Itthiphol Kunplome, the city mayor, has announced his intention to seek re-election in May following the expiry of his first four-year term. In a press statement, Itthiphol said he would welcome the new challenge as there are many plans for improvement still in the pipeline or awaiting completion.

He will lead a team of Rao Tak Thai (“We Love Thailand”) slated candidates for positions in the council and district elections. In the 2008 mayoral elections there were three candidates – the other two being prominent business people – but Itthiphol won by a convincing margin after a hard-fought campaign.

Read full article in Pattaya Today HERE:

http://pattayatoday.net/news/news-from-around-pattaya/pattaya’s-mayor-to-stand-again

What happened to the Pattaya Monorail?

Taxi meters, anyone?

Pattaya Pie in the sky ...

Wow, that Pattaya Today article is quite the puff piece! Check it out, it's labeled NEWS. Makes the Bangkok English press look like the New York Times.

Edited April 7, 201214 yr by Jingthing

Apart from his humiliation at the hands of the jet ski mafia, his impotence in the traffic light scam, and the rusting lifeguard stations scam, [add to list here] he's done a decent job, in the context of Thai politics and Pattaya.

Some things were beyond his control, like the attack on the then-PM, Khun Abbhasit's car in the city, and the citywide shame of the ASEAN conference when the leaders of Asian nations were airlifted off the top of the Royal Cliff's roof by helicopter, or had to wade out to boats as the Red Shirts attacked.

But maybe because of who he is, he seems to have generally done a decent job locally, as he can force through changes he sees as necessary.

With low standards like that, Thailand has a bright future!

What happened to the Pattaya Monorail?

Taxi meters, anyone?

Pattaya Pie in the sky ...

I saw a Thai new TV programme only last night discussing it.

Given it took them seven years to build a pathetic road to Jomtien, by the time the monorail budget has been comprehensively rifled, it will probably resemble an ox-cart freeway.

Apart from his humiliation at the hands of the jet ski mafia, his impotence in the traffic light scam, and the rusting lifeguard stations scam, [add to list here] he's done a decent job, in the context of Thai politics and Pattaya.

Some things were beyond his control, like the attack on the then-PM, Khun Abbhasit's car in the city, and the citywide shame of the ASEAN conference when the leaders of Asian nations were airlifted off the top of the Royal Cliff's roof by helicopter, or had to wade out to boats as the Red Shirts attacked.

But maybe because of who he is, he seems to have generally done a decent job locally, as he can force through changes he sees as necessary.

Well,I wouldn't call it incompetence in the scams,especially the traffic lights, as it looks to me that he's quite competent in that profession.

But it is a shame how the roads in Pattaya are laying by.You need a 4 wheel truck to travel south Pattaya road,second road and the likes.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how mafia controlled would you rate Pattaya? (Poll worthy?)

On a scale of 1 to 10, how mafia controlled would you rate Pattaya? (Poll worthy?)

There is Mafia in Pattaya? well i will go to the foot of our stairs.

see you learn something new every day on Thai visa

On a scale of 1 to 10, how mafia controlled would you rate Pattaya? (Poll worthy?)

Surely this is a trick question, unless you take into account the different spheres of influence of different mafias (not one) - like how the jet ski sh*tbags can operate under the eyes (and collusion) of the police and City Hall, how someone can bang up expensive traffic lights that don't work, without being sacked for negligently performing their duties, etc etc.

If I remember correctly, the English slogan that the mayor used in the last election (the one where he got elected) was "Re-balancing Pattaya". I never knew what that meant or if he has succeeded in his "re-balancing" endeavours. Does anyone know?