Pattaya investing 2.75 billion baht in four-phase megaproject to tackle floods

PATTAYA City has unveiled a 2.75-billion-baht investment plan for a four-phase drainage megaproject, designed to handle heavy rainfall of up to 130 millimetres an hour and alleviate flooding for over 37,000 households, Amarin TV said last night (Nov. 5).

Mayor Poramet Ngampichet told a meeting of Pattaya City Council that flood-mitigation projects had been consistently implemented but a comprehensive, system-wide solution would require a budget of 21 billion baht—an amount that exceeds the city’s financial capacity while government budget support remains insufficient,

Since 2022, Pattaya City has utilised funds approved by the Pattaya City Council, including special accumulated budget reserves, to continuously upgrade drainage systems in high-risk areas.

Currently, the seaside city’s drainage system can handle rainfall of approximately 70 mm/hour. If the rain exceeds this capacity, temporary flooding may occur; floodwater levels typically reach 10–20 centimetres and take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to drain, depending on the volume of rain and local terrain conditions.

Furthermore, Pattaya City has established a “Water Crisis Centre” to monitor the floodwater situation and alert the public to avoid flood-prone routes. The city has successfully reduced the number of high-risk flood spots from 24 down to approximately nine primary locations, along with three to four minor ones, including the road running parallel to the railway tracks near Soi Noen Phlap Wan, Pattaya Sai 3 road (near the former “Mum Aroi” restaurant), and South Pattaya road.

Regarding long-term flood mitigation, Poramet said that a special budget of approximately 2.75 billion baht has been secured for large-scale drainage system improvements. This initiative is divided into four phases:

– Phase 1 (2027–2029): Upgrading the drainage systems in the lower section of South Pattaya road, Pattaya Sai 2 road (Soi 18), and the lower section of Chaloem Phra Kiat road.

– Phase 2 (2027–2029): Upgrading the drainage system in the upper section of Chaloem Phra Kiat road and the upper section of South Pattaya road.

– Phase 3 (2028–2030): Implementing projects along Sukhumvit road, the railway-side road, and the road near the Land Office.

– Phase 4 (2028–2030): Upgrading the drainage system along Sukhumvit road till Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 69 and Soi Ko Phai.

Poramet added that once all projects are completed according to the plan, the city’s capacity to handle rainfall will increase from the current 70 mm/hour to 130 mm/hour. This will cover an area of approximately 15 square kilometres (9,375 rai) across South Pattaya, Central Pattaya, and Thep Prasit road, and is expected to alleviate flooding for over 37,300 households.

Currently, the Terms of Reference (TOR) for these projects are being drafted, and preparations are underway to begin the contractor selection process. Pattaya City expects that these drainage system upgrades will more effectively mitigate flooding in key economic zones and major residential communities throughout the city.

CAPTIONS:

Top, second insert and Front Page: Heavy floods in Pattaya.

First insert: Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet. Photos – Amarin TV

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