Pattaya Reports

[Margaya]

Somehow forums are always buzzing with useless banter and arguments, rarely does one find the useful info quickly. When I left for Thailand, I had read that it is pretty much BAU in Thailand. I was shocked to see Pattaya. It indeed is down by 70 percent. Few Russian and Indian tourists, very few falangs. Hotels are practically empty.

Not sure why some industry on posting misleading info.

[Goatscrot]

Of course. Weed tourism is so obvious a money maker. It amazes me that the Thais didn't go for it 20 years ago. I guess the rulers figured that it might cause more problems with their own people than it was worth. It still might. But if pot had been legal or decriminalized back 20 years ago, I would have spent a lot more time lounging around Soi 6. Ha Ha.

BTW, Phnom Penh used to be a very nice pot destination back in the day. I used to while away many an afternoon along the shores Boengkak Lake higher than a kite. But big money wasn't getting much of a cut from it, so they drained the lake and got rid of all the lakeside guesthouses and inns where we all used to smoke out in the open. It was the end of an era. But it may be coming back and this time with corporate sponsors. 555.

My guess is it is more about easing the public into it. That is why they have started slowly with medical. It is still a very conservative nation. PP was great back in the day. Late 90's and early 00's, just amazing.

[Member #4698]

What will finally bring an end to the tourism woes in Thailand? Personally I think it will be the legalization of recreational pot. Thailand has already enacted a medical marijuana bill. And there are some that think recreational will happen in the not to distant future. When and if that happens beach hotels will be booked solid and everyone from across the planet will want to be here.

Of course. Weed tourism is so obvious a money maker. It amazes me that the Thais didn't go for it 20 years ago. I guess the rulers figured that it might cause more problems with their own people than it was worth. It still might. But if pot had been legal or decriminalized back 20 years ago, I would have spent a lot more time lounging around Soi 6. Ha Ha.

BTW, Phnom Penh used to be a very nice pot destination back in the day. I used to while away many an afternoon along the shores Boengkak Lake higher than a kite. But big money wasn't getting much of a cut from it, so they drained the lake and got rid of all the lakeside guesthouses and inns where we all used to smoke out in the open. It was the end of an era. But it may be coming back and this time with corporate sponsors. 555.

[Goatscrot]

All it will change is that Indians and Chinese won't have to fill the visa form, attach two photos and wait in a line as the visa fee was already waived for them.

Not sure why Thai goverment thinks this will boost tourism. Seems Corona virus is forcing them to explore everything.

What will finally bring an end to the tourism woes in Thailand? Personally I think it will be the legalization of recreational pot. Thailand has already enacted a medical marijuana bill. And there are some that think recreational will happen in the not to distant future. When and if that happens beach hotels will be booked solid and everyone from across the planet will want to be here.

[BenPincus]

I heard today that Walking St. Will close for may / June for electrical works. Laying wires under the ground I think, or similar.

[KilledSoul]

My apologies it was only a proposal but I'd put money it will happen. Here is the source.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/114...m-in-thailand/

All it will change is that Indians and Chinese won't have to fill the visa form, attach two photos and wait in a line as the visa fee was already waived for them.

Not sure why Thai goverment thinks this will boost tourism. Seems Corona virus is forcing them to explore everything.

[Banana Boi]

Hey bananaboi did you just mention Visa Exemption for Indians and Chinese or do you mean the already in effect free VOA. Any source if its exemption? Cheers.

My apologies it was only a proposal but I'd put money it will happen. Here is the source.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/114...m-in-thailand/

[SoberHans69]

Not from what I have seen. Chinese are all over the gogo bars. Many prefer the bars with 2 floors so they can wai from the 2nd floor on to the main floor. If you see a guy tossing a ton of 20's at girls it's usually a Chinese guy. I'm not talking about the guys who toss 20 or 50 20 baht bills. I'm talking the ones who toss 1000 20 baht bills, then move on to the next bar to do the same.

Doubtful. Maybe those hotels and restaurants that specifically cater to the Chinese tour buses. For those of you concerned there is a lack of people in Thailand, it's just been announced that all guys from China and India are now Visa exempt.

Re. Reports that say Pattaya is dead. Here is a look at Billabong Bar in LK Metro at 12:30 am tonight. I've likely walked through LK Metro about 1000 times at night and this looks no different than most Tuesday nights.

Aren't they usually Korean or Japanese?

[Sona17]

Hey bananaboi did you just mention Visa Exemption for Indians and Chinese or do you mean the already in effect free VOA. Any source if its exemption? Cheers.

[Banana Boi]

The Chinese have not yet entered bars or gogos.

Not from what I have seen. Chinese are all over the gogo bars. Many prefer the bars with 2 floors so they can wai from the 2nd floor on to the main floor. If you see a guy tossing a ton of 20's at girls it's usually a Chinese guy. I'm not talking about the guys who toss 20 or 50 20 baht bills. I'm talking the ones who toss 1000 20 baht bills, then move on to the next bar to do the same.

Another source claims many hotels are at just 10% capacity.

Doubtful. Maybe those hotels and restaurants that specifically cater to the Chinese tour buses. For those of you concerned there is a lack of people in Thailand, it's just been announced that all guys from China and India are now Visa exempt.

Re. Reports that say Pattaya is dead. Here is a look at Billabong Bar in LK Metro at 12:30 am tonight. I've likely walked through LK Metro about 1000 times at night and this looks no different than most Tuesday nights.

[Pimpampoumpipo]

I bought the local paper, Pattaya Mail, the other day to read the article about the loss in business here in Pattaya right now. It is mentioned that business is down 70% for some beer bars and it seems much. One thing is sure and Pattaya is far from what it usually is this time of the year, in high season. The fewer tourists are very much noticeable at the moment.

Yes probably on tourist sites like Big Buddha or on the beach attractions. But I am in Pattaya at the moment and I do not find it obvious the difference in attendance at WS. The Chinese have not yet entered bars or gogos. Maybe one day.

[Cool]

Another source claims many hotels are at just 10% capacity. Applying Thai logic, this means room rates will go up to make up for the loss.

I doubt it. Top hotel sites say Patts hotels were at 65% capacity. The lovebirds on V day weekend surely showed up.

[Cool]

Yes there is significants works on beach road and 2nd road at the moment.

Traffic wasn't bad last weekend. Maybe kids out of school and no 9 to 5 ers.

[Rick Rock]

I bought the local paper, Pattaya Mail, the other day to read the article about the loss in business here in Pattaya right now. It is mentioned that business is down 70% for some beer bars and it seems much. One thing is sure and Pattaya is far from what it usually is this time of the year, in high season. The fewer tourists are very much noticeable at the moment.

Another source claims many hotels are at just 10% capacity. Applying Thai logic, this means room rates will go up to make up for the loss.

[KilledSoul]

I bought the local paper, Pattaya Mail, the other day to read the article about the loss in business here in Pattaya right now. It is mentioned that business is down 70% for some beer bars and it seems much. One thing is sure and Pattaya is far from what it usually is this time of the year, in high season. The fewer tourists are very much noticeable at the moment.

Thanks for the post. Never knew there are more Chinese in Pattaya than Indians and biggest customers are Thais themselves in Pattaya