Old “falangs” are Pattaya beach vendors’ lifeline in coronavirus downturn

Old expats and Thais are the only thing keeping Pattaya beach vendor in business, through the coronavirus tourism downturn. One vendor, Pha Aree, who has been renting beach chairs and umbrellas for 30 years, says she’s survived more than her share of crises, the tourism downturns during the 2004 tsunami, SARS, political strife and numerous military coups.

She’ll get through Covid-19, too, she says

Even though the Chinese have disappeared and other tourists canceled plans to visit Pattaya, her regular customers, older Europeans who come to Pattaya for months at a time, remain. Every day day the old “farangs” arrive to sun themselves.

Pha says Pattaya remains a popular destination for Thais from Bangkok and nearby provinces, and she can still depend on families and groups arriving during holidays.

She’s happy to point out that her her prices remain reasonable, with a day’s chair rental a 100 baht or less and food selling for 80 baht or less per dish.

SOURCE: Pattaya Mail