Pattaya beach vendors state business is improving, especially on weekends from domestic tourists

Pattaya –

Pattaya beach vendors, such as beach umbrella operators, food vendors, and massage therapists, have told Pattaya News reporters that things are improving for them and their livelihoods, especially on weekends.

However, most added, it is still a long way from pre-Covid earnings.

Last weekend was a long holiday and a three-day weekend from September 24th to September 26th following the Thai holiday of Mahidol Day. This upcoming weekend is a “normal” weekend but regardless beach operators state every weekend has been gradually improving business-wise.

A Pattaya beach bed operator, Ms. Sangjan Piwpong told The Pattaya News, “Domestic tourists, mostly from Bangkok and inland areas of Chonburi and Eastern provinces have been swarming to the beaches on weekends in particular. This isn’t as good as it was last year before Covid-19 and even when we had a six-month period without cases. However, after months of closure over the past several months (Due to Covid-19 rules, beaches were shut off and on since April several times) it is good to see people returning.”

“I earned 4,000 to 7,000 baht per day during the past three-day weekend. I have not earned this much income since before the Covid -19 outbreak.” Sangjan added.

“We have tried our best to take care of all the tourists visiting. Some of them brought food from outside as they don’t know that we are selling food here too.” Sangjan said.

“Pattaya City has been allowing cars to park on Beach Road for some time now after beach vendors have pushed for this for many years.  This has given us many more tourists but there still isn’t enough parking. A new parking garage is being built at Terminal 21 and will have a shuttle service to the beach, it is designed to help with this problem. Or, for those who like to walk, it is only about 5-10 minutes from the garage to the beach.” Sangjan noted.

“We know Pattaya is planning many events in November and December, like a fireworks festival, Loy Krathong festival, food festivals on the beach, and music festival. We know these need final approval from the central government but really hope they are allowed to happen as these events bring thousands of domestic tourists to Pattaya and really help our business and the overall economy. Pretty much every beach vendor has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and is ready to welcome back tourists.” Sangjan concluded.

TPN media notes that alcohol consumption and sales remain officially banned on local beaches as part of Covid-19 orders, although in reality enforcement of the rule seemed to be spotty, at best.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than four years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.