PATTAYA, THAILAND – Municipal officers on March 20 carried out a door-to-door survey across Soi Buakhao to gather resident opinions for a proposed one-way traffic change.
City gathers responses from 400 premises
Anupong Phutthanavarat, Chair of the Public Order Committee, led a team of city officers through Soi Buakhao, which connects Second Road and Third Road, to distribute and collect questionnaires from over 400 homes and shops during the “Knock Door” campaign.
“We want sustainable solutions that people truly accept,”
said Anupong Phutthanavarat, Chair of the Public Order Committee.
Each form requested residents to list measurable concerns and improvement suggestions regarding the proposed traffic reconfiguration set for city review next month.
Mayor directs a data-led reform
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet supported the initiative as part of Pattaya City’s shift toward data-based decision-making. He told planners to organize and analyze responses before any final resolution reaches the City Council.
“The community voice counts,”
said Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya.
Both officials confirmed that results from the March 20 collection would be used as the primary evidence in the committee’s next meeting.
Previous pilot models reduce crashes
The Department of Public Works presented the Honey Inn Soi and Diana Inn Soi pilot projects—converted into one-way corridors in late 2023—to show quantifiable progress.
Traffic records from city-installed cameras indicated significant drops in congestion levels and reported accidents.
“Even the number of accidents has gone down,”
said Unnamed Traffic Expert, City Traffic Department.
Businesses operating in both prior test zones confirmed improved conditions following conversion.
“Customers find parking more easily, and deliveries arrive on time,”
said Local Business Representatives, Honey Inn and Diana Inn Soi Traders.
Committee to decide next month
The Public Order Committee began reviewing the numerical feedback and GIS-based maps at City Hall, located on North Pattaya Road, ahead of a decision meeting next month. The agenda includes determination of directional flow for Soi Buakhao and its connectors.
“We are looking for the best long-term solution,”
said Anupong Phutthanavarat, Chair of the Public Order Committee.
If approved, construction crews may install directional signs and road markings within approximately 90 days, altering access for an estimated 10,000 vehicles per day through the downtown grid.
Key facts under review
- Conversion area: Soi Buakhao and adjoining links to Second and Third Road
- Survey period: Began mid-March 2024
- Surveyed units: Over 400 households and businesses
- Anticipated gains: Reduced congestion, better parking, lower accident incidence
- Next committee session: Scheduled for next month at City Hall
The planned one-way conversion represented Pattaya’s most direct step in years toward a data-measured remedy for downtown traffic congestion, combining numerical analysis with public feedback to guide final policy.