Yesterday marked the kick-off of an unprecedented six-day holiday. Pattaya‘s beaches and tourist hotspots were abuzz as visitors flocked, particularly to Koh Larn, a stunning island located roughly 7 kilometres from the coast. According to local accommodation providers, the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out.

 

The rush of tourists, both Thai and foreign, regularly set sail from Bali Hai pier in South Pattaya to the island. In response to the influx, the Pattaya City Municipality in collaboration with the Marine Office mobilised officials to assist in managing the crowd at the pier.

 

Safety standards were paramount and authorities worked with ferry operators to assert strict adherence to safety guidelines regarding the number of passengers aboard each boat. Furthermore, passengers were mandated to don life jackets during the journey. Anticipating the surge, additional parking was secured to cater for the increased volume of vehicles, according to local authorities.

This significant rise in room demand for Koh Larn can be attributed to the recently approved proposal by the cabinet secretariat. This unusual declaration declared an additional ‘special’ public holiday. This extended the typical vacation period from July 28 to August 2, in a move to rejuvenate tourism. Moreover, this elongated break overlapped with other set holidays such as His Majesty the King’s birthday, Asanha Bucha Day, and the commencement of the Buddhist Lent.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Image by lemaret pierrick's Images

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/unprecedented-six-day-holiday-leads-to-tourist-boom-in-pattayas-koh-larn

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-29

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Just wait for the typical AN posters to put a negative spin on this.

5 minutes ago, bbko said:

Just wait for the typical AN posters to put a negative spin on this.

Ok. Let me try. What kind of holiday will it be without booze? 

3 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Ok. Let me try. What kind of holiday will it be without booze? 

A safe holiday

3 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Ok. Let me try. What kind of holiday will it be without booze? 

Only 2 days out of the six---live with it.

6 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Ok. Let me try. What kind of holiday will it be without booze? 

What's preventing you from buying today and drinking later? Also many mom & pop stores sell on those non sales days.

All roads was packed into the city center. Third road all the way up to North Pattaya road. Beach road allowed parking on both sides again, and the sand was packed with tourists.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, bbko said:

Just wait for the typical AN posters to put a negative spin on this.

Yours was the first response and it serves no other purpose other than negativity.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

According to local accommodation providers, the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out.

Tractors will be working overtime digging holes to put the rubbish in.

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Ok. Let me try. What kind of holiday will it be without booze? 

That is just Tuesday and Wednesday... it is Saturday today!

Have debt, will travel❗????

I have started to stock up with Chang beer today 

Never had a problem while in Thailand  with alcohol ????  ???? 

6 day holiday … best strategy …. Stay at home I reckon ????

 

Where every day is a potential holiday …. at very affordable prices.

 

3 hours ago, couchpotato said:

Only 2 days out of the six---live with it.

Which two days? I need to stock up.

Are banks closed throughout this period too? I need to send money to a Thai friend's account but it appears he will have to wait.

Tourist boom or tourist boom boom?

Many years ago I had a Thai girlfriend who was a hotel receptionist. Besides public holidays she was only given 6 days per annum as holiday days to take whenever she wanted. (In my current job in the UK I get public holidays + 21 days when I want them). 

3 hours ago, couchpotato said:

Only 2 days out of the six---live with it.

My local Mom & Pop with come through yet again 6 out of the 6.

Used to just be a place to take your 3 day girlfriend on a day tour. Then the Chinese came and turned it into a *cough* stunning island *cough*. 

 

If that did happen it will be a first..........

4 hours ago, bbko said:

Just wait for the typical AN posters to put a negative spin on this.

You just did!

Anyone know if Thai employees are paid for these public holidays when they do not work them.......................like employees in many western countries are paid ?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Yesterday marked the kick-off of an unprecedented six-day holiday. Pattaya‘s beaches and tourist hotspots were abuzz as visitors flocked, particularly to Koh Larn, a stunning island located roughly 7 kilometres from the coast. According to local accommodation providers, the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out.

 

The rush of tourists, both Thai and foreign, regularly set sail from Bali Hai pier in South Pattaya to the island. In response to the influx, the Pattaya City Municipality in collaboration with the Marine Office mobilised officials to assist in managing the crowd at the pier.

 

Safety standards were paramount and authorities worked with ferry operators to assert strict adherence to safety guidelines regarding the number of passengers aboard each boat. Furthermore, passengers were mandated to don life jackets during the journey. Anticipating the surge, additional parking was secured to cater for the increased volume of vehicles, according to local authorities.

This significant rise in room demand for Koh Larn can be attributed to the recently approved proposal by the cabinet secretariat. This unusual declaration declared an additional ‘special’ public holiday. This extended the typical vacation period from July 28 to August 2, in a move to rejuvenate tourism. Moreover, this elongated break overlapped with other set holidays such as His Majesty the King’s birthday, Asanha Bucha Day, and the commencement of the Buddhist Lent.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Image by lemaret pierrick's Images

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/unprecedented-six-day-holiday-leads-to-tourist-boom-in-pattayas-koh-larn

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-29

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Enjoy.

Joy!

 

I was just saying today "what we need here is more tourists".

 

The roads are already clogged with busses and taxis.

 

May be time to move again.

Feels quieter and peaceful where I am. Must be because all the employees that linger around all day have gone home and/or some of the shops are closed.

 

Wish it was always like this. Very peaceful.

55 minutes ago, Spock said:

Are banks closed throughout this period too? I need to send money to a Thai friend's account but it appears he will have to wait.

Bank offices are on a 3 day weekend, Fri-Sun, back to work on Monday. By law they cannot close in excess of 4 days.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out.

3000 rooms for a 6km² island.

That's 500 rooms per km².

Each room 2 people that's 1000 people per km².

That doesn't take into account locals and people on day trips.

 

People better come with their sandwiches if they don't wanna spend the day queuing for food :)

My thoughts to all hotels and restaurants staff.

Stay strong !

 

According to the article, Koh Larn is a stunning island.  Not sure about that. I went to a southern beach there five months ago. Just behind the beach area lies an amazing amount of garbage and empty beer bottles.  The island could be a large garbage dump. Sad but true. The people who live or work there obviously don't care about this problem.

15 minutes ago, swerve said:

According to the article, Koh Larn is a stunning island.  Not sure about that. I went to a southern beach there five months ago. Just behind the beach area lies an amazing amount of garbage and empty beer bottles.  The island could be a large garbage dump. Sad but true. The people who live or work there obviously don't care about this problem.

Yep. But pretty much the standard for most Thais and most of Thailand...other than the National Parks. 

2 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

Tourist boom or tourist boom boom?

Since the overwhelming majority of these tourists are regular Thai people it's a boom of domestic tourism.