Pattaya floating market: Loss of Chinese tourists amidst safety concerns

[webfact]

In a bid to revive Pattaya‘s reputation, the operator of the iconic Pattaya Floating Market is sounding the alarm, urging authorities to dispel safety concerns that have plagued Thailand.

Amidst the ongoing struggle for a tourism comeback, Sumaporn Srimuang, the market’s general manager, reveals shocking statistics and pleads for a shift in perception.

 

“China remains the linchpin of Pattaya’s tourism, but the recent surge in Indian, South Korean, and local visitors hasn’t offset the colossal spending power of our Chinese guests.”

 

Despite a partial return of Chinese visitors, the absence of leisure tour groups has left the once-bustling market yearning for its former glory.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of TNG holidays

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-23

 

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[mokwit]

It looks like a souvenir shop.

[Trippy]

13 minutes ago, mokwit said:

It looks like a souvenir shop.

A souvenir shop that charges admission. Total tourist trap.

[bkk6060]

I went recently and the place was packed barely enough room to walk around.  Lots of tour busses bringing groups not sure what the complaint is.

But, the place is a fake joke tourist trap not a true floating market place really.

[Mr Meeseeks]

This thread reminds me, whatever happened to that Siam Legend place?

 

They must have spent millions on it pre-COVID, and it will never have got the visitor numbers they were anticipating. 

 

[proton]

Very few floating markets are worth going to, this does not appear to be one of them. 

[soalbundy]

This time next year you'll all be millionaires.

[champers]

Didn't great swathes of this place get destroyed by a fire recently? Tourist or not, Chinese or any other nationality, the chance of dying a horrible death engulfed by flames is a bit off-putting.

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I went recently and the place was packed barely enough room to walk around.  Lots of tour busses bringing groups not sure what the complaint is.

But, the place is a fake joke tourist trap not a true floating market place really.

And certainly not iconic.

[mikebell]

A picturesque shopping mall that charges for admission.

[Emdog]

Musings: I wonder if tourists are more likely to buy some bauble due to the charging of admission: "Well, I already paid so I should get SOMETHING to make it seem worthwhile..." Never been there, never will unless Mrs decides it's a good place to dump my ashes.

[nglodnig]

Were  the tourists lost because their boat floated away? Now THAT'S careless - they should have been tethered

[Mr Meeseeks]

Seven boats sinking in a week and eight people still missing won't allay any safety concerns, that's for sure. 

[daveAustin]

In a bid to revive Pattaya‘s "reputation"

 

lol. Next!