For years, Pattaya’s 20,000-seat stadium stood as a haunting testament to thwarted ambitions and endless construction delays. It was a project many locals had come to accept as eternally ‘under construction,’ a seemingly never-ending saga that began back in 2008 with an eye-watering budget of 774 million baht. Mention of the Eastern Sports Stadium often sparked frustration, earning the nickname of a “marathon project” among residents. Yet, at long last, there is light at the end of the tunnel — and it’s not just the glare of neon signage.
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who took office with a vision to transform ‘dreams deferred’ into ‘dreams realized,’ is the man credited with breathing new life into this beleaguered project. As of April, the construction phase is remarkably ahead of schedule, with city officials and contractors confirming that Phase 3 is set to wrap up just in time for Christmas. That’s a whopping 51 days earlier than projected!
The transformation began in earnest post-2022 when Mayor Poramet rallied a special committee to jumpstart the stalled construction with fresh funding. Fast forward to 2025, and the stadium is currently 53% complete, displaying visible progress that offers a tantalizing glimpse of the sporting glory to come. The illustrious grandstand entrance now stands complete as a symbol of hope rather than dashed expectations.
Behind the scenes, it was no easy feat. The project’s trajectory took a pivotal turn with internal reforms, not least of which was tackling the complex roof design that had previously stymied progress. A supposedly sleek curve had to be compromised for something more straightforward due to contractor constraints. Result: problem solved, hurdle cleared!
What’s even more heartening is the momentum in various sections of construction. The electrical and signal wiring is 70% complete, while the roof frame stands at a solid 20%. Both the football and athletic fields are finding shape, as parts of the architecture and facilities range between 25% and 80% completion, depending on the area. The north side building, with seating for 2,500, is impressively close to completion, boasting 80% functionality in sanitary and electrical systems. Meanwhile, the south side’s structural work is at a commendable 90% finished.
Nonetheless, every Cinderella story has its hiccups, and for the Eastern Sports Stadium, it’s the seat installation that presents a potential ‘oops’ moment. While the current phase doesn’t yet cover installing seats, a proposal for Phase 4 funding is already in the pipeline. Approval anticipated between September and October could mean the seats will be installed concurrently with the finalized touches, thereby maintaining the schedule.
Mayor Poramet is hopeful — even audaciously optimistic — about the stadium’s future as a landmark for both national and international sports events. The plan is also to host large-scale concerts, transforming Pattaya into a world-class venue that was promised over a decade ago.
As we await this architectural phoenix to rise fully, one can’t help but feel excited about the prospects that this revitalized stadium holds for the community and Southeast Asia’s sport and entertainment industries. Perhaps, this time, Pattaya’s grand stadium will not only meet but exceed expectations, finally offering the vibrant spectacle it was destined to provide.
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