PATTAYA, THAILAND – One hour of torrential rain on Tuesday turned major roads in Pattaya into waist-deep waterways, forcing emergency crews to drain flooded areas and motorists to abandon vehicles.
Heavy rainfall halts traffic across central Pattaya
Between 14:00 and 15:00 local time, a storm drenched Pattaya in Chonburi Province, overwhelming the city’s aging drainage system. Streets along Railroad Road and Soi Khao Noi became impassable within minutes. According to municipal officials, even small motorcycles had to turn back as water levels rose rapidly above half a meter.
Rescue teams from the Pattaya Special Affairs Office cordoned off inundated areas and placed warning signs at key intersections to prevent further accidents.
“Please avoid all deep-water sections – cars can get stuck there!”
said Pattaya City Hall, Public Information Office.
City personnel reported several vehicles, including three passenger cars and multiple motorbikes, had to be towed after engines were submerged along Eisenbahnstraße.
City workers deploy pumps after the storm
By 15:30, once the rain subsided, teams from Pattaya’s municipal maintenance division began operating high-powered pumps. Workers manually removed branches and garbage from blocked drains to restore water flow. Officials confirmed that by 17:00, key roads were passable again.
“Every year the same problem. One rain – and Pattaya stops.”
said Local Resident, Soi Khao Noi.
Recurring drainage failures spark concern
Municipal authorities admitted that the city’s sewer network can no longer handle sudden rainfall events. The Public Works Division noted that low-lying districts face repeated flooding during each monsoon season. Officials indicated new long-term drainage projects are still pending approval under the Chonburi provincial budget for 2025.
The brief but intense flood highlighted ongoing weaknesses in Pattaya’s urban infrastructure, leaving citizens demanding a sustainable solution before the next downpour.
- Flood duration: approximately 1 hour
- Worst hit areas: Railroad Road, Soi Khao Noi, Eisenbahnstraße
- Vehicles affected: at least 3 cars and several motorcycles
- Response teams: Pattaya Special Affairs Office, Public Works Division
- Water levels peaked around 50–60 centimeters