The government will spend up to 200 million baht to upgrade Bali Hai Pier for November’s International Fleet Show.
Chonburi Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai chaired two March 20 meetings on development and traffic management at the South Pattaya Jetty with Mayor Anan Charoenchasri, Banglamung District Chief Naris Niramaiwong and local police and Marine Department officials attending.
Having cleared out speedboats, tour buses and motorbikes as well as turning access roads into a one-way route, authorities are now ready to break ground on a new 25-million-baht terminal.
Contract signing was scheduled by the end of the month with groundbreaking at the former bus parking lot coming in early April.
Also planned for opening before the November show is a new park dedicated to the memory and sailing legacy of HM the late King Bhumibol. Authorities have earmarked 97 million baht for the “Phra Maha Chanok” project and will ask the Royal Household Bureau for permission to name it after the late monarch.
Officials also plan to spend 40 million baht on 96 new CCTV cameras.
As the pier nears completion, responsibility for traffic and safety will be split between Pattaya police and the Marine Department. Police will take the lead in enforcing the one-way traffic system, ensuring motorbikes park on a hill near the pier and not on the grounds, and buses don’t clog the works.
The Marine Department, meanwhile, will be asked to double-down on efforts to ensure all boat passengers wear life vests and boats meet standards.
