The Great Pattaya Recession
By Talen on Apr 21, 2011 in Pattaya, Thailand Pictures
Pattaya Bay Receding
While it’s not an economic recession, yet, the beach sure has gotten a lot larger in Pattaya. At some points the bay has receded so much there is actually an extra hundred yards to walk before you hit the water. The buoy’s laying on the sand are there to section off the swimming areas from the boat and jet ski traffic, now not needed so much.
Now that Songkran is over Pattaya is in the full grips of low season, the hottest season and rainy season. All these things together won’t be good news for Pattaya merchants and establishments. Pattaya beach was a very lonely place to be today compared to most days and you could see the pain in all the merchants faces.
While I feel for most of them I did have a broad grin when I realized that there weren’t any people on jet skis in the water, as a matter of fact I saw very few Pattaya jet ski operators even set up completely with only 1 or 2 jet skis sitting way far away from the touts who were sitting in the shade sleeping.
Another sight not bound to be good for local Pattaya business was the re-emergence of the red shirts driving their convoy of trucks up beach road blaring their loud speakers and waving their flags. A small reminder that there is still political tension in Thailand and with general elections to be held within the next few months it’s anyone’s guess what the outcome or subsequent fall out will be.
As always though there is a bright spot in my walks and today didn’t disappoint when I saw this old firetruck all painted up hippy style. The next few months in Pattaya are going to be hard on a lot of businesses I fear but hopefully Thai ingenuity and some of those famous Thai smiles can help pull Pattaya through.
Pattaya beach isn’t getting bigger and the water isn’t receding… The beach is actually eroding at an alarming pace: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/218599/saving-pattaya-from-erosion.
I think you’ve just seen the tide at its lowest point today, which indeed makes the beach look huge. When I lived at Mark Land Condo on Soi 1, I was always amazed at how extreme the tides seem at Pattaya Bay. Unfortunately, when you have a look at the beach during high tide, you’ll realize just how small the beach has become.
On another note: I love that Hippie Firetruck.
Claudio Sennhauser | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
Claudio,
This doesn’t seem like a low tide situation, the beach has been like this for weeks. Even during high tide the beach is much bigger than usual. You are right though that Pattaya beach is eroding and getting smaller each year but that’s the case with many beaches and it’s fixable to an extent.
The hippie fire truck was great, don’t know where it came from or why it was there but I hope it sticks around.
Talen | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
Well then, I hope things will be returning to a somewhat normal level again soon.
On another note: my dad will be celebrating his 70th birthday on June 5th and I plan to visit Pattaya then. I hope we’ll finally get a chance to meet in person. The first round of drinks will be on me!
Claudio Sennhauser | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
Claudio,
Just tell me where and when. 70th birthday in Pattaya…we should all be so lucky
Talen | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
Low tide in Pattaya Bay trails low tide at Koh Si Chang by about an hour, so if those photos aren’t of low tide they are close enough to it.
Try a photo a full 6 hours later and the water will be nearly up to the chairs as always.
Bodies of water don’t “recede” save for storm effects and tsunami. Sea level is sea level. Natural forces are just putting the sand back that they once took away, if the changes are real.
MongerSEA | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Hi Talen, I spent a few days in Pattaya a couple a weeks back. My mother was over visiting. It didn’t seem as busy as usual, but I was only out during the day.
Paul Garrigan | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Talen, I’m grinning too that the Pattaya jet ski operators are out of luck. But maybe that’s why the Mayor backed off? He knew time was on his side so stop making waves?
Catherine | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Paul, I’ts not busy at night either…low season is here and a lot of expats as well as Thai girls left before Songkran.
Talen | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Cat, might be more to it as far as the jet ski operators go. Word has it that they have pissed off and embarrassed the governor of Chonburi and the ministry of justice…in other news Pattaya City Hall is supposedly mulling over the idea of banning them from the beaches. Sounds too easy to me but we’ll have to wait and see.
Talen | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
That sound great! IF it’ll happen. They’ve been at this for a long time already.
Catherine | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
I hope things aren’t too bad business wise there. I am headed there in about a week or two to check out possible business opportunities, and no not a bar.
Bob | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
I was there month ago, didn’t noticed any receccion. More liiks like we have it in Koh Phangan.
Tom | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply
Bob, the worse business wise it is the better it seems for the tourists in many cases so have no fear you should have a fantastic trip.
Talen | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply