Thread: Many Pattaya business owners against Pattaya becoming a sandbox for foreign tourist

The president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association revealed to the local press that many Pattaya business owners are against any plan for Pattaya to become a trial, or sandbox, for foreign tourists to visit until the pandemic situation improves overall.


The statements were made by Mr. Boonanan Phattanasin, the president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, last week in a meeting with the local press to discuss his opinions, which represents many local businesses, in terms of a sandbox proposal for Pattaya.


The Pattaya News notes that the businesses opposed to Pattaya becoming a sandbox, or test ground for foreign tourists, are primarily those focused on domestic Thai tourists who rely little, or not at all, on foreign tourists such as seafood restaurants, Thai clubs, Thai BBQ establishments, and similar places.


Boonanan specifically mentioned Koh Larn business owners who have experienced a boom in business, especially over weekends, from domestic Thai tourists and were concerned that opening to foreign tourists and potentially having outbreaks of Covid-19 could cause devastating restrictions and closures once again. These business owners are also concerned that Thai tourists who are currently flocking to the island and Pattaya will avoid the area if they know the area is a sandbox and that some tourists could have Covid-19, even if vaccinated and having gone through testing and other precautions.


Under the sandbox plan, selected vaccinated tourists from certain countries would be able to visit the Pattaya area without a quarantine, although other restrictions would apply such as mandatory tracking and only being able to visit “approved” locations for at least the first few days of their trips while awaiting further Covid-19 testing. This plan would also require at least 70% of local residents, especially those working in the tourism industry, to be vaccinated and Pattaya plans to move forward on this plan in May.


Many local Pattaya business owners against Pattaya becoming a "sandbox" for foreign tourists, think it will hurt domestic tourism - The Pattaya News

Of course, the notion that returning Thai, the majority of air passengers entering Thailand from abroad, might also infect them has clearly flown right over their dim-witted, racist little heads.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Of course, the notion that returning Thai, the majority of air passengers entering Thailand from abroad, might also infect them has clearly flown right over their dim-witted, racist little heads.

I think the article flew right over your dim-witted, racist little head to be honest.

were concerned that opening to foreign tourists and potentially having outbreaks of Covid-19 could cause devastating restrictions and closures once again.

looks like returning tourists will hardly be welcomed back with open arms and legs, but will be regarded as plague rats by the locals.

oh well, at least the pm has had his vaccination.

If the foreign tourists are vaccinated, what's the big issue? I would think a bigger issue would be unvaccinated Thai visiting in droves.

Originally Posted by sabang

what's the big issue.

Doesn't seem like there's even a story here, let alone a big issue. Businesses with a Thai customer base want lots of domestic tourists, businesses with a foreign customer base want lots of foreigners.

Like...d'uuh.

Originally Posted by sabang

If the foreign tourists are vaccinated, what's the big issue? I would think a bigger issue would be unvaccinated Thai visiting in droves.

Maybe there should be an official international symbol that vaccinated people could get tattooed.

Originally Posted by Cujo

Maybe there should be an official international symbol that vaccinated people could get tattooed.

To be followed by a brisk trade in fake (stick on) vaccine tattoos.

Per my communications with the embassy today, they will be verifying that I had the vaccination here and relaying that to the COE people.

If I'd had the vaccination elsewhere I would be shit out of luck.

So each embassy is tasked with verifying vaccinations in the country of visa application only.