Pattaya’s boat operators bemoan lack of Chinese tourists

[webfact 78,628]

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

 

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[sammieuk1 20,071]

Perhaps they remember the Thai pleasure boat industry and horizontal departure industry work closely together 

[stretch5163 191]

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

[thaibeachlovers 32,922]

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.

[JusticeGB 3,404]

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.

[PETERTHEEATER 3,164]

250 people on a floating raft in the sea at night. What could possibly go wrong?

[newnative 5,551]

    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.  

[hotchilli 16,430]

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.

[hotchilli 16,430]

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....

[OneMoreFarang 26,415]

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.

[UnkleGoooose 545]

The boat operators may be unhappy,  but the sea slugs, urchins and everything else that humans consider inedible will be delighted.

[tinca tinca 455]

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 !!!

[jacko45k 17,230]

I feel so sorry for them...... oh hang on, it passed. 

[mikebell 13,428]

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.

[tomauasia 884]

The sooner these boat mugs are gone the better. There a menace