Robot smashes hole in Pattaya car park wall
Mechanical glitch raises fears over reliability of smart systems in popular seaside destination
Tourists and locals were left stunned after a large hole mysteriously appeared in the side of Pattaya City’s automated parking garage near Bali Hai Pier, triggering concerns over the safety of the city’s high-tech car park.
The incident unfolded at around 12.30pm yesterday, May 7, when a mechanical lift arm inside the facility smashed through a wall during what should have been a routine car retrieval. The damage was visible from the outside, near the pier’s iconic clock tower, catching the attention of passersby and raising eyebrows among tourists.
The manager of the parking facility, 53 year old Chukiat Wiwatthanakulthorn, confirmed the cause of the incident.
“A lift arm was in the process of manoeuvring a customer’s vehicle when it accidentally struck the wall. The wall, made from concrete blocks, gave way but thankfully no cars were damaged and the lift halted immediately.”
Chukiat reassured the public that the automated system is designed with multiple safety features, including an emergency stop function. When the impact occurred, the machinery immediately ceased operation, preventing further damage or potential injury.
“The lift system stopped instantly, and no other equipment or vehicles were affected,” he added.
The garage continues to operate as normal, with all software, mechanical systems, and vehicle lifts functioning correctly. No one was injured in the mishap, and no additional property damage was reported.
The damage is confined to a section of the outer wall. Repair crews are expected to replaster the affected area using reinforced concrete blocks to restore its original appearance.
Despite the unsettling sight of a crumbled wall in one of Pattaya’s most high-profile infrastructure projects, city officials have confirmed the incident poses no ongoing risk to the public, reported The Pattaya News.
Still, some onlookers questioned the reliability of the automated facility.
“Imagine if this had happened with a car inside,” one concerned tourist commented. “I’m not sure I’d trust a robot with my wheels after seeing that.”
The Pattaya City automated parking garage, one of the first of its kind in the area, remains open to the public while repairs are underway.
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