The city brought in heavy equipment to clean
out the drains, but conceded that this is only a temporary measure.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Pattaya City Council members inspected storm drains and
discussed flooding with Soi Buakaow-area residents fearing yet another
water-logged rainy season.
Councilmen Vichai Rodpai, Somnuk Boonmachai, Nakhon Phonlookin, and
Banjong Banthoonprayuk opened drain covers on side-street Soi Taengmo to
check whether waste was stuck, creating obstructions for runoff. They
ordered Chaluay Ditsadakarn, chief of maintenance for drainage pipes, to
bring in vacuum trucks to suck out the pipes for 300 meters.
Soi Taengmo, off Soi Buakaow, is a congested community located on
low-lying ground filled with a couple hundred 30-year-old row houses.
Residents say the street floods every rainy season, with water as deep
as waist-high.
Somnuk said the vacuum trucks were only a temporary solution. However,
the city currently has no money for the permanent solution: The
replacement of small drainage pipes with large pipes, concrete blocks
and two large pumps.
The council, he told residents, will have to debate and prepare a budget
request before a long-term fix can be made.
