Racing against the clock: Pattaya scrambles to patch crumbling roads ahead of the marathon — but locals aren’t convinced. With each rainfall exposing more potholes, residents are snapping photos, raising alarms, and demanding lasting solutions instead of rushed, short-term fixes. PATTAYA, Thailand – With the highly anticipated Pattaya Marathon just weeks away, city officials are racing against time—not for medals, but for potholes. Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai, along with a team of municipal executives, conducted a site inspection this morning at the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya to oversee road surface damage and finalize plans for immediate repairs. In a press briefing, city representatives stated that temporary asphalt surfacing would be completed ahead of the July 20 marathon to ensure the safety and comfort of both residents and international athletes. Permanent restoration work, they said, would follow after the event. But not everyone is applauding the effort. Online, locals voiced frustration, skepticism, and in some cases, outright disbelief. Many questioned why road repairs seem to always arrive just before big events—and never last. One resident remarked that the city digs up the roads so frequently that it feels like a war zone, not a world-class tourist destination. Another said sarcastically that the roads look more like the moon than anything fit for marathon running. There was also widespread concern that shoddy fixes will be undone by the first seasonal rain, as has happened repeatedly across the city. Critics also questioned why repairs are concentrated in event zones while other deteriorating stretches, like Sukhumvit Road near Soi Photisan to the steel shop area, continue to be ignored. Some likened the cycle of temporary fixes and recurring damage to budget-churning theater, commenting that roadworks are announced with flair but delivered with minimal durability. Others shared personal experiences, such as driving over newly paved areas that quickly cracked again, or living on roads that have seen repeated digging year after year. In response to mounting dissatisfaction, concerned citizens have begun encouraging each other to document and submit photos of unsafe roads, especially following recent heavy rains that have worsened conditions citywide. The city has reminded residents to call the 1337 hotline to report dangerous road surfaces. As the city races to tidy up for international visitors, many locals are calling for more than just cosmetic fixes. The overwhelming message: don’t just smooth things over for the marathon — rebuild them properly, once and for all.