Walking Street To Be Closed To Traffic Until 3 A.m.

[george]

Walking Street to be closed to traffic until 3 a.m.

PATTAYA: -- An extra hour will be added to the period Walking Street is closed to traffic to allow time for customers at the bars and entertainment venues to disperse and consequently reduce congestion and the possibility of accidents.

Starting from August, the street will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. – 3 a.m. The current period is 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., but as most visitors begin to leave the venues at 2 a.m. there has been considerable lobbying to change the vehicle access times.

The decision was made at a Walking Street Committee meeting on May 4, chaired by Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn and attended by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Sunthorn Kangsirikul, deputy chairman of the Walking Street Committee, and members of Pattaya City Council.

Mayor Niran said that the new traffic times will come into effect in August and that city hall would conduct a public relations campaign notifying the time changes at least one month in advance to avoid confusion. No-entry signs will be placed during the traffic-free period. The neon signs at the entrance to Walking Street are also to be replaced to improve the appearance of the area.

--Pattaya Mail 2006-05-12

[Mighty Mouse]

I wouldn't be sad if they closed it off permanently to traffic. (allowing delivery vehicles only during daylight hours.)

There are less and less retail outlets in Walking Street these days. Most of the tailors have gone all replaced by bars and go go joints.

[Kerryd]

I wouldn't be sad if they closed it off permanently to traffic. (allowing delivery vehicles only during daylight hours.)

There are less and less retail outlets in Walking Street these days. Most of the tailors have gone all replaced by bars and go go joints.

They could close it from 7pm until 12 noon the next day (or conversely, open it from 12:00-19:00 for traffic). Many businesses there don't open until late afternoon/early evening, and wouldn't have people around to accept deliveries earlier in the day.

Last night around 19:45 Walking Street looked deserted. I actually stopped and looked both ways to see if something was happening to divert the pedestrian traffic away.

But at 02:30, it was crammed with people, vendor's carts, motos and baht busses. Closing the street to traffic until 4 am might be better than 3 am, as many establishments push their closing times to the limits as it is.

[kurgen]

Bulldoze the whole area.

A sleazy area full of sleazy people.

[davethailand]

About to IMO, I'm sick of dodging pissed idiots on bikes doing 50km even when there are a thousand people walking down the street.

[Kerryd]

About to IMO, I'm sick of dodging pissed idiots on bikes doing 50km even when there are a thousand people walking down the street.

I know what you mean. As soon as they see a gap of a couple of feet between people, they gun it like they're running a race, then hit the brakes and so on all the way down the street

I find it bad enough walking along Walking Street at 2-3 am, without the vehicle traffic. I usually know where I'm going and how to get there. It seems everyone else on the street has no clue where they are, where they are going, or how to get there. Most apparently have never seen a beer bar or a BG, and stop in the middle of the street to stare into each bar they pass.

Are they still planning on that major overhaul of Walking Street that was in the news awhile ago ? The plan where basically everything on the ocean side of the street is wiped out, and they have a new paved walkway extending down to the new pier ?

Haven't heard anything on that in quite awhile.

[penzman]

Bulldoze the whole area.

A sleazy area full of sleazy people.

Are we still on to get pissed at Dave's this evening?

[davethailand]

Bulldoze the whole area.

A sleazy area full of sleazy people.

Are we still on to get pissed at Dave's this evening?

Dave's is closed this evening.

[Chopper]

Are they still planning on that major overhaul of Walking Street that was in the news awhile ago ? The plan where basically everything on the ocean side of the street is wiped out, and they have a new paved walkway extending down to the new pier ?

Haven't heard anything on that in quite awhile.

Kerry, That chestnut has been going on for years, my guess it will continue to do so for many years to come. I would be interested to know as well though, what the current status quo is regarding this issue if anyone knows.