Pattaya —
Some beach vendors are not so pleased with the rule that forbids parking on the beach side of Pattaya Beach, claiming it negatively affects tourists.
Mr. Wittaya Boonma, one of the affected operators, claimed that he only saw some bustle in the first and second days of the long holiday.
Besides other factors, Wittaya believed that the ban on parking on the right side of the road played a crucial role in affecting the tourists. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pattaya had accommodated tourists by allowing parking on the right side.
However, as the pandemic situation improved and traffic issues started to rise following the return of tourists, the rule was changed, and parking on the right side was no longer permitted. Wittaya said that this resulted in a lack of parking spaces, leading to tourists looking for alternative seaside places to visit like Rayong, for example.
“Rayong’s beaches provide comfortable and accessible parking facilities, so tourists have found it more appealing to visit,” Wittaya complained to local media.
Thus, the beach umbrella operators hoped that Pattaya city officials will swiftly take action to resolve the parking issues as well as the ongoing construction on the footpath. This is not only beneficial for beach umbrella operators but also for various other businesses operating by the beach, Wittaya said.
