher penalties. Suggestions include making offenders pay for clean-up and repairs, or even suspending the business licences of those repeatedly flouting the rules. For a city dependent on its appeal to tourists, maintaining clean streets and safe walkways is essential.

 

As one resident aptly summarised: “If Pattaya can’t keep its drains and sidewalks in order, how can it expect to attract visitors?”

 

The issue of drainage misuse is not merely an environmental blight but a challenge to the city’s reputation and its economic lifeline. Local authorities are under mounting pressure to escalate their response, balancing the need for swift action with the effective implementation of policies that safeguard both residents and visitors. In the heart of a bustling tourist hub, ensuring sustainability and safety remains a non-negotiable aspect of urban governance.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-20

 

A culture where parents literally teach their children to discard plastic and papers along the streets, and expect or rely on Myanmar workers to do some cleaning up on the side of the streets, now offended because it is done at a larger scale, dumping in sewers, to save on their waste disposal.

Such a long way to go to get to a point where people could feel responsible for the environment...

22 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

In Pattaya, a coastal gem

This HAD to have been written by someone or something that has NEVER been there.

These people are dim.... when I moved in to my house here I found the builder had poured cement waste into my gray water drainage. Had to replace it!

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“If Pattaya can’t keep its drains and sidewalks in order, how can it expect to attract visitors?”

They don't even police the roads.