Locals question Pattaya’s silence on Songkran traffic preparations
Pattaya is bracing for heavy traffic and travel delays as the city gears up for the annual Songkran holiday next week.
As visitors flood into the seaside hotspot, both foot and vehicle traffic are expected to surge. But like in previous years, locals remained concerned about the expected gridlock.
Last year, one local recalled how officials tried to control traffic along Beach Road, but the move backfired.
“They did it on Beach Road last year, must have lasted a few days because it was worse when I got back, with street vendors added.”
The mix of packed roads, vendors, and water-soaked celebrations quickly turned into static traffic. With no solid traffic plan yet announced, residents are bracing for more of the same this year.
Some have floated bold ideas like making all streets one-way during the festival to ease congestion. But the practicality of that suggestion remains unclear, and no concrete measures have been confirmed beyond the temporary closure of certain roads on April 19.
Locals and tourists are being urged to plan ahead, expect delays, and pack plenty of patience, reported The Pattaya Mail.
In related news, a hospital in Chon Buri has conducted a large-scale mass casualty drill in preparation for the expected increase in road accidents during the upcoming Songkran holiday. The exercise simulated a severe collision between a truck and a motorcycle.
The realistic drill involved hospital personnel, physicians, nurses, and local volunteer rescue teams, all collaborating to assess and improve their emergency response procedures before Thailand’s most hazardous travel period.
In other news, travellers departing Bangkok for Songkran will find a significantly upgraded Mo Chit 2 bus terminal. The multimillion-baht renovation, announced by the Acting President of Transport Company Limited, focuses on enhancing passenger convenience, safety, and service efficiency.
The timing of the upgrade is strategic, coinciding with Songkran, Thailand’s peak travel season, as large numbers of people leave Bangkok.
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