Jomtien’s beachfront turns into a construction nightmare, driving tourists and businesses away. PATTAYA, Thailand – What was once a peaceful seaside stretch and a favorite spot for tourists is now a dusty, chaotic construction zone, as ongoing roadworks along Jomtien Beach Road and Second Road grind into yet another frustrating phase. While city officials tout the infrastructure overhaul as a much-needed upgrade, the reality on the ground paints a different picture — one of tradeoffs that many say are costing the area more than they’re worth. Locals and long-term visitors are sounding the alarm over the worsening conditions. Dust clouds, construction debris, and gaping holes dominate the scenery. Footpaths are either broken or blocked, forcing pedestrians to walk dangerously close to traffic. Songthaews — a crucial part of Pattaya’s public transport system — are rerouting or skipping the area altogether, leaving both tourists and locals stranded. Business owners along the beachfront and Second Road are reporting sharp downturns in revenue. “People aren’t coming here like they used to,” said one café owner. “They can’t park, they can’t walk, and there’s no view. It’s not Jomtien anymore — it’s a construction site.” Tourists have taken to social media and expat forums to vent their frustration. One particularly blunt comment captures the growing sentiment: “Jomtien Beach Road is a freaking disaster. A kilometer at least still doesn’t have the beach walk. There’s construction garbage everywhere. There’s 20-30 people that call the Pattaya Jomtien Beach sign at the curve home. The one-way road is a mess, completely disrupting songthaews and impacting businesses. Who wants to bring their family there? Anybody that’s been in the last year is never coming back. Nor are their family or friends.” “A cleaner Jomtien? Not really — they’re still pouring sewage and filthy water into the sea. I’ve lived in Thailand for 15 years, 12 of them in Pattaya and Jomtien, and I’ve never once swum in the sea here. But in Phuket or Samui, I’m in the water every day. The parking is a nightmare — illegal double-parked cars all along Beach Road, and just one sad little sign near Soi 4 telling people not to do it. The one-way system is a disaster and it’s killing local businesses. Honestly, it feels like the authorities already have a fixed plan and couldn’t care less about what residents or business owners think,” said a longtime Jomtien resident. The city’s silence on clear timelines for completion is adding to the frustration. Without regular updates or visible progress, many worry that the damage to Jomtien’s reputation — and to the small businesses that rely on steady foot traffic — may be lasting. While some still hold out hope that the construction will ultimately improve drainage, sidewalks, and overall infrastructure, the current state of Jomtien is pushing tourists and locals alike to take their business elsewhere. The question now is whether those who’ve left will ever return once the dust finally settles.