Even though its bars and nightspots were closed half the time, the long Buddhist holiday weekend gave Pattaya a lift from Thai tourists who came for a few days at the beach.
Snack vendor Mongkol Kaewrach said holidays have been good this year while business has been slow the rest of the time. He can more than triple his daily income to about 1,000 baht during the July 30-Aug. 2 holiday, which included Asalaha Bucha Day and Khao Phansaa.
Beaches were full over the long holiday weekend, offering a welcome boost in the middle of the slow season.
Siriwan Lekdee, who sells beach toys, she was only seeing a slight increase in sales, up to 2,000 baht a day from 1,500 baht a day.
She said one reason for the dip is that many domestic tourists already had their own inflatable rings and rafts.
Suriyo Porachu brought his family to Pattaya from Chanthaburi where he works in a factory.
He said the group planned to visit Koh Larn, which the family loves for its white-sand beaches.
