Popular Post webfact 79,158 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 Pattaya’s boat operators bemoan lack of Chinese tourists Picture: Sophon Cable TV Sophon Cable TV reported that the pandemic has devastated the tourism industry. Especially hard hit has been the pleasure boat industry that relied heavily on Chinese tourists who are now non-existent. Like in many tourism businesses the boat industry has had to turn to Thais to eke out an existence while they wait for better times to return. One of the biggest operators is NPE who have 100 boats. They used to cater to thousands of Chinese tourists daily but now there are none, said their chief Natthapong Manasom. He said that 80% of their staff had been laid off with the rest staying behind to maintain equipment. Rather than do nothing he hit on the idea of starting what he calls a "Squid Catching Cafe" on three rafts that are moored in Pattaya bay. Picture: Sophon Cable TV Each one can cater to 250 people. Tourists can be picked up at Bali Hai and taken out to the rafts where they can do their own fishing for squid at night. Their catch is turned into instant fresh sashimi with plenty of seafood dip and wasabi on hand. There is also a restaurant and live music. The cost is 400 baht a head for adults and half price for children 120cms to 140 cms tall. Smaller kids are free. It's open from 5pm to 11 pm. Posters on the STV site agreed it was a great idea. Source: Sophon Cable TV -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-11-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 4 Link to post Share on other sites
sammieuk1 20,174 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 Perhaps they remember the Thai pleasure boat industry and horizontal departure industry work closely together 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post stretch5163 191 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 What about the recent 33 or 39 that arrived in Thailand they must be out of quarantine now and itching to spend the 400k that TAT says they have to spend per person ......they not reach pattaya yet ??? lol 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post thaibeachlovers 33,000 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 I remember how they ruined my day out on Larn with those <deleted> speedboats coming right up to the beach where ever they pleased every few minutes. No sympathy from me. 12 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post JusticeGB 3,406 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 The Chinese tourists had helpful tourist guides who probably overcharged their gullible counterparts and got paid a handsome commission by the unscrupulous boat owners who in turn overcharged the Chinese to cover the commission and make additional money on top. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post PETERTHEEATER 3,177 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 250 people on a floating raft in the sea at night. What could possibly go wrong? 9 8 Link to post Share on other sites
newnative 5,586 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 Hang on. Hang on. As we have been told numerous times on TVF, the Chinese tourists provide zero benefit locally. Zero. Every penny goes back to China. I don't know what these boat operators have to 'bemoan' about. And, all the other local workers in the tourist industry. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hotchilli 16,604 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 3 hours ago, webfact said: Pattaya’s boat operators bemoan lack of Chinese tourists "Once bitten twice shy" as my old man used to say. Link to post Share on other sites
hotchilli 16,604 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said: 250 people on a floating raft in the sea at night. What could possibly go wrong? No health & safety obviously.... Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post OneMoreFarang 26,654 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 Is there any information available how much tax these boat operators paid in the last years? Somehow I would be surprised if that was a substantial amount - if they paid at all. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
UnkleGoooose 545 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 The boat operators may be unhappy, but the sea slugs, urchins and everything else that humans consider inedible will be delighted. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
tinca tinca 457 Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 5 hours ago, stretch5163 said: What about the recent 33 or 39 that arrived in Thailand they must be out of quarantine now and itching to spend the 400k that TAT says they have to spend per person ......they not reach pattaya yet ??? lol just what I thought.....perhaps they only prefer to sail on a sanpan or junk !!! Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post jacko45k 17,311 Posted November 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 9, 2020 I feel so sorry for them...... oh hang on, it passed. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post mikebell 13,439 Posted November 10, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 10, 2020 I bemoan the lack of Chinese tourists every time I drive unhindered round Pattaya; every time I am able to park my car on 2nd Road with multiple spaces available. I, too, miss the convoys of coaches polluting the sea air; the heart-warming lines of tourists shuffling and spitting their way on to the boats. Never mind, it will soon be Xmas. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post tomauasia 884 Posted November 10, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 10, 2020 The sooner these boat mugs are gone the better. There a menace 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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