Pattaya-
On June 26, 2025, at 10:36 AM, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led by Secretary-General Saroj Phueng-ramphan, conducted an on-site inspection of the Eastern Region National Sports Complex in Pattaya, Chonburi Province.
Spanning 371 rai (approximately 59 hectares) with a capacity of 20,000 seats, the project, valued at over 774 million baht, began construction in 2008 but remains incomplete. The site appears neglected, with damaged equipment and facilities, despite its aim to serve as a hub for local and national sports events under international standards, originally planned for completion between 2008 and 2017.
Boonthian Jansuk, Director of Pattaya’s Engineering Office, welcomed the NACC team and guided them through the site, providing updates on construction progress. Key ongoing works include the main grandstand entrance, ramps and staircases, steel roof structures, roofing panels, walkways under the grandstand roof, interior painting of walls and ceilings, grandstand seating painting, ticket booth construction, electrical and communication system repairs and installations, stadium lighting repairs, sound systems, telephones, CCTV, air conditioning repairs, and fire alarm system maintenance.
Boonthian stated that the main structure is expected to be completed by December 2025, though some delays of two to three months are likely due to factors such as Pattaya’s early rainy season and challenges in drainage system construction. The latter requires outdated machinery, as blasting is prohibited in the community area, contributing to unavoidable delays.
Saroj explained that the inspection follows concerns raised two years ago when construction stalled, leaving public funds unutilized and causing public unease. After discussions with Pattaya’s mayor, it was noted that delays stemmed from contractor inefficiencies, the COVID-19 pandemic, and technical site issues. Since 2023, the NACC’s Chonburi office and Region 2 branch have coordinated with local authorities and citizens to monitor the project’s budget management, involving contractors and private stakeholders. Significant progress has been observed since last year, with contractors assuring that major contractual work will be completed by December 2025, leaving only minor landscaping and seating installation tasks.
The NACC emphasized its role in preventing corruption and collaboratively addressing issues, clarifying that delays are not necessarily due to misconduct. By involving the media, the agency aims to identify root causes and ensure transparency for the public, expressing hope that the complex will be fully operational as intended, given the significant public investment.
Saroj also discussed concerns with Pattaya’s mayor about post-completion management, including equipment maintenance for both competition and training facilities. The mayor and city officials are developing plans to address these challenges, as large-scale infrastructure projects often face ongoing maintenance issues.
Additionally, the NACC inspected the drainage system construction project at Soi Thepprasit 9, connecting to Jomtien Beach, with a budget of 190 million baht. This project also remains incomplete, with road closures limiting access to only motorcycles.
