Why the incredible traffic congestion in Pattaya?

[cumgranosalum]

Of course they could fit the basket type tolls and you just throw in your coin.......that'd require a bit of education too.

There's a blast from the past. Highway 7 uses the electronic m-pass, I got one and it works just fine.

I don't use the motorways that much around BKK to make a pass a matter of priority...I guess I'll sort it one day. Saw a good blockage the other day when a car couldn't get through for one reason or another.

the fact remains that visitors to Pattaya are in majority unlikely to organise passes for themselves.

the wage levels in Thailand mean it is often cheaper to ave a person sitting in a box rather than install an automated system of any kind.

Edited May 7, 2016 by cumgranosalum

[DrTuner]

Of course they could fit the basket type tolls and you just throw in your coin.......that'd require a bit of education too.

There's a blast from the past. Highway 7 uses the electronic m-pass, I got one and it works just fine.

I don't use the motorways that much around BKK to make a pass a matter of priority...I guess I'll sort it one day. Saw a good blockage the other day when a car couldn't get through for one reason or another.

the fact remains that visitors to Pattaya are in majority unlikely to organise passes for themselves.

the wage levels in Thailand mean it is often cheaper to ave a person sitting in a box rather than install an automated system of any kind.

The m-pass wasn't easy to obtain, I had to go to KTB in Thepprasit to find one, other branches were "maimee". It'll probably get easier. It's possible to get blocked even if you have an m-pass as others block the access to the lane, but I suspect they'll fit more lanes with it once the construction in Chonburi and Pattaya is finished. Should help with the congestion at the cash booths.

The gates around BKK use the easy pass system, so I've got two of the small boxes glued to my windscreen, EP is available at every EGAT station near the toll booths.

While the toll booths do create some congestion (I drive trough about seven of them every week), they're not the real cause of jams. Poorly designed intersections and crappy drivers are.

[NanLaew]

There will be no toll booths at the Pattaya exit or entrance. The first, and last toll booth if you come from Bangkok, will be at the Nongprue exit.

I see, but isn't ALL the traffic going to be directed through those booths at the Nongprue turn-off?

Yes of course, because that is the end of the tollway, but there will be double the amount of what you see now, as they are currently building on the part of the highway that is blocked.

I guess with at least 8 lanes of toll booths, that shouldn't be an issue.

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

[NanLaew]

Gotta come to T-V for the real dope ?

I'll let you in on another hack for this parking garage. Instead of going up into the structure, take an immediate left after the ticket booth and go around the back. There is usually parking along the outside back wall or in the mini-lot as you come around the outside. I've never actually had to go up into the structure. ...

Oh no... you've given away the secret. Now the back alley and rat-infested end lot will be chock-a-block with badly parked tuna's and weego's. And there was me thinking I was the only sod too lazy to go up the ramp, park in the shade and use the stairs.

[Seizetheday]

No, I was referring to the pink parking structure in the background. I haven't been in a few months but I assume it's still in operation and free. The lot you have pictured was another option but usually full; and as you say, I guess now closed.

Yes its still open the attendant told me that the first 3 hours are free then 20 baht for the first hour and 10 baht per hour after that.....

"someone" had told me it was not free so all these years I didn't even bother with it

Gotta come to T-V for the real dope ?

I'll let you in on another hack for this parking garage. Instead of going up into the structure, take an immediate left after the ticket booth and go around the back. There is usually parking along the outside back wall or in the mini-lot as you come around the outside. I've never actually had to go up into the structure. However, your car may not be under cover so will get hot. Also, be aware the garage closes at 9 (I think...check with them) and after the gate goes up, you won't be able to retrieve your car till the next morning.

Well done, very clever, next time you want park there I hope it's full. Sometimes it's better to think before you type.

[cumgranosalum]

I think this topic needs revisiting in a year's time when we have the opportunity to see these booths operating over the various high and low seasons...... my gut feeling is regardless of how many lanes they won't be able to organise properly and there will be regular tailbacks.

of course the building of the underpass will have an effect on traffic until completed....and then fills with water at the first heavy rain!?!?!

[Berty100]

There will be no toll booths at the Pattaya exit or entrance. The first, and last toll booth if you come from Bangkok, will be at the Nongprue exit.

I see, but isn't ALL the traffic going to be directed through those booths at the Nongprue turn-off?

Yes of course, because that is the end of the tollway, but there will be double the amount of what you see now, as they are currently building on the part of the highway that is blocked.

I guess with at least 8 lanes of toll booths, that shouldn't be an issue.

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

How the ongoing " middle of the road construction can be for Bangkok bound traffic, they are on the wrong driving lane.

I think the construction on the North side is for exit booths that leave the highway at Nongprue.

I don't know how they gonna do it, but somewhere they will build booths where you just receive a card, so traffic flow will for Bangkok bound traffic will not be much hindered.

[cumgranosalum]

on most parts of the motorway into BKK - the cards are handed out by hand - even though there are distribution machines and I have experienced delays on several occasions as peple queue to get their cards - NB Kanchanaprisek Bridge.

[NanLaew]

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

How the ongoing " middle of the road construction can be for Bangkok bound traffic, they are on the wrong driving lane.

I think the construction on the North side is for exit booths that leave the highway at Nongprue.

I don't know how they gonna do it, but somewhere they will build booths where you just receive a card, so traffic flow will for Bangkok bound traffic will not be much hindered.

As I said before, the area most recently cleared on the north side is much less than the area on the south side that they have already cleared and constructed on. From the center median to the south, there's almost 100 meters to the toll booth bypass/feeder road for local traffic, whereas the north side only has around 55 meters. The whole toll booth plaza, north to south, is not centered on the highway. Take a look on google earth.

Why would there be exit booths on the north side? It's only about 2.5 km from the Sukhumvit flyover. They going to charge for that? They have recently deviated the north side bypass/feeder for local traffic so I assume the left-most lane on the new north side plaza will be a toll-free, exit for local traffic only. They are working on extending the feeders on each side of the spur heading west towards the railroad tracks but that doesn't seem to be progressing at the same rate as the toll plaza construction.

They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically but still need someone in a box to collect the card and cash when they finally exit. It was only as recently as 2011 (about 20 years after it opened) that the Beltway 8 toll road in Houston became totally cashless (no toll booths or swipe card options) with pre-paid, electronic 'cards' stuck on the windshield and overhead scanners (like m-pay) being the only way to use it. They also have cameras that record the car rego with the on-the-fly 'swipe' which prevents the 'card' being swapped from car to car. Based on that roll-out in Texas, a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS.

[cumgranosalum]

"They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically" - except that they appear to have replaced that system with people handing out the cards in most places!

[NanLaew]

"They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically" - except that they appear to have replaced that system with people handing out the cards in most places!

During the week, they dispense cards. Most weekends, the machines run out so they revert to handing them out. On manic, extended holiday weekends they even run out of cards and end up handing out old paper receipts with a scribble on it instead.

So exactly what part of "...a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS" is proving a bit too hard for you to work out?

[Seizetheday]

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

How the ongoing " middle of the road construction can be for Bangkok bound traffic, they are on the wrong driving lane.

I think the construction on the North side is for exit booths that leave the highway at Nongprue.

I don't know how they gonna do it, but somewhere they will build booths where you just receive a card, so traffic flow will for Bangkok bound traffic will not be much hindered.

As I said before, the area most recently cleared on the north side is much less than the area on the south side that they have already cleared and constructed on. From the center median to the south, there's almost 100 meters to the toll booth bypass/feeder road for local traffic, whereas the north side only has around 55 meters. The whole toll booth plaza, north to south, is not centered on the highway. Take a look on google earth.

Why would there be exit booths on the north side? It's only about 2.5 km from the Sukhumvit flyover. They going to charge for that? They have recently deviated the north side bypass/feeder for local traffic so I assume the left-most lane on the new north side plaza will be a toll-free, exit for local traffic only. They are working on extending the feeders on each side of the spur heading west towards the railroad tracks but that doesn't seem to be progressing at the same rate as the toll plaza construction.

They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically but still need someone in a box to collect the card and cash when they finally exit. It was only as recently as 2011 (about 20 years after it opened) that the Beltway 8 toll road in Houston became totally cashless (no toll booths or swipe card options) with pre-paid, electronic 'cards' stuck on the windshield and overhead scanners (like m-pay) being the only way to use it. They also have cameras that record the car rego with the on-the-fly 'swipe' which prevents the 'card' being swapped from car to car. Based on that roll-out in Texas, a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS.

Yes there will be exit tolls at Nongprue, they are building them now.

[cumgranosalum]

"They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically" - except that they appear to have replaced that system with people handing out the cards in most places!

During the week, they dispense cards. Most weekends, the machines run out so they revert to handing them out. On manic, extended holiday weekends they even run out of cards and end up handing out old paper receipts with a scribble on it instead.

So exactly what part of "...a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS" is proving a bit too hard for you to work out?

My prediction is that whatever system they attempt, it won't work because they don't do the research properly, don't estimate tte numbers correcly and then don't operate the system properly.

The OP is asking why the congestion in Pattaya - the reason at present is largely due to major roadworks forcing traffic down unplanned routes which are unable to cope.

When the toll booths are finished (and maybe the underpass) my prediction is that there will still be times where the system fails to cope and as the city and traffic grows this will just become more and more common.

so long as Thailand and Pattaya think that the way to deal with traffic is to invite more cars then the congestion situation will remain a problem.

NL if you persist in being rude I'll have to ask you to desist.

[DrTuner]

"They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically" - except that they appear to have replaced that system with people handing out the cards in most places!

That's probably because the machines are slow and it's hard to pull the card from the machine, not to mention the initial confusion. The lines instantly went 2x when they installed that system. Now with humans in the booths again it's a bit better.

[balo]

Just a gentle warning , lots of traffic on the roads today , it took me 40 minutes to Big C Xtra. Why ? Bangkokians on their way back after another holiday in Pattaya.,..........

[DrTuner]

Just a gentle warning , lots of traffic on the roads today , it took me 40 minutes to Big C Xtra. Why ? Bangkokians on their way back after another holiday in Pattaya.,..........

It'll start piling up around 3pm, so escape while you still can. Yesterday every single seafood restaurant in Jomthien was overloaded, had to drive to Preecha down south just to get a table, which too was absolutely packed. The congestion will not only be Pattaya, it'll be at least 10km south.

Alternative escape routes go through Hua Yai, 331 and 36 in the east. Good luck.

[NanLaew]

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

How the ongoing " middle of the road construction can be for Bangkok bound traffic, they are on the wrong driving lane.

I think the construction on the North side is for exit booths that leave the highway at Nongprue.

I don't know how they gonna do it, but somewhere they will build booths where you just receive a card, so traffic flow will for Bangkok bound traffic will not be much hindered.

As I said before, the area most recently cleared on the north side is much less than the area on the south side that they have already cleared and constructed on. From the center median to the south, there's almost 100 meters to the toll booth bypass/feeder road for local traffic, whereas the north side only has around 55 meters. The whole toll booth plaza, north to south, is not centered on the highway. Take a look on google earth.

Why would there be exit booths on the north side? It's only about 2.5 km from the Sukhumvit flyover. They going to charge for that? They have recently deviated the north side bypass/feeder for local traffic so I assume the left-most lane on the new north side plaza will be a toll-free, exit for local traffic only. They are working on extending the feeders on each side of the spur heading west towards the railroad tracks but that doesn't seem to be progressing at the same rate as the toll plaza construction.

They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically but still need someone in a box to collect the card and cash when they finally exit. It was only as recently as 2011 (about 20 years after it opened) that the Beltway 8 toll road in Houston became totally cashless (no toll booths or swipe card options) with pre-paid, electronic 'cards' stuck on the windshield and overhead scanners (like m-pay) being the only way to use it. They also have cameras that record the car rego with the on-the-fly 'swipe' which prevents the 'card' being swapped from car to car. Based on that roll-out in Texas, a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS.

Yes there will be exit tolls at Nongprue, they are building them now.

Exit tolls? How many do you see? AFAIK, there will be highway ENTRANCE tolls at Nongprue opposite Pipo Pony and the north/east bit between Sukhumvit and the tolls (the spur) will be toll-free with an open slip road onto the existing feeder for local traffic to bypass the tolls. The feeder stops at the Chayapornviti 25 flyover about 2 km up the hill from the current Nongprue/Crocodile Farm exit. There's no other highway access/egress seen until near the 7 / 36 interchange where a small, 2 lane (?) toll is being completed?

I do see where the current toll free EXIT from 7 to Nongprue will be moved west of the toll booths otherwise they will need a dedicated one (or two) tollbooths just to handle the suburbanites who's destination isn't the fleshy underparts of Pattaya.

[Berty100]

The current 'middle of the road' construction is going to be the entrance toll booths for the Bangkok-bound traffic. The ground recently cleared on the north side (for outgoing traffic) is only have the width of the ground they cleared last year on the south side (for incoming traffic). There are 7 toll booth lanes that the inbound traffic is currently being diverted through. There may be enough room to add 3 more lanes but will 10 lanes each-way be enough for the huge traffic volumes that this thread is all about?

How the ongoing " middle of the road construction can be for Bangkok bound traffic, they are on the wrong driving lane.

I think the construction on the North side is for exit booths that leave the highway at Nongprue.

I don't know how they gonna do it, but somewhere they will build booths where you just receive a card, so traffic flow will for Bangkok bound traffic will not be much hindered.

As I said before, the area most recently cleared on the north side is much less than the area on the south side that they have already cleared and constructed on. From the center median to the south, there's almost 100 meters to the toll booth bypass/feeder road for local traffic, whereas the north side only has around 55 meters. The whole toll booth plaza, north to south, is not centered on the highway. Take a look on google earth.

Why would there be exit booths on the north side? It's only about 2.5 km from the Sukhumvit flyover. They going to charge for that? They have recently deviated the north side bypass/feeder for local traffic so I assume the left-most lane on the new north side plaza will be a toll-free, exit for local traffic only. They are working on extending the feeders on each side of the spur heading west towards the railroad tracks but that doesn't seem to be progressing at the same rate as the toll plaza construction.

They have started to automate the toll experience on 7 with cards being dispensed automatically but still need someone in a box to collect the card and cash when they finally exit. It was only as recently as 2011 (about 20 years after it opened) that the Beltway 8 toll road in Houston became totally cashless (no toll booths or swipe card options) with pre-paid, electronic 'cards' stuck on the windshield and overhead scanners (like m-pay) being the only way to use it. They also have cameras that record the car rego with the on-the-fly 'swipe' which prevents the 'card' being swapped from car to car. Based on that roll-out in Texas, a fully automated tollway may not happen soon in LOS.

Why should it be free from the flyover to the Nongprue section?

They are also building exit booths at the road 36 section ( Regents school ) since that is also only about the same distance from the Nongprue section, you could also argue that it should be free.

[Berty100]

Just a gentle warning , lots of traffic on the roads today , it took me 40 minutes to Big C Xtra. Why ? Bangkokians on their way back after another holiday in Pattaya.,..........

It'll start piling up around 3pm, so escape while you still can. Yesterday every single seafood restaurant in Jomthien was overloaded, had to drive to Preecha down south just to get a table, which too was absolutely packed. The congestion will not only be Pattaya, it'll be at least 10km south.

Alternative escape routes go through Hua Yai, 331 and 36 in the east. Good luck.

Who want to dine at overpriced Preecha anyway.

[NanLaew]

My prediction is that whatever system they attempt, it won't work because they don't do the research properly, don't estimate tte numbers correcly and then don't operate the system properly.

The OP is asking why the congestion in Pattaya - the reason at present is largely due to major roadworks forcing traffic down unplanned routes which are unable to cope.

When the toll booths are finished (and maybe the underpass) my prediction is that there will still be times where the system fails to cope and as the city and traffic grows this will just become more and more common.

so long as Thailand and Pattaya think that the way to deal with traffic is to invite more cars then the congestion situation will remain a problem.

NL if you persist in being rude I'll have to ask you to desist.

Although you are stating the bloody obvious, I do agree with the heart of my whole.

And since you asked me so politely to desist, I will.

[NoshowJones]

Last night (Sat) 8pm, Traffic piled on Beach Road, not sure just how far back, down past Walking Street, and all the way down Second Road. I wonder how the Baht bus drivers can make a living? Loads of big buses, full of Chinese, probably looking for some 'all you can eat' buffet.

[NanLaew]

Last night (Sat) 8pm, Traffic piled on Beach Road, not sure just how far back, down past Walking Street, and all the way down Second Road. I wonder how the Baht bus drivers can make a living? Loads of big buses, full of Chinese, probably looking for some 'all you can eat' buffet.

With Royal Ploughing holiday being Monday, I would wager that it will miraculously all disappear by 8 pm on Monday night.

...and then we can exhale.

[NoshowJones]

Thanks, I am on my smartphone, you are given a like.

[ttthailand]

Bangkok with a population of 8.5 million and being near Pattaya then add the current Thai holiday and many kids being out of school it is no wonder that the Pattaya traffic is crazy. On top of all those things you got the buses and the Chinese .... What a mess !

[NanLaew]

Keep in mind that the hundreds of cars and pickups with thousands of happy locals don't all come from Bangkok despite what the registration plates say. There are huge dormitory towns all around the eastern seaboard's industrial estates. Loads of workers have their vehicles registered in Bangkok since this somehow commands a higher price if/when the vehicle is sold or traded in. Most of these people live within a reasonable 40 minute drive of Sukhumvit.... and then happily drive another +2 hours to get to the actual beach. They don't complain, only the discomfited locals.

[Berty100]

Last night (Sat) 8pm, Traffic piled on Beach Road, not sure just how far back, down past Walking Street, and all the way down Second Road. I wonder how the Baht bus drivers can make a living? Loads of big buses, full of Chinese, probably looking for some 'all you can eat' buffet.

With Royal Ploughing holiday being Monday, I would wager that it will miraculously all disappear by 8 pm on Monday night.

...and then we can exhale.

No doubt they will be gone by Monday, because Royal plowing day was 2 weeks ago on 25 April .

Edited May 8, 2016 by Berty100

[Orac]

Last night (Sat) 8pm, Traffic piled on Beach Road, not sure just how far back, down past Walking Street, and all the way down Second Road. I wonder how the Baht bus drivers can make a living? Loads of big buses, full of Chinese, probably looking for some 'all you can eat' buffet.

With Royal Ploughing holiday being Monday, I would wager that it will miraculously all disappear by 8 pm on Monday night.

...and then we can exhale.

No doubt they will be gone by Monday, because Royal plowing day was 2 weeks ago on 25 April .

Nope - tomorrow

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/thailand/royal-ploughing-ceremony

[KhunBENQ]

Nope - tomorrow

Nope, today

The usual exodus back to Bangkok.

No doubt they will be gone by Monday, because Royal plowing day was 2 weeks ago on 25 April .

??? Checked back to 2007, never in April.

One of May 9, 10, 11 or 13 during these years.

Pictures of today:

http://www.dailynews.co.th/politics/396414

Edited May 9, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[Berty100]

Last night (Sat) 8pm, Traffic piled on Beach Road, not sure just how far back, down past Walking Street, and all the way down Second Road. I wonder how the Baht bus drivers can make a living? Loads of big buses, full of Chinese, probably looking for some 'all you can eat' buffet.

With Royal Ploughing holiday being Monday, I would wager that it will miraculously all disappear by 8 pm on Monday night.

...and then we can exhale.

No doubt they will be gone by Monday, because Royal plowing day was 2 weeks ago on 25 April .

Nope - tomorrow

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/thailand/royal-ploughing-ceremony

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881743-public-holidays-2016/

25 April (Monday) Royal Plowing Ceremony

[KhunBENQ]

Oho.

A bug in the Thaivisa calendar!

@Tways to the rapport

Too late...