PATTAYA — An Icelandic tourist suffered facial injuries after stumbling into an uncovered drainage hole on a Central Pattaya sidewalk. The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on February 6 along Pattaya 2nd Road, has highlighted the city’s unsafe public walkways.
Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation responded immediately after receiving reports of the accident. Rescue workers provided first aid to the injured tourist, who was bleeding from facial wounds, before transporting him to a local hospital.
At the scene, the tourist described tripping over a large uncovered drainage hole measuring approximately 1.5 by 1.5 meters. “The hole was concealed by garbage, rocks, and leaves,” he explained, noting the hazardous 10-centimeter raised edge that caused his fall.
Local residents claim this hazard has existed for years. “We’ve seen numerous tourists injured here,” one longtime resident said. They also identified additional dangers along the walkway, including two locations where removed light poles left exposed bolt studs protruding 3-5 centimeters from the ground.
The problem is compounded by narrow sidewalks frequently occupied by parked vehicles, forcing pedestrians onto the busy street. This creates additional risks, especially during peak traffic hours.
While officials from the Pattaya Mayor’s office inspected the site later that morning, no immediate repairs were initiated. The question of which agency bears responsibility for addressing these safety hazards remains unanswered.
Local business owners and residents are calling for urgent action. “These conditions are damaging Pattaya’s reputation as a tourist destination,” a nearby shopkeeper stated. “We need these hazards fixed before someone gets seriously injured.”
The mayor’s office has indicated they will forward these concerns to relevant authorities, though no specific timeline for repairs has been established. Meanwhile, both tourists and locals continue to navigate these dangerous conditions daily.
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