PATTAYA — It happened again in Pattaya yesterday: a tropical downpour lasting less than an hour was more than enough to turn much of the seaside resort into a waterlogged mess. On several main roads, water levels rose as high as 80 centimeters, resulting in prolonged traffic congestion and stalled vehicles.
As is typically the case, the well-known trouble spots bore the brunt of the impact. Water depths reached between 20 and 80 centimeters, particularly on Sukhumvit Road near South Pattaya, Pattaya Third Road, the notorious Peniad Chang intersection, and the frontage road running alongside the railway line.
For those in cars and the countless scooter riders, the roads were effectively impassable. Anyone who attempted to push through risked a stalled engine and getting their feet soaked.
Pattaya City municipal workers took immediate action, placing barriers in the most hazardous areas to prevent accidents. The worst-affected roads were temporarily closed off entirely while water levels were at their peak.
Fortunately, the misery did not last long.
As soon as the downpour passed, the excess water began to drain away steadily. Municipal workers then had to head out onto the asphalt to collect large quantities of debris that had been washed onto the street by the current. Before long, traffic began to move again—a classic example of the chaos caused by a heavy Thai rainstorm, the kind that seasoned expats barely even notice anymore.
Source: DailyNews / OlleBolleke
