Granite blocks have been placed in southern areas of Jomtien Beach to help slow erosion. Councilman Thongchai Ardzong is calling for Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome to reallocate some of the funds earmarked for restoring Pattaya Beach to go toward the same goal in Jomtien.
A long-time Pattaya city councilman says Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome’s focus on combating erosion of Pattaya Beach is coming at the expense of Jomtien Beach, which has received no funding to reverse its gradual decay.
Councilman Thongchai Ardzong called on the mayor to reallocate some of the funds earmarked for restoring sand levels in Pattaya toward research and environmental studies in Jomtien.
Granite blocks have been placed in southern areas of Jomtien Beach to help slow erosion. Councilman Thongchai Ardzong is calling for Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome to reallocate some of the funds earmarked for restoring Pattaya Beach to go toward the same goal in Jomtien.
While not as obvious as in Pattaya, Jomtien’s erosion has resulted in the loss of most of the sand near the Soi Chaiyapruek intersection and left the beach in front of the Lung Sawai restaurant almost bare.
“Recently, Jomtien Beach’s sand has been taken away by the sea currents, piling up more than 10,000 cu. meters at Najomtien Beach,” Thongchai said. “This is because of construction and changing currents. If the city does not take actions and prevention measures, Jomtien Beach will face the same condition as Pattaya Beach.”
At a Sept. 12 council meeting, the mayor acknowledged the councilman’s comments, but said the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration plans currently only call for landscaping improvements and erosion abatement on Pattaya Beach.
The mayor pledged, however, that researchers will be hired to study a solution for Jomtien Beach “soon.”
