PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya is a city designed more for vehicles than pedestrians. Even at traffic lights, where the green signal is meant for pedestrians to cross safely, many drivers—especially motorbikes and cars—often do not stop. This makes crossing the road extremely dangerous, as pedestrians constantly have to watch out for reckless drivers who ignore the rules.
Adding to the problem, the walkways in Pattaya are in poor condition. Many sidewalks are uneven, full of holes, or obstructed by parked motorbikes, street vendors, or other obstacles, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road. This creates an even greater risk, especially in high-traffic areas.
Another issue is that many foreign visitors assume they have the right of way as they do in their home countries. They step into traffic expecting cars to stop, but in Pattaya, that often doesn’t happen. This misunderstanding leads to dangerous situations, as drivers rarely yield to pedestrians, even at marked crosswalks.
A simple solution would be pedestrian overhead footbridges, which are found all over Bangkok and along Sukhumvit Road. Yet, Pattaya seems to lack these essential safety structures. It’s unbelievable that the city has not prioritized pedestrian safety in this way. The Pattaya government needs to step up and address this growing concern.
Furthermore, the decision to eliminate police presence at key intersections is clearly not working. Without enforcement, reckless driving continues unchecked, putting both locals and tourists at risk. If Pattaya truly wants to be a world-class tourist destination, it must improve its pedestrian infrastructure and enforce traffic laws effectively.
