Editor Pattaya Mail;
How does a person cross Thappraya Road (Jomtien Sai 2) near View Talay 1, and navigate the excavations which have been in existence for a year now?
The Thai Highway Code states that (unless there is a sign to the contrary), a vehicle approaching a red light may turn left if it is safe to do so, but must give way to pedestrians who are on the crossing. This almost never happens!
I am 67 with a prosthesis in my right knee, so I am not very agile. When I was on crutches and trying to cross the road, cars would be aggressively blowing their horn for me to get out of their way. I have even seen a young mother with toddlers trapped in the middle of the road.
If you disregard the prescribed crossing and move up the road towards Pattaya, you still have difficulty in crossing due to the excessive speed of the vehicles, (farang and Thai drivers alike).
Thappraya and Thepprasit roads are very busy, not as busy as Sukhumvit but very busy nevertheless.
As you walk towards the Hanuman Fountain on the right hand side of the road from the Indian restaurant, Indian by Nature, there are no less than eight excavations in the footpath which force a pedestrian to step into the road. These excavations have lain dormant for nearly twelve months without any work being carried out! If the company, or City Hall, did not have the finances to complete this task, then they should not have started!
There is no consideration for pedestrians, never mind the old and infirm. Drivers all have the motto, “Might is right”. In addition you have to contend with motorcyclists who consider that a footpath is meant for them and demand right of way!
Back to the excavations, in addition to the ones mentioned there are a similar amount of excavations on the opposite side of the road. Some of these holes are quite deep and if an old or infirm person, such as me, was to fall into one, serious injury could ensue. Also, what about young children and mothers to be?
One hole is right on a pedestrian crossing, not that the motorists in Pattaya know and understand the purpose of such a crossing!
Thank you,
B Jones
