Pattaya Floods: Parked Motorcycles Swept Away, Residents Blame Large Vehicles

PATTAYA, Thailand – In the wake of severe flooding in Pattaya, a resident has suffered losses after parked motorcycles were swept away by powerful floodwaters, sparking anger among locals who point to the dangers posed by large vehicles traversing already inundated sois (narrow streets). The incident occurred when motorcycles parked on a soi were caught in the deluge. Residents reported that a large vehicle drove through the flooded roadway, creating a significant wave that amplified the force of the water around the parked bikes. This wave knocked the motorcycles over and carried them away with the current, leaving their owner facing damage and loss through no fault of his own. The event has angered and ed residents living in flood-prone areas, where heavy rains can transform ordinary neighborhood streets into dangerous torrents within minutes. The issue extends beyond whether a large vehicle can physically navigate deep water; its speed and size can push waves into homes, shops, and parked vehicles along the roadside, potentially escalating an already difficult flooding situation into a far more costly one for local residents. For those watching their belongings being swept away, the consequences are painfully real. A motorcycle can be a family's sole means of transportation, essential for commuting to work or earning a living. Therefore, residents are imploring drivers to exercise caution and slow down before powering through flooded sois. A simple reduction in speed can significantly mitigate the impact of waves hitting homes, pedestrians, and vehicles caught along the roadside. This incident serves as a stark reminder that Pattaya's flooding problem is not solely measured in centimeters of water. For residents caught in its path, each additional wave can translate into another damaged vehicle, a lost possession, or an unexpected financial burden. Source: Pattaya Mail