Pattaya city opens for foreign tourists, Mayor says over 80% of Pattaya residents are fully vaccinated against Covid-19

Pattaya –

Pattaya City has now opened for vaccinated foreign tourists from low-risk countries without a strict quarantine. The Pattaya City mayor is confident that the re-opening will be a success as more than 80 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

First, as a reference, Thailand welcomes fully vaccinated foreign visitors, including returning Thais and foreign residents, from the approved countries to enter the Kingdom by air with no quarantine requirements from 1 November, 2021. TPN media notes the approved countries in the first article has since been increased to over 60 as seen in the second article.

Press Release: Quarantine-Free Thailand Reopening for Vaccinated Tourists From 1 November 2021

Breaking: Thailand raises list of “low-risk” countries that can come with “no quarantine” from 46 to 63, adding India and many others

Additionally, Pattaya City held a rally this morning to celebrate the reopening of the city to tourists without strict quarantine. A video of the rally is below.

Video news: Pattaya City holds rally to celebrate reopening of city to tourists without strict quarantine

The Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplome told The Pattaya News, “We met with Jomtien beach operators  to make sure we are ready for today (November 1st) as the city opens for international tourists.”

“Pattaya is now in the ‘BLUE(Business, Leisure, Ultimate Experience) Zone’ and we are confident it is a safe city. More than 80 percent of Pattaya residents have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and we are the third most highly vaccinated place in Thailand, just slightly behind Phuket, with Bangkok first. We have many events and activities scheduled such as the music festival this upcoming weekend and on three future weekends to boost tourism. We are working together to recover Pattaya and its tourism industry.” The Mayor stated to The Pattaya News.

“Today we want to assure our local residents and business owners that we are ready to move forward on both tourism and economy. We are continuing to ensure as many local businesses as possible are certified for SHA+ (Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration).” The Mayor added.

“Before Covid -19 well over a million tourists visited in the high season at the end of the year in 2019. Pattaya welcomed almost ten million foreign tourists overall in 2019 and was the 19th most visited city in the world. However from November 1st until the end of this year, 2021, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects about 20% of that number or at least 200,000 tourists. This number is our current target.” The Pattaya Mayor concluded.

TPN media notes that the city is heavily focused on domestic tourism as well, with most of the future events, including the music festival, primarily aimed at domestic tourists. In 2019 nearly seven million domestic tourists visited the city on top of foreign tourism.

In regards to the ongoing closure of the bar, pub, nightclubs, nighttime economy, and entertainment industry in Pattaya, city officials said meetings were ongoing with relevant agencies and officials to determine how and when this important sector could be reopened. However, for now, it remains closed with even alcohol sales illegal at restaurants until the rules are developed and implemented.

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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.