According to the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, tourist numbers in Pattaya this year are 50% less than last year, and last year was no great shakes in the first place. Based on personal observation, I believe the numbers are even less than that.

 

Details are in the following article i The PATTAYA MAIL:

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

From the Pattaya Mail

 

“Tourist arrivals in Pattaya have decreased by more than 50% in this high season from the number this time last year and the outlook is not encouraging, according to the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.

 

Asian tourists especially are staying away in droves fearing political violence. Visitors from elsewhere are also being kept away by the high price of fuel sending up air travel costs.

 

Jamroon Wisawachaipan, chairman of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, told a meeting of business and tourism leaders at the Green Park Resort, organized by his association on October 30, that much needs to be done to remedy the situation which may even become worse next year.

 

Thanet Supornsaharungsi, chief advisor of the association, reported that hotel reservations and occupancy were down by 50-70%, compared to the same time last year when all hotels were full for the high season.

 

Arrivals from the European and Russian markets have also dropped by 50% and “there is no positive sign that the situation will get better,” he said.”

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

How is this showing up in the bars? Are they much less crowded? Has this affected the number of boys that are available for "dancing" and offing? For those who live there year round it must mean lots less traffic. For those of us waiting for our vacation time we just hope that the boys don't get discouraged and head back home to Issan.

That must be so tough for all the businesses in the tourist sector, I really feel for them. Not so sure the price of air travel is having too much of an effect on the numbers though. I'm looking at the prices available and they are not so different from last year. The overall financial picture I think will be more of a factor. ie. gas/electricity/petrol/food prices all on the up from last year may keep many people at home.

How is this showing up in the bars? Are they much less crowded? Has this affected the number of boys that are available for "dancing" and offing?

 

The bars are far less crowded, but the boys are as plentiful as ever. Unless the bars close, I doubt that the boys will be in any hurry to pack up and go back to the rice farm. There are nowhere near as many farang, but as long as there are any, that means there is still a chance for an off and a relationship. Also, even if there are no offs at all, as long as the boys are at least paid their salaries they're still doing better than they would do on the farm. And don't forget, while one goal may be to "have farang," there is still the goal of coming up with enough money to send home to mama. They can't do that if they are living on the farm.