Pattaya: Grim picture for future of resort as post pandemic optimism dries up

[Guderian 3,971]

Pattaya will survive, but it will change, and in some ways the changes will be exactly what the government claims it has been wanting for the last 15 years or more. Somebody should have told them to be careful what they wish for. There are enough Thais and expats living here to keep the most important businesses going, there's certainly no sign of the likes of Friendship, Siamburi's and Foodmart going under any time soon. Outside the tourist area, which is a relatively small part of the total city, not much has changed. It's the places like Beach Road, Second Road, Soi Buakhao, and parts of Jomtien and Naklua that will suffer most. Fewer cheap bars and hotels and restaurants, fewer shops selling tourist tat, and fewer convenience stores. A ghastly situation for the business owners concerned, but it's just possible with sufficient government support that they might be able to remodel those areas to provide better quality facilities built with sustainable tourism in mind. It's not what you'd like if you are wedded to the Pattaya of the past, but it was changing slowly anyway, this will speed up the changes and we may end up with a much nicer city to live in.

[phantomfiddler 6,902]

A combination of factors, in my opinion, have contributed to the destruction of the tourist and entertainment situation in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and Samui. The ridiculous reaction by the authorities to basically ban all tourists, just because of a supposed virus that "supposedly" has caused the deaths of 0.00008% of the Thai population, has probably been the main contributing factor. Also, and significant, has been the deteriorating attitude affecting the treatment of western tourists here. The police see westerners as prey to extortion for any imaginable infraction, and the country has acted as if they are God,s gift to the world tourist scene. Many Thai-run bars adulterate their spirits with cheap, low grade, and sometimes dangerous fillers, and think they are being really smart when they manage to sell rubbish to tourists at high prices. The pigeons are now coming home to roost  It will take many years to change attitudes and behavior whereby westerners are welcomed and treated properly. Personally I do not think it is going to happen in a country where children are taught from the age of 4 that they are the world,s superior beings, very sad. A few years with Khun Anand Panyarachun at the helm would create a possibility of positive change

[Huckenfell 1,037]

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

People don't believe me when I say the reason I never had or wanted kids, ex was of the same mind, because I really didn't want to bring kids into this world and I'm talking about 40+ years ago. The mess this world is in now has, for me anyway, proved I'm right.

Over populated, over polluted and heading for deep doo-doo in a hand cart. All countries in the same cart.

 

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

People don't believe me when I say the reason I never had or wanted kids, ex was of the same mind, because I really didn't want to bring kids into this world and I'm talking about 40+ years ago. The mess this world is in now has, for me anyway, proved I'm right.

Over populated, over polluted and heading for deep doo-doo in a hand cart. All countries in the same cart.

So wrong!  you obviously have not the slightest idea of the pleasure and love which you have missed through your decision not to have children. A big and selfish mistake indeed.

 

[spetersen 158]

4 hours ago, sweatalot said:

It's a tragedy. I still wonder if the situation wouldn't be better without all that covid restrictions.

And don't come with a calculated terrible number of deaths withoud comparing to the normal number of deaths in the same time. What's better in the bigger picture: a short time rise of deaths or a future without small business and middle class - everybody dependant on big brothers?

Mankind has survived the plague and cholera. They would also survive covid 19

I totally agree with you , Thailand can't hide from the virus , it's all over the planet and I assume that we have to live with it even here in Thailand, only time will tell when it goes away. Open up the country for tourists , start with countries that seem to have the pandemi under control and test and quarantine before they leave the home country... and test again when they arrive. maybe self quarantine until test results are ready max 2 days

[Huckenfell 1,037]

34 minutes ago, sahibji said:

dentists are the last people you want to go to ( unless critical ) in this uncertain environment and related potential of infection.

Have to agree, poor 'Boss' went to  dentist and look what happened to him.

 

[Benmart 5,039]

5 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

There are lots in Pattaya, including many bar owners on certain Sois, who deserve this. Others less so.  

Who deserves what is beyond my judgement. I keep my side of the street clean, am grateful for what I have and share with those less fortunate.

[Huckenfell 1,037]

25 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

90day extendable visas =  

Or watch Vietnam pass you by. 

Perhaps  'easy' visas might be the key to it when the virus has passed.

[Huckenfell 1,037]

26 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

Tourism as we once knew it was already on the decline before this Covid situation. So, even if it bounces back to some sort of "normality", it still won't be enough to bring it back to how it used to be.

Sadly, the majority of these businesses were already set to fail, but the current situation has just sped up the process. 
Thailand has been undergoing a massive change for the past 4-5 years and will continue to do so, with or without Covid. 
 

Yes !  ever since they dumped Thaksin just as things were surging ahead in Thailand

[hansnl 5,804]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

A bit harsh.....

It is all sad really.... but I share your lack of sympathy for the property owners who will not give businesses a break on exorbitant rents.

Do remember the property "owners" probably are loaded with debt to have been able to "buy" the property from the real owners and need to pay the debt.

But mostly I am sorry for the simple people earning a living in the branch and are now out of a job and money.

 

[sammieuk1 17,367]

They could take to the streets and demand the government compensates for the draconian mess they have created or is it now just a authoritarians wet dream for the power crazy 

[hellohello123 650]

I'm still asking myself, 

So once tourism starts increasing does that mean these areas or any tourist Meccas  full of scams towards tourists,

Will the number of scams decrease? Or will it increase due to slim pickings?

[jacko45k 15,730]

2 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Do remember the property "owners" probably are loaded with debt to have been able to "buy" the property from the real owners and need to pay the debt.

But mostly I am sorry for the simple people earning a living in the branch and are now out of a job and money.

 

I don't believe that is the case.... large percentages of Pattaya land are owned by a smallish number of very wealthy. Think Legkee etc.

[robbioff 130]

4 hours ago, Oldie said:

The malls are still open. You also can sit on the beach. Is there anything else that motivates you to come here? 

Yes, but can you sit on the beach with a beer? 

[kaneko86 65]

I really hope more will fail so that they finally decide to open up this country again!

[cardinalblue 3,061]

Heaven Above go go motivates me to come....