Pattaya Hotels Face Steep Occupancy Drop This Low Season

On 7/4/2026 at 11:39 AM, ronnie50 said:

I remember being in Phuket during the Covid border closures. A few hotels running as were their restaurants - everything else was boarded up. But it was great for us. I also did the 'sandbox' thing there a couple of times coming back in from business trips abroad. Again, it was good then as well.

Yep. Unfortunately it’s business as usual now with the rip-offs back to the days prior to covid.

On 7/4/2026 at 11:59 AM, Priorexpat said:

1998 55thb to the USdollar.

That was close to the record high in January 1998 of about 56.50 for the USD vs THB. However, the USD remained above 50 THB for only a few weeks, but traded between 40 and 45 THB for a number of years. Visitors to Thailand enjoyed a USD/THB rate mostly above 40 from 2000 to 2006.

That favorable exchange rate made Thailand much cheaper for foreign visitors than today's rate around 33.50 THB. Air fares and the exchange rate are the two big factors that determine the cost of a trip to Thailand or anywhere else. The cost of a beer or gogo barfine has very little relevance.

With air fares considerably higher than in past years and the THB remaining strong, it's no wonder tourism is down from many countries.

We have been in the hospitality trade here for 19 years and this is the first time in all those years we are getting zero customers many times a week. Luckily we have our local weekend expats that keep our heads above water. I think this our last year though . Can't stand the boredom

I just wonder why anyone would choose to spend their holiday in Pattaya (and much of Phuket as another poster mentioned).

I've been regular visitor/resident since 2006 ( not a competition many been longer) but when you look at the skyline over the years with added hotels resorts and condos ( air bnb) it's no wonder occupancy is dismal everyone is chasing the few tourists whilst certain hotels are full with contracted tourist groups

6 hours ago, Gabor said:

1500-3000 baht barfines, 2-300 baht ladydrinks, mandatory lady and man drinks not to talk about the girls demand. More expensive than in Monaco.

This is why more and more tourists, and expats, are using various hook up apps. No lady drinks, no bar fines, no BS.

As the new, more tech savvy, generation of monger comes through, I can see these apps digitally disrupting the whole "bargirl" business model across Thailand.

On 7/5/2026 at 5:31 AM, stevenl said:

Because it's easy, can be considerably cheaper and there's insolvency coverage.

Cheaper using booking agents than doing it yourself. Seriously 😱

I have a strong feeling that Thailand is becoming more and more hostile to foreigners. One person I know who is first generation Thai born in the US has described the attitude as "xenophobic". One well known vlogger described the attitude as "nationalistic". The fact that I no longer have a Thai bank account really pisses me off.

Yes, Thailand can make up their own rules but I can also decide where to spend my money. So much of what is going on is seriously hurting the ordinary Thai people, which is sad. I was planning on retiring there but not only the changes, but the rate that these changes have been happening lately have convinced me to change my mind.

As a future expat, it seems to me that Thailand should smooth the path for expats and long-term retirees. This would help prop up the tourism sector during low season. Seems like the govt really shot themselves in the foot with the 2024 income tax changes.

Plus (and I'm speculating here), the majority of retirees probably come from the west, as those are the countries that provide sufficient pensions to retire overseas. Isn't that the desired demographic? I imagine that most expats have a bit of a multiplier effect on tourism beyond their direct spend.

18 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand is developing a reputation for not being tourist friendly, when it comes to visa policy. Such inconsistencies and lack of a coherent strategy. First too easy, allowing criminals and lowlifes to enter easily, now too cumbersome, discouraging real tourists.

Until this nation gets smart adults as leaders, they will continue to march backwards into oblivion. Likely good for us expats, but I feel for rhe hard working locals just trying to make a living. Time to start lowering prices.

Lowering the prices? It will never happened. Inflation is hitting hard. It will go up very high. Never down.

19 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Any examples? I'm staying in Bangkok this month and hotel rates I've checked haven't increased. AirAsia have doubled the airfare, but so have all airlines, Thai or not.

I was a permanent resident for 11 years, hotels and restaurants were my customers. It was typical when occupancy got low, many would up the price on the rooms to cover for some of the loss on unoccupied rooms.

Do I have a specific example for you now? NO. The post was somewhat made in jest.

I'm sure it's all connected here in the south of Phuket, the roads are quiet, everybody is complaining, Yesterday I know of 3 peoplw who where refused entry at the immigration as far as I know they were tourist, one from Myanmar coming from Singapore as far as I know he was not coming here to work has a good job in Singapore, 2 others from Russia coming from Indonesia, again tourist, They are going to tell a 1000 other people of their experiences of getting denied in Thailand, Whatever they it wont be good, No doubt they will be sat in some detention rooms until they can be put on a return flight out, My point is that will have some knock on effect,

I am reading that something like over 200 people per day are getting denied entry, That is like bad news travel fast.

On 7/4/2026 at 7:45 AM, ChipButty said:

It's a nationwide problem, here in Phuket business is bad, One 5 star hotel I know of are laying of many staff and others have had their days reduced, I saw another post about Kho Chang half the bars and restaurant are closed,

Doesn't help they more than doubled the ferry charges

Plus with the many thousands of new condos being built, and rented out, that must reduce the demand for hotels.

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I'm sure it's all connected here in the south of Phuket, the roads are quiet, everybody is complaining, Yesterday I know of 3 peoplw who where refused entry at the immigration as far as I know they were tourist, one from Myanmar coming from Singapore as far as I know he was not coming here to work has a good job in Singapore, 2 others from Russia coming from Indonesia, again tourist, They are going to tell a 1000 other people of their experiences of getting denied in Thailand, Whatever they it wont be good, No doubt they will be sat in some detention rooms until they can be put on a return flight out, My point is that will have some knock on effect,

I am reading that something like over 200 people per day are getting denied entry, That is like bad news travel fast.

There seems to have long been a disconnect between the objectives of the TAT, and that of immigration who don't seem to care one iota about bad PR, and sometimes behave as if they are a somewhat imperialist committee.