Thailand-
The following is a weekly feature article looking at this same time period LAST year in Pattaya and Thailand news.
This weekly feature takes a look back at news from the same period last year (and sometimes different time windows, such as six months or three months) to see how things have changed, following up on the progression of stories, as well as look at potentially broken promises or things that didn’t take place as promised in Pattaya and Thailand.
As we publish dozens of stories a week this is a quick way for people to take a look at what the biggest stories were a year ago, as chosen by our editorial team, and how they impact us today and relate to current news. They are in no particular order of importance, however, are roughly in order of publication. This week, we cover the first week of AUGUST 2020, from Sunday, August 9th, 2020 to Saturday, August 15th, 2020.
1. Leading Thai doctor says travel bubble should be suspended for six to eighteen months
Over a year later, other than limited programs like the Phuket Sandbox, his statement, at the time widely unpopular and ridiculed, unfortunately, has mostly come true as borders still remain overall closed in Thailand without a quarantine. (Or island quarantine in Phuket.)
2. Pattaya Walking Street opens to traffic 24 hours a day
An unpopular decision at the time, it still remains open to traffic 24 hours a day. However, due to Covid-19 mandates that have closed nightlife and most everything else for months now, that is pretty much the only thing open there.
Pattaya Walking Street open to traffic 24 hours a day but not everyone is pleased with the decision
3. Thai consumer confidence lowest in almost 22 years
It’s actually even lower this year, which likely doesn’t surprise any readers as tourists remain locked out and 29 provinces/areas, including Bangkok and Chonburi, remain under partial lockdown measures and curfews, devastating the economy.
Thai consumer confidence remains lowest in almost 22 years despite slight monthly gains
4. Walking street encourages food vendors, market events, and festivals
To be fair, this saw some mild success last year, especially approaching December, until another series of restrictions in January and now an ongoing period of partial lockdown since April has again devastated the area. With nightlife mandated to be closed and all events banned, it will likely be a long time for recovery here-or anywhere in the city reliant on nightlife and hospitality.
Walking Street to encourage food vendors, street market events and welcome Thai tourism
5. Entertainment venues want to close after midnight, but unlikely before emergency decree ends
This one stayed true, with fairly strict midnight closures for most of the latter half of last year and early this year while venues were allowed to open. Of course, they are closed since April 10th of this year now with no sign of opening anytime soon. When they DO reopen, it is likely midnight sticks around for a while, as unpopular as it was.
6. Schools resume classes for the first time in five months
This year will be at least, and strongly likely longer, for schools to reopen. Schools have been closed since April in Chonburi and much of the rest of the country, providing online-only learning which has been very unpopular in general. With Covid-19 cases still sky-high, there is no sign of schools, like bars, opening anytime soon. Unfortunately, in Thailand, schools are often along with nightlife the first to close and last to open.
Schools resume full classes and schedules in Thailand for the first time in five months
7. Man upset with his wife sets her pickup truck on fire in Chonburi
To end last year’s recap, we ask have you ever been so mad at your significant other that you wanted to set their vehicle or belongings on fire? Well, this person was.
Man upset with his wife in Chonburi sets her pickup truck on fire
Stay safe and thanks so much for your support and readership!
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