Solving Pattaya’s chronic flooding problems would take nine years and more than 10 billion baht, according to university consultants hired to draft a water-management master plan.
Theerawut Banyasopon, director-general of King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, outlined the three-phase project to city officials and presidents of Pattaya’s 42 community groups April 30.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (left) and Theerawut Banyasopon (right), director-general of King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, outline a three-phase project to solve Pattaya flooding woes.
The university’s Center for Water Engineering and Infrastructures Research was hired to develop a water-drainage and flood-management plan to solve perennial flooding in the Soi Buakaow, Soi Phettrakul, Pacific Village, Soi Bongkot, Soi Wat Thamsamakkee and Thepprasit Villa neighborhoods. The resolution suggested is neither cheap nor quick.
Consultants said the three main factors behind the flooding problem are the under-capacity of the existing drainage system, surface runoff from higher areas in East Pattaya, and that efficiency of the drainage system itself has been hobbled by commercial development.
A good place to start would be to dredge local canals, such as this one crossing under Pratamnak Road in South Pattaya, and keep them clear so as not to obstruct water runoff.
The solution calls for massive construction projects estimated to take nine years to complete and 10.2 billion baht to fund.
The first project is a 7.79 billion baht water-drainage system anchored by pumping stations in nine areas of the city. The second project is a railroad tracks-area drainage system connecting the Suaphew and Huay Yai canals for 400.6 million baht. Finally, plans call for construction of a dam behind Ekamongkol Village at Soi Khao Talo 7 and 7/1 at a total cost of 1.97 billion baht.
Construction would be divided into three phases, with the first phase – conservatively estimated to be completed in 2017 – being construction of pumping stations on Second Road, Bali Hai Pier, Peekplub and near the rail tracks.
