Pavement pirates spark outrage in Pattaya as officials fail to act
Fed-up locals are fuming as Pattaya’s pavements vanish beneath a sea of parked cars and motorbikes, with lawbreakers treating footpaths like private driveways and officials doing little to stop it.
Residents across the city are slamming the lack of enforcement over illegal parking, which has turned once-walkable pavements into motorbike showrooms and car parks. From zebra crossings to pedestrian walkways, no space seems off-limits as vehicles for rent and personal rides are dumped without consequence.
Locals say the issue has spiralled out of control, with rental vehicles often taking up entire footpaths, forcing pedestrians, including the elderly, children, and disabled, to walk dangerously on busy roads.
“Why do authorities wait until people are caught breaking the rules?” asked one frustrated resident. “The city would be more orderly if everyone followed the rules.”
Others have highlighted how cars are even left on zebra crossings and intersections, openly flouting the law. The situation has become so dire that unregistered vehicles are allegedly driven around without fear of repercussions.
Despite repeated complaints, there’s been little sign of action from Pattaya’s traffic police or city officials. Many say the lack of crackdowns sends a message that such behaviour is acceptable, fuelling more lawlessness on the roads.
Photos posted online show rental motorbikes lined up along footpaths like market stalls, blocking access to shops and homes. One image even shows a car parked directly on a pedestrian crossing in broad daylight.
Calls are growing louder for a proper clampdown on parking violations and for officials to take the issue seriously before someone gets hurt. Citizens demand that fines be issued, vehicles be towed, and rogue operators be held accountable.
With Pattaya positioning itself as a tourist-friendly destination, many argue that the city’s image is at risk if basic urban order can’t be maintained, reported Pattaya Mail.
As the city struggles to keep traffic chaos in check, it remains to be seen whether local Pattaya officials will finally hit the brakes on this lawless parking free-for-all, or keep turning a blind eye while pavements disappear under two wheels and four.
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