Officials Concerned Over Potential Overcrowding in Pattaya and Phuket

[newnative]

3 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Pattaya now has many domestic tourists - that once would never venture there. 

 

 

Yes, it does.   And, the numbers will continue to grow with popular events such as the International Fireworks, and new attractions popular with Thais, such as the big water park that just opened on the Darkside, and family-oriented new hotels such as Centre Point Space.

[Srikcir]

21 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Time for a "tourist tax", just like Venice is introducing 🙂

 

You may be facetious but correct.

"Venice tests a 5-euro entry fee for day-trippers as the Italian city grapples with overtourism," April 26, 2024, APnews.com

It addresses the same over-tourism issue as in Phuket.

• “We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents..." “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

For day trippers there is a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents. Difference is that Phuket tourists are largely not day trippers a similar objective applies; so the may be an extension fee.

[khunPer]

Over-tourism is a surging problem many places. Selling – the PM states that he is a seller – before the product is available is a critical issue; for tourism it's especially a question of infrastructure.

 

And of course, the Songkran water wars should have lasted the promised 21 days...

 

Some will not like this comment, but former PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was in a way on the right track with "quality tourism" – i.e. better off guests that can afford to spend some money instead of low budget mass tourism – however, how ro deal with it is difficult; entrance fee like in Venice or allowed number og visitors for various areas.

[NobbyClarke]

Indian's arrive for the drugs, Russian's to escape the fighting and and become involved with the new found mafia, Chinese to annoy everyone and most others for a vacation.

Soon there will be an influx from somewhere else.

[phetpeter]

China tour groups are bused to look, then herded to Chinese-owned establishments to spend their cash to be returned to China, Indians walk around looking for what they can have for free, or for as little money as possible, Last time I was there I couldn't believe how many empty Indian restaurants there were, plus nobody wants Indian night clubs including Indians as it means they would have to pay tourist prices and nearly every club in the walking street was one. Russians just can't handle anything that is not included in their Hotel resort, they are not social animals, and cannot function in free-for-all areas where they have to order and pay individually. 

Edited April 26 by phetpeter

[PingRoundTheWorld]

On 4/25/2024 at 12:22 PM, snoop1130 said:

In the words of a Thai Cabinet minister, "We want quality tourists from now on."

Then why the **** are they encouraging Russians and Indians? There's entire areas in Pattaya that feel more like India than Thailand. Aside from few actually rich guys most don't spend much. The stereotype of 5 guys sharing a beer (and a girl/ladyboy) are there for a reason - it actually happens - a while ago an Indian (Thai born) friend told me about how he and 5 of his mates invited one girl over and all of them took turns. I was holding my laughter because that's the exact stereotype. Another (rich lawyer) Indian friend was laughing because there was a group of Indians who were being denied entry to a BKK club, while he walked right in - the difference is that he's well dressed, looks nice, and opens bottles. They wanted to get in with a large group of men, underdressed, and they'd be drinking beers. He said he's happy they didn't let them in, lol.

 

As far as Russians go, while a lot of them have more money, there's also a LOT of younger guys who are broke but escaped to avoid the draft. This in itself is a positive thing, but Thailand encouraging them to come to Thailand is part of the current situation. (and let's not start on all the Russians working illegally, mafia, etc)

 

I'm not saying discriminate- but definitely don't encourage tourists who don't have money. And don't complain about over-tourism of cheap charlies when you created the situation. 

[PingRoundTheWorld]

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

entrance fee like in Venice or allowed number og visitors for various areas.

That's an easy possibility, as long as they limit it to exempt entries and VOA only. People with a tourist visa already pay a fee, and others on visas such as Non-O, retiree and Elite shouldn't be paying an entry fee. Given this is Thailand however- if they implement such a fee they'll just blanket throw it at all foreigners...

[simple1]

14 hours ago, AdamRich said:

Whose house is it if she dies first?

 

Our son or mine to sell if he doesn't wish to live in Thailand

[1sickpuppy]

On 4/25/2024 at 4:34 PM, bkk6060 said:

 

Unbelievable. 

Pattaya is jammed with traffic and non quality tourists and it will just get much worse.

ive been in Thailand nigh 30 years has always been a <deleted>hole and always will be full of old losers, who cannot get laid in there home countries, sad but true, suck it up buttercups

[PingRoundTheWorld]

1 hour ago, 1sickpuppy said:

ive been in Thailand nigh 30 years has always been a <deleted>hole and always will be full of old losers, who cannot get laid in there home countries, sad but true, suck it up buttercups

Sorry to burst your "sexpats" bashing bubble, but I've got news for you: these days even young guys can't get laid in their home countries, unless it's with an ugly/old/fat chick. The good looking ones won't even bother unless you're western-standards rich or famous or extremely good looking. Normal average guys don't stand a chance which is why you see a lot more younger non-loser western types in Thailand now. It's not just retirees anymore.

[Stargeezr]

I read recently that it is Low Season, so what is this story about?

  Is TAT or just Thai Immigration saying that there are too many tourist about?

  Maybe the heat is affecting the Government as well.

[morrobay]

20 hours ago, andygrr said:

Most of the tourists in Pattaya are Thai from Bangkok. As for traffic congestion most foreign tourists don't drive.

Exactly the jammed traffic mess, what happened to Bang San beach for Thais?  .And the buses. And it's encouraged by city hall with these endless happy sh*t events along Pattaya and Jomtien beach. Then the endless road works. And worst of all these bogus contractor - kickback concrete the beach "improvements" 

 

[morrobay]

20 hours ago, newnative said:

    For Pattaya, sadly, it's only going to get far worse as the massive development of a number of mega projects continues.  In north Pattaya/Wongamat, you have Arom nearing completion and three huge projects, Centre Point 3, Once Wongamat, and Wyndham Grand getting started.   Akara Hotel just opened and the land near it to the old Best supermarket is being cleared for new development there. 

    In Jomtien, a second Copacabana is planned, to go with the massive first one.  Plus, Skypark Lucean, also quite large. In Pratamnuk, Riviera Malibu will be joining the other Riviera projects.  Across from Axis, the huge Grand Solaire will be Pattaya's tallest building at 67 stories.  On the Darkside, dozens and dozens of new housing projects scattered all over.  

    Just a small sampling.  Pattaya Realty lists 138 new project developments in Pattaya. 

So is there going to be enough demand to support all these new projects ?  You really can't walk anywhere around here. There is no nice seaside promanade for walking. And the other option is the jammed up roads. Seems like the mess is going to reduce demand from foreign tourists ?

 

[DUNROAMIN]

Over crowding of tourists in one hand, the other hand says no visa requirements for Russian tourist. ?????

I could'nt make this s**t up.

[herfiehandbag]

Different countries have different approaches to overcrowding at tourist hotspots.

 

Greece, appointments to view and entry charges to the Acropolis.

 

Thailand "Sorry, Wat Arun and Grand Palace closed today, but I take you to very good tailor, OK?"

[newnative]

3 hours ago, morrobay said:

So is there going to be enough demand to support all these new projects ?  You really can't walk anywhere around here. There is no nice seaside promanade for walking. And the other option is the jammed up roads. Seems like the mess is going to reduce demand from foreign tourists ?

 

     If the demand wasn't there, I doubt an established developer/business would proceed.  Centre Point built its large hotel on top of T21.  Apparently filled the rooms and needed more rooms to offer so it built Centre Point Space across the street.  That seems to be a success and now the developer has the even bigger Centre Point 3 planned for an enormous tract of land in front of Cape Dara.  All 3 very big investments, likely not done without some thought.

    Ditto for Copacabana.  Sold well enough and now a second Copacabana is planned.  Same for Riviera--a number of successful projects, with the next one, Riviera Malibu, on the horizon.   Whether all of the many new projects will be successful . . .we'll see.

     As far as the 'mess' detering visitors to Pattaya, I doubt it will have much effect.  Things like road construction, the state of the sidewalks, lack of shade trees, etc., etc., are issues that are most vexing to locals living here full-time, not tourists here for a short visit.  When my spouse and I recently visited China, did we inquire about the traffic before we booked the trip?  No.

[GammaGlobulin]

Concerning Overcrowding in Phuket:

 

Charge those who enter via bridge, boat, or plane, Bt.3000, entry fee, per visit.

Provide homeowners and business owners, and local/foreign workers with Work Permits, exemptions from this fee.

Use proceeds from entrance fees to return Phuket's natural habitat to 1950's level.

 

 

There are MANY among us who would pay BIG BUCKS to stay in Phuket, if Phuket were pristine, as it once was.

People with money, also people with good breeding, don't want to live next-door to boors.

And, Quality Tourists around the world care about a healthy ecosystem.

 

The higher the number of Boorish Tourists in Phuket, the fewer quantity of Quality Tourists there will be.

 

Concerning Overcrowding in Pattaya:

 

a.   Continue to follow the longstanding SNAFU strategies

b.   Pattaya is not overcrowded.

c.   Pattaya can easily double or triple its existing number of tourists, and Pattaya will only improve in character as it does so.

d.   Redirect any tourists headed to Phuket, and send them to Pattaya, instead.

 

This way, all tourists, all retirees, and all local citizens can reach a compromise that will protect the environments of both Pattaya and Phuket.

 

Send those wishing to take the High Road to Phuket.

And, send the Low-Roaders to Pattaya.

 

Case closed.

Potential problems solved.

Phuket will return to a path bound for sustainability.

 

 

 

Edited April 27 by GammaGlobulin

[Deserted]

But its money coming in and that's what they want. 

[morrobay]

On 4/26/2024 at 2:23 PM, newnative said:

Yes, it does.   And, the numbers will continue to grow with popular events such as the International Fireworks, and new attractions popular with Thais, such as the big water park that just opened on the Darkside, and family-oriented new hotels such as Centre Point Space.

So it seems that all the major development in North Pattaya/South Naklua you noted. * And especially the ex Best corner that extends for acres and acres. Is in expectations going to be supported by Thais in the majority. Because there sure are enough of them  here driving around in circles all day.                                  

Negative dept.

[OldmanJ]

I just can't understand that the Thai government couldn't see the problems they would face by letting Chinese, Russians and Indians visa wave laws and they never learn by there mistakes.

As usual Thailand government you made your bed and now because of greed you are now lying in it.