How divided Thai politics is about the measures can be read in the posting below.
Officials working in the tourism sector tell everyone that there has never been a better time to visit Pattaya than now, but there is little evidence that anyone is listening.
Chairman Trirattanajarasporn, Chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, appeals to Thai and foreign tourists to book holidays in Pattaya which, due to the loss of Chinese tourists due to the Covid-19 virus, the city has more to offer for the guests.
With virtually no tour buses in the city, traffic is now much better and hotels have prices adjusted downwards as in low season, he said. Tourist attractions are teaming up to offer special packages, including efforts to ensure hygiene.
Even real estate is now less expensive, he said, making investment in apartments and houses attractive. Despite the benefits, there are few signs that everyone is taking advantage of it. Pattaya's streets remain empty and it seems as if the low season has arrived in July. Chairat said the country had already lost 10 billion baht in tourism revenues due to the loss of 5 million Chinese tourists, who were banned from traveling abroad in January to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya director Pinnart Charoenpol wanted to invite 50 domestic and foreign tour operators to promote a tourism campaign. TAT is also in talks with government agencies and universities in Bangkok to promote domestic tourism, for example during school holidays.
In contrast, Thai Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated at a press conference this afternoon that the Health Ministry would be proposing additional precautionary measures to the Thai government and Prime Minister on Monday, including the possible temporary closure of bars and entertainment venues, including nightclubs, concerts, gogos, live music venues etc. These precautions would be necessary to help prevent the spread of the Covid19 Coronavirus. Several other measures will also be proposed to the prime minister on Monday to include potential travel restrictions for Songkran and forced cancellation of private cultural and local festivals.
Pattaya News notes that this is just a suggestion from the Health Minister and not a guarantee or order that it will happen, as some media outlets have reported.
Source: Pattaya Mail
In the meantime, we all know that the Thai are masters at withholding or falsifying data and statements… The corrupt apparatus at the top excels at this. Let's just rely on data from foreign news providers...
As “ai farang” = dirty foreigner, I spend my holiday money in a place where I am welcome.
And all those Thai government stories... I have not forgotten the bird flu in 2003-4, when the Thai minister proclaimed that nothing was wrong, but the deaths were in the newspapers in droves, and poultry processing industries had cut off a strip of 1 1/2 – 2 km around their plants down to lawn level. “Birds don't like to fly over a plain.”
I wonder why the Tourism council is so keen on getting people to go to Pattaya.
Is Pattaya the only thing that Thailand has to offer in terms of tourism?
Probably this was and is indeed a solid source of income, knowing that most “bars” are owned by the police (eg the Wonderful etc….)…”Back to the roots”….