New water activity rules created to boost safety and tourism in Pattaya Bay

Pattaya City will soon impose strict rules for water activities in Pattaya Bay. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Mayor Poramet Ngampichat on July 2, aimed at boosting tourism post-COVID-19 and organising water sports areas more effectively.

Mayor Poramet emphasised the importance of designated areas for water sports. However, some operators are not following the rules, which led to an unplanned meeting to set clear guidelines. The main goal is to ensure that all marine activity operators in Pattaya Bay consistently follow the zoning rules.
The new zoning plan will create specific areas for jet skiing, banana boat rides and speedboats. This will prevent overlapping of activities and improve safety. Currently, speedboats entering swimming areas pose a risk to tourists, which the new rules aim to eliminate. There will also be rules for storing jet skis overnight on the beach.

The City of Pattaya in partnership with the Marine Department will strictly enforce these rules to maintain the city's reputation as a top tourist destination. Ekarat Kantharo, Director of the Marine Department's Pattaya Regional Office, stressed the importance of the government's tourism policy to Thailand's economic growth. Since Pattaya relies heavily on water-based activities, reinforcing the water sports zoning plan, known as the Pattaya Model, is critical to ensure safety and compliance. The zoning plan includes a 300-meter offshore zone for jet skiing and specific areas for activities such as banana boat rides and parasailing. Additionally, anchorage areas for boats will be established in northern and southern Pattaya to manage marine traffic and avoid collisions, especially near the Bali Hai Pier.