good bad ugly & future for thailand/pattaya

[newnative]

      I think with any tourist destinations in the world it's going to take some time.  Pattaya was attracting large numbers before the virus and they will eventually be back.  It's encouraging that some projects such as Centre Point II are still going forward--we drove by that site yesterday and work was going on.  With what will happen with the virus in the next 5 or 6 months an uncertainty, it's probably a good thing that the opening back up will likely be a 'soft opening' at first.

[CH1961]

On 4/14/2020 at 11:18 AM, nomad2019 said:

So many questions,

Your kind of questions are for a fortune teller ????

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

But you know if things ever get easy street again which is doubtful in the foreseeable future it'll be the same level of arrogance. 

This is the Thai cycle.

 

When there are loads of foreigners/money around they become arrogant very quickly and make things difficult for us. When the foreigners disappear and they are brought down a peg or two the humility quickly returns and they wish for the foreigners to return. Restrictions are eased, foreigners/money returns and the cycle restarts.

[MR1888]

On 4/14/2020 at 5:29 AM, Zikomat said:

Pattaya will not recover any time soon. Open the bars, agogos, restaurants - open everything right now. But where will you get the customers? International tourism will be dead for a long time and will be one of the last industries to make a recover.

 

 

And all because someone in China decided to have a bat sandwich for lunch

[Matzzon]

Let´s just say like this. Pattaya has always been good, bad and ugly as well as beautiful. That´s quite complete, and I would think it will stay that way. Almost impossible to change such a concept.

[mrfill]

On 4/14/2020 at 3:09 PM, Enoon said:

 

Forget Pattaya.

 

I'm looking forward to new naughty somewhere.

 

With the previous generation all out of business it'll be a level playing field.

 

A purpose built, multi resort area, accommodation/restaurants integrated, on a greenfield site, with no "family"/beach paradise pretensions,

 

A real, hardcore, City of Sensuality.

 

A "Hyper Nana".

 

 

 

You could call it "World of Epstein" or "Harveyland"

[crobe]

I am looking forward to when they remove the night curfew and allow the bars and restaurants to open again so that I can take a walk around Pattaya in the evening and see exactly what the impact has been.

I would expect a lot of small bars on the side sois may not open again and there will be a general thinning out of entertainment places. Will be interesting to see if the "Russian" clubs survive on Walking Street.

The tourism situation is mainly out of Thailand's hands as it will depend on bilateral agreements to reopen flights, and restrictions such as 14-day quarantine will kill any hope of short-term holidaymakers, so if there is no normalisation before the end of the year Pattaya could be permanently damaged.

 

I cannot agree with the posters who always pop up saying what a bad place Pattaya is and it is good that it is shut down - it provides a lot of employment for people, not just bar girls but hotel staff, restaurant staff, taxi drivers, etc. etc. etc.

Trying to replace what Pattaya is famous for with more upscale and family-friendly attractions is possible but it takes time.

Of course there is one quick fix which would rejuvenate Pattaya, spur a new development phase and bring in the tourists and money, but the government will not do it - and that is to legalise casinos (for expats only of course).

 

Edited April 16, 2020 by crobe

[Bangkok Barry]

On 4/14/2020 at 11:57 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Let's take care of today and tomorrow think about tomorrow.

That's the Thai way, isn't it, and many are now discovering that not planning for tomorrow and the day after that can leave them struggling. But I take your point - not much to be gained by guessing. But I think the outcome described by the OP is the most likely outcome. 

 

There will be far fewer tourists for perhaps the next couple of years. maybe even longer. Many millions will not have money available for luxuries such as holidays and will holiday close to home, if at all. Let's also not forget that Thailand was already doing its best to discourage foreigners, with a senior government official repeatedly making disparaging remarks about foreigners which was picked up worldwide. Add prices often higher than people pay at home, often for poorer quality, and Thailand can pretty much say goodbye to its tourist industry, certainly in the numbers that TAT claim have been arriving. Thailand had already put tourism in ICU and the virus has killed it off completely. The currency might collapse again, but financial experts say that the economy is much better protected than during the Asian crash (which Thailand began). If it did collapse that might help, but only a little.

 

Maybe, maybe, the government might treat the only foreigners left in Thailand, its residents, with more respect and less pointless red tape. More likely would be a backlash against us. I'm sure they'd find justification for that. whatever the future holds it isn't good, for those in Thailand and everywhere else.

[Jumbo1968]

The biggest issue is when flights resume and what restrictions the Government put on arrivals re Health Insurance which I doubt any company would insure our against Coronavirus.

The U.K.Government are recommending travelling to Thailand only if it’s essential so I doubt Travel Insurance will highly unlikely to get as well.

[Pilotman]

4 hours ago, Tony125 said:

I see 18 months with slow recovery and that's if they find a vacine or medications to kill the vius so it's not fatal or debilitating . Thailand could also speed up their recovery by doing away with their complicated zenophobic Immigration policies. Let farangs come over on long time liberal visas that they would not limit renewing or even easy  under 50 long term stays to boost the county's overall income. More liberal relaxed rules in adult areas and better care of areas for families. 

Interesting that you should say that.  if the government tried to introduce such polices in the UK, they would not have my support and I think that there would be uproar.  One rule for the Thais and one for us? 

[Almer]

On 4/14/2020 at 11:29 AM, Zikomat said:

Pattaya will not recover any time soon. Open the bars, agogos, restaurants - open everything right now. But where will you get the customers? International tourism will be dead for a long time and will be one of the last industries to make a recover.

 

 

Same same all over the world and you are i am sure right that Pattaya  will not see  customers with money to spend until 2020, when i say with money to spend that rules out the Chinese unless you own a 7/11 and my other thought other than there money,  will they be made to feel welcome, that is not my view but my thoughts.

[allanos]

3 hours ago, Zikomat said:

State of normality? Like world war 2? 

Comprehension not your strong point?

 

This is what was written in the body of the text:

 

"Perhaps this is the time that a new, softer kind of Nationalism takes hold, where countries become self-reliant again, their citizens become proud of them without being sneered at, and which will perhaps go part way to reining in a despotic regime like China's".

 

World war not mentioned! 

[Zikomat]

3 hours ago, crobe said:

I am looking forward to when they remove the night curfew and allow the bars and restaurants to open again so that I can take a walk around Pattaya in the evening and see exactly what the impact has been.

I would expect a lot of small bars on the side sois may not open again and there will be a general thinning out of entertainment places. Will be interesting to see if the "Russian" clubs survive on Walking Street.

The tourism situation is mainly out of Thailand's hands as it will depend on bilateral agreements to reopen flights, and restrictions such as 14-day quarantine will kill any hope of short-term holidaymakers, so if there is no normalisation before the end of the year Pattaya could be permanently damaged.

 

I cannot agree with the posters who always pop up saying what a bad place Pattaya is and it is good that it is shut down - it provides a lot of employment for people, not just bar girls but hotel staff, restaurant staff, taxi drivers, etc. etc. etc.

Trying to replace what Pattaya is famous for with more upscale and family-friendly attractions is possible but it takes time.

Of course there is one quick fix which would rejuvenate Pattaya, spur a new development phase and bring in the tourists and money, but the government will not do it - and that is to legalise casinos (for expats only of course).

 

Almost no bars or agogos will be reopened even if the will be allowed to do so in May or June. There are no customers in Pattaya and you don’t just open the bar for it being open. End of 2021 - the most optimistic date for any kind of Pattaya recover.

[Zikomat]

1 hour ago, allanos said:

Comprehension not your strong point?

 

This is what was written in the body of the text:

 

"Perhaps this is the time that a new, softer kind of Nationalism takes hold, where countries become self-reliant again, their citizens become proud of them without being sneered at, and which will perhaps go part way to reining in a despotic regime like China's".

 

World war not mentioned! 

Ever since WW2 there was one and strong trend for globalization. Claiming we have to go back to what was there before it - takes us straight to the most bloody war in the history of mankind. That was a good lesson of what Nationalism can lead us all to.

[Tropposurfer]

Here's a question in response to your question. (Sorry but as a retired therapist I can't help but ask a question of a question lol).

 

What if because of economic pressures, of all but complete world economic collapse (Thai and others).

 

What do you think of a world paradigm shift where movement and commerce will eventually be allowed.

Where governments and the people of the world despite a continued circulation of and upsurge and downsurge of this and other viruses will come because of the sheer necessity to eat and provide shelter for themselves will fatalistically accept mass deaths just as we do from TB, flu, malnutrition etc. 

[Ron jeremy]

29 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

Almost no bars or agogos will be reopened even if the will be allowed to do so in May or June. There are no customers in Pattaya and you don’t just open the bar for it being open. End of 2021 - the most optimistic date for any kind of Pattaya recover.

Exactly, open to whom? Beer bars ok, the few expats left for the cheap booze, but gogos? They will be operating at a loss.

for those that wash money, ok. But the legit bars? Impossible.

[jadee]

What I want to know is, what are all the working girls doing now? Have they done back home? Are they still working but online? How to meet them? Thanks

 

[paulikens]

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2020 at 7:58 AM, Henryford said:

The earliest any tourists will be coming back to Pattaya is high season 2021.

thanks for that mystic meg

[Zikomat]

1 minute ago, jadee said:

What I want to know is, what are all the working girls doing now? Have they done back home? Are they still working but online? How to meet them? Thanks

 

I think the only option to meet them now is online (specialized websites). Many of them have returned home. But some have stayed. 

[paulikens]

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2020 at 7:58 AM, Henryford said:

The earliest any tourists will be coming back to Pattaya is high season 2021.

thanks for that mystic meg

[paulikens]

7 hours ago, Tony125 said:

I see 18 months with slow recovery and that's if they find a vacine or medications to kill the vius so it's not fatal or debilitating . Thailand could also speed up their recovery by doing away with their complicated zenophobic Immigration policies. Let farangs come over on long time liberal visas that they would not limit renewing or even easy  under 50 long term stays to boost the county's overall income. More liberal relaxed rules in adult areas and better care of areas for families. 

unfortunately I think it will go the other way and will be even harder to get into the country after this.i think people overestimate how much Thailand relies on tourism, tourism contributes to their economy no more than it does the uk,which is obviously a good thing to have but it wont be the end of the country if they have to take a hit on tourism for a while. as through the eyes of the government it will be for the sake of the health of their people.

[OnTheGround]

1 hour ago, jadee said:

What I want to know is, what are all the working girls doing now? Have they done back home? Are they still working but online? How to meet them? Thanks

 

In Pattaya, I guess 80%+ went home just after the bars closed. Bus stations had 2 days waiting list to get up country.

The remaining 10-20% has joined internet thaifriendly and tinder. And at this time, Soi Buakhao has replaced beach road late afternoon until curfew 2200. Not many of them. 

Talked online with a few of them now back home. They don't know how to find bus fare 500-900 thb to return to Pattaya, and to pay for a new room. Can't imagine they will (afford) rush back to Pattaya. Money is one thing, zero customer is a major factor, and they know it.

 

Until Christmas, or next year

 

 

[Jumbo1968]

I think governments the world over will move to easing lockdowns, their economies can’t go forever on total lockdowns neither can the citizens more so Thailand as there is no social security system, you don’t work you done eat !

Spain and I believe Italy have relaxed conditions on lockdown, it’s a case of watching and waiting to see what appertains there.

 

Easy Jet have announced that after the lockdown finishes and flights restart they will keep the middle seats vacant to adhere to the distance rule. That’s fine but what about going through the airport boarding the plane etc, sounds like desperate times, they can’t afford to have their aircraft sitting on the tarmac. Obviously operating an aircraft with spare seats will mean increased fares ?

 

Swiss Air on Skyscanner were showing prices of under £400 from Heathrow via Zurich to Bangkok yesterday on the 12th of May ?

Edited April 16, 2020 by Jumbo1968
Additional info

[WillyPlatt]

UK has announced another 3 weeks of lockdown. They have 5 points that have to be met for it to be eased off. I don't think they have testing in place and think we could be the last out of lockdown in Europe.

Across Europe the lockdowns are being lifted slowly. Regarding middle seats empty on airlines, what difference will that have with aircon on board? Same with airports.

It will be up to you as an individual whether you take the chance on travel. Holiday insurance policies will have exclusions relating to this virus.

Personally, i think people are going to have to take a chance and travel. You will be lucky to get a vaccine within a year.

How effective and how long will it last?

There are apparently 8 strains of this virus about.

An effective treatment would be welcome.

I know i am going to be faced with the choice of a cold and lonely winter in the UK or taking a chance to go to Thailand.

 

[bwpage3]

It will all depend on international airlines around the world, and when they start flying regular schedules. Until that happens, Thailand will not get enough tourists to sustain much of anything.

 

MOF is reporting GDP is already down 6.7%. 

 

 

[Jumbo1968]

Just now, bwpage3 said:

It will all depend on international airlines around the world, and when they start flying regular schedules. Until that happens, Thailand will not get enough tourists to sustain much of anything.

 

MOF is reporting GDP is already down 6.7%. 

 

 

Disagree flights won’t start till airlines find out what restrictions The government put on arrivals, 

[bwpage3]

3 hours ago, paulikens said:

unfortunately I think it will go the other way and will be even harder to get into the country after this.i think people overestimate how much Thailand relies on tourism, tourism contributes to their economy no more than it does the uk,which is obviously a good thing to have but it wont be the end of the country if they have to take a hit on tourism for a while. as through the eyes of the government it will be for the sake of the health of their people.

Research Thailand 1998.

[bwpage3]

9 hours ago, MR1888 said:

And all because someone in China decided to have a bat sandwich for lunch

LOL!

[HerbyJFlash]

If the government and immigration keep the same entry requirements that they had just before lockdown . I.e valid health insurance (impossible to obtain covid cover / if the foreign office is advising against essential It makes travel insurance invalid anyway), and a fresh medical certificate . It will be impossible to enter Thailand and pattaya even if flights are running. 
 

Do people think that will be the case ?

[Jumbo1968]

7 minutes ago, HerbyJFlash said:

If the government and immigration keep the same entry requirements that they had just before lockdown . I.e valid health insurance (impossible to obtain covid cover / if the foreign office is advising against essential It makes travel insurance invalid anyway), and a fresh medical certificate . It will be impossible to enter Thailand and pattaya even if flights are running. 
 

Do people think that will be the case ?

To start with unless you have the relevant documentation you won’t be allowed to board the flight as they are liable for returning you back to original departure point if you are refused entry.