Pattaya
Pattaya’s homeless population on the rise after a year without foreign tourists
More people are sleeping on the streets in Pattaya. Even some women who work in bars in the city’s red light district are setting up tents in the empty bars to sleep at night. The lack of foreign tourists in Pattaya, a city that was named one of the top 20 most visited cities in the world back in 2019 with 10 million foreign tourists, has led to the closure of tourism-dependent businesses. Many have lost their jobs, and some have lost their homes.
According to Pattaya Mail, some women who worked in bars returned to their homes in rural provinces, but some stayed in Pattaya. The owner of a local bar says she allows many of the now-unemployed women to set tents up at the bar to sleep, but she may need to close down the bar and evict the women. She’s calling on the government to offer more aid to unemployed workers during the pandemic.
While entertainment venues, massage shops, cinemas, and other venues are shut down for 14 days due to the recent wave of Covid-19 infections, Pattaya officials say the lack of foreign tourists has hit the city the hardest as the tourism industry makes up an estimated 80% of the local GDP, according to Pattaya News.
Many businesses that rely on foreign tourists have closed. There’s little to no one visiting to keep hotels operating as normal, leading to staff layoffs and temporary closures. Some restaurants have temporarily closed following alcohol bans and restrictions limiting operating hours.
Pattaya News says the homeless population in the area has risen. Even the number of stray dogs in the area has increased. Most of the homeless people in Pattaya are foreigners from the neighbouring countries Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, according to the Chon Buri Provincial Authority. Many of the homeless migrants lost their jobs and are unable to return to their home country due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. A number of them worked in the service and hospitality industry which was hit hard by the lack of visitors and the disease control restrictions.
SOURCES: Pattaya News | Pattaya Mail
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An unidentified owner of two pit bulls who reportedly allows them to wander freely near a public beach in the Bangsaen area of Pattaya has received a warning from Sane Suk Mayor Narongchai “Tui” Khunplome. making statements through his public relations accounts on social media and in local news outlets, the mayor stated that he had received multiple complaints from residents about the two pit bulls wandering around. They feared for the safety of the children and elderly people in the area, wanting to avoid attacks after the recent death of a pit bull owner who was mauled to death by his own pet. Residents also mentioned the possibility of a car or motorbike crash injuring or killing the pit bulls and possibly people.
The dogs were originally thought to be strays but were later determined to have an owner who allows them to wander freely, unaccompanied by a leash or any supervision. Local law forbids pets to be in public without an owner and also requires that owners clean up any droppings that their pets leave.
The owner of these pit bulls was singled out but not name publicly. The dogs were not reported to have attacked anyone or been aggressive in any way and the majority of complaints were just concerned citizens. The mayor’s post on social media garnered 900 responses both for and against the wandering pit bulls and received more than 7000 likes.
Stray animals are a common problem in Thailand and around the Pattaya area. It is feared that the Covid-19 pandemic created more abandoned animals as people moved out of Chon Buri. Many strays have settled into areas vacated by tourists, and several areas around Pattaya are dealing with the surge in stray animals, especially Banglamung.
It is against Thailand’s religious and cultural beliefs to put down strays, but there’s a lot of debate over a solution. Soi Dog Foundation advocates for spaying or neutering animals and also vaccinating them before releasing them back into their natural habitat. This avoids animal shelters where conditions can become inhumane due to overcrowding, and also may prevent more aggressive dogs from claiming local territories. It is agreed that aggressive dogs should be removed from the public.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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A young Pattaya motorist, whose car burst into flames while he was driving to the bank, says he’s lost 1 million baht in cash in the blaze. The driver, named by the Pattaya News as 24 year old Jirayus Amnuayborisut, says he was on his way to deposit the cash at the bank yesterday when his car spontaneously caught fire on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya.
The Pattaya News reports that firefighters were informed of the incident around 12.30 yesterday afternoon and a fire engine and crew arrived to find a car fully ablaze. It took firefighters over 10 minutes to extinguish the fire, in which the vehicle was completely destroyed. And according to Jirayus, that wasn’t the only thing.
“I was heading to the bank to make a deposit. There was black smoke coming out from the engine room and inside the cab while on my way there. I tried to grab a bag full of 1 million baht cash and a mobile phone but it was too late. All items were destroyed.”
Jirayus did not say if the cash was insured. Officers from Chon Buri police are investigating the cause of the fire, but have not commented on the driver’s claim.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Covid-19 safety violations brought down a Chinese man and 39 Thai employees running an illegal loan operation in Pattaya. The group was arrested for offering money lending services after violating the Chon Buri Disease Control orders and emergency decree restrictions of social distancing and large gatherings. Chon Buri police raided the office building in Nongprue on Pattaya Second Road and uncovered the unlicensed loan business, leading to 40 arrests.
Each staff member’s work electronic devices were impounded and taken to the Pattaya City Police Station, with police taking in 39 mobile phones and 39 laptops along with paperwork and business documents about the operation. Wang Pei, a 33 year old Chinese man, was arrested and claimed to be a manager working for a man in China identified only as Chern for a salary of about 48,000 baht a month. His 39 Thai staff were paid 10,000 to 12,000 a month each.
According to The Pattaya News, the illegal loan scheme appeared to be calling over 100 people a day, apparently targeting people with financial problems stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, offering cash loans. Those who are interested were added via the Line app and sent through the loan application process. They were charged 2.57% interest, higher than the legal limit, and given a short repayment period. Those who didn’t pay would be harassed by the loan service calling contacts in the borrower’s phonebook like friends, family, and bosses.
The illegal loan service was lending out about 3 million baht a day, transferred from a Chinese bank account directly to each customer. Wang Pei said he didn’t have any details or direct contact with the big boss in China. Police say the 40 members of the unlicensed loan business face charges of illegally operating a loan business and charging interest over the legal limit.
And of course, the charge that led to their downfall – gathering in a small office without proper Covid-19 social distancing measures.
SOURCE:The Pattaya News
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Olga
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 3:37 pm
So sorry. I hope that the Thai economy will successfully develop other areas of business, not only in tourism, because Thailand is a rich country. If lazy prostitutes can no move to a normal life, then at least their children will have access to normal jobs?
Ralphie Boy
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 4:43 pm
To be clear, my heart goes out to the unfortunate.
Now imagine opening your borders to foreigners, and giving them social largesse.
That, is my home country, the U.S.A.
Richard
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 5:44 pm
@Olga – Whatever your view on prostitution, one thing is for sure – most of these girls work very hard. You should try being a little more compassionate.
Bill
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 5:49 pm
yea so what, at least a few old people aren’t dying from covid
Mankut
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7:47 pm
Perhaps you were reading with your red-light tint horse blinkers Olga? Burmese, Cambodian and Laos migrants that typically work in maintenance, construction and if lucky then in hotels doing housekeeping, gardening and food preparation aren’t sex workers, and tragically make up the overwhelming majority of the homeless.
Maybe you could find a place in that iron heart of yours to emphasize with their sad and desperate situation instead of suggesting they deserved it because they’re all lazy prostitutes.
Jesus Monroe
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Cant help but think that this is only the beginning of a lot more misery to come……..
Toby Andrews
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 7:58 pm
I feel sorry for them and have helped them out occasionally
However the weather is warm, and there are plenty of places to sleep.
Some of the homeless I saw were westerners . . .
Simon Small
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 8:10 pm
Why would “their children” not “have access to normal jobs”, @Olga?
Or is that just the “lazy” ones’ children?
Very, very few will have their children with them as most have them looked after up-country by a relative.
Mankut
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 8:57 pm
Dear Tim, your last weeks vlogs have elevated your content platform to how you want to be able to communicate. Theres an energy in the current team, and its been your best journalism in the several years youve been present.
Olga has made a comment which the three existing replies and then mine where deleted. if constructive replies are deleted then enjoy the silence.
Olga
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 9:40 pm
@Саймон Смолл – I know that most prostitutes in Thailand go to this job to provide for their parents and children who live in the villages. I hope that the economic situation in Thailand will change, and not only the tourism business, but also other industries will develop. This means that if other industries develop, the children of prostitutes will get normal jobs when they grow up.
Sarah w
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:29 pm
I find Olgas comments extremely rude on the Thai ladies.
Mr cynic
Monday, April 26, 2021 at 11:47 pm
They are not all prostitute’s by a long way.many are unemployed ex cleaners,laundry workers,maids etc.
ie people on very low salary’s and unable to save money for a rainy day.
Even if they were all unemployed prostitute’s I don’t see any reason why their profession is relevant to being in a very difficult situation through no making of their own.
Olga
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 4:07 am
@Sarah w – I am not a Buddhist, I believe in economics, not in karma. But if suddenly for the fact that I have offended someone here, in my next life I will be born in Thailand, I hope by that time Thailand will be in a better state than it is now. Lol.
J West
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 11:21 am
Thailand fell arse- backwards into tourist billions . Tourism money is lottery money. Let’s face facts, no Thai created Lonely Planet to draw in the backpackers dollars. “Certain HiSo persons” shouldn’t be so arrogant and act all-knowing. Beer Barons, Tourist Moguls and Hotel Billionaires are no Thai version of JP Morgan. Free money fell from the sky…not by the product of smart work.The idea that they should have to give a goodly percentage of the filthy lucre back should be catching on by now. Thailand’s people brought the tourists, not a bunch a pompous gluttons. Thai HiSo, pay the Thai people what they’re owed in this time of great need. Sell a townhouse in London or Zurich, create charity, not more starvation.
Boris B
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 2:40 pm
I agree with Sarah W but what olga is saying is basically stuff you Sarah!!! I would hazard a guess that olga has worked the doors of Amsterdam for many years and has been to Thailand once or twice and doesn’t like it.. well I’m afraid it’s been like this for many years and will continue to be.
Bigsleazypappa
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Prostitutes are not lazy!!! As you well know my darling… maybe Olgas had a few years at the business and now has met someone I totally understand!! It’s like the hypocrites who’ve smoke cigarettes all their life then stop and say smoking is disgusting… we all totally understand now where you’re comments are coming from. Don’t worry about the Thai ladies their all beautiful and hardworking and not lazy. Maybe the best thing is if you don’t like it don’t go to Thailand. Prostitution has been around in every country for hundreds of years. This is how I met my 19 year old fiancé even though I’m now 72 we are extremely happy. Life goes on!!
Barry Betts
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 3:06 pm
The situation in Thailand is getting worse day by day it’s so so sad,and I’m afraid it’s only go to get worse. I don’t think that prostitution can be called lazy seriously?? Prostitution is around the world and makes infinity money it’s an old profession and I for one am very happy with the Thai girls. Thai smiles or Russian miserable sour Face ID take Thai everyday.
Olga
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 7:21 pm
It’s good that there is such a lively discussion here, it’s interesting. Thank you Bigsleazypappa for sharing your happiness story. I am sure that your young fiancé will not get tired of such a cheerful man like you. No, Boris, I have no experience of such work, thank God, I have a good education, I have a job in my country. I fell in love with Thailand and I hope that this beautiful country can also give its citizens a good education and good jobs.
sam
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:00 pm
This is nothing as compared to the richest and most powerful country in the world,America. More than estimated 45 millions people are homeless and unemployed and they rely on charitable organisations to feed them or house them The government splurge hundreds of billons in defense spending with so many military bases in other countries,but not a dime for these people in dire straits,as it will be construe as socialism and communism by their politicians.