Pattaya, Thailand – A meeting chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn, was held at Pattaya City Hall on August 28 to devise an efficient strategy for patient transfers during the ongoing repair work on the Bali Hai Pier bridge, which was rendered off-limits to all vehicles due to severe concrete structure damage.
This decision followed an announcement from Pattaya City that prohibited any type of vehicle entry onto the Bali Hai Pier. The move was prompted by concerns about the deteriorating condition of the bridge’s southern supports, leading to the installation of “No Entry for Vehicles” signs as of August 24.
In response to the vehicular restriction, officials resorted to a temporary measure of transferring patients by stretcher onto smaller boats. This improvisation was met with criticism and sparked concerns over its potential impact on Pattaya’s standing in the tourism sphere.
While emergency vehicles and ambulances had initially been granted partial access to the bridge during its repair phase, the precarious and unpredictable state of the structure compelled authorities to adopt a more cautious stance by completely barring vehicular entry, with safety as the foremost consideration.
The city council arrived at a decision to employ alternative transportation means for patient transfers. Methods like golf carts or the Pattaya Beach Road tram were chosen to ensure the safety of patients and emergency personnel. The overarching aim was to establish a systematic protocol for handling similar situations in the future. These discussions revolved around collaboration with pertinent agencies and the formulation of a temporary transfer point near the Pattaya Beach Sea Rescue Unit headquarters, located at the backup pier area.
