Pattaya Tourism Surge Amid Earthquake Aftermath: Hua Hin Faces Setbacks

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In a dramatic turn of events, last weekend witnessed the bustling city of Pattaya transform into a refuge for local travelers, their numbers swelling in the aftermath of an earthquake that left much of the region quaking. This surge of visitors brought hotel occupancy rates to the brim, a situation that was eagerly welcomed by Pattaya’s hospitality sector. Meanwhile, the situation was quite different in the serene coastal town of Hua Hin, where apprehension over road safety saw a precipitous drop in tourist bookings.

“Travelers seeking refuge from the tremors in Bangkok flocked to Pattaya, creating a spike in hotel bookings,” explained Morrakot Kuldilok, the president of the Eastern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). “On Friday, the day of the earthquake, and throughout the weekend, occupancy rates in many hotels surged from 70% to full capacity.” Morrakot attributed this sudden influx to two main factors: the unsettling earthquake itself and the Qingming Festival, during which many Thai-Chinese families embark on pilgrimages to pay homage to their ancestors.

With the journey from Bangkok requiring only a short drive, Pattaya, known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches, swiftly became the favored haven for locals and tourists alike. The city hosted a kind of spontaneous festivity, with hotels bursting at the seams and restaurants bustling with patrons eager to enjoy a brief reprieve from the chaos ensued by the quake.

But while Pattaya celebrated a surge in popularity, Hua Hin faced a starkly contrasting fate. According to Udom Srimahachota, Vice President of THA’s Western Chapter, the town’s hotels reported a lukewarm occupancy rate of just 60% during the same weekend. “Despite assurances from the transport minister that Rama II Road was safe for travel, many remained hesitant,” Udom noted, referencing infamous road conditions characterized by relentless construction and recent fatal accidents.

Adding to the travel turmoil was the Dao Khanong expressway’s exit to Rama II Road, which was still choked with debris from a recent bridge collapse. This factor alone catalyzed massive traffic jams and extensive delays, a spectacle many tourists preferred to avoid, tuning their destinations elsewhere.

Looking forward, anxieties loom over the forthcoming Songkran festival. “The safety concerns linked to Rama II Road could very well steer domestic tourists towards Pattaya and other eastern provinces,” Udom projected, a shadow of worry cast over his words. “Our hope is that the government takes swift action to enforce rigorous safety measures and guarantee tourists a seamless travel experience during the holiday season.”

In spite of these challenges, there lies a glimmer of hope on Hua Hin’s horizon. The prospect of foreign visitors, perhaps in search of tranquility away from Bangkok’s boisterous streets, could still choose Hua Hin as their retreat. But the task remains daunting, and Udom urges the powers-that-be to advocate for both road safety and remote working solutions to alleviate potential travel stressors.

This shaken tourism industry, evident from the 897 room cancellations and numerous early check-outs and no-shows, as reported on March 30, underscores the ripple effects of the earthquake across Thailand. Bangkok bore the brunt, with 406 cancellations spotlighting the far-reaching impact on the country’s travel scene.

As Pattaya basks in its unexpected acclaim and Hua Hin grapples with its challenges, the Thai tourism industry braces for what lies ahead. With hopes high for a government intervention that bolsters travel confidence, adventure awaits as both locals and foreigners eye their next getaway amidst these unpredictable times.