Pattaya presses ahead with plan to reopen to foreign tourists from September - targeting large numbers

[kingstonkid]

What ever happened with the beautification of Pattaya and changing Walking street.

 

Also If I remember the late 2019 numbers they so gladly want to get back to had a lot of bars complaining of no customers and WS a ghost town

[jcmj]

The only people I see coming are those who are trying to get back to their families. Other than that I think it would be crazy to think anyone would come with everything being closed and paying out the wazoo just to visit Pattaya. 

[DBath]

I can picture it now: hundreds of thousands flooding into Pattaya in the first month of opening. All vaxxed-up and ready to <deleted> every bar girl in sight. 
 

We should be up to about 80,000 cases/day by then, so that sounds like great timing to me - and another ‘winner’ of a plan. ????????????

[sezze]

19 minutes ago, DBath said:

I can picture it now: hundreds of thousands flooding into Pattaya in the first month of opening. All vaxxed-up and ready to <deleted> every bar girl in sight. 
 

We should be up to about 80,000 cases/day by then, so that sounds like great timing to me - and another ‘winner’ of a plan. ????????????

The 80k can be true , but where do you get the hundreds of thousands from ? Maybe you mean 100 OR 1000 .

[The Hammer2021]

On 7/17/2021 at 12:02 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Actually, IMO most destitute Thais will head to the village where they can grow their own food. IMO most Thais retain links to village relatives.

I for one do not expect millions of starving Thais in the future.

Urban poverty is a fact of life right now.

[Stargeezr]

The last thing I want to do is travel to any country that looks mostly deserted, and up for rent or sale.

  When the Delta and the Lambda, and likely a few more variants keep the pandemic alive for another 

year. The situation in a lot of places in the world,  including Thailand will look  a lot different. The world will not be going

back to a quick fix normal anywhere.  Places in the USA like Las Angeles are going back to masking and

distancing again as the delta variant is spiking the number of COVID cases a lot. Even the red necks and

anti vaxxers are changing their minds and getting the Pfizer, Moderna, and J & J poke.

Geezer

[DBath]

2 hours ago, sezze said:

The 80k can be true , but where do you get the hundreds of thousands from ? Maybe you mean 100 OR 1000 .

I was being sarcastic. 

[DBath]

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

What ever happened with the beautification of Pattaya and changing Walking street.

 

Also If I remember the late 2019 numbers they so gladly want to get back to had a lot of bars complaining of no customers and WS a ghost town

Ask any Thai government official and they will tell you, “Coming to Thailand is every foreigner’s dream come true”. 
 

Ask any foreigner and they will likely tell you the complete opposite. 

[thaibeachlovers]

I just re read the OP and I see no reason given as to WHY a foreign tourist will WANT to go to Pattaya?

Other than the defunct night life, what is there?

Sure, there is the Temple of Truth, and the two ladyboy shows ( are they even open? ), and sea food, but are they enough to get foreign tourists spend whatever it costs now to visit.

I'm pretty sure no foreign tourist ever visited Pattaya for the beach, or to eat in Maccers etc.

[Lenny the Loser]

On 7/17/2021 at 4:33 PM, FarangryBirds said:

Every day I check the calendar to see if it is still April 1st, and every day I am disappointed. ????

You mean every day you are right.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Urban poverty is a fact of life right now.

Urban poverty has been a fact of life in Thailand for all the decades I visited/ lived in it.

[Khun Yogi]

On 7/17/2021 at 11:22 AM, chalawaan said:

Pattaya was created for humans to swap dna fragments! 

Punters face more tests than Christ's temptations in the desert

Even a semi-geriatric old soak (me) can see it will fail on so many levels it's not even funny.

Best they wake up,  accept Pandemic reality, and focus on the logistics of feeding the millions of destitute Thais that they will soon be dealing with.

 

 

Virtually no one in Pattaya is vaccinated yet. This must be done before large numbers of tourists arrive.!!!!!!

[DBath]

I stayed a long weekend in Pattaya last year, so I could get my retirement visa, using a greedy crooked agent. Sorry to say this, but whenever someone mentions Pattaya, I can't help but think of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

 

Maybe I would have a different perception, if I were a young <deleted>.

[The Hammer2021]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Urban poverty has been a fact of life in Thailand for all the decades I visited/ lived in it.

It is substantialy worse now since the covid crisis.

[JemJem]

I miss Thailand. Pattaya is not actually even a favorite destination of mine but I would actually love to visit it (it has been ages since I last went to Pattaya), why not. But not under these requirements/conditions. I shall give it a big pass sadly. 

 

1-2 months ago, I was optimistic about going to Thailand (mainly Bangkok) around this November. But now, I am not so sure, with the increase in Covid cases and with various requirements still in place. I now give it around 50 percent chance. 

[freestyle]

At a covid low, they close their borders because they don't want other countries to start infecting theirs.
At a covid peak, they open their borders, don't care that they infect their tourists who will then spread it again to other countries.

Kind of selfish of them isn't it?

[Taboo2]

Easy peasy....sign me up.  I prefer Patts to the rip off island of Phuket any day.

[gk10012001]

 

  

On 7/16/2021 at 11:52 PM, webfact said:

First off visitors from abroad must have been double vaxxed,

What does double vaxxed mean?  Do they mean had two types of vaccines?  Do they mean a vaccine that had two jabs?  If the latter, then do they really mean they will not accept the single Jab Johnson and Johnson vaccine?

 

  And again, will the tourist have to pay for the several tests during the quarantine?  And similar to some of the bad stories out of Phuket, if the traveler is deemed to have been in contact with some other traveler, or plane passenger or whatever that was alleged to have tested positive, would the traveler then have to go into another quarantine, which they would have to pay for again, and that no insurance would cover (according to one poster that had that happen to her in the Phuket Sandbox)?

 

  Why somebody that is vaccinated does not get an entry with no strings is ridiculous.  They will most likely be landing at Bangkok to get to Pattaya, although I guess Utapao is possible as is Phuket airport or even DMK.  Are they going to isolate the travelers and keep them separate while transferring to Pattaya from those airports?

[gk10012001]

They keep passing requirements down on tourists, but if they would just vaccinated the local Thai population all the large risks would go away.  Requiring travelers into Thailand to be vaccinated is not un reasonable, but it puts other costs onus on the traveler.  Thailand does require medical certification for several diseases, nutty as they seem today:  Elephantitis, Siphylis, etc. 

[DaveE13]

2 hours ago, JemJem said:

I miss Thailand. Pattaya is not actually even a favorite destination of mine but I would actually love to visit it (it has been ages since I last went to Pattaya), why not. But not under these requirements/conditions. I shall give it a big pass sadly. 

 

1-2 months ago, I was optimistic about going to Thailand (mainly Bangkok) around this November. But now, I am not so sure, with the increase in Covid cases and with various requirements still in place. I now give it around 50 percent chance. 

I'm with you. I miss the Mrs but been working in London since start of the pandemic . 

Got hopes up about October visit to Bangkok see gf  then maybe go to Krabi with the her. But now don't think it will happen. 

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

 

  

What does double vaxxed mean?  Do they mean had two types of vaccines?  Do they mean a vaccine that had two jabs?  If the latter, then do they really mean they will not accept the single Jab Johnson and Johnson vaccine?

 

  And again, will the tourist have to pay for the several tests during the quarantine?  And similar to some of the bad stories out of Phuket, if the traveler is deemed to have been in contact with some other traveler, or plane passenger or whatever that was alleged to have tested positive, would the traveler then have to go into another quarantine, which they would have to pay for again, and that no insurance would cover (according to one poster that had that happen to her in the Phuket Sandbox)?

 

  Why somebody that is vaccinated does not get an entry with no strings is ridiculous.  They will most likely be landing at Bangkok to get to Pattaya, although I guess Utapao is possible as is Phuket airport or even DMK.  Are they going to isolate the travelers and keep them separate while transferring to Pattaya from those airports?

Do they actually understand reality, or are they just desperate to get the economy going?

[petermik]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Do they actually understand reality, or are they just desperate to get the economy going?

no and yes....

[metisdead]

A troll post using an animated trolling meme has been removed. 

[gk10012001]

On 7/18/2021 at 9:40 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

I just re read the OP and I see no reason given as to WHY a foreign tourist will WANT to go to Pattaya?

Other than the defunct night life, what is there?

Sure, there is the Temple of Truth, and the two ladyboy shows ( are they even open? ), and sea food, but are they enough to get foreign tourists spend whatever it costs now to visit.

I'm pretty sure no foreign tourist ever visited Pattaya for the beach, or to eat in Maccers etc.

It is not enough for me and I am semi retired, all doshed up and have all the time in the world.  Pattaya I loved because it was convenient.  Easy bus ride from BKK airport or Ekamai and BTS .  Relatively good priced hotels with pools.  I love walking around.  Bug buddha hill.  Absolutely love the baht bus system that allows you to hop on hop off for a cheap price.  No need to worry about car rental, motorbike rental, etc.  So many food places of all types, western and Thai.  Fun takeaways open late at night for those nights where you are just heading back to your hotel to watch some late night TV and just want to eat and chill.  I am a small butterfly, but of course can't deny there are many opportunities.  Getting a daily foot massage is heaven,  Oil massage every now and then.  You can't beat the prices of these things.  I enjoy a disco now and then.  I like that one  bar at the beginning of Walking Street that usually has a live Issan band.  Fun nights playing pool and some drinks and ordering food with some buddies.  A quiet day lounging outside ans snoozing at the hotel pool.  A mall visit every now and then. Do a Sudoku puzzle from the bangkok post.  That bbq place on the ground floor at Big C Marina has great sauce.  Sushi once a week.  I mean for a holiday, Pattaya is a great place.  After two month stays I have gotten bored, but that is when I flew over to Phuket and Karon beach where the water was actually clean enough to swim in.  Take the ferry from there to Ao Nang is just beautiful.  And from Pattaya, easy bus rides up to Bangkok and use the BTS to get around.  Really is a convenient and inexpensive way to spend some time in Bangkok.  I wish the beach water was clean for swimming in Pattaya. Years ago Jomtien was OK for swimming. But all the condo expansion and run off has not helped that water.  Same for Wong Amat.  Jomtien is still a beautiful stretch of beach. 

 

   Ready to go as soon as they take the onus off the incoming travelers.  My primary plan was two 90 day visits each year by getting the 60 day SETV  visa with one 30 day extension on each.  I always planned to get the retirement visa, but once the USA embassy stopped the income letters, I got a bit turned off.  I would never put 800 K baht into Thailand.  The monthly transfer requirements are silly and a nuisance but still something I may consider.  I hate paperwork, but for a few days a year it is doable, and I would be prepared to accept that if I did it.  I almost laid out for the Elite visa as I am willing to pay for some convenience.   The extra Thai health insurance pisses me off as I have great global coverage, but Thailand immigration kind of will not accept that.  But all just a cost of doing business if I then get the cheapest Thai policy out there, with the highest deductible, etc.  Still getting pricey at 64 years of age.

[Espanol]

3 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

It is not enough for me and I am semi retired, all doshed up and have all the time in the world.  Pattaya I loved because it was convenient.  Easy bus ride from BKK airport or Ekamai and BTS .  Relatively good priced hotels with pools.  I love walking around.  Bug buddha hill.  Absolutely love the baht bus system that allows you to hop on hop off for a cheap price.  No need to worry about car rental, motorbike rental, etc.  So many food places of all types, western and Thai.  Fun takeaways open late at night for those nights where you are just heading back to your hotel to watch some late night TV and just want to eat and chill.  I am a small butterfly, but of course can't deny there are many opportunities.  Getting a daily foot massage is heaven,  Oil massage every now and then.  You can't beat the prices of these things.  I enjoy a disco now and then.  I like that one  bar at the beginning of Walking Street that usually has a live Issan band.  Fun nights playing pool and some drinks and ordering food with some buddies.  A quiet day lounging outside ans snoozing at the hotel pool.  A mall visit every now and then. Do a Sudoku puzzle from the bangkok post.  That bbq place on the ground floor at Big C Marina has great sauce.  Sushi once a week.  I mean for a holiday, Pattaya is a great place.  After two month stays I have gotten bored, but that is when I flew over to Phuket and Karon beach where the water was actually clean enough to swim in.  Take the ferry from there to Ao Nang is just beautiful.  And from Pattaya, easy bus rides up to Bangkok and use the BTS to get around.  Really is a convenient and inexpensive way to spend some time in Bangkok.  I wish the beach water was clean for swimming in Pattaya. Years ago Jomtien was OK for swimming. But all the condo expansion and run off has not helped that water.  Same for Wong Amat.  Jomtien is still a beautiful stretch of beach. 

 

   Ready to go as soon as they take the onus off the incoming travelers.  My primary plan was two 90 day visits each year by getting the 60 day SETV  visa with one 30 day extension on each.  I always planned to get the retirement visa, but once the USA embassy stopped the income letters, I got a bit turned off.  I would never put 800 K baht into Thailand.  The monthly transfer requirements are silly and a nuisance but still something I may consider.  I hate paperwork, but for a few days a year it is doable, and I would be prepared to accept that if I did it.  I almost laid out for the Elite visa as I am willing to pay for some convenience.   The extra Thai health insurance pisses me off as I have great global coverage, but Thailand immigration kind of will not accept that.  But all just a cost of doing business if I then get the cheapest Thai policy out there, with the highest deductible, etc.  Still getting pricey at 64 years of age.

 

 

You have explained perfectly why in September I am going to live in Thailand and I have chosen Pattaya as the best place where I can live.

 

Touristy but cheap, where English is understood everywhere, with good means of transport, close to Bangkok for a getaway, very close to an international airport, with beaches (although not the best in Thailand), nightlife, cheap hotels, affordable condos near the sea with pool and gym, restaurants, bars, shopping centers, hospitals and everything you may need.

 

I will stay 6 months a year in Thailand, living in Pattaya, working a little online and traveling around the country and another 6 months working in Spain on the Costa del Sol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Espanol

[billd766]

On 7/18/2021 at 12:06 PM, Jingthing said:

Still openings here for August jabs if you can go to Bangkok. Brand will be either AstraZeneca or Sinovac. 

 

https://www.medparkhospital.com/en/page/covid19-vaccine-expats

I followed the link on Tuesday afternoon, and the result was this.

 

This form is currently unavailable!

[billd766]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Do they actually understand reality, or are they just desperate to get the economy going?

I suspect that they are just desperate.

[Jingthing]

18 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I followed the link on Tuesday afternoon, and the result was this.

 

This form is currently unavailable!

Already widely reported. You quoted an OLD  post!

[The Hammer2021]

Nobody in there right mind would come here for any kind of holiday. It's dismal, run down and depressing. The massive growth of Covid-19, police activity, poverty, fear of infection, road blocks, rumors and that 'Sold down the river' feeling...look in everybodies eyes...

[billd766]

26 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Already widely reported. You quoted an OLD  post!

It was the first time I got around reading the thread since Friday.