The following is our weekly feature in which we highlight the top five local stories in our area, Pattaya and Chonburi, for the past week.
These are chosen by our editorial team and are designed for our readers to get a quick “catch-up” of important stories they may have missed as we publish many stories daily and it is easy to lose track of important events or changes in our area. We do national recaps in a separate article.
They are in no particular order of importance. These are from Sunday, January 31st, to Saturday, February 6th, 2021.
1. “Goodbye Pattaya” goes viral on Thai language social media groups
After a recent second period of Covid-19 related closures and restrictions closed most business in the area for a month, many Thai residents have decided to leave Pattaya, resigning to the fact that foreign tourists won’t be coming back anytime soon due to Covid-19 related border controls. The trend went viral on prominent social media groups with people posting hashtags and pictures of them moving.
2. Pattaya plans to purchase Covid-19 vaccines privately to vaccinate the hospitality industry and “speed up” bringing back tourists
Like Phuket, Pattaya government officials, as well as prominent business leaders, are continuing to move forward on a proposal to purchase enough vaccines to vaccinate the hospitality industry in the city and make the area a “safe” location for tourists. The proposal will need approval from the Prime Minister, however, national government statements have already given an early approval and said private companies and firms can purchase vaccines on their own. Pattaya also plans to vaccinate the local population and residents as well, spending their own budget. Of course, there are still a lot of questions about this plan or how feasible it would be.
3. Air pollution continues to draw complaints from Pattaya residents with little sign of an overall plan to resolve the issue
Pattaya and Bangkok residents continue to show frustration on social media about poor air quality and air pollution, however, there has been little from officials in terms of an overall plan to resolve the issue. Although the argument from local leaders that “it is not an issue that can be resolved only locally” is true, the situation requires the government, including local leaders, to band together to come up with solutions. The primary reason for the pollution, according to multiple analysts and the Pollution Control Department, is the burning of crops and garbage across the country and other parts of Asia.
4. Pattaya plans to become a world-class film city and host film festivals
This article and meeting got a lot of negative comments on social media, however, it is important to remember that the city has been hosting major sports events (like the Jet ski world cup, badminton tournaments, combat sports, bird racing), etc. for several years now that have been growing in popularity, despite similar negative reaction when announced years ago. Additionally, with other major events taking place in the area (when there is not a pandemic) like the Burapa Bike Week, Music Festivals, Fireworks festivals, etc. that are mostly big successes, it is possible the idea could work. Or maybe not. However, the proposal has been made.
Pattaya City hopes to become world class film city with film festivals, cultural events, and more
5. Multiple Pattaya residents accuse bank manager of fraud
This was a major story in the foreign community last week. We will let you read the article yourself and limit commentary on this one.
That is all for this week, have a safe week ahead!
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