___________________________________________________________________________________
Locals doubt City Hall can tame Pattaya’s motorbike rental racket
By Pattaya Mail
June 23, 2025
After years of mounting complaints and congested roads, Pattaya officials have launched a renewed campaign to rein in unregulated motorbike rental operations along the city’s beachfront. But instead of praise, the move is being met with deep skepticism from local residents — many of whom believe the problem runs deeper than just parked scooters.
Rows of rental bikes have long dominated Beach Road, particularly near Soi 13/3, Central Festival, and the Krungthai Bank. Residents say these operations take over entire stretches of public curb space, leaving tourists, locals, and delivery drivers with nowhere to park. “Finally!” said one long-frustrated driver. “I could never find a space. If it wasn’t the taxis, it was 200 rental bikes taking up every spot. People were fed up for years.”
City Hall’s inspections come with a strong message: public areas are not for private gain. Yet, many Pattaya locals remain unconvinced. “Good luck with that,” one social media user quipped. “They’re cutting into their own arrangement — once those bikes are cleared, so are the under-the-table benefits that kept them there.”
While officials have not directly addressed such claims, many believe the real issue isn’t just the bikes — but who enables them. For years, rumors have persisted about rental businesses paying unofficial fees or favors in exchange for being allowed to operate without interference. Locals doubt that these operations could so openly occupy public land without some level of protection or complicity.
Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/locals ... ket-506554
______________________________________________________________________________________
Pattaya’s renewed motorbike rental crackdown faces skepticism as residents question lasting impact
By Pattaya Mail
June 25, 2025
City officials, with support from local police, have once again begun efforts to remove motorbike rental operations from public sidewalks and parking zones, particularly in busy tourist areas like Beach Road and Soi Buakhao.
The latest campaign includes the removal of illegally placed traffic cones, signs reserving public parking spaces, and unlicensed bike rentals encroaching on pedestrian walkways. The operation has been accompanied by public statements and photo opportunities that highlight the city’s renewed commitment to maintaining order in public spaces.
But for many of Pattaya’s long-term expat and local residents, the crackdown feels familiar—perhaps too familiar. “This happened before,” said one resident who has lived in Pattaya for over a decade. “The cones were cleared, the bikes disappeared—briefly. Then everything returned to exactly how it was.”
The recurring nature of such enforcement efforts has led some to question their long-term effectiveness. Critics suggest the challenge lies less in policy and more in follow-through. Several residents noted that similar clean-up operations have been launched repeatedly over the years, but with limited sustained impact. “There’s always a campaign, always a promise,” said a European retiree who frequents the city centre. “But after a few weeks, the old patterns come back.”
Some observers have raised concerns about underlying issues, including inconsistent enforcement and possible conflicts of interest among stakeholders. While unverified, such concerns have contributed to scepticism about the city’s ability to bring about lasting reform.
Nonetheless, not all feedback has been negative. Others point out that visible efforts to address public complaints are still a step in the right direction, and that recent leadership changes—including a new city police chief—could mark a turning point. “This is a good opportunity to show the public that enforcement can work when applied consistently,” said one civic-minded expat. “But it has to be fair, and it has to last longer than the next news cycle.”
For now, the cones and illegal signs are being removed once again. Whether they stay gone remains to be seen. With Pattaya seeking to balance its role as a global tourism hub while improving local governance, observers say consistent and transparent enforcement will be key to restoring trust—and to demonstrating that this latest push is more than just temporary optics.
Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattay ... act-506794