Pattaya: Grim picture for future of resort as post pandemic optimism dries up

[Guderian]

Pattaya will survive, but it will change, and in some ways the changes will be exactly what the government claims it has been wanting for the last 15 years or more. Somebody should have told them to be careful what they wish for. There are enough Thais and expats living here to keep the most important businesses going, there's certainly no sign of the likes of Friendship, Siamburi's and Foodmart going under any time soon. Outside the tourist area, which is a relatively small part of the total city, not much has changed. It's the places like Beach Road, Second Road, Soi Buakhao, and parts of Jomtien and Naklua that will suffer most. Fewer cheap bars and hotels and restaurants, fewer shops selling tourist tat, and fewer convenience stores. A ghastly situation for the business owners concerned, but it's just possible with sufficient government support that they might be able to remodel those areas to provide better quality facilities built with sustainable tourism in mind. It's not what you'd like if you are wedded to the Pattaya of the past, but it was changing slowly anyway, this will speed up the changes and we may end up with a much nicer city to live in.

[phantomfiddler]

A combination of factors, in my opinion, have contributed to the destruction of the tourist and entertainment situation in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and Samui. The ridiculous reaction by the authorities to basically ban all tourists, just because of a supposed virus that "supposedly" has caused the deaths of 0.00008% of the Thai population, has probably been the main contributing factor. Also, and significant, has been the deteriorating attitude affecting the treatment of western tourists here. The police see westerners as prey to extortion for any imaginable infraction, and the country has acted as if they are God,s gift to the world tourist scene. Many Thai-run bars adulterate their spirits with cheap, low grade, and sometimes dangerous fillers, and think they are being really smart when they manage to sell rubbish to tourists at high prices. The pigeons are now coming home to roost ???? It will take many years to change attitudes and behavior whereby westerners are welcomed and treated properly. Personally I do not think it is going to happen in a country where children are taught from the age of 4 that they are the world,s superior beings, very sad. A few years with Khun Anand Panyarachun at the helm would create a possibility of positive change ????

[Huckenfell]

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

People don't believe me when I say the reason I never had or wanted kids, ex was of the same mind, because I really didn't want to bring kids into this world and I'm talking about 40+ years ago. The mess this world is in now has, for me anyway, proved I'm right.

Over populated, over polluted and heading for deep doo-doo in a hand cart. All countries in the same cart.

 

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

People don't believe me when I say the reason I never had or wanted kids, ex was of the same mind, because I really didn't want to bring kids into this world and I'm talking about 40+ years ago. The mess this world is in now has, for me anyway, proved I'm right.

Over populated, over polluted and heading for deep doo-doo in a hand cart. All countries in the same cart.

So wrong!  you obviously have not the slightest idea of the pleasure and love which you have missed through your decision not to have children. A big and selfish mistake indeed.

 

[spetersen]

4 hours ago, sweatalot said:

It's a tragedy. I still wonder if the situation wouldn't be better without all that covid restrictions.

And don't come with a calculated terrible number of deaths withoud comparing to the normal number of deaths in the same time. What's better in the bigger picture: a short time rise of deaths or a future without small business and middle class - everybody dependant on big brothers?

Mankind has survived the plague and cholera. They would also survive covid 19

I totally agree with you , Thailand can't hide from the virus , it's all over the planet and I assume that we have to live with it even here in Thailand, only time will tell when it goes away. Open up the country for tourists , start with countries that seem to have the pandemi under control and test and quarantine before they leave the home country... and test again when they arrive. maybe self quarantine until test results are ready max 2 days

[Huckenfell]

34 minutes ago, sahibji said:

dentists are the last people you want to go to ( unless critical ) in this uncertain environment and related potential of infection.

Have to agree, poor 'Boss' went to  dentist and look what happened to him.

 

[Benmart]

5 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

There are lots in Pattaya, including many bar owners on certain Sois, who deserve this. Others less so.  

Who deserves what is beyond my judgement. I keep my side of the street clean, am grateful for what I have and share with those less fortunate.

[Huckenfell]

25 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

90day extendable visas = ???? 

Or watch Vietnam pass you by. 

Perhaps  'easy' visas might be the key to it when the virus has passed.

[Huckenfell]

26 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

Tourism as we once knew it was already on the decline before this Covid situation. So, even if it bounces back to some sort of "normality", it still won't be enough to bring it back to how it used to be.

Sadly, the majority of these businesses were already set to fail, but the current situation has just sped up the process. 
Thailand has been undergoing a massive change for the past 4-5 years and will continue to do so, with or without Covid. 
 

Yes !  ever since they dumped Thaksin just as things were surging ahead in Thailand

[hansnl]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

A bit harsh.....

It is all sad really.... but I share your lack of sympathy for the property owners who will not give businesses a break on exorbitant rents.

Do remember the property "owners" probably are loaded with debt to have been able to "buy" the property from the real owners and need to pay the debt.

But mostly I am sorry for the simple people earning a living in the branch and are now out of a job and money.

 

[sammieuk1]

They could take to the streets and demand the government compensates for the draconian mess they have created or is it now just a authoritarians wet dream for the power crazy ????

[hellohello123]

I'm still asking myself, 

So once tourism starts increasing does that mean these areas or any tourist Meccas  full of scams towards tourists,

Will the number of scams decrease? Or will it increase due to slim pickings?

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Do remember the property "owners" probably are loaded with debt to have been able to "buy" the property from the real owners and need to pay the debt.

But mostly I am sorry for the simple people earning a living in the branch and are now out of a job and money.

 

I don't believe that is the case.... large percentages of Pattaya land are owned by a smallish number of very wealthy. Think Legkee etc.

[robbioff]

4 hours ago, Oldie said:

The malls are still open. You also can sit on the beach. Is there anything else that motivates you to come here? 

Yes, but can you sit on the beach with a beer? 

[kaneko86]

I really hope more will fail so that they finally decide to open up this country again!

[cardinalblue]

Heaven Above go go motivates me to come....

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, cardinalblue said:

Heaven Above go go motivates me to come....

Heaven Above closed pre Covid!

[tribalfusion001]

3 minutes ago, kaneko86 said:

I really hope more will fail so that they finally decide to open up this country again!

The strategy is already set in stone, no virus allowed = no tourists without quarantine. Sadly the Thai government will allow them to fail.

[Oldie]

47 minutes ago, Xonax said:

In Pattaya, even a simple shack has a huge million Baht pricetag, if it has proven to be able to generate money from foreign tourists. 

Sure. But if such a bar goes bust then bad for the bar owner. But it would be easy for a new bar owner to build a new bar there. And this then without key money. 

[samsensam]

 

are domestic tourists really interested in holidaying in a resort full of foreign sex tourists and prostitutes? it's a hard sell. (no pun intended) surely thailand has more attractive options for thais wanting a holiday.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, samsensam said:

 

are domestic tourists really interested in holidaying in a resort full of foreign sex tourists and prostitutes? it's a hard sell. (no pun intended) surely thailand has more attractive options for thais wanting a holiday.

Well the first point might be that it is not full. The second point, judging by the traffic that came here from Bangkok over the long weekend, yes, very much so. Bangkok is a huge population spending most of their time in traffic jams, the drive to get out is strong, but they like to bring their cars... Pattaya is close and easy.

 

[Oldie]

11 minutes ago, robbioff said:

Yes, but can you sit on the beach with a beer? 

I am not sure because it wasn't allowed but you can fill it in a coffee cup ???? But Iast weekend many Thais were sitting on the beach and eating and drinking. 

[Jimbo2014]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Most people with loans don't own anything for the banks to take.

IMHO Banks are just as likely to fail as any other business.

I really don't expect tourism to be profitable again in the near (5-10 years) future.

Lock-downs and border closures look like lasting for the rest of my life.

 

I'm really not optimistic for any miracle vaccine to solve the world's problems.

And as far as I can see, most governments seem to be enjoying their new found powers of oppression.

5-10 years is a long time.  I hope you are wrong.  I would have said 2-3 years.  Like the GFC - these things have a way of correcting after 2-3 years.  Late next year I would expect tourism to start up again.  2023 could be a boom year as people try to enjoy social and travel life again (??)  

[CGW]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Well the first point might be that it is not full. The second point, judging by the traffic that came here from Bangkok over the long weekend, yes, very much so. Bangkok is a huge population spending most of their time in traffic jams, the drive to get out is strong, but they like to bring their cars... Pattaya is close and easy.

Exactly! Pattaya's "lifeblood" has long been the folks from Bangkok escaping whenever they can, always been that way since in the eighties when Bangkok Thai's become "influential" enough to own transport and have the means to spend a weekend away.

Sure in recent years "mass tourism" become much more pronounced, but the Bangkok folks have & will always be visitors.

[paulikens]

he urged the tourism authorities to promote pattaya....  but says nothing about telling the government to open up to let foreigners back in. thats the thai mentality for ya. on the bones of his <deleted> but still doesnt want the dirty falang in.losing sympathy for em now.

[tribalfusion001]

1 minute ago, Jimbo2014 said:

5-10 years is a long time.  I hope you are wrong.  I would have said 2-3 years.  Like the GFC - these things have a way of correcting after 2-3 years.  Late next year I would expect tourism to start up again.  2023 could be a boom year as people try to enjoy social and travel life again (??)  

Travel in Europe is already up and running, restrictions come in and go again. Germany is testing on arrival and it looks like the UK will soon start doing this. The travel and tourism industry is too important in Europe to let it fail, testing on arrival is only the way forward.

 

Foreign tourism to Thailand will be finished and wiped out if they leave it until late next year. They need to test on arrival or let the industry fail until the virus disappears or vaccine arrives and works. People have short memories and countries that are closed for too long will fade from memory. Two week quarantine is a non starter, no one wants to be confined to a hotel for two weeks after arriving from a long haul flight.

[phantomfiddler]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

A bit harsh.....

It is all sad really.... but I share your lack of sympathy for the property owners who will not give businesses a break on exorbitant rents.

I could be wrong, usually am, but I do believe the post you replied to was aimed at the actual bar operators, as opposed to the property owners, so possibly a huge difference in direction of sympathy. Right now ALL property owners should be giving a substantial cut in rent, but the way things are headed even this will not improve the situation whereby the employees wages dwarf the daily takings ???? Things are inexorably headed in this direction !

[paulikens]

was very busy saturday to be fair. only 2 areas tho. lk and walking 

[CGW]

6 minutes ago, Jimbo2014 said:

5-10 years is a long time.  I hope you are wrong.  I would have said 2-3 years.  Like the GFC - these things have a way of correcting after 2-3 years.  Late next year I would expect tourism to start up again.  2023 could be a boom year as people try to enjoy social and travel life again (??)  

I "hope" he is wrong also - but doubt it, if you are aware of the United Nations vision for the future it's all going to plan! (21 & 2030 sustainable growth)

If you believe the UN & "other social engineering groups have no control over our future's? we can hope ???? 

[Justgrazing]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

completely dried up. 

Won't be the only thing dried up .. 

I should imagine a few peaches are going the same way ..

[how241]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'm really not optimistic for any miracle vaccine to solve the world's problems.

And as far as I can see, most governments seem to be enjoying their new found powers of oppression.

Russia has just started giving out a vaccine that supposedly  works well with no side effects. This will pass as many have reported that the virus numbers have been inflated  and a lot of the scaremongering has to do with the govt. and their friends just stealing more money.  More phoney bailouts and stock buybacks. The rich get richer, as always.