.. LOW SEASON 2015 - Pattaya in Pain, Hotel Discounting

[brutox]

.. should translate into discounts for all comers .. cannot imagine similar discounts will be withheld from foreigners

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/513626/pattaya-hotels-offering-big-discounts-for-thais-only

 

Pattaya hotels offering big discounts for Thais only

·         31 Mar 2015 at 11:22 13,737 viewed20 comments

·         WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

 

 

hotels in the Pattaya area will offer discounts of up to 50% on rooms from April to October — for Thais only — in hopes of replacing falling numbers of visitors from Russia and Europe.

 

Sanphet Suphabuansathien, president of the Thai hotels Association Eastern Region, said the number of guests from major markets like Europe and Russia had dropped by about 30%.

 

Local tourists mostly planned to travel abroad or to other regions of Thailand during the Songkran festival in mid-April. 

 

To counter this, hotels in the Pattaya area have shifted their focus to attracting more Thai tourists with the "Thai Way of Life 365" campaign offering up to 50% discount on room rates from Monday to Thursday, and up to 30% from Friday to Sunday.

 

The association aims for a 2-5% increase in the number of tourists visiting Pattaya in 2015, compared to 2014.

 

“We have to admit that Pattaya’s tourism market has slow growth this year, as foreign tourists are delaying their travels and Thai tourists overlook Pattaya for other destinations.

 

"It is expected that the occupancy rate in April will be similar to last year at 40-50% on average,” he said.

 

Mr Sanphet said the association would also try to attract more Asian tourists, especially Chinese, to Pattaya with roadshows planned for several cities in China, Indonesia and Singapore.

[Sick Water Buffalo]

cannot imagine similar discounts will be withheld from foreigners

 

This is Thailand. I can totally imagine "discount for Thai only!" being maintained.

 

 

The Problem = falling numbers of farang tourists.

Thai Solution = hotel discounts for Thais.

 

 

  Like Chewbacca on Endor, this does not make sense.  

[rain_angelus]

Less farang is not the problem. Less revenue is.

 

I think they are kinda relieved there are less of us

[xymmot]

Thai people have money too, but they don't spend it like tourist and they are not conned by the jet ski operators.

[brutox]

Thais with money (who the promotion targets) see Pattaya for what it is .. you might see them southward in Jomtien and Bang Srey, or northward in Naklua and Bang Saen, but the hotels in Pattaya proper are unlikely to sell what they have to too many Thais.

 

How many Thais do you see in Pattaya who are not working there?

 

I think Pattaya hotels is a buyer's market this low season, in which foreigners are the only buyers. Expect to see the rooms filled by tons and tons of cheap bus tours .. China is a nearly unlimited supply.

[zenzen11]

They do the same thing in Hawaii .. for Hawaiians .. 

if you have a Hawaiian driver's license or Id .. you get a HUGE discount .. 

 

Vacationers from the states in the USA complained .. 

they even took it to the US Supreme court .. 

and the court ruled AGAINST the Hawaiian businesses .. 

 

the businesses STILL do it.. 

it is just not advertised now .. 

 

I do not see a problem with it at all .. 

actually .. i think Thai's SHOULD get a discount .. 

why is this a crazy idea for the hotels .. 

anything to fill the rooms . and empty room generates NOW revenue.. 

 

I think it is a good idea for them .. 

I do not see a problem with it at all .. 

[zenzen11]

I think Pattaya hotels is a buyer's market this low season,

 

well .. I THINK .. that maybe this promotion will chnage that .. 

there are is a NICE MALL in Pattaya .. 

that many people would like to visit I think ..

we will see :-) 

[dirtbird]

If they are discounting then its a well kept secret have 2 buddies coming this month i am on the ground can see no discounting anywhere yet if anything the prices are increased

[rain_angelus]

Most likely coming at the end of the month and not seeing much discounting going on

[gimmesum]

If they are discounting then its a well kept secret have 2 buddies coming this month i am on the ground can see no discounting anywhere yet if anything the prices are increased

 

No discounts for farangs and people always argue Pattaya is cheaper than Phuket.  Pull up Phuket hotel prices on Agoda and low season 50 percent or more discounts.  Here you will see a guesthouse knock the price down 100 baht.

[gmoule]

well for next month ive seen lk royal suite for 1300bht pn,royal wing for 1200 pn,@mind for 1300,so the good deals are about

[LRanger]

I just checked Honey Lodge on Pattaya Tai near WS for May June July August on Agoda.

 

Last year, during Songran week I managed 1100b per night for room overlooking the pool w balcony.

 

This year 1350b per night for every one of those "dead season" periods.

[hatguy]

My default hotel Sabai Wing is back on their discounted room rates for off season. 1000 baht for basic but big room. Give them a try some time. Very decent imho.

[JABL]

not seeing any discounts for Page 10 and Areca Lodge is sold out for next month (cheapest room)..

[insider]

So far not seen any discounts, was looking for a decent guesthouse near the action as a change, something with a pool table and cuties and good aircon, a few recommended ones say sold out or one room left on Agoda / booking.com.

Was thinking of showing up in the Bukhao area and taking a room for a night if any good try staying the full 14 nights.

[gimmesum]

If Agoda says full it does not necessarilly mean they are full but rather they are not supplying Agoda any more rooms at the rate shown is a better way to think about it.  Often times hotels offer a special rate through Agoda then if getting booked up they go "gee cancel that we can charge more" so keep in mind and call the hotel as well.

[Mr Wombat]

18 coins in soi bukhau has a huge sign out the front promoting rooms for 650 baht. I stayed there a few months ago for 900 baht. Thats a fair discount

[insider]

 

18 coins in soi bukhau has a huge sign out the front promoting rooms for 650 baht.

Was doing my research and read that 18 coins has been taken over recently, that noisy renovation is occurring till May, it was on their facebook page:

"Who are looking for party hostel.....yes!! soon...‪#‎18coinsHostel‬ ‪#‎buakhow‬ ‪#‎pattaya‬ ‪#‎hostel‬ ‪#‎event‬ ‪#‎thailand‬ "

They also have a new menu as all the old staff moved over the road to a new place called The Coins Restaurant.

Might want to think carefully about this, i know it put me right off.