Pattaya hotels saw their best business in months as the government’s subsidized travel program spurred Thai tourists to spend the long weekend at the beach.
Business owners estimated about 70 percent of the visitors were from Bangkok, a mix of mostly Thais with scattered foreign expats and stranded tourists among them.
Beaches hummed with activity, with kids splashing in the water and teens and adults engaging in water sports or simply shooting selfies. Window shoppers perused beachfront malls and restaurants got steady trade.
With virtually no tour buses moving Chinese and other foreign groups, traffic flowed better than most holiday weekends, although Bangkokians’ cars still created congestion in some areas.
Chonburi Attractions Association President Thitipat Siranatsrikul said not all area tourist spots have reopened yet because of slow business and a lack of staff.
But July’s two holiday weekends helped revive business, Thitipat said.
Hotels are hoping the Sept. 4 Pattaya Travel Mart at The Zign Hotel will lead to more bookings in the tail end of the year.
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