Is Pattaya Thailand Polluted

Is Pattaya Thailand polluted?  Not really.  I don't think so.  I've visited 5 times.  During November, February, March and August, so I'm answering from that perspective.

I do not have lung issues and even though I am overweight and was in my late 50's on my trips, I am fairly healthy and can do much of what I want.

I do not take any medications.

If you have health issues, you should do your own research.

Is Pattaya Thailand Polluted

It seems like it should be. 

Pattaya is a large city, densely populated and with very dense development (i.e. buildings are one next to another and with very little green space).

It's in Asia, and we in the west do not have any idea what the Thai environmental regulations are.

Some of the buildings are very new and some very old. 

But the Thai people are business minded, orderly, fastidious and hard workers.  They like things clean, neat and healthy.  It always seems like someone is picking things up.  Most areas are very clean.

In some ways it seems to be less polluted than the US where we seem to be going backwards in some areas.

Water Pollution

There are 2 wastewater treatment plants.  I believe that the rainwater and sewage water is combined in one pipe running down all the streets for the most part.  

Since this is a combined sewer (both sewage and rainwater), when there is a lot of rain, the excess water, that would also include a small portion of sewage, would be too much for the wastewater treatment plant to handle and  some of the water will overflow into the ocean.

During the part of the year where it does not rain, this works great.

During very heavy rains, when the streets are full of water, it would be expected that overflows would occur.  So you might want to avoid swimming in the ocean after a really heavy rain.

Sewer Outlet into Ocean Near Pattaya Beer GardenI took this picture from the entry area to the Pattaya Beer Garden. I think the big square opening at the base of the building is a sewer overflow outfall.

Some information from online about Is Pattaya Thailand Polluted

Pattaya operates central wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Soi Nong Yai and Jomtien (Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram) to treat municipal sewage, with a total capacity often pushed to its limit by rapid growth. Key challenges include handling over 100,000 cu. meters daily, causing some overflow, and ongoing efforts to connect all businesses and reduce untreated water entering the sea, with upgrades and new projects, including on Koh Larn, aimed at improving capacity. 

Key Wastewater Facilities & Operations:

  • Soi Nong Yai Plant: Located in North/Central Pattaya, it acts as a primary facility for the Pattaya and Naklua areas, with capacity to handle up to 80,000 cu. meters daily.
  • Jomtien Plant: Located on Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, this plant manages wastewater from the Jomtien area, with a capacity of 63,000 cu. meters per day, according to pattaya city home.
  • Capacity Issues: Rapid urban growth has caused sewage volume to occasionally exceed treatment capacity, leading to water quality issues in the ocean during heavy rains.
  • Pumping Stations: The system includes numerous pumping stations and 15 water drainage stations designed to handle both wastewater and prevent flooding. 
Sewage Pumps near Pattaya Beer GardenThese pumps are near the building with the sewer overflow. I think they have something to do with managing excess rainfall flows.

What About Drinking Water

Like going to any foreign country, the best advice is to only drink bottled water.  I buy a case of bottled water for my hotel room on my first day. and I drink 2 or 3 bottles a day.  I order bottled water at restaurant meals and when I'm out and dehydrated.

It is only common sense.  Bottled water is not very expensive.  During my last trip, a case (24 bottles) was $60 Thai baht or less than $2 USD.

It does cost quite a bit more when you buy a bottle one at a time at a restaurant, maybe $40 to $80 Thai baht.

During my first trip, I even used bottled water to brush my teeth.  This was such a PITA I reverted back to using tap water as I have been doing since I had teeth and never seemed to have any digestive issues.

What About Heavy Rains and Flooding

Pattaya Street Flooding November 2022This is what the streets can look like after a large rain

If you go during high season this should not be a concern as it rarely rains.

During low season, yes, it is going to rain, sometimes very hard and the sewers are not going to keep up.  The streets will be flooded.  The Thai know all about this, you'll notice many buildings are elevated above the streets somewhat.  You need to take several steps up to enter.

When is High Season and Low Season?

It would be expected that the sewage in the sewers would overflow out into the ocean after large rains.

This is really not any different than older, established cities in the US, and I am assuming in Europe.

With the massive volume of the ocean, this doesn't seem to be a big problem.  The only problem would be expecting to swim in the ocean soon after a huge rain.  It would be better to wait a few days.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is the worst in February and March from farmers burning off excess crop residue in the northern parts of Thailand. 

The streets are filled with lots of cars, motorbikes, trucks and buses.  But most are new and have modern emissions systems.  So walking around the streets, vehicle pollution has not been noticeable to me.

But I don't have any lung issues.

The burning crops does create a hazy look, and the air is not perfectly clear as you look into the distance. 

It is a blessing when it rains during this time as the air quality does improve.

Garbage

The shops, stores and bars all sweep and pick up trash on the sidewalk and street in front of their establishments very frequently.  There is rarely any garbage lying around.

Thai people all seem very fastidious, neat and clean.

Garbage trucks come down the streets every night picking up the bags of garbage.  They usually start collecting at about bar time.

Animals and Insects

I saw one dead rat in a back alley and a few rats behind a restaurant once.  But this seems rare. 

There are cats and dogs in these back alleys, and I think they take care of the mice and rats.  Perhaps they put out rat poison too.

It's better to avoid back alleys anyway.

There are cats and dogs around.  Usually very lean, not overfed and pampered like in the US. I have not run across any mean dogs, but have heard some stories about them, so be careful around dogs.  The dogs and cats leave you alone.  They never come up to strangers begging to be petted or bother you for food.

Insects seem to be rare in Pattaya.  There must be some kind of insect spray program.

Is Pattaya Thailand Polluted Wrap Up

Not really.  Don't worry about pollution unless you are unhealthy.  Go and have a great time.