Pattaya Approves 9.6 Million Baht for 141 New CCTV Cameras
Pattaya City Council approved 9.6 million baht for 141 new CCTV cameras at intersections and high-traffic areas to enhance public safety. A councilman raised concerns about the outright purchase model, noting rental systems maintain a 99 pe
Chon Buri — Pattaya City Council has approved a budget of 9.6 million baht to install an additional 141 closed-circuit television cameras at intersections and junctions throughout the municipality, aiming to strengthen public safety and deter crime while building confidence among residents and tourists.
On September 17, 2026, Deputy Mayor Damrongkitti Pinijkarn proposed the motion to allocate funds for the CCTV expansion project, which will be overseen by the Communications and Academic Services Division under the Strategy and Budget Office. The project aims to manage and maintain Pattaya's camera network for continuous and efficient operation.
The new installations are designed to increase surveillance coverage in residential areas and high-risk zones, while supporting security in locations with heavy foot traffic from both locals and tourists.
Councilman Wasant Sukhkee offered his perspective on the project, noting that CCTV installation aligns with the city's Smart Living policy under its Smart City initiative, which is vital for protecting the safety and property of residents and visitors. However, he raised concerns about the outright purchase model for cameras. He cited historical data showing that of more than 2,000 CCTV cameras purchased outright, only about 30 percent remain functional, whereas the current rental system reports a 99 percent operational rate because service providers maintain the system and address problems promptly.
Sukhkee warned that outright purchases have maintenance limitations. Damaged cameras may take one to two weeks to replace, while fiber-optic cables may require additional repair budgets and up to three months to fix, whereas rental systems include dedicated support and systematic problem resolution.
He also questioned whether the selection of all 141 installation points was based on previous consultant studies that identified optimal locations for maximum coverage and cost-effectiveness.
Sukhkee recommended prioritizing CCTV installation in educational institutions, particularly at Pattaya Municipality Schools 8–10, which have operated older camera systems for years and now have extensive equipment failures. Schools 1–7 using the rental system still have blind spots and vulnerabilities requiring additional cameras to improve student and staff safety.
Councilmembers requested clear clarification from the administration on its operational approach, as Pattaya has shifted toward rentals in recent years yet continues to propose outright purchases in some units, creating public and council confusion about which model offers better value.
Pattaya Mayor Pramesuan Gamepit clarified that the CCTV rental system offers the advantage of dedicated maintenance support; if equipment fails, the service provider must address it within 48 hours, ensuring continuous operational efficiency. However, he acknowledged that the current three-year contract requires service providers to depreciate equipment costs over a relatively short period, resulting in higher rental fees, even though cameras typically do not deteriorate within that timeframe.
