Pattaya, Chonburi-
Cape Dara, a well known resort in Naklua, has opened a pop-up cafe on Pattaya Beach in front of Mike’s shopping mall to assist their employees during the current Covid-19 situation in Chonburi.
Chonburi is currently designated as a highly controlled zone which means that travel to and from the province is restricted, essentially killing all domestic tourism and the hotel industry. Foreign tourism has been at a standstill since March of last year when borders closed due to Covid-19.
The hotel industry has repeatedly asked for a force closure to allow their employees to collect social security, however, that hasn’t happened and although signs point to travel restrictions being lifted possibly at the end of the month currently times are still difficult.
As a result many big hotels and resorts in the area have started pop-up cafes, restaurants and food booths in front of their hotels and at other locations. The point of this, according to hotel management, is to provide income and jobs for their staff while the hotel occupancy rates are at zero. Pattaya was starting to see a significant occupancy increase, especially on weekends, at area hotels until the second round of Covid-19 caused overall closures in late December.
Cape Dara is selling their quality food usually available for much higher prices for very low budget prices with a target market of Thai Nationals on beach road, although everyone is welcome. The pop up cafe is open from 5:00 PM to late every day in front of Mike’s shopping mall on Pattaya Beach. When bars are allowed to open they will also sell cocktails, according to hotel management.
A visit by The Pattaya News team tonight found many customers and a bustling environment despite the difficult times currently in Pattaya. The hotel said this pop-up cafe is part of their long term strategy and will remain open nightly for the future.
