Pattaya's mayor election race is now underway

[Gaybutton]

I hope whichever of the candidates wins it won't be yet another everything changes, but nothing changes.

It didn't take long for the blaring, extremely loud (and annoying) political campaign advertising trucks to get started, at least in my neighborhood. That degree of high volume at 8:00am was something I, for one, neither appreciated nor welcomed. Nevertheless, that's how it's done around here.

The election will be Sunday, June 28. As always, alcohol sales will be banned from Saturday evening, the 27th, until the polls close on the 28th. That ban will likely include the bars, so buy your booze before the 27th. The rules forbid buying and selling alcohol during the ban, but I no of no rules prohibiting drinking alcohol you already have.
_________________________________________________________________

Pattaya City Election Candidate Registration Closes with 5 Mayoral Hopefuls

By Adam Judd

June 2, 2026

Candidate registration for the Pattaya City Mayor and City Council elections officially ended on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., with no additional candidates submitting applications on the final day.

Mr. Kiattisak Sriwongchai, Pattaya City Clerk and Director of the Pattaya City Election Commission, formally announced the closure of registration at the Thappphraya Meeting Room on the 4th floor of Pattaya City Hall.

Registration had been open from May 28 to June 1, 2026, at the same venue between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., in accordance with regulations set by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT). Officials reported that the entire five-day process ran smoothly and transparently under close supervision by the Pattaya Election Coordination Center and relevant committees, with all procedures strictly following election laws.

Mayoral Candidates
A total of five candidates registered for Pattaya City Mayor:

– No. 1: Mr. Itthiwat Wattanasaathorn
– No. 2: Mr. Poramese Ngamphichet
– No. 3: Mr. Sakchai Taengho
– No. 4: Mr. Suwainee Charoensuk
– No. 5: Dr. Itthiphon Nethiyukup Singkhraekaeo

In order by number are their photos: - click the link below if you wish to see the photos.

The Pattaya City Mayor and City Council elections are scheduled for Sunday, June 28th, 2026. Polling stations will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eligible voters are urged to check their names on the voter list and exercise their voting rights at their designated polling station. Alcohol sales per Thai law will be banned from the evening before until polls close on election day.

Authorities encourage residents to study the candidates’ backgrounds and policies ahead of election day under the theme “Unite with Integrity, Vote Transparently, Together Build Pattaya.”

For more information, contact the Chonburi Provincial Election Commission Office at 038-467892, the Pattaya City Election Coordination Center at 038-253122 (during office hours), or the ECT hotline at 1444.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/06/02/p ... -hopefuls/

[Jun]

Well, I look forward to your analysis of the candidates. There is a lot of low hanging fruit to go after.

[Gaybutton]

Well, I look forward to your analysis of the candidates.

Now that Thaksin has been pardoned, maybe he'll run. If he wins I don't know how good he might be, but at least his tenure in office would be rather interesting . . .

The only mayor in recent memory that I can recall - I forgot his name - is the mayor who had that Sukhumvit tunnel built at Pattaya Klang (Central Road) which, in my opinion, was built in the wrong place. I think it should have been built at the Pattaya Tai intersection. Either that, or 3 Sukhumvit tunnels should have been built - one at Pattaya Klang, one at Pattaya Tai, and one at Thepprasit Road. It is those 3 intersections that have always had the most traffic problems - and still do.

Other than that, I can't think of anything significant that changed as a result of anything a mayor has done in all the years I've lived here, but I can think of plenty I wish they had done.

My opinion - To me it doesn't matter which candidate wins. I don't expect anything to be likely to change anyway.

No.2 is the current mayor of Pattaya. I have never heard of the other candidates. We'll see if the voters want a different mayor or want to continue the status quo.

If I could vote, no matter what his qualifications might be, whichever candidate sends the most of those sound trucks up and down my soi would be one candidate who does not get my vote.

[2lz2p]

Well, I look forward to your analysis of the candidates.

The only mayor in recent memory that I can recall - I forgot his name - is the mayor who had that Sukhumvit tunnel built at Pattaya Klang (Central Road) which, in my opinion, was built in the wrong place. I think it should have been built at the Pattaya Tai intersection. Either that, or 3 Sukhumvit tunnels should have been built - one at Pattaya Klang, one at Pattaya Tai, and one at Thepprasit Road. It is those 3 intersections that have always had the most traffic problems - and still do.

If I could vote, no matter what his qualifications might be, whichever candidate sends the most of those sound trucks up and down my soi would be one candidate who does not get my vote.

Mayor Ittiphol Khunpluem (well known political family in Chonburi Province at the time). As I recall, there were to be 3 tunnels at the intersections GB mentions. However, only one was actually constructed. There was much speculation that like much of Pattaya it would be flooded when we have a heavy downpour; but surprise surprise, it didn't although other parts of Sukhumvit Road floods. The plans for the other 2 tunnels apparently went by the wayside after Ittiphol left office.

As to GB'a last comment - Amen to that!

[Gaybutton]

As I recall, there were to be 3 tunnels at the intersections GB mentions. However, only one was actually constructed. There was much speculation that like much of Pattaya it would be flooded when we have a heavy downpour; but surprise surprise, it didn't

Since the time the tunnels were first proposed until even now, I still don't understand why tunnels rather than bridges. I think bridges would have made more sense, but obviously that, along with ever actually building the two additional tunnels, didn't work out that way.

Perhaps a new mayor would push to build those last two tunnels, or bridges, but I won't be holding my breath.

When I first came to live in Pattaya I could easily drive to anywhere in 10 minutes, often less. Now that same drive takes at least 40 minutes to an hour, and it keeps getting worse, not better. And what has been done about it? As far as I can tell, other than plenty of talk and a few ineffective measures taken periodically, most of which last no longer than 2 or 3 weeks or so - nothing.

"You're nothing but a lot of talk and a badge!"
- Robert De Niro (Al Capone), 'The Untouchables'

[Jun]

Perhaps a new mayor would push to build those last two tunnels, or bridges, but I won't be holding my breath.

When I first came to live in Pattaya I could easily drive to anywhere in 10 minutes, often less. Now that same drive takes at least 40 minutes to an hour, and it keeps getting worse, not better.

I see worsening congestion too. Also, IF all those new apartment blocks get filled with people, it will get much worse than now.

However, whilst selective junction upgrades would be helpful, what they need is a mayor who has travelled and recognises the benefits of proper public transport, pedestrian access etc.

And after putting in proper public transport, he should also get rid of the rolling road blocks (songthaew).

[Gaybutton]

Here is what Pattaya nightlife operators want from the next mayor:
__________________________________________________________

Pattaya Nightlife Operators Urge Incoming Mayor to Support Business Sector, Extend Nightlife Venue Hours to 6 AM, and Review Zoning

By Adam Judd

June 5, 2026

As the city prepares for the Pattaya mayoral and city council elections on June 28th, 2026, local nightlife entrepreneurs have issued a clear message to the incoming mayor, calling for stronger teamwork with the private sector to boost Pattaya’s status as a world-class tourist destination.

Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Operators Association, delivered the appeal on behalf of nightlife business owners. She explained the need for a mayor who deeply understands the business community, actively listens to their concerns, and maintains continuous cooperation with the private sector.

“Past cooperation has allowed us to communicate problems effectively to city administrators,” Hamilton stated. “We hope the new mayor, regardless of who is elected, will continue this close partnership to ensure smooth development of the city and its tourism industry.”

Key Proposals for Tourism Enhancement

The association put forward two major policy recommendations:

1. Extension of Operating Hours: Push to extend entertainment venue closing times from the current 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM in entertainment zones. This would better accommodate tourist behavior and sustain economic activity in a major international destination.

2. Zoning Review: Re-examine and update zoning regulations for entertainment venues to align with Pattaya’s rapid growth. Many current rules, established years ago, no longer reflect the city’s expanded urban landscape. The group suggests expanding designated zones in high-potential areas to allow more operators to run legally, improving city regulation and long-term tourism growth. For instance, large parts of Jomtien now have hundreds of bars but are technically not entertainment zones despite years of urging from entertainment business owners and have only been given temporary status to be open later and operate.

Pattaya has previously benefited from national policies allowing extensions to 4:00 AM in pilot areas, which operators credit with stimulating the nighttime economy. The push for 6:00 AM and broader zoning adjustments reflects ongoing efforts to position the city competitively against other global tourist hubs.

The statement comes amid a competitive mayoral race featuring candidates such as incumbent Poramese Ngampichet, Itthiwat Wattanasaathorn from the People’s Party, and independent candidate Sakchai Tangho, along with two others. Voting is scheduled for June 28th, 2026, alongside city council elections.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/06/05/p ... ew-zoning/

[Jun]

1. Extension of Operating Hours: Push to extend entertainment venue closing times from the current 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM in entertainment zones. This would better accommodate tourist behavior and sustain economic activity in a major international destination.

Do tourists really want that ?
I think 4:00 am closing is more than enough for most tourists.

Top of my list for a new mayor would be proper public transport. The interim solution would be buses, operating on bus only lanes, enforced by cameras. If it were possible to get from Jomtien to North Pattaya in ~20 minutes instead of the 45~75 minutes that is typical, it would transform the situation.

Second on the list would be to improve provision for pedestrians.
1 Wide flat paths.
2 More trees along the beach, so we can walk in shade. I believe Thais are quite keen on that too, possibly even more so.
3 Add more pedestrian routes & reduce the number of dead end routes. Like directly up the hill somewhere near the big Pattaya sign. Out of the back of the Buddha hill park towards Jomtien etc.

However, I doubt anyone is asking tourists, despite the Pattaya economy mostly relying on tourists.

2. Zoning Review: Re-examine and update zoning regulations for entertainment venues to align with Pattaya’s rapid growth. Many current rules, established years ago, no longer reflect the city’s expanded urban landscape. The group suggests expanding designated zones in high-potential areas to allow more operators to run legally, improving city regulation and long-term tourism growth. For instance, large parts of Jomtien now have hundreds of bars but are technically not entertainment zones despite years of urging from entertainment business owners and have only been given temporary status to be open later and operate.

This one makes complete sense. And once you have re-done the zoning, enforce it properly, so noise is separated from the residential areas. Also, pedestrianise entertainment areas as far as possible.

Also, they should think about a retail zone for Jomtien. If all those new residential buildings get filled, people will need shops. Jomtien doesn't even have Boots, Watsons or a good supermarket.

[Gaybutton]

However, I doubt anyone is asking tourists, despite the Pattaya economy mostly relying on tourists.

That is an important point. They really should include tourist and expat input and take it very seriously, but they don't - as if our thoughts and opinions don't count at all. They pay far more attention to foreign criminals and bad tourist behavior, but give almost no thought that I can see to the "good guy" tourists and expats. They are so concerned about the "good image" of Pattaya. If they would seek our input and actually act on it, they would get their "good image" - at least a significantly better image than what currently exists.

[Jun]

That is an important point. They really should include tourist and expat input and take it very seriously, but they don't - as if our thoughts and opinions don't count at all. They pay far more attention to foreign criminals and bad tourist behaviour, but give almost no thought that I can see to the "good guy" tourists and expats.

I'm not even expecting them to do that for our benefit, but for their own self interest.

After all, if they want more prime visitors etc etc and all the money that comes from that, then taking some notice of what visitors & expats want would make good business sense.