Pattaya —
A large group of business owners and residents in Pattaya gathered on Walking Street on Thursday night to protect the city’s reputation against a prominent Thai media’s negative coverage that called Pattaya a “Sin City” and a “Paradise of Prostitutes.”
The business owners, representing various industries including nightlife, tourism, and entertainment, came out to voice their concerns about the negative impact the harsh investigative-style coverage has had on the city’s reputation and the livelihoods of its residents.
Mrs. Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, stated that Pattaya offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences for tourists beyond just its nightlife scene. She emphasized that the portrayal of Pattaya being a “sin city” is unfair to those who work in other industries. She urged the media to take responsibility in its reporting, as such news damages the image of Pattaya.
Mrs. Amporn Kaewsaeng, President of the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association, added that Pattaya is an economic hub where many people come to find jobs, earn a living, and support their families. She emphasized that nightlife workers, who represent only a small section of workers in the city, also contribute significantly to Thailand’s economy and should not be looked down upon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Boonanan Pattanasin, President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, stated that he would like the media to present Pattaya as a city of opportunities. He emphasized that people come here to work legally and follow societal rules. He also highlighted that the issues the media tries to present does not happen in just Pattaya but are present in other tourist cities around the world as well.
In response to the concerns raised by the business owners, Mr. Wuttisak Ruemkitkan, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, assured that the city administration is not taking the matter lightly. He mentioned that the mayor himself has placed his comment on the media’s social media page, countering the coverage, and urged the public to join a “Save Pattaya” rally today at 5 PM at the field in front of Pattaya City Hall.
Mr. Wuttisak stated that the rally aims to demonstrate that Pattaya has much more to offer than people think, including being a Sports City, Sports Tourism destination, Wellness City, Smart City, and MICE City.
As of press time, the Thai media has deleted its controversial coverage from its social media and issued a public apology and prominent staff from the newspaper visited Pattaya City Hall and apologized in person.
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