Pattaya officials make waves, eyeing a ‘shore’ bet for new tourism landmark

Pattaya City officials yesterday gathered to discuss the possibility of creating a new tourism landmark on Pattaya Beach. The meeting was attended by various leaders, such as Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Surat Thepchaito, Director of the Tourism and Sports Office, and Nuttawut Iamsaad, Creative Director of Siam Commercial Company Limited.

The proposed landmark would serve as a central point for visitors, particularly social media influencers, to take selfies and check-in, much like the Pattaya sign on Pattaya Hill. By providing a permanent attraction for Instagrammers, Tiktokers, and influencers, the city hopes to promote Pattaya City to the world through social media platforms. Although temporary attractions are often set up during festivals, this new landmark would be a more permanent fixture, reported Pattaya News.

Several proposals have been drafted, but the project is still in its early stages, and the ideas have not yet been released to the public. However, they are expected to be unveiled in the near future. The initiative aims to attract more social media influencers to Pattaya, boosting the city’s tourism industry and global image.

This plan to attract more visitors to Pattaya comes after news that Pattaya’s tourism levels are now close to pre-Covid levels. The Secretary-General of the Pattaya Entertainment Association, Damrongkiat Pinijkarn, stated that tourism has recovered to 80-90% of pre-pandemic levels. He mentioned that in Pattaya, on the vibrant Walking Street, over 90% of establishments have reopened, although more staff is still needed.

Damronkiat credited Pattaya’s tourism revival to visitors from India, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Europe. Nonetheless, he called on Pattaya authorities to address the city’s infrastructure issues and halt commercial encroachments on Walking Street, as these may obstruct traffic and hinder the movement of fire trucks during emergencies.

Meanwhile, in related news, Pattaya Beach vendors have united in requesting the city of Pattaya to revoke a parking ban imposed on the beachside of Pattaya Beach in early March.

The vendors, led by Wirawit Charoenrit Taweechok, claim that the ban has significantly impacted their businesses. They recently met with Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai to discuss their concerns and issues with the order. Read more about the story HERE.