Pattaya Bypass - soft opening part way

On the way back from Bangkok this morning. shortly after passing The Regent school, my driver took a left through some red rails - memories of foreign tourists in shallow grave sprang to mind. I said "new way" and he said "yes". I guessed it must be the line along the railway and lo and behold there was the railway. Traffic was light and work still going on but it was quick. There are no road signs yet but I think it will be a significant improvement to Pattay's road
infrastructure

We took a right when the open bit ended and come out on Suckhumvit opposite Spanish Place with Big C is sight.

The road seems presently very good and smooth. For the first time I saw Pattaya's cute little railway station with pots of flowers.

Secret - don't tell anyone.

... reads like the description of an arsehole

I was out ride my motor bike exploring on the other side of Suckhumvit some weeks ago and took the same bypass. It should save lots of time..until it is discovered by everyone.

It should save lots of time..until it is discovered by everyone.

Unfortunately Tom, it has been discovered by nearly everyone already. http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u152/GeorgeThai/frown.gif


G.

... reads like the description of an arsehole

Only asshole is you.

This "Pattaya Bypass" is one of Pattaya City hall's major catastrophes.
The "bypass" crosses roads like: Soi Chayaporn Viti, Soi Siam Country Club, Soi Neun Pleb Waan, Soi Kow Noi, Soi Khao Talo and Soi Chayapurk II: all very busy roads leading from Sukhumvit Eastwards. The "bypass" goes along the rail track on the East side of it, but on the west side of the rail track a spontaneous 2nd bypass grew over the last years.

Ready or not, at the moment both bypasses are in use and causes a lot of traffic sh*t.

Just to give an example of my concern: I travel every day from Pattaya (Aekmongkol) to Amata Nakorn. In the evening, on my way back home, it takes about 45 minutes from Amata Nakorn to the entrance of Soi Khao Talo.........and another 25 minutes to deal with 1 km of traffic, crossovers, railroad and a lot of ignorant fellow travelers.

If this is the "bypass", than Pattaya is about to die.

[lonelywombat]

[quote="wowpow"it must be the line along the railway and lo and behold there was the railway.
The road seems presently very good and smooth. For the first time I saw Pattaya's cute little railway station with pots of flowers.
.[/quote]


After all these years I find there is a railway station. I assume this a a line between Bangkok and Rayong or Sattahip

Is this the same railway that runs beside the airport?

http://www.railway.co.th/English/network.asp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/wowpow/mapE.gif

"Is this the same railway that runs beside the airport?"

Be that U Tapao. Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang or many others, I don't know but I'm sure that one could get to Don Muang via Bangkok. There is only one train a day to and from Bangkok and it's very slow but at 31 baht single fare not overpriced.

"Train
For rail fanatics who arrive at Don Muang airport in the early hours of the morning, do not have much luggage and are in no great rush to get to Pattaya, a very cheap alternative is to take the train. From inside the terminal building, follow the signs to the Railway Station across the elevated walkway and descend the ramp to the platform signposted тАШ Bangkok '. Buy a ticket to Hualampong Station at the ticket booth on the platform (regular services; fare 10 baht ).

At Hualampong , the only train of the day to Pattaya departs at 6:55am. The fare is 31 baht . (There is no train on weekends.) If you want a shower before boarding, there are good facilities in Hualampong for a cost of 10 baht . The journey time from the airport to Hualampong is between 45 and 90 minutes depending on whether you board an express train or the тАШmilk run' so, if you are not on a train from the airport by 5:30am, you run the risk of being stuck at Hualampong .

The train to Pattaya takes about four and a half hours and Pattaya Railway Station is a little out of town but there is usually a Baht Bus hanging around the station at the time of arrival. The Baht Bus fare to Central Pattaya is about 50 baht . Like most people, if you have just got off a long flight, the thought of travelling for another six hours to get to Pattaya is ridiculous." www.pattayasecrets.com (http://www.pattayasecrets.com)

The "bypass" crosses roads like: Soi Chayaporn Viti, Soi Siam Country Club, Soi Neun Pleb Waan, Soi Kow Noi, Soi Khao Talo and Soi Chayapurk II: all very busy roads leading from Sukhumvit Eastwards.

Very true - the whole concept seems totally pointless: with traffic lights on every junction it will be no quicker than Sukhumvit, wihout them it will become a deadly accident zone. The Army is doing most of the construction, but I wonder who has the contract for the landfill ........??