It may be the dead of low season, but Jomtien Beach has showed signs of life on the weekends as Bangkokians flee the rainy, cloudy gloom of the capital.
Bangkok generally gets more rain than Pattaya, so groups tried their luck out of town for a day or two of beach relaxation. Kids swam, their parents ate and the mood seemed jovial.
The 600-million-baht beach facelift has made many parts of Jomtien more pleasant, especially for those not renting deckchairs.
Umbrella vendor Kwanchai Kaewkhum acknowledged many visitors preferred their own beach mats to his chairs, but said he is still happy, as business is up over this time last year.
He said weekdays are quiet, but he looks forward now to the weekends.
