January The new points system for traffic violations comes into play with some parking fines showing a 100 percent increase. The first tourist flights from China to U-tapao airport take off after Beijing softens its approach to covid threats. City Hall promises that all major road repairs in the city will be completed by easter.
February A survey proclaims that Thai families prefer Pattaya to any other resort when planning their domestic long weekend breaks. A second survey announces that there are more unmarried people living in Pattaya and Chonburi province than any other region in Thailand, but nobody can think why.
March An Omani tourist runs up a 50,000 baht bar bill, not realizing what the expression “ringing the bell” means in a Pattaya pub. The number of Russian visitors to Pattaya triples since last year, especially and mysteriously from Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg. It was then realized that charter flights were flying into U-tapao from these two cities.
April Pattaya farang complain in big numbers that they are being scammed online by boiler rooms and fake charities. A police spokesman says the problem was that foreigners are using their phones too much. The first no-restriction Songkran goes ahead, mostly without incident, although drenching policemen on beach road seems to have finally died out.
May In the general election, voters in Pattaya and Jomtien return both MPs from the Move Forward Party which, however, is excluded from power by a deal between Pheu Thai and the military-backed parties. A huge Indian casino in Pattaya is raided and the owners say they are shocked as they paid for protection from on high.
June Critics say the changes being made in Walking Street will ruin its reputation. Others say that is precisely the idea. A Brit arrested for possessing an unlicensed gun says he found it in a dustbin and “finders are keepers”. City Hall promises that all major road repairs in the city will be completed by September.
July The Pattaya tourist association worries that visitor numbers will be affected by rumors of street demonstrators objecting to the results of the general election. But nothing actually happens. One of the longest holidays ever, six days from July 28 to August 2, will encourage a tourist revival according to the government. Pattaya plans a series of musical and sports extravaganzas for later in the year.
August Thailand Elite celebrates its 20th anniversary and promises a new package of visas and perks. The cost of a five year, multiple-entry visa rises from 600,000 baht to 900,000 baht. There is much speculation that the government is pushing more expensive visas – Elite and the 10 year Long Term Residence – in preference to the old retirement extensions annually renewable.
September There is dismay across Pattaya after the Thai Revenue announces a new income tax enforcement coming into force in January 2024. Many farang are fearful that their pensions from the home country may be taxed again. In spite of major publicity across the internet, the subject remains shrouded in mystery.
October Thailand seeks to boost tourism by offering several nationalities – notably India, China and Russia – holidays without needing a prior visa. Property prices in Pattaya continue an upward trend with many foreign buyers of condominium units. Soi Bukhao rises as a direct competitor to the bars and clubs of Walking Street.
November Rumors that Brits and some other traditional markets will soon receive a 90 days stay without a visa prove to be untrue. Pattaya expats are relieved by the news that the water throwing at Songkran in 2024 won’t be for a full month after all. Jomtien immigration requires everyone reporting after 90 days to fill in a new form as the data base needs to be refreshed.
December Pattaya Mail ends its print edition after 30 years, but the internet editions remain hugely popular. It is reported that 26.4 million overseas tourists visited Thailand in 2023 with about one third spending time in Pattaya. A Pattaya fortune teller says 2024 will be a bumper year for tourism, but is unable to confirm when the many road repairs in the city will finally be completed.
