Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Pattaya launches “Welcome Back to Pattaya” campaign to bring back tourists

Pattaya City has launched the “Welcome Back Pattaya” campaign to lure tourists back to the city as Covid-19 situation continually improves. The campaign aims to attract domestic tourists and is expected to boost the local economy after many businesses in the province were ordered to close last month.
Pattaya has officially opened up to domestic tourism, Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume told the Pattaya News, adding that the city will abide by disease control precautions and measures.
“We welcome everyone to the new NEO Pattaya. We are ready to welcome domestic tourists. Many domestic tourists have already returned and visited Koh Larn.”
With Thailand’s vaccination plan expected to roll out this month, Deputy Minister of Public Health Sathit Pitutecha says officials should look into bringing foreign tourists back to Pattaya. He adds that strong health measures and precautions have been implemented in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi, provinces that were previously classified as high risk areas under maximum control during the height of the recent wave of coronavirus infections.
Schools, entertainment venues, gyms, pools among others were allowed to reopen yesterday. Travel restrictions for people entering the province were also lifted.
SOURCE: Pattaya News
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Turbulence ahead for Thailand’s aviation industry | VIDEO

When the airlines, in particular, were asking the government to put their hands in their pockets for some relief funding in August last year, it was genuinely thought that international tourists would be coming back for the high season in December and January. At the very least local tourists and expats would head back to the skies over the traditional holiday break. And surely the Chinese would be back for Chinese New Year?
As we know now, none of that happened. A resurge in cases started just south of Bangkok on December 20 last year, just before Christmas, kicking off another round of restrictions, pretty much killing off any possibility of a high season ‘bump’ for the tourist industry. Airlines slashed flights from their schedule, and hotels, which had dusted off their reception desks for the surge of tourists, shut their doors again.
Domestically, the hotel business saw 6 million room nights in the government’s latest stimulus campaign fully redeemed. But the air ticket quota of 2 million seats still has over 1.3 million seats unused. Local tourists mostly skipped flights and opted for destinations within driving distance of their homes.
As for international tourism… well that still seems months or years away, even now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Domestic air passenger numbers double those of January

Passenger numbers on domestic flights within Thailand have doubled within a month, rising from 4,000 in January to over 10,000 this month. Having nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels, domestic travel plummeted once more when Covid-19 resurfaced late last year.
Apirat Chaiwongnoi from the Department of Airports says 15 of Thailand’s 29 airports are now operating domestic flights, with more expected to follow. He believes the aviation sector will continue to recover further in the coming 6 months, bolstered by the national vaccine rollout.
Around 120 domestic flights a day are now operating, which is twice the number that were operating at the lowest point in the crisis. Prior to the resurgence of the virus in December, domestic passenger numbers had recovered to 30,000 – 40,000 a day, around 80% of pre-pandemic numbers.
The DoA says airports must continue to adhere to the Covid-19 hygiene measures put in place by the Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Thailand3 days ago
Tourism officials aim for vaccinated travellers to enter Thailand by the third quarter of 2021
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
PM says Thailand will consider lifting quarantine for vaccinated tourists
- Crime3 days ago
Drunk police officer shoots and beats vendor on Bangla Road in Phuket
- Chiang Mai3 days ago
4 top tourist destinations to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine distribution
- Bangkok3 days ago
Bangkok bars are back open, restaurants serving booze again
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)1 day ago
Foreign tourists must use Covid-19 tracking app when travelling to Thailand
- Politics3 days ago
Former Thai PM Thaksin makes appearance on popular Clubhouse app
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
Tourism officials call for vaccine passport strategy to re-open tourism in Q4
EdwardV
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 6:17 pm
I agree with the Mayor, Thai officials need to start bringing back foreign tourist ASAP. Of course they have to reopen the hotels first hahaha. Seriously it’s good they are trying to generate domestic tourism, but it’s just a drop in the bucket. Good luck anyway.
London Al
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 6:18 pm
I don’t think domestic tourists alone are going to solve the financial problems in Pattaya or other tourist hotspots but it’s a start and I wish the campaign well.
Don jones
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:29 pm
How about the 3000 single foreign men currently in ASQ and waiting for release into the wild.Hope they head for Pattaya tho
Jason
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Hmmmm……Really??? Let’s be realistic for just a moment….. In this pandemic world, what can any country really offer? What can any tourist destination really offer? Like it or not, now is not the time for tourism. In reality, if we want to get back to something like what we used to hope for (before this pandemic), there needs to be widespread vaccination. There needs to be widespread recognition of the fact you have been vaccinated. There needs to be a way to rapid test people. There is light on the horizon…… I feel for my friends in Thailand…..in Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua Hin….
gosport
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 6:45 pm
No vaccine, no tourists. The tourism industry is done in 2021. Go home, do papaya salad. Be realistic.
JESUS MONROE
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7:29 pm
WHILE WERE ON THE SUBJECT OF BEING REALISTIC…….CANT HELP THINKING TOURISM IS DONE FOR 2021, 2022 AND 2023 MINIMUM………THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION PREDICT WORLD WIDE FAMINE OF 130 MILLION. AS THEY SAY “BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS OF THE KIND NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND” ….LETS HOPE THEY AND MYSELF ARE WRONG…..
Don jones
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Lets hope you release your caps lock
Don jones
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Lets hope you release your caps lock soon
Jesus Monroe
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:27 am
Lets hope you stop repeating yourself
Issan John
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:59 pm
🙂 OH NO THEY DIDN’T!!! 🙂
FWIW, that’s totally untrue.
The closest anyone of any note came to that was the director of the World Food Programme who told the UN Security Council that the Covid-19 pandemic had “taken us to uncharted territory … Now, my goodness, this is a perfect storm. We are looking at widespread famines of biblical proportions.”
Nothing to do with the WHO at all 🙂
Mr cynic
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 6:37 am
At least he is trying to be proactive with realistic goals.
If it saves a few livelihoods for a while that’s better than nothing.
Good luck to him and i hope they have a bit of success with this.
No reason people from bkk can not day trip have an enjoyable day out and put a few desperately needed baht into the local economy.
Well done mr mayor.
Jesus Monroe
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:27 am
My Apologies you are correct, wrong organisation
baroness
Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 2:15 am
Not a big deal, it’s still a UN organization.
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 12:22 pm
I John, despite my kind suggestions your posts are becoming less readable.
I see more abbreviations, and now cliches!
uncharted territory.
perfect storm.
biblical proportions!
I suppose you will continue, and I will again be obliged to object, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
Issan John
Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 2:30 am
Ummm … it was a quote, Toby. Sorry if that’s beyond you.
Frank
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7:21 pm
Creating false hope trying to keep the bar and restaurant to stay there and waste their last money on rent. Everything about tourism they should realize by now nobody comes to a dead town.. for what ?
Ian
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 8:47 pm
That is exactly what is going on, getting people to spend the last of their money and get more in debt to service people that are not coming back any time soon.
Bobby B
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 10:51 pm
At least the guy printing banners and silly signs got som income from this. 🪧
Issan John
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 1:07 am
So, probably, do the guys waddling round in the dolphin suits.
They’re the ones who get my sympathy vote.
Apolo
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 12:11 am
As long as the government kept worrying on quarantine, it will not open up for normal travel until the end of 2022.
Alexandra
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 8:06 am
A Welcome Back Pattaya event staged in Pattaya, for the people who are already there, to attract people who are outside of Pattaya. Brilliant!
David
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:03 am
I’m going to Cha Am this weekend as I read a few days ago that the Pattaya hotels were now shut.
Patrick Kelly
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 12:42 pm
We have not lifted our draconian rules & regulations, but welcome back regardless. I am only entertained by these kinds of stories. One cannot take them too seriously . The vaccine rollout will be the next boondoggle that will be written about for months on end. Strategy & schemes are the buzzwords that I am most familiar with after reading these pages. That ought to tell you something!
BJoe
Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Realistically tourist visit Thailand for an “affordable” vacation and not willing to spend two weeks of their precious time locked=down in an overpriced quarantine hotel. Yes, they’re still a few willing to pay the price because of the availability of “vices”not found readily found at home. Bottom line is that there will be fewer Chinese, Indian, and western tourist for at least 2 or 3 years, particularly if Thailand continues to maintain its “preferred” tourist visa stance.