Pattaya: Should have been the busiest day of the year - but 2021 it's deserted

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

Reporters from Siam Chon News went to Beach Road in Pattaya on what should have been one of the busiest days of the year - the celebration of the Wan Lai festival that traditionally follows Songkran.

 

In a normal year there would be thousands of Thais and foreign tourists soaking each other in water wars having fun, spending money, drinking.

 

Not this year. There have been 1,283 cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi resulting in Pattaya being placed in a Red Zone meaning the event and its parade were all called off. 

 

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

Everything was shut up or mostly deserted.

 

Swimwear and swimming equipment seller Rairatee, 54, summed it up.

 

Normally she said she would have to hire three or four extra staff at this time of year and even then she'd be rushed off her feet.

 

She'd take in 20,000 to 30,000 baht. 

 

This year that won't even be 1,000 baht, she lamented. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-20

 

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[champers]

So all those parked cars, motorcycles and pickups didn't have any occupants? The beach was busy and so Pattaya was not deserted. Jomtien would have been even busier.

[tyga]

It is all relative... Once upon a time this scene would have been the normal level of activity and road traffic in Pattaya. Not jsut my memory but plenty of videos on youtube supporting this in a time when the place was a more relaxed, carefree and happy town. Personally, I'd say it was nicer then. Not sure what the attraction is in going to a stressful, crowded, noisy and polluted destination to relax on holiday but it takes all sorts...

[Deli]

And again: Thank you, China !

[trainman34014]

Are we supposed to be surprised ?

[Surelynot]

Are there no "illegal" bars in Pattaya? Someone must be chancing their arm to stay open....having paid whoever?

[Destiny1990]

Where is the boost from NEO Pattaya? ????

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, tyga said:

It is all relative... Once upon a time this scene would have been the normal level of activity and road traffic in Pattaya. Not jsut my memory but plenty of videos on youtube supporting this in a time when the place was a more relaxed, carefree and happy town. Personally, I'd say it was nicer then. Not sure what the attraction is in going to a stressful, crowded, noisy and polluted destination to relax on holiday but it takes all sorts...

The photo does make it look quite pleasant, doesn't it. I've watched many video walks over the past year and everywhere, especially London, looks much better with less people. And, as you say, there is less stress now when out and about. A silver lining of sorts, perhaps, although desperately sad for those in business.

[thailand49]

The last two years have been '' JUST <deleted> GREAT "  Just make it a national rule Songkran 3 days nation wide no more no less April 13-14-15. 

 

You don't need alcohol in your hand to have a good time nor do you need to throw water for days!

[bkk6060]

3 hours ago, champers said:

So all those parked cars, motorcycles and pickups didn't have any occupants? The beach was busy and so Pattaya was not deserted. Jomtien would have been even busier.

So there was 100 cars parked on BR.

Did not see any busy of what you say at all.

I guess what is your definition of busy? 

There were some people walking around the beach where the vendors were set up across from Central,  but the rest of the place was not even close to normal busy.  Dead actually.

 

Then, there was the famous Kite festival with a few onlookers.

 

[bangon04]

no chinese tour groups ....... oh dear....

[MasterBaker]

since when parking on the right side of the beach road was allowed?

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, MasterBaker said:

since when parking on the right side of the beach road was allowed?

Oh a month or more now, an enlightened idea to boost domestic tourism from the mayor.

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, bangon04 said:

no chinese tour groups ....... oh dear....

Yes, very noticeable how clean the sidewalks and kerbs are, I daresay the backseat floors of taxis will also be clean, not to mention the floor of the airport trains. If anyone wants to accuse me of bigotry, be my guest. ????

[Stargeezr]

Yup, likely quite a lot of places closed in Jomtien as well. My cousin says that some are open, barely

and are thankful for all the expats that live there.

Geezer

[thaibeachlovers]

On 4/20/2021 at 7:08 PM, tyga said:

It is all relative... Once upon a time this scene would have been the normal level of activity and road traffic in Pattaya. Not jsut my memory but plenty of videos on youtube supporting this in a time when the place was a more relaxed, carefree and happy town. Personally, I'd say it was nicer then. Not sure what the attraction is in going to a stressful, crowded, noisy and polluted destination to relax on holiday but it takes all sorts...

You must go back a looooooong way then. In all my time there it's never been that quiet.

 

Personally I'd be really enjoying the new version. It got OTT traffic insanity before corona.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 4/20/2021 at 10:23 PM, bkk6060 said:

So there was 100 cars parked on BR.

Did not see any busy of what you say at all.

I guess what is your definition of busy? 

There were some people walking around the beach where the vendors were set up across from Central,  but the rest of the place was not even close to normal busy.  Dead actually.

 

Then, there was the famous Kite festival with a few onlookers.

 

I'd be lov'n it.

[codemonkey]

covid, but on the bright side, NO WATER play and all the associated Songkran BS! Love it!