In September 2010, the Pattaya Mail reported that “the days of blocking off the curb in front of your home or business may be coming to an end” as police launched an effort to keep the roads clear.
Fast forward three years: Nothing has changed.
Shop owners who want to keep the front of their roadside businesses free of parked cars continue defy both traffic laws and common courtesy by putting up everything from chairs to steel bars on public roads.
Three years ago, Pattaya officials said they were drafting a law that makes it a punishable offense to block public parking. Where is that law today?
Thaporn Prompreangpan, 45, said his street has been deprived of much-needed parking spaces by selfish business owners. Roads are public property, he maintained, not an extension of private land and should be respected as such.
Three years ago, police said there was no law on the books against blocking off parking spots. The most officers can do is simply advise offenders they are causing problems and ask them to remove the blockade.
But, at the time, Pattaya officials said they were drafting a law that makes it a punishable offense to block public parking.
Where is that law today?
