This year’s busy season so
far isn’t as busy as usual, in part due to the political unrest in Bangkok.
Warunya Thongrod
Weeks of anti-government protests in Bangkok again are taking a toll
on tourism in Pattaya, with street merchants reporting quiet times during
normally busy high season.
Baht bus driver Mongkud Horkratok said his income is down about a third to
1,000 baht a day. Despite working far off the tourist-route - based on
Sukhumvit Road at South Road - he’s reporting fewer customers getting rides.
Beach chair vendor Thanida Tanakornwacharadej, 40, said her income is down
about 40 percent to 5,000 baht a day. She believes many of her regular
customers, who would normally hit the sand twice a week, left Thailand early
because of the Bangkok strife, some claiming they feared the airport would
be shut down as it once was during previous protests.
