The environment of Pattaya Bay is getting a lot of attention these days. A sewer system and water treatment plant has decreased the amount of raw human waste entering the bay and the boat Mafia have to take their reckless crafts out of the water every night. In addition to the beach expansion project the Navy has proposed the sinking of two ships in the bay to create marine refuges for underwater wildlife, although I wouldn’t swim at either Pattaya or Jomtien Beach for fear of being run over by a jetski punk.
Of course a ban on fishing in the area would be easier, however rumors persist that one of the ships might be the Thai aircraft carrier which hasn’t left port in months. The upside of this sinking would be that the flight deck could be used as a new airport for the city, although no one foresees any 747s landing on the deck of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, unless Bangkok’s new airport isn’t opened by 2006.