PATTAYA, THAILAND – Pattaya City Council inspected the under‑construction football stadium at the Eastern Region National Sports Center after structural problems emerged in the roof despite more than 67 percent completion.
On-site inspection at the stadium project
The site visit took place on 17 March on Soi Chaiapruek 2 to assess the true status of the project and identify the most critical risks. Council members walked through the construction area and reviewed visible defects and unfinished work.
The delegation was led by Wisan Phettrakun, vice president of the city council and head of the sports committee. He was accompanied by Banlue Kullawanich and Pairat Aromchuen, along with specialists from the Pattaya City Engineering Bureau.
Roof under scrutiny after visible subsidence
According to Wisan, the main focus of the inspection was the roof structure, following reports that combined positive construction progress with new damage.
“The issue was primarily the roof construction, after reports about progress and, at the same time, new damage began circulating.”
said Wisan Phettrakun, vice president of the city council and head of the sports committee.
The core problem stemmed from the original contractor abandoning the works, which was said to have caused settlement and uneven areas in the roof section. Inspectors examined where the structure had reportedly sagged and discussed potential long‑term safety implications.
22 million baht requested for steel reinforcement
To restore stability, the Pattaya City Engineering Bureau proposed an additional budget of 22 million baht to reinforce the steel structure and ensure compliance with standards. The proposal aimed to strengthen load‑bearing elements and correct distortions in the roof.
The funding request was already before the city council for consideration, and members received detailed on‑site briefings about the planned use of the money. Engineers outlined which parts of the roof would be reinforced and how the work would be sequenced.
Timetable: 150 days after council approval
If the council approved the plan, the roof reinforcement was scheduled to be completed within a maximum of 150 days. The timetable was tied directly to the formal green light for the extra budget.
The work required heavy equipment such as cranes, so the city intended to finish the roof before installing the pitch, running track and other surface layers. Officials argued that completing the overhead structure first would reduce the risk of later damage to finished surfaces.
Consequences of the construction halt
The head of the Engineering Bureau, Anuwat Thongkham, said the project needed a new contract for the remaining works after the previous contractor stopped. The remaining works were officially designated as the “Phase 3 Remaining Portion”.
He added that, beyond the damaged roof, the building suffered from leaks and a backlog of maintenance.
“In addition to the damaged roof, there are leaks in the building and overdue maintenance, which is why repairs and technical corrections are considered urgent before the stadium can be regarded as complete.”
said Anuwat Thongkham, head of the Engineering Bureau.
328 million baht extra for Phase 3 completion
For the remaining construction phase, an additional budget of 328 million baht had already been allocated to secure completion. This package covered both structural and systems work still outstanding.
The funds were intended to pay for the stands, roof and finishing works, pitch and surface installations, lighting systems, sound systems and fire protection installations. City officials framed the extra spending as necessary to deliver a fully functional and safe venue.
Ambition: hosting events up to ASEAN level
Once fully completed, the stadium was expected to meet standards enabling competitions at ASEAN and Asian Games level. The project was positioned as a key element of Pattaya’s regional sports infrastructure.
At the same time, the complex was planned as a municipal sports facility for local residents and, according to project insiders, could also host major events such as concerts or festivals. The dual role as community venue and high‑level competition site was cited as a justification for the extensive investment.