Sophon Cable TV were down at Jomtien beach this week to find out where all the tourists have gone.
There was a two day holiday but virtually no tourists – certainly nothing like last year’s Buddhist holiday double header.
As local shops and pubs went dry due to an alcohol ban deckchair vendor Pongsak Uapongkarun suggested a reason for the lack of visitors:
‘It looks like they have gone to the temples and places where there are religious festivals.’
‘The families are certainly not coming to the beach. It’s 50% down on last year.’ He also took aim at the world economy for taking away his livelihood.
Speedboat operator Uthit Attasaengsee painted an even bigger picture of gloom.
No one was taking recreational trips on his boat and business was down 80% year on year he reckoned.
He called on someone, somewhere to do something about it. But he has no idea who, or what an be done