Pattaya has temporarily installed seven new high-power water pumps along Beach Road to tackle chronic flooding issues while it constructs a permanent solution.
Following yet another round of heavy rain and flooding, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome oversaw the installation of the pumps at three places along Beach Road Oct. 23. Four pumps are located at the foot of Soi 6 – one of the worst-hit flood areas – two across from Central Festival Pattaya Beach and one at the entrance of Walking Street.
Pattaya sanitary officers have installed 4 water pumps at the entrance of Soi 6/1. Other pumps have been installed across from Central Festival Pattaya Beach and at the entrance of Walking Street.
Soi 6 got special attention as, for years, water has raced down that street and adjacent Soi 6/1 and carved out huge trenches in the sandy beach opposite.
The mayor also inspected Soi 1 and ordered Sanitation Department workers two sweep the street and remove garbage that has piled up due to storm drainage.
Water-quality manager Somphop Wandee said the pumps were necessary as, during heavy rain, runoff flows from East Pattaya down to Pattaya Beach. Existing water pumps have not been able to keep up with the job as they were clogged by garbage and debris carried with the runoff.
The new pumps can handle 550 cu. meters of water per hour and shuttle it into huge pipes that feed into the sea.
The pumps – which will remain in place until the as yet unspecified end of the rainy season – are only a temporary solution, however. Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay said plans are underway to rework Beach Road’s drainage system to solve persistent flooding.
Plans call for huge water sump tanks at the Dusit Curve, the entrance of Soi 6/1, Central Road and Walking Street that will connect to the 200-meter-long drainage pipeline.
No timetable for the project was given.
Officials stated that the temporary pumps, once removed, will be installed again at the start of next year’s rainy season.
