Hello Pattaya News Readers and Supporters!
The following is our weekly feature in which we highlight the top local stories in our area, Pattaya and Chonburi, from the past week. The number of stories differs from week to week.
These are chosen and curated by our editorial team and are designed for our readers to get a quick “catch-up” of important stories they may have missed. 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, this is only the top local stories in our area and province.
They are in no particular order of importance but roughly in order of publishing. These are from Sunday, October 31st, 2021, to Saturday, November 6th, 2021.
Let’s get started and see what the top local stories were!
1. Alcohol ban stays in Pattaya, despite protests from business owners
Our most commented and read news of last week was this, in which Pattaya continues to have an alcohol sales ban at restaurants and bars and nightlife remain closed (currently for seven months now) despite rising protests and anger from business owners. Officials state the reason for the closure is “Covid-19” despite high vaccination rates, case reduction, and other parts of Thailand, like Phuket, Krabi, and Bangkok allowing sales.
Police have also continued raids against venues daring to break the rules locally.
Chonburi Governor releases new Covid-19 orders: Alcohol ban at restaurants/nightlife stays
2. After almost four months, overnight curfew ends in Pattaya
Good news for local residents. Although the night-time economy ban on venues like bars and clubs continues, convenience and grocery stores resuming overnight service and the curfew being lifted was good news for many.
Curfew finally ends in Pattaya after 3-and-a-half months, Happy Halloween
3. Pattaya officially reopens for foreign vaccinated tourists, Mayor says over 80% of Pattaya residents vaccinated against Covid-19
A first step in recovering the tourism industry in Pattaya, visited by almost ten million people in 2019 from overseas and the 19th most visited city in the world. It will, however, be a marathon and not a sprint according to many analysts from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Finance….and even the normally optimistic Tourism Ministry.
Business owners, meanwhile, hope that the next step will be lifting the aforementioned alcohol sales ban and allowing all business sectors to reopen for tourists and residents.
4. Pattaya Dolphins United get a brand new coach
They also won this week 5-1 against Sa Kaeo and are the top team in their league, drawing many new fans.
Pattaya Dolphins United get a brand new coach as they continue a winning season
5. Fire destroys the Laser Disco in Pattaya
Many of our readers commented that they had never heard of this disco, however, it was primarily for Thai patrons.
Fire destroys disco in Pattaya, estimated six million baht in damages
6. Brand new motorway planned to help reduce traffic near U-Tapao airport
However, don’t get too excited…it isn’t set to be done before 2025.
7. Pattaya Music Festival begins
Despite some rain and a few issues the festival, overall, was a success according to Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume. Three more weekends of music festivals are planned to help drive domestic tourism in Pattaya.
Video news: A recap of the first night of the Pattaya Music Festival as the second night begins
That is it for this week! We thank all of you for your support and wish you the best of luck for the week ahead.
