PATTAYA: Pattaya City Council President Praiwal Aromchuen chaired the third meeting of the first ordinary session of 2026 at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, in the Taksin Meeting Room at Pattaya City Hall.
Mayor Poramese Ngampichet attended with Deputy Mayors Manoch Nongyai and Kritsana Boonsawat, along with the mayor’s advisers, secretariat and working team, council members, the council president’s secretariat and department heads. Permanent Secretary Kiatisak Sriwongchai served as council secretary.
Council members raised several issues of public concern.
Disputed soi ownership
Councilor Jirawat Plukjai asked about title problems on Soi 6 Yodsak and Soi Chalermprakiat 25 (Soi Chaiyapoon), both used daily by residents.
Mayor Poramese said Pattaya had already consulted the National Anti-Corruption Commission in the previous administration. On Soi 6 Yodsak (title deed No. 10586), the registered owner is Somsak Wanasawat, but the land is tied to a Bangkok Bank mortgage and foreclosure. The Pattaya branch of the Legal Execution Department confirmed the auctioned area functions as a road. The city wrote to Bangkok Bank’s Banglamung branch and headquarters in March 2025 asking that the land be dedicated as a public road, and sent a follow-up in June 2026. The bank said the matter is before its main board. A city legal officer will deliver another letter to Bangkok Bank headquarters on Friday, September 11th, and the council will be updated on the outcome.
On Soi Chaiyapoon, the director of the Engineering Bureau said about 150 meters linking to Pattaya Third Road remains private land. The city can only carry out temporary measures such as drainage. Lasting repairs would require the same approach as Soi 6: negotiation for the owner to dedicate the land as public property. Without that, future work cannot be treated as a full municipal project.
Chao Pho Srinil Bridge
Councilor Phasakorn Yusomboon asked about complaints that Chao Pho Srinil Bridge near Khlong Nok Yang Na Kluea is deteriorating. The mayor said the Infrastructure Development Division of the Engineering Bureau has inspected the site. Preliminary findings show corrosion. Staff are collecting data for design and cost estimates and will seek council budget approval to repair the bridge.
AI and digital government
Responding to Councilor Dueansakao Jaemcharoen, Mayor Poramese said Pattaya has prepared a five-year Digital Action Plan for 2028–2032. The plan sets direction for using data, innovation and smart digital technology to change work methods, develop staff and systems, and apply AI to analysis and problem-solving. The goals are higher efficiency, less duplication, and public services that are faster, safer and more transparent.
Smart building permits
Councilor Wasan Sukkhi asked about an online Smart Building Permit system for construction, alteration and demolition applications. The mayor said the city is developing the system and has discussed construction licensing with the National Anti-Corruption Commission Region 2. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning system under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 is still being upgraded and is not yet usable. Pattaya intends to build a more auditable local system, with the Construction Control Division of the Engineering Bureau as the lead agency.
Waterfront parking
Councilor Sannychai Phonluk-in asked about vehicles being parked on Waterfront project land. The mayor said cars are no longer parked in the building itself; the city filed a criminal complaint in 2025. The area in front of the Waterfront condominium is claimed as private property. Two days earlier, the permanent secretary met the Banglamung district chief and the land office. The initial plan is to install no-parking signs, require vehicles to be removed, place barriers, and proceed with a royal land certificate to clarify the status of the land under the law.
Officials said the measures are intended to protect the public interest and keep Pattaya a livable, sustainable tourist city.
News: Khwanjai Suetrong
Photos: Chinanang Chumchuea, Public Relations Division
Public Relations Division, Administration Section, Bureau of Tourism and Sports