Traffic expert calls Sukhumvit bypass tunnel wasteful, destructive

PATTAYA:--The former secretary-general of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Board called four proposed tunnels under busy intersections on Sukhumvit road a “waste” of investment and destructive to Pattaya’s environment.

Speaking at the fourth Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration public hearing on a 15 billion baht sustainable-tourism “master plan” for the Pattaya region July 1, Suwat Waneesubut, now an independent “expert” on traffic solutions, called Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome’s tunnel-bypass proposal “inappropriate” given general population trends.

“Constructing tunnels may not be a solution to traffic, would be a waste of investment and destructive to the city’s landscape,” said Suwat, noting that decreasing population growth will mean less traffic in the future. He instead suggested construction of a new highway for traffic bypassing Pattaya.

Full story:http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/traffic-expert-calls-sukhumvit-bypass-tunnel-wasteful-destructive-28213

-- Pattaya Mail 2013-07-12

The population - and traffic - of Pattaya will never be less than it is today. It's dumb to suggest otherwise. The rest of what he says makes sense, though. Tunnels are a hugely expensive money pit for the small benefit they would bring. The money could be far better spent elsewhere. My suggestion to reduce the traffic would be to provide Pattaya with the public transport system it should have had years ago, so people can use buses or light rail instead of cramming into the back of a converted pickup truck, or jamming the roads with motorcycles.

My suggestion would be to provide better driving tuition and make the passing standard of the driving test much higher.

Ban streetside parking on Beach Rd. Prevent all the rental bike <deleted> from parking there too. Ban coaches from the town center and reduce Songtaew numbers by half. How about no credit for vehicle purchases ? That would reduce numbers for sure

"...noting that decreasing population growth will mean less traffic in the future...."

Looks like idiocy is alive and well.

Traffic experts?

At least a Thai with some kind of common sense, well up to certain level that is.

Of course he is not longer in a position to get his share of the THB 15 billion, so he is against it.

Anyway........his plan for a bypass highway sounds good.........will be somewhat like the 331 with proper entrances and exits to North Pattaya, South Pattaya, Jomtien, Na-Jomtien and Bang Saray.

An alternative could be an elevated part on top of Sukhumvit connecting the #7 to Sukhumvit all the way up pass Tesco Lotus South Pattaya.

Examples are the fly-overs and elevated parts of Sukhumvit at Laem Chabang and Au Udom.

I did not see FORMER secretary do any good in his previous job, so not really sure how now, he is an expert and how his opinion matters.

I did not see FORMER secretary do any good in his previous job, so not really sure how now, he is an expert and how his opinion matters.

True. But he's put himself out there and if nothing else, he's raised an important issue for discussion which may have lain dormant for a longer while.

Cheers

I did not see FORMER secretary do any good in his previous job, so not really sure how now, he is an expert and how his opinion matters.

True. But he's put himself out there and if nothing else, he's raised an important issue for discussion which may have lain dormant for a longer while.

Cheers

In his former position he listen and discussed many things?

Traffic expert???

Elevated highway.

Spend the rest on pollution control down at the sea and a better public transport system.

tunnels in an area that is prown to flooding does seem kinda lame

Elevated highway, then put the rest in someones pocket! Lets dont get too carried away with improving the city!