PATTAYA, THAILAND – An abandoned road construction site in East Pattaya left a key access route impassable for nearly two years, fueling anger among residents and business owners.
Cratered road turns into hazardous obstacle course
In Soi Mab Song–Nong Yai 1, drivers faced a dangerous obstacle course of deep potholes, standing water and protruding manhole covers that turned every journey into a risk. The construction site, intended to link the area to a wastewater treatment plant and Motorway 7, had effectively become a ghost project, with weeds overgrowing rubble and detour signs lying toppled.
“It has simply become dangerous to drive or walk here,”
said a resident, adding that the holes were barely visible at night.
Local businesses report heavy losses
Shops and restaurants along the stretch reported severe losses as customers avoided the chaotic conditions. Resident Pat (38) guided reporters through what he described as a daily disaster, outlining the frustration and economic damage affecting the entire neighborhood.
“The construction site has paralyzed our daily lives. We demand that something finally happens,”
said the desperate resident, noting that surrounding roads had long since been completed.
Residents step up pressure on Nongprue authorities
The community issued an urgent appeal to the Nongprue municipal administration, calling on officials to compel the responsible contractor to resume work. As a short-term measure, residents asked that the worst holes be filled with gravel to at least smooth the surface temporarily.
“We need clarity. When will it continue? The project no longer has any recognizable timetable,”
criticized another resident, saying the lack of information further fueled discontent.
Fear of serious accidents grows daily
The greatest concern among locals was the immediate risk of accidents, with fears that motorcyclists could crash in the holes and cars could be damaged. The community worried that action would only follow a major accident, with Pat warning that
“We hope the city acts before someone is seriously injured,”
said Pat. After two years of standstill, residents said their patience was exhausted and demanded the swift restoration of a safe, functioning road.
Two years of delay test public patience
For many locals, the situation was summed up as two years of standstill, potholes and constant fear of the next accident, with no one accepting responsibility. Residents questioned how long such conditions could be tolerated and whether a similar state of neglect would be acceptable on any other street in the city.