PATTAYA: The 33rd Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2026 takes place this weekend, Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th or September, with start and finish at Terminal 21 Pattaya on North Pattaya Road. More than 21,700 runners from 58 countries are expected. Organizers and city officials confirmed yesterday that the event will go ahead as scheduled despite forecast rainstorms and recent flooding.
On the 24th of September at Terminal 21 Pattaya, Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong, Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampichet and Deputy Mayor Krisana Boonsawad stated the marathon would not be postponed. Heavy overnight rain on 23–24 September caused flooding on several roads, and the Thai Meteorological Department has warned of widespread thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rain in the Eastern region through the 27th of September. Officials said they would manage the race area and support runners, residents and visitors so the event can proceed safely.
Race Times
Saturday 26 September
(shorter distances, more limited disruption):
– 10 km: start 5:45 a.m., cutoff 7:45 a.m.
– Wheelchair 4.5 km: start 6:25 a.m.
– Family/Fun Run 4.5 km: start 6:30 a.m., cutoff 7:30 a.m.
Road closures begin at midnight in some areas. Major traffic restrictions run roughly 4 a.m.–8 a.m., with some sections remaining restricted until 9 a.m. Bag drop is available 4:30–5:30 a.m.
Sunday 27 September
(full and half marathon, widest disruption):
– Full marathon 42.195 km: start 3:30 a.m., 7-hour cutoff (must finish by 10:30 a.m.).
– Half marathon 21.1 km: start 5:10 a.m., cutoff 8:40 a.m.
Road closures and controls start at 12:01 a.m. and last until 11 a.m. Bag drop is 2:30–5:00 a.m. Award ceremonies follow later in the morning.
Courses use North Pattaya Road, Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya Second Road (Sai 2), Thappraya Road, Jomtien Second Road, Jomtien Beach Road, Sukhumvit Road and connecting streets, including loops toward Walking Street and the Dolphin Roundabout.
Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions
Expect full closures, one-way systems, contra-flow (traffic in both directions on the same carriageway), compulsory turns and altered soi access. Follow on-site officers and signs.
Saturday focuses on the city centre and beachfront:
– North Pattaya Road
– Naklua Road
– Pattaya Beach Road
– Pattaya Second Road
– Central Pattaya Road
– South Pattaya Road
Avoid the beachfront, Dolphin Roundabout and nearby connecting roads. Access into and out of some sois will change. Vehicles travelling from Central Pattaya Road toward Sukhumvit Road cannot turn right.
Sunday is far more extensive, covering Pattaya and Jomtien:
– All Saturday roads plus Walking Street, Jomtien Second Road, Jomtien Beach Road, Sukhumvit Road and parts of central Pattaya. This will also essentially block off access to the Pratumnak Hill area during the marathon to vehicles.
– Dolphin Roundabout
– Pattaya Central underpass and lowered-road section (closed both directions)
Two underpasses will be closed (affecting traffic toward Chonburi and Sattahip). The motorway entrance toward Bangkok will also be closed. Parts of Sukhumvit Road will use a temporary two-way arrangement on one carriageway between the Sukhumvit–Central Pattaya intersection and the Jomtien Second Road intersection.
Detours and Alternative Routes
Plan extra time, especially Sunday morning. Through traffic that does not need to enter central Pattaya should use the railway road to avoid the race route toward Chonburi or Sattahip.
Recommended options from official notices:
– Entering Pattaya from the railway road or nearby sois: use the Sukhumvit–Central Pattaya intersection.
– Leaving central Pattaya toward the railway road: make a U-turn or use the Pornprapanimit–Central Pattaya intersection.
– Heading to Bangkok: make a U-turn near the Sukhumvit–North Pattaya intersection and follow traffic officers (motorway entrance closed).
– Heading toward Sattahip on Sukhumvit: expect the temporary lane arrangement between Central Pattaya and Jomtien Second Road.
Residents and visitors in affected sois should allow extra time and follow police directions, as access points will shift. Pattaya City has divided the area into eight zones for monitoring. Temporary pedestrian overpasses have been planned at some points. If you are planning to go out there may be early bar closures on Sunday morning and it could be difficult to get back to your home or hotel depending on location by vehicle.
Practical Advice
Call Pattaya’s 24-hour 1337 MAX hotline for traffic information. Check live cameras via the city’s livestream/CCTV system (livestream.pattaya.go.th or ioc.pattaya.go.th) and LINE OA @pattayaconnect; feeds include traffic, rainfall and flooding. Parking is available at Terminal 21, Central Marina, Lotus Pattaya Nuea and Pattaya City Hall; arrive 75–90 minutes early because of congestion.
Weather remains the main variable. Recent storms left standing water on Sukhumvit, Beach Road, Second Road, sois and railway-side routes. Drainage usually improves within an hour or two after rain stops, but further heavy showers are possible. Officials say they will keep the course usable and the event on schedule. Motorists, residents and visitors should treat Sunday morning as the period of greatest disruption and build in substantial extra travel time.
It’s suggested for residents that unless there is an emergency to avoid vehicle travel entirely in Central Pattaya, Pratumnak, and Jomtien during the Sunday morning marathon. Tourists needing to travel or enter or exit Pattaya during this time should have alternative plans. Some hotels and areas may be inaccessible by vehicle/taxi.
Photo credit Pattaya Marathon 2026