Tourism Pattaya's New Tourist Tide: Indian Visitors Stir Up Debate

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

As July begins, Pattaya's tourism officials shift their focus to local visitors and the successful Half-Half travel scheme, aiming to boost tourism during the slower season.

 

With fewer long-haul travellers predicted, Thai families on school break and an increasing number of regional tourists from the Indian subcontinent are stepping in to fill the gap. However, questions have arisen about whether this influx will generate the desired "holiday rush."

 

Scepticism has surfaced online. A long-time visitor remarked, "Holiday rush? Joke of the year," critiquing the hopeful outlooks. Many believe that the core issue isn't just the number of tourists, but the type and whether they significantly contribute to local businesses.

 

Critics argue that Pattaya needs European, American, and Australian tourists rather than depending on locals using government schemes. Others highlight that tourists from Europe, the US, and Australia have a higher spending power compared to regional visitors.

 

However, statistics tell a different story: tourists from India, China, and Malaysia are buoying Pattaya's tourism sector, providing much-needed support. Although their spending habits differ, their sheer numbers are substantial and noteworthy.

 

The demographic shift has instigated cultural clashes and increasing tensions. Complaints about public behaviour, crowded spaces, and long queues are growing, reflecting dissatisfaction with the new tourism dynamics. Yet, some are embracing these changes, acknowledging the varied purposes different tourist groups serve.

 

There is a belief that adapting pricing models might help businesses remain profitable during slower months. "Don't be greedy; smaller profits now could lead to larger gains later," suggested a local bar owner.

 

In summary, Pattaya's tourist landscape is evolving with a significant influx of regional visitors, bringing both challenges and opportunities. 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-03

 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Indian Visitors Stir Up Debate 

Lots of them, the baht buses are doing a roaring trade. 

 

I see the Indians walking on the road in groups, stopping traffic flow. Need more young Thai guys giving them a slap to the back of the head. 

 

[Yagoda]

34 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

the baht buses are doing a roaring trade. 

so are the Beach Road girls

[LALes]

Quantity over quality never works out in the long run.

[Choochai]

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

[Dogmatix]

See gangs of subcontinental men on Walking Street bargaining the price with katoeys.  Most just laugh at them and don't do a deal but some do. 

[wensiensheng]

8 hours ago, Yagoda said:

so are the Beach Road girls

Don’t you mean “girls”?

 

As in ladyboys

[wensiensheng]

“However, statistics tell a different story: tourists from India, China, and Malaysia are buoying Pattaya's tourism sector, providing much-needed support. Although their spending habits differ, their sheer numbers are substantial and noteworthy.”

 

What happened to the desire for fewer, higher quality tourists? In this article lower spending, but higher volume tourists is being lauded.

[Rickman66]

"No India man!" Is the cry from local hookers 

[CanadaSam]

Wanted a break from the scene in Pattaya, especially Indians, so went to Krabi last week to be shocked to find even more Indians there! 

 

Finally asked one of them, why they were all there, to be told there are direct flights from India to Krabi, who would have guessed?

[Rickman66]

And I know for a fact the Indians aren't spending money on the local deodorants or soap 

[Peter Crow]

The attraction must be irresistible...

 

 

[connda]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

However, statistics tell a different story: tourists from India, China, and Malaysia are buoying Pattaya's tourism sector, providing much-needed support. Although their spending habits differ, their sheer numbers are substantial and noteworthy.

 

The demographic shift has instigated cultural clashes and increasing tensions. Complaints about public behaviour, crowded spaces, and long queues are growing, reflecting dissatisfaction with the new tourism dynamics. Yet, some are embracing these changes, acknowledging the varied purposes different tourist groups serve.

 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Critics argue that Pattaya needs European, American, and Australian tourists rather than depending on locals using government schemes. Others highlight that tourists from Europe, the US, and Australia have a higher spending power compared to regional visitors.

Ahhh, the joys of racism.  
White people good; brown people bad. 

Thai's - as the dominant ethnicity of the host country - are in a league of their own.  They dislike everyone other than Thais.

[Jai Yen]

A  lady who was known to walk beach road told a  similar story -  4 Indian guys offering 500 baht -  combined  - for some fun

[MalcolmB]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Critics argue that Pattaya needs European, American, and Australian tourists

Because nobody else will marry the hookers.

[Jai Yen]

Just now, connda said:

 

Ahhh, the joys of racism.  
White people good; brown people bad. 

Thai's - as the dominant ethnicity of the host country - are in a league of their own.  They dislike everyone other than Thais.

  

been noticing it more than ever  this year after not visiting The Kingdom for a decade; lack of patience, lack of the famous Thai smile, seeming resentment at everything we do, even  those who don't cause issues.   There's a very small 2-table restaurant across the street from where I live, pretty much seems to be take-away only, Grab and locals come get the Pad Thai and Fried Rice dinners, at 50b each a great deal - never once got a smile from that lady, not even eye-contact after 5 or 6 orders;  there won't be a 7th.

[connda]

29 minutes ago, Choochai said:

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

 

29 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

See gangs of subcontinental men on Walking Street bargaining the price with katoeys.  Most just laugh at them and don't do a deal but some do. 

 

19 minutes ago, Rickman66 said:

"No India man!" Is the cry from local hookers 

 

16 minutes ago, Rickman66 said:

And I know for a fact the Indians aren't spending money on the local deodorants or soap 

Grand forum.  Pasty white AN members displaying their full range of ethnocentrism and cultural insensitivity.

White good; Brown bad.  

Really - you people truly disgust me.  This is where this forum has fallen to over the last few years.  From the AN owners who allow it, right down to the individual members displaying this open racism?  You should all be ashamed. 

I'm out.................

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, connda said:

 

 

 

Grand forum.  Pasty white AN members displaying their full range of ethnocentrism and cultural insensitivity.

White good; Brown bad.  

Really - you people truly disgust me.  This is where this forum has fallen to over the last few years.  From the AN owners right down to the individual members displaying this open racism?  You should all be ashamed. 

I'm out.................

Ta ta.

[Cabradelmar]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Critics argue that Pattaya needs...

A thorough cleaning 😄 

[SAFETY FIRST]

9 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Lots of them, the baht buses are doing a roaring trade. 

 

I see the Indians walking on the road in groups, stopping traffic flow. Need more young Thai guys giving them a slap to the back of the head. 

 

They like sharing 😂

 

[newbee2022]

Perfect. Indians are like icing on the cake.

They are welcome in Pattaya. Best place for them in Thailand.

(Hopefully not Chiangmai😂)

[Travis179]

36 minutes ago, Choochai said:

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

And 4 men, 1 BR girl, haggling for the group discount. Or getting robbed after midnight by ladyboys. High quality tourists.

[merlin4174]

38 minutes ago, Choochai said:

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

and one girl

[factual monk]

38 minutes ago, Rickman66 said:

"No India man!" Is the cry from local hookers 

😆 🤣 😂... same hookers who told you ... you are handsome... you have big... you strong... ?

[Aussie999]

21 minutes ago, connda said:

 

 

 

Grand forum.  Pasty white AN members displaying their full range of ethnocentrism and cultural insensitivity.

White good; Brown bad.  

Really - you people truly disgust me.  This is where this forum has fallen to over the last few years.  From the AN owners who allow it, right down to the individual members displaying this open racism?  You should all be ashamed. 

I'm out.................

Mate, it is you, that has a problem, there is nothing in those comments, that you posted, that implies racism...take a pill, chill out, then go learn what racism is.

[Grumpy one]

55 minutes ago, Choochai said:

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

Add one ladyboy with 4 missing gold chains and you have a true Thai holiday love story

[factual monk]

i dont see much of them (Indians) messing around... with drugs, being a pedophile, looking for underage sex... they come... spend few bucks... it's ok... 

[DarthChuckler]

40 minutes ago, connda said:

 

Ahhh, the joys of racism.  
White people good; brown people bad. 

Thai's - as the dominant ethnicity of the host country - are in a league of their own.  They dislike everyone other than Thais.

Exactly, it isn't the race that's the problem.  Thailand seems to be actively trying to get the cheapest tourists.  

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Prime reasons why long-haul travelers and locals are choosing not to come:

1. The Indianification of Pattaya - some areas are unrecognizable and they swarm the place. Sure they might bring money in sheer numbers, but meanwhile they drive everyone else away.

2. Overpricing - some establishments raised prices and minimums multiple times last year due to demand, however now that there is less demand they should adjust prices back down - which will never happen.

3. Repeat incidents of extreme violence from locals - it doesn't matter if it was provoked or not, things like kicking men when they're already down give the place a very bad image. I don't remember this happening in this frequency in past years.

4. Deteriorating dynamics - pre-Covid you could roll up to a club and plenty of girls would be eager to talk to you, these days half of them will ignore you. Same thing at gogo's: "I have a boyfriend" "I only dance here" after you're several lady drinks in. Bars seem to have shifted to prioritizing lady drinks over bar fines, which might seem incredibly smart when you've got an endless supply of tourists, but it is biting them in the ass in low season because guess what - if you screw over your patrons they won't return. Part of the problem is simp "boyfriends" who send them money from overseas, but I think another part is bar owners encouraging this which is shooting themselves in the leg - guys don't come to Pattaya to buy lady drinks.

 

P.S. I haven't been to Pattaya in months even though I used to go every month before. The above plus more personal reasons are why. I'll still go in the future, but Bangkok is a lot more pleasant these days.

[Nip]

1 hour ago, Choochai said:

Indian tourists: 4 men, 4 staws and 1 bottle of Coke...

How true. Recently I sat in a Sports Bar on Soi Buakhow. Four Indian gentleman came in took up a table for 6. They ordered a bottle of water and 4 glasses of Ice. It lasted them the duration of a Premier League game. Final whistle they called for the bill paid and left leaving B120. Once it was Thai boys on motor bikes speeding around Pattaya now it’s Indian boys. Money Laundering? All around Thailand there are empty Indian restaurants???