Pattaya’s tourism sector is experiencing a particularly weak low season, with tourist numbers falling in Pattaya and Chon Buri, leaving many hotels unable to reach break-even occupancy levels. Many properties are reporting occupancy rates of just 15 to 20%, below the estimated break-even threshold of 40 to 50%.

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The downturn follows the April to May school holiday period, when family travel would normally help sustain demand into the early low season. However, this year the decline has been more pronounced, with reduced meetings, seminars and government-related travel contributing significantly to weaker performance. Industry representatives say the meetings and seminars segment has traditionally been an important source of business during this period.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the Chon Buri Tourism Federation, said the market has contracted more sharply than usual this year, noting that government work-from-home policies have been interpreted by some agencies as limiting off-site meetings under budget guidelines. This has reduced demand from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), a key driver for hotels in the low season.

Short-haul tourism has also been affected as some low-cost and commercial airlines have reduced or cancelled flights. Higher fuel costs and insufficient booking demand have been cited as contributing factors, resulting in fewer visitors travelling to Pattaya and Chon Buri. Reduced air connectivity has further weighed on hotel occupancy levels across the region.

Data from the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter and the Chon Buri Tourism Federation indicate arrivals have fallen by around 20 to 30%, with many hotels now operating below financial viability levels. The industry is facing significant pressure as operating costs remain high despite weaker demand, according to sector representatives.

The Thaiger reported that this year’s slowdown contrasts with last year, when Pattaya tourism operators expressed confidence in year-round demand supported by upgraded attractions and efforts to extend the season. Current conditions highlight continued sensitivity to travel demand, flight availability and business travel policy decisions, with operators closely monitoring future booking trends.

Picture courtesy of The Thaiger

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Adapted by ASEAN Now The Thaiger 4 July 2026

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It's a nationwide problem, here in Phuket business is bad, One 5 star hotel I know of are laying of many staff and others have had their days reduced, I saw another post about Kho Chang half the bars and restaurant are closed,

I guess that the Indian tourists they are now counting on, are not as flexible to travel in the low season, as the western tourists they have ignored for years.

They need to clean the drains, drain the swamps and mop the g-dmn floors.

Traditional Western backpackers, who'd propped up the tourist economy for decades, are no longer feeling welcome in LoS.

TH can still save itself, but it's gonna take brass balls.

In typical Thai style, up the price!

3 minutes ago, Priorexpat said:

In typical Thai style, up the price!

Did they? Really? Where?

5 minutes ago, greeneking said:

Did they? Really? Where?

give them a chance its only just been announced

I suspect a lot of the drop is due to Russki airspace and the Middle East, which are both driving up costs for foreign airlines flying from Europe.

Sadly, I'm afraid it's going to get even worse when they can't generate the income for maintenance, much less for improvements. The best time to make improvements is when you have the money. But the second best time is today...

Im just reading another English holiday company has gone bust 15,000 people have lost their holidays, Not saying they were all coming to Thailand but it has a knock on effect,

27 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Im just reading another English holiday company has gone bust 15,000 people have lost their holidays, Not saying they were all coming to Thailand but it has a knock on effect,

I am surprised that people still book their holidays with such companies Its easy enough to book flights and hotels online yourself ,who needs these companies? They have a well known history of collapsing, not sure why they are so "delicate"

Myriad of reasons people are no longer arriving in numbers into Thailand despite what TAT claims

Its got sod all to do with previous tensions in Middle East either.

When you have travellers on aircraft actually wondering whether immigration will let them in despite being strictly a tourist then Thailands time is up

It's not only we longterm expats reading the derogatory news comming out of Pattaya these days. IMHO:- Poor quality tourists need to be vetted and dealt with better.

You'll NEVER see me down there or Phuket for that matter.

11 minutes ago, bdenner said:

You'll NEVER see me down there or Phuket for that matter.

I remember being in Phuket during the Covid border closures. A few hotels running as were their restaurants - everything else was boarded up. But it was great for us. I also did the 'sandbox' thing there a couple of times coming back in from business trips abroad. Again, it was good then as well.

Today I hear about some friends who work for some high end luxury brands who maybe getting made redundant soon, they say business is bad,

Well, that's because people don't like the environment there now... simple to understand.

7 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

TH can still save itself, but it's gonna take brass balls.

So it's a lost cause is what you're saying.

as stated low season, combined with the Iranian War at the time people book their holidays, causes a drop of course.. And because Thailand doesn't d anything to make it more attractive to come, tourists will stay away. They could have given promotions like simple things free breakfasts, an excursion by staying 7 or more nights, upgrade of a room, free airport shuttle etc etc.. but that means a kind of investment and it will "cost" a bit of the hotel, and that is not done of course...They do as always .. make the room more expensive to be less attractive...

Still, there are probably far more tourists than there were in 1980.

What are they complaining about?

10 hours ago, impulse said:

I suspect a lot of the drop is due to Russki airspace and the Middle East, which are both driving up costs for foreign airlines flying from Europe.

Etihad business class return 1680 Euro, economy 720 Euro.

Qatar similar prices.

A friend booked economy with Thai in October, direct flight from Brussels at 680 Euro return.

I looked at Etihad return to Brussels in business for September and October and it is 72000 baht. 90 minutes stop in Aby Dhabi.

Did you say something about increased prices?

High airfares and strength of the baht. At 33thb to the USdollar (not sure if other currencies have better or worse exchange rates) Thailand is just not the bargain vacation spot it used to be.

Not to be the "remember when" Homer, but i will. 1998 55thb to the USdollar. Our friend Don had his restaurant on the curve in Rawai, 55thb Carlsberg pitchers. After volleyball on the beach at Nai Harn, 1 dollar US pitchers of frosty Carlsberg, along with some ribs. RIP Jeff, those were great times..............🍻

3 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

High airfares and strength of the baht. At 33thb to the USdollar (not sure if other currencies have better or worse exchange rates) Thailand is just not the bargain vacation spot it used to be.

Not to be the "remember when" Homer, but i will. 1998 55thb to the USdollar. Our friend Don had his restaurant on the curve in Rawai, 55thb Carlsberg pitchers. After volleyball on the beach at Nai Harn, 1 dollar US pitchers of frosty Carlsberg, along with some ribs. RIP Jeff, those were great times..............🍻

55 baht to the dollar would have have been great times, for sure, but at the same time it was an anomaly and was not the norm. Those crazy rates were due to the Asian Economic Crisis. Prior to then, the Thai baht had been pegged at 25 to the dollar for many years. The baht hit 55 or 56 to the dollar but that didn't last long and it settled in the high 30s / low 40s for a few years.

Have they reduced their prices? Surely better to have 100 guests at reduced rates than 25 guests at full rate? I always noticed in Thailand that room rates just went up when it was quiet instead of reducing rates so more customers plus the extra income by their bar / restaurant / room service (if has those)

25 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

Have they reduced their prices? Surely better to have 100 guests at reduced rates than 25 guests at full rate? I always noticed in Thailand that room rates just went up when it was quiet instead of reducing rates so more customers plus the extra income by their bar / restaurant / room service (if has those)

Nonsense. easily debunked. Just go on any Hotel booking website and price a Hotel in low season and in high season.

57 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

Have they reduced their prices? Surely better to have 100 guests at reduced rates than 25 guests at full rate? I always noticed in Thailand that room rates just went up when it was quiet instead of reducing rates so more customers plus the extra income by their bar / restaurant / room service (if has those)

This is Thai economics 101. It doesn't make any sense even though they are taught at university level, about supply and demand. It's weird, but it's Thailand. :)

22 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

I am surprised that people still book their holidays with such companies Its easy enough to book flights and hotels online yourself ,who needs these companies? They have a well known history of collapsing, not sure why they are so "delicate"

Because it's easy, can be considerably cheaper and there's insolvency coverage.

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

Have they reduced their prices? Surely better to have 100 guests at reduced rates than 25 guests at full rate? I always noticed in Thailand that room rates just went up when it was quiet instead of reducing rates so more customers plus the extra income by their bar / restaurant / room service (if has those)

Repeating nonsense internet claims.

55 minutes ago, hughrection said:

This is Thai economics 101. It doesn't make any sense even though they are taught at university level, about supply and demand. It's weird, but it's Thailand. :)

May to October is low season prices. It has been that way for decades.

On 7/4/2026 at 10:45 AM, ChipButty said:

It's a nationwide problem, here in Phuket business is bad, One 5 star hotel I know of are laying of many staff and others have had their days reduced, I saw another post about Kho Chang half the bars and restaurant are closed,

Every low season numbers drop. 80% of resorts on Lanta close.

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

as stated low season, combined with the Iranian War at the time people book their holidays, causes a drop of course.. And because Thailand doesn't d anything to make it more attractive to come, tourists will stay away. They could have given promotions like simple things free breakfasts, an excursion by staying 7 or more nights, upgrade of a room, free airport shuttle etc etc.. but that means a kind of investment and it will "cost" a bit of the hotel, and that is not done of course...They do as always .. make the room more expensive to be less attractive...

I would say hotels are remarkably good value here. And last time I was in Bangkok there was an upgrade to a one bedroom suite. And free breakfast too.

Just looked at my go to hotel and it's almost worth considering living there instead of renting.