Pattaya’s famed Walking Street has been completely re-branded after the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.
There are no foreign tourists at all so the street is trying to appeal to Thais by going 24 hours and offering street food.
And it is also open to one-way traffic and parking.
Manager reported that Walking Street has opened its arms to Thais and following a successful trial period the street would be open all day.
This is all to encourage local Thai tourism, they said.
After a crisis meeting with local operators, mayor Sontaya Khunpluem said it was obvious that the country was not open and there were no foreign tourists. So Thais need to be the new normal for Walking Street.
There are plans to promote street food and street food events to encourage domestic tourists. He said he would be liaising with the culture and tourism ministries to promote various events.
Premrudee Saekhow who fronts an association of northeasterners said they would be putting on some special food and drinks parties for Loy Krathong.
Pattaya’s Walking Street, as we know it, has gone.
