Travel Pattaya Faces Mixed Reactions Amid Decline in Chinese Tourists

[snoop1130]

Pattaya sign on Laem Bali Hai Pier | Photo via Chadathip BarBeer

 

Pattaya, a bustling resort city in Thailand, is witnessing a notable decline in Chinese tourists—a development that's causing a stir among local business owners and long-term residents. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently reported a dip in daily Chinese arrivals to about 5,000, a significant drop from the pre-pandemic figures of 15,000 to 20,000.

 

The shift in visitor demographics stems from several interconnected factors. Rising costs in Thailand, attractive travel packages from other Southeast Asian countries, and ongoing trade disagreements between Thailand and China have collectively contributed to this downturn. A particular point of contention has been Thailand's refusal to reduce tariffs, a decision that did not sit well with Beijing.

 

The drop in Chinese tourists presents a double-edged sword for Pattaya. While businesses catering to mass tourism, such as large hotels, shopping centres, and beachside vendors, feel the pinch, European tourists and permanent residents appear to be embracing the quieter atmosphere. An unnamed European resident expressed contentment, noting, "The concerns mentioned are all true, but everyone knows after Songkran starts the low season, and numerous are happy that the massive levels of Chinese are going elsewhere."

 

 

 

The absence of large Chinese tour groups, once a staple in Pattaya’s vibrant scene, has paved the way for a more laid-back environment. European tourists relish the less crowded beaches and enjoy the slower, less commercialised pace of life. Smaller businesses targeting independent travellers report receiving steadier business from Western visitors looking for unique travel experiences.

 

As the city transitions into its traditional low season post-Songkran, tourism operators are keeping a close eye on these trends. With the realisation that relying too heavily on one market could be precarious, there is growing optimism that a more diversified tourist base might offer Pattaya a healthier tourist economy in the long run.

 

Many are waiting to see if this current trend persists and whether Pattaya can continue attracting a varied array of visitors as it strives for a balanced tourism industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-28

 

 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

there is growing optimism that a more diversified tourist base might offer Pattaya a healthier tourist economy in the long run.

That is actually one of the smartest things I´ve read today.

[MalcolmB]

Pattaya is really for desperadoes getting Asian women. That is Pattaya number 1 business and has been for decades. 

Chinese have their own Asian women that are on average better looking than the Thai Asian women.

Pattaya isn’t really for Chinese, there are better places to go shopping and eat buffets. I am not surprised they are not keen on Pattaya.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently reported a dip in daily Chinese arrivals to about 5,000, a significant drop from the pre-pandemic figures of 15,000 to 20,000.

There is a god

[mikeymike100]

12 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Pattaya is really for desperadoes getting Asian women. That is Pattaya number 1 business and has been for decades. 

Chinese have their own Asian women that are on average better looking than the Thai Asian women.

Pattaya isn’t really for Chinese, there are better places to go shopping and eat buffets. I am not surprised they are not keen on Pattaya.

Well at least the shrimp will be happy!!!😂

[bristolgeoff]

I thought the russians were the ones they liked best,reason the mails have the high end fashion  for the girlfriends  and wives.The chinese don,t like it when more russian than chinese.Cambodia sihanoukville is the place where chinese out number cambodians and chinese money is ok to use there too

[spidermike007]

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

 

 

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Pattaya is really for desperadoes getting Asian women. That is Pattaya number 1 business and has been for decades. 

Chinese have their own Asian women that are on average better looking than the Thai Asian women.

Pattaya isn’t really for Chinese, there are better places to go shopping and eat buffets. I am not surprised they are not keen on Pattaya.

Well Pattaya was getting 15 to 20k arrivals previously so they weren't just there for the women, and the Chinese for the most part are not a particularly heavy clientele for the industry. There are so many other factors that work here including the Chinese government encouraging its citizens not to travel abroad, and instead encouraging domestic travel, which has has exploded. 

 

The Chinese also tend to be rather timid and easily scared, and I'm certain that the scam center scandals has discouraged a lot of Chinese from visiting too. 

[Seagull Sam]

Is it just me that cannot see past the vast sex trade which is Pattaya's life blood. I simply can't see what is there for anybody outside of single male falang.

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm… good news indeed

[Jingthing]

There are so many untapped markets to go for. I suggest -- MEXICANS.

[J Branche]

From what I've seen the Chinese mainly visit in tour groups, travel around to pre-arranged destinations, eat at buffet restaurants, not really causing any trouble, don't seem to buy much since it is probably cheaper for them to buy in China.

 

Am relieved that the 50 tour buses that use to parked throughout Phra Tamnak have dwindled with the reduction of Chinese Tourists.

[NemoH]

I am happy that high season is over.. at least nature can take a break .. Thailand has been going to extremes with tourism .. causing both nature erosion and human conflict.. so it is good for a nice break .. 🤣 sorry for the business people.. but hopefully prices will come down too… 

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, Seagull Sam said:

Is it just me that cannot see past the vast sex trade which is Pattaya's life blood. I simply can't see what is there for anybody outside of single male falang.

No, no, no.

Dan About Town Cheeseman promotes it as Asia’s premier destination for bringing up his young daughter and son. 
It is ideal apparently.

[Zack61]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Many are waiting to see if this current trend persists

With bated breath I suspect. 

[robz]

One should create a copy of Pattaya a bit closer to Bangkok for Chinese tourists, as Pattaya is simply overcrowded. The Chinese love such replicas, as seen with Jackson Hole, Thames Town, Venice Water Town, Shanghai Oktoberfest, Beijing Oktoberfest and other copies in China.

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

whether Pattaya can continue attracting a varied array of visitors as it strives for a balanced tourism industry.

....and what might it be that makes Pattaya attractive?

Up to now I couldn't find anything.

[LennyW]

There are the busloads of Chinese gawpers, loads of golfing enthusiasts, many shady investors, but very few are here for Thai ladies.

[Trippy]

2 hours ago, Seagull Sam said:

Is it just me that cannot see past the vast sex trade which is Pattaya's life blood. I simply can't see what is there for anybody outside of single male falang.

There is much more to Pattaya than you think, but you'd have to get off your barstool to find it.

 

https://www.getyourguide.com/pattaya-l182/family-friendly-activities-tc1094/

[factual monk]

I'm missing the chaos... 

Come back soon...

Ni Hao 

[LALes]

Forget the Chinese.  If the Indians stop coming, Pattaya's in real trouble.  These guys (and they are all single guys) are keeping the sex and massage business afloat.  You ever see full baht busses pulling up to a soapie loaded with Indian guys?

[digger70]

Pattaya Faces Mixed Reactions Amid Decline in Chinese Tourists. 

 

Could be that the tourists Caught on to the factthatthey are getting ripped off and not  really treated very well and feel that they are not welcome. Just thinking.

[Sydebolle]

In all fairness, who wants to holiday in Pattaya unless they are in for wrip-offs, ladies of the night, traffic jams and overpriced everything ....... 

Thailand in general and Pattaya/Phuket in particular have lost their crocks! 

[BarraMarra]

Oh dear what we going to do the chinese are staying away? Can"t be anything we have done ? There must be a reason they only know. Tomorrow they the chinese will be blamed for the downturn as the Thai Govt will not  accept or  listen to critisizm there right everyone is wrong.

[Espanol]

 

 

It's about time they remember the farangs.
We all knew that prioritizing Indian and Chinese tourism was ruinous because they don't spend.
Only Westerners go there in a "two-week millionaire" mode, spending lavishly.
Now the Chinese have ignored them, and Indians sleep on the beach.
They only go to Indian clubs, Indian restaurants, or directly to 7/11. Ruinous.
If you look at the bars and restaurants, the only foreign customers are Westerners.

 

 

[barney42bb]

Just leaves The Indian and Russian element...Then problem Nailed.

[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

I thought the russians were the ones they liked best,reason the mails have the high end fashion  for the girlfriends  and wives.The chinese don,t like it when more russian than chinese.Cambodia sihanoukville is the place where chinese out number cambodians and chinese money is ok to use there too

 

For reference, the Chinese Yuan can be used throughout Cambodia, especially in tourist areas, along with the US $ and the Khmer Riel.

 

Feb. 2023. The Minister of Tourism has stated that Cambodia will allow the use of Chinese RMB (Yuan) – instead of Cambodian Riel or US Dollars – in all tourism services in order to attract more Chinese tourists.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501234431/chinese-tourists-can-pay-in-chinese-currency-at-all-tourism-services-throughout-cambodia/

[Toby1947]

19 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Pattaya is really for desperadoes getting Asian women. That is Pattaya number 1 business and has been for decades. 

Chinese have their own Asian women that are on average better looking than the Thai Asian women.

Pattaya isn’t really for Chinese, there are better places to go shopping and eat buffets. I am not surprised they are not keen on Pattaya.

Chinese women better looking than Thai women ? Think you need to get to Specsavers 🤣😅 . They are right ugly mares. 🤣😅

[MalcolmB]

34 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

Chinese women better looking than Thai women ? Think you need to get to Specsavers 🤣😅 . They are right ugly mares. 🤣😅

Go and take a look in the mirror Toby and get back to me.

Chinese girls are taller, slimmer, whiter with larger breasts generally speaking.

[Reddavy]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Pattaya sign on Laem Bali Hai Pier | Photo via Chadathip BarBeer

 

Pattaya, a bustling resort city in Thailand, is witnessing a notable decline in Chinese tourists—a development that's causing a stir among local business owners and long-term residents. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently reported a dip in daily Chinese arrivals to about 5,000, a significant drop from the pre-pandemic figures of 15,000 to 20,000.

 

The shift in visitor demographics stems from several interconnected factors. Rising costs in Thailand, attractive travel packages from other Southeast Asian countries, and ongoing trade disagreements between Thailand and China have collectively contributed to this downturn. A particular point of contention has been Thailand's refusal to reduce tariffs, a decision that did not sit well with Beijing.

 

The drop in Chinese tourists presents a double-edged sword for Pattaya. While businesses catering to mass tourism, such as large hotels, shopping centres, and beachside vendors, feel the pinch, European tourists and permanent residents appear to be embracing the quieter atmosphere. An unnamed European resident expressed contentment, noting, "The concerns mentioned are all true, but everyone knows after Songkran starts the low season, and numerous are happy that the massive levels of Chinese are going elsewhere."

 

 

 

The absence of large Chinese tour groups, once a staple in Pattaya’s vibrant scene, has paved the way for a more laid-back environment. European tourists relish the less crowded beaches and enjoy the slower, less commercialised pace of life. Smaller businesses targeting independent travellers report receiving steadier business from Western visitors looking for unique travel experiences.

 

As the city transitions into its traditional low season post-Songkran, tourism operators are keeping a close eye on these trends. With the realisation that relying too heavily on one market could be precarious, there is growing optimism that a more diversified tourist base might offer Pattaya a healthier tourist economy in the long run.

 

Many are waiting to see if this current trend persists and whether Pattaya can continue attracting a varied array of visitors as it strives for a balanced tourism industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-28

 

 

Great news. Less vermin on the streets 👍

[Kerryd]

On one hand they gripe about all the "zero dollar" Chinese tourists and on the other they gripe when there are fewer of those "zero dollar" tourists.

Many Chinese are on tours, often sponsored in part by the factories they work for, where they pay for the entire holiday up front - in China.

The tour agency then makes deals with airlines, hotels, restaurants, attractions and even shopping malls to get the lowest (cheapest) possible deals for those groups.

They arrive, stay in their hotels until it's time to go to an attraction (admission already paid), go to a restaurant (2-3 meal choices only, 1 beer or soda pop), maybe go to an "adult" venue for an hour (admission paid, choice of 1 beer or soda pop) and then back to the hotel. Next day, same thing, maybe with some beach time or a boat ride.

5 days later it's back to the airport and home and the only money they've spent is maybe if they bought a souvenir at a shopping mall or duty free shop.

I remember about 20 years ago (2005/6ish) when they started arriving by the double-decker bus loads.
Spoke to some resort owners, restaurant and go-go bar owners I knew at the time.

They made enough from the tour groups to pay the bills basically. If they charged any less, they'd lose money. Seems they thought that getting all those tourists into their (hotel/restaurant/go-go bar) would generate tons of extra money in "extras" (i.e. ordering more booze or room service or more dishes at the restaurants) but no - those tourists weren't spending a yuan they didn't have to.

Hence the term "zero dollar tourists". 

I remember sitting in Polo watching 50+ tourists (male and female) come in, each would order a beer or coke, they would sit for 1 hour (literally to the minute) and then leave. Half of them never even touched their (beer or coke).

At Polo (back then) the girls did choreographed dance routines and some "special" shows. Like the one were a girl strips off her panties, stretches them out like a sling-shot and fires them at a customer. Then strips off another panty and does it again while the service staff run around collecting the panties (and tips). The dancer usually had a dozen or so pair of panties on so it wasn't like they were nasty, sweaty, smelly old critch rags but you should have seen the Chinese when she fired a pair at them.

You'd swear she was throwing live hand grenades or venomous snakes at them the way they jump out of their chairs to avoid being touched by the flying panties.

One night the girl fired a pair at me and you could see the Chinese tourists were all looking to see who she'd targetted. I caught them in mid-air, crumpled them in my hand, brought them to my face and took a long, deep sniff (they smelled like fabric softener from the laundry). I already knew what to expect as I used to be a regular there when I was working overseas.

I then put the panties in a shirt pocket and took a smug sip of my (Jack-Coke) like it was no big deal.
(One of the service staff would come along to collect the panties and I'd give her a 20 baht tip for the dancer. Naturally none of the Chinese tourists were tipping anything to anyone.)

And yeah - it is the start of "low season" traditionally as it warms up back in the "Western" countries that used to make up the bulk of the tourists here. Tourist-related businesses usually see a large drop in customers between May-Oct.

Which is another reason I think Thailand started trying to bring in massive numbers of Indian and Chinese tourists who, for the most part, come from a similar climate or from areas where "winter" isn't as harsh as in other places.
The kind of people who would go on holiday any time of the year.

It makes the "arrivals" numbers look good, but it doesn't seem to be doing all that much for the economy. Look at all the abandoned housing and condo projects and lack of new big ticket construction like new malls or hotels.

Because the powers that be aren't making a ton of money off those Indian and Chinese tourists. Not like they used to make when the majority of the tourists were from "Western" countries and the Thais called them "2 week millionaires" because for 2 weeks (the average stay) they spent like they were all millionaires and then went home again.

The "Boom" days of Pattaya (and other places). So many sick buffalo owe their lives and health to those days !

Makes me wonder who is taking care of them now ?