New COVID-19 wave further threatens Pattaya’s devastated tourism industry

[webfact]

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Sophon Cable TV painted a grim picture of how the latest wave of COVID-19 infections will impact the resort’s tourism industry. 

 

Acting head of the Chonburi tourism business association Thanet Supornsahatrangsi said that Pattaya moving from a yellow zone back to orange again was a worry.

 

Though there was no sign yet of cancellations of hotels at Songkran - he reported 60-70% expected occupancy - if the government does not act fast people may not travel.

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

He called for the government to step up the speed of the vaccine rollout that he said was too slow so far.

 

A total of 70% of the population starting with medical personnel and people in the tourism industry, then moving onto locals and migrant workers, needs to be done as a matter of urgency, Sophon reported. 

 

The virus also needs to be stopped before it spreads to Pattaya, he said. test and trace measures must help to protect Pattaya. 

 

Thanet also had some clear observations about the state of foreign tourism in the resort - or rather the complete lack of it.

 

He said that very few foreign tourists have arrived; even though quarantine has been put down to a week tourists don't want to quarantine at all.

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

They are preferring to go to Thailand's competitors where there is no quarantine. 

 

As regards the Chinese - the main tourism group for Pattaya by far - they are not leaving China at all.

 

It is time that the Thai government stepped on the gas and got travel bubbles with countries like Singapore and Taiwan up and running, said Thanet. 

 

He feared for the immediate future if decisive measures were not taken soon. 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-08

 

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[scubascuba3]

99% sure they will cancel otherwise this 3rd wave could get out of control with the new variant

[jacko45k]

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

The virus also needs to be stopped before it spreads to Pattaya, he said. test and trace measures must help to protect Pattaya. 

I am afraid with the infection numbers we see recently in Bangkok the only solution would be to block domestic tourists from coming and there appears to be no sign or likelihood of that. This is along with the extended Songkran and the usual mass exodus from the capital. 

I fear I may remain isolated at home myself as the safest option....

It used to be the water throwing that kept me out.

 

Another wave, another lockdown, for sure there will be very little left.

Edited April 7, 2021 by jacko45k

[GeorgeCross]

i'm not sure filling pattaya's hotels up and stopping covid reaching pattaya are compatible goals..

 

he might have to choose one.

 

 

[Ralf001]

They running out of time to cancel Songkran and ban booze.

[phetphet]

Considering Songkran is next week, and any vaccine will take a lot longer to give any protection, I think they are too late.

[BestB]

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out to stop the spread have to stop people from travelling.

 

Closing down 196 bars in one part of BKK does not fix the problem, it only makes it bigger because now all those who would have gone to 196 closed venues, will travel to other areas to visit other bars.

 

Just as thousands will travel back to their provinces for Songkran, so will the virus with them.

 

The only province with a governor who seem to have a clue is Burriram who said anyone coming from BKK have to go into 14 day quarantine.

 

They worry about filling up hotels for 1 weekend, where they should be worried about virus spreading, bringing down entire city for at least 1 month of lockdown and another 1-2 month for people to return after the lockdown.

[Enzian]

Sorry to be flippant, but are the beached whales also susceptible to Covid?

[brewsterbudgen]

The Covid committee meet today.  I haven't cancelled my family's holiday plans in Pattaya yet!  

 

[jacko45k]

23 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

They running out of time to cancel Songkran and ban booze.

Isn't going to happen......

[brewsterbudgen]

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Isn't going to happen......

Hopefully, but you never know in this country.

[bkk6060]

He said that very few foreign tourists have arrived; even though quarantine has been put down to a week

 

??

Seems kind of dumb since that quarantine change was just a week ago April 1. But I am sure thousands will be coming today since this is the 8th..

[BestB]

4 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

He said that very few foreign tourists have arrived; even though quarantine has been put down to a week

 

??

Seems kind of dumb since that quarantine change was just a week ago April 1. But I am sure thousands will be coming today since this is the 8th..

What tourist does not want to spend 7-10 days in the lock up and having to pay for it. Its every tourist dream

[Oldie]

The real problem in Pattaya are the many entertainment venues where pretty much no Covid regulations are followed because it is not easy or impossible in this kind of business. Normally it would be the first thing to close them. But this seems to be too expensive and not liked by some people. 

[tomyami]

was in LK metro last night rumour mill was in over drive.

It looks like lockdown imminent they should cancel songkran

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

As regards the Chinese - the main tourism group for Pattaya by far - they are not leaving China at all.

Nobody is leaving ANY country at the minute really in numbers. And if the Chinese are beholden to every hoop on the 'tourist' lists, they won't be coming back in numbers again either anytime soon even if Thailand does open up. 

 

Thailand's failure to thoroughly test is now about to destroy their tourism for 2021 and put the nail in the coffin of more businesses. 

[Broken Record]

Close the bars and ban the sale of Alcohol for 2 months. 

[natway09]

Another article stating the obvious

[Deli]

2 hours ago, Broken Record said:

Close the bars and ban the sale of Alcohol for 2 months. 

 

You must be a close relative of Dr. Frankenstein Yong.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Though there was no sign yet of cancellations of hotels at Songkran - he reported 60-70% expected occupancy - if the government does not act fast people may not travel

That may well change in the next couple of days... 

[Cake Monster]

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Nobody is leaving ANY country at the minute really in numbers. And if the Chinese are beholden to every hoop on the 'tourist' lists, they won't be coming back in numbers again either anytime soon even if Thailand does open up. 

 

Thailand's failure to thoroughly test is now about to destroy their tourism for 2021 and put the nail in the coffin of more businesses. 

Thailands failure to test is just one reason.

The Thai people themselves have to take a massive amount of blame for this current outbreak spreading so fast.

I mean not wearing masks , no social distancing and hand Sanitizing.

Even today I witnessed these things, and the population know this new variant is so much more potent.

Self inflicted wounds a lot of this ....no sympathy

[Ralf001]

8 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Isn't going to happen......

True, they may not cancel Songkran but they certainly can force bar/clubs/karoke/restuarant/etc etc etc closures.

Edited April 8, 2021 by Ralf001

[Terek]

isolate covidzombies, problem solved !

[mikeymike100]

3 hours ago, Broken Record said:

Close the bars and ban the sale of Alcohol for 2 months. 

I just love good sarcasm!!

[connda]

Tourism should just give up.  The writing is on the wall.  Two or three times a year from now until forever, especially right before big holidays, you'll hear from 'experts', "Wave number "n" is coming soon!  It will be worst than all the other waves.  Stay home. Hide under the bed. Make sure you have you Covid shots for all the Covid variants up-to-date."  Over and over like clock-work.

MIT published a paper in March 2020* saying there was no going back to normal - ever.  And what the governments and 'experts' are emphasizing is that 'normal' is gone and never will return.  New normal will worship at the alter of Covid and perpetual fear.

*Source: We’re Not Going Back To Normal, MIT Technology Review, March 17, 2020
 

Edited April 8, 2021 by connda

[Burma Bill]

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Isn't going to happen......

Regret to say, already started (from another post today)

 

"includes shutting  down all pubs, bars, karaokes and massage parlours for 14 days in 41 provinces" -

 

Chonburi (Pattaya) is number 12 on the list. I presume alcohol can be purchased for home consumption?

[jacko45k]

20 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Regret to say, already started (from another post today)

 

"includes shutting  down all pubs, bars, karaokes and massage parlours for 14 days in 41 provinces" -

 

Chonburi (Pattaya) is number 12 on the list. I presume alcohol can be purchased for home consumption?

My statement quoted the cancellation of Songkran, which I have not heard will be happening. There will still be the holidays next week.. and traffic jams for the next few days. 

I have found the news you refer to,  but I am not permitted to link to it here.  It did not mention massages , but  'bars, pubs, clubs and karaoke bars'. The way Thong Lor and other  Bangkok entertainment places were allowed to  operate amidst Covid numbers was, well, dumb. 

Thx 4 your input.

[J Town]

37 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Chonburi (Pattaya) is number 12 on the list. I presume alcohol can be purchased for home consumption?

For now it is OK, but I have certainly stocked up!

[Ralf001]

12 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

 There will still be the holidays next week.. and traffic jams for the next few days. 

 

hence why Iam expecting an alcohol sale ban as well.

[jacko45k]

Just now, Ralf001 said:

hence why Iam expecting an alcohol sale ban as well.

Well it certainly happened last time... and without warning.