Slowing down speeding vehicles with speed breakers: a path to safer, quieter nights in Pattaya? PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya’s ongoing battle with late-night street racing and speeding vehicles has locals wondering: should the city install more speed breakers on its notorious “racing roads” to finally bring some peace and quiet? The question comes amid recent complaints from residents in Ratchaburi province, where more than 30 rubber speed bumps were installed on a single stretch of road in front of Wat Yai Nakhon Chum in Ban Pong district. The dense placement of these speed breakers—covering riverside streets and roads near the temple—has sparked debate over whether such measures truly improve safety or create new inconveniences, especially for motorcyclists and elderly drivers. Locals shared their mixed feelings. While many understand the need to slow down speeding vehicles and reduce accidents, some believe the number of speed breakers is excessive. A resident known only as Ms. A said she supports safety measures but feels the bumps were placed too closely, especially in less busy, isolated areas where slowing down could increase risks of crime like robbery. She also urged local authorities to consider other safety measures such as improving street lighting, since some roads are very dark at night and difficult to navigate safely. Responding to the complaints, Chaiya Iamkham, Chief Officer of the Nakhon Chum Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), explained that the decision to install 32 rubber speed breakers was based on reports of dangerous speeding vehicles, including heavy trucks, near the temple area. The project, costing over 300,000 baht from the SAO’s 2025 budget, aimed to reduce accidents and help surveillance cameras capture clearer images of vehicles and potential criminals. He also assured residents that any homeowner affected by a speed breaker may request its removal through official channels. The SAO plans to relocate some of the bumps to other spots based on further community input. Ratchaburi residents debate: Are 30+ speed breakers too many or just enough for safety? This situation raises an important question for Pattaya, a city plagued by late-night street racing and noisy speeding vehicles: Should Pattaya also install more speed breakers on its “racing roads” to protect residents and help law enforcement keep the peace? While many locals complain about the noise and danger of fast drivers, speed bumps could be an effective tool to slow down traffic and reduce accidents. Of course, the challenge lies in finding the right balance. Too many speed breakers can cause inconvenience, vehicle damage, and traffic jams. But carefully placed speed breakers on main racing routes could keep traffic speeds manageable and give residents peace of mind at night. Coupled with better street lighting and targeted law enforcement, Pattaya might finally get a handle on its speeding problem. In the end, safety and community well-being must come first. If Ratchaburi’s experiment with dense speed breakers can teach Pattaya anything, it’s that slowing vehicles down with physical measures can be a necessary part of protecting lives — and yes, helping everyone get a better night’s sleep. Local official defends dense speed breaker installation to curb speeding and aid surveillance.