Pattaya —
The road in Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, is set to undergo a major overhaul to convert it into a one-way street for improved traffic flow.
Pattaya city officials said they will try out the one-way system within the next one to two weeks after the placement of notice signs to inform the public in advance.
The major change followed the resolution of a meeting of the local Pattaya administration committee to convert the road in Soi Buakhao into a one-way street. This decision was made due to regular issues of high congestion and traffic density in the area.
Other stretches including Soi Pattaya Sai 2 Road entering Soi Buakhao, Soi Chaloem Phra Kiat (Sai 3) entering Soi Buakhao, and parts of Jomtien Beach Road will also be converted to one-way for better mobility.
City officials will visit the area to gather people’s thoughts about the change before implementing the shift within one to two weeks.
This traffic change on Soi Buakhao was very briefly tested during Covid lockdowns during 2021 and the feedback and data from that brief test will be used for this permanent implementation.
Soi Buakhao, especially around the popular Tree Town nightlife area, has become a major HUB for pedestrian and vehicular traffic every night and has led to a number of unfortunate accidents, some even fatal, in the area. Officials hope the change will lessen these accidents from taking place and better preserve traffic flow.
Reaction to the change on social media was largely positive but many netizens pointed out that three of the major problems could still persist-Baht Buses stopping illegally for passengers and holding up traffic, Motorbike taxi vendors taking up large portions of public streets for their stands, and illegal food vendors stopping where they wish for customers, also slowing traffic flow. Many netizens pointed out that even if traffic flows one way these issues would need to be dealt with to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.
