Green Pattaya to replace sex tourism

[benny31]

Green Pattaya to replace sex tourism

 

City Hall has announced an ambitious plan to turn Pattaya into a world class “greenovative tourism city” within 10 years, whilst improving the sometimes sordid reputation of the resort. Mayor Itthiphol Kunplume says the ambitious development is based on the plan by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism (DASTA) and needs an estimated budget of 15 billion baht for 132 projects in and around Pattaya.

 

 

DASTA was set up by royal decree in 2003 to promote eco-tourism in the country. Its Pattaya plan was approved in principle by the last Democrat government which fell from office following the general election last July. The incoming Pheu Thai administration is said to be supportive, especially as the Chonburi based Phalang Chon party won most of the seats in the province and is a member of the national coalition currently in power.

The projects for the Eastern Seaboard include further road and motorway building, extending the rail link at Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya and expanding the harbour facilities at both Pattaya and Koh Larn. Enhanced transport facilities are said to be the key factor in the resort’s future.

There will also be improvement of public utilities and new waste water and management systems. New drainage plans to prevent flooding in the resort, as well as water recycling and renewable energy, are also in the pipeline. A beach recovery project costing one billion baht, allocation of areas for biking and improvement of the environment in Koh Larn complete the list.

Mayor Itthiphol says the aim of the improvements is to double annual tourist numbers, foreign and domestic, to around 15 million by the next decade. The city’s yearly revenue would then grow to 300 billion baht from the current level of 68 billion baht. Pattaya generates about 10 per cent of all tourist revenues in the kingdom.

The master plan would change the image of Pattaya from a sex and nightlife centre to a green and sustainable destination, according to the mayor. He explained that even now Pattaya had much to offer family tourists and niche markets such as conferences, sporting events and medical tourism. Thus the emphasis in the DASTA plan will be on improving out-of-date infrastructure.

In recent years, Pattaya has made several important steps towards a greener future. Five star hotels have led the way in demonstrating how carbon footprints can be reduced even with expanding tourist numbers. There have also been turtle conservation programs and coral reef replanting in and around Pattaya bay.

[Edge]

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Same Same already? HERE

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[andyaus]

We have discussed this subject before.

 

The aim of the City council is to “grow” the tourism side of Pattaya by attracting “ family” tourists. This doesn’t actually mean that they want to replace sex Tourism but there will be some changes if both groups are going to co-exist. Walking Street is an adult venue and that description should ensure its survival. Even Mom and Dad like to have “fun”.

 

Areas like Soi 6 might be preserved due to the popularity and some Bar areas like Soi 7 and 8 could also survive if the popularity is maintained.

 

There will be pressure on some bar and gogo areas that are isolated and we can already see bars in Soi 2 being closed to make way for new hotels.

 

I don’t think that closing the smaller bar areas will reduce the number of girls or the availability. A lot of the industry might be moved further away from the beach to make way for the family tourists and we can already see the growth of LK Metro. Who knows there may even be more light in the dark side in years to come.

 

The increase in tourism in Pattaya is a good thing. All the problems we complain about with roads, traffic, transport will need to be addressed to attract new tourists. We can take advantage of the new facilities as well as the “new Tourists”

 

More Family tourists Yes

 

Less sex tourists No

[QuotaMan]

We have discussed this subject before.

 

The aim of the City council is to “grow” the tourism side of Pattaya by attracting “ family” tourists. This doesn’t actually mean that they want to replace sex Tourism but there will be some changes if both groups are going to co-exist. Walking Street is an adult venue and that description should ensure its survival. Even Mom and Dad like to have “fun”.

 

Areas like Soi 6 might be preserved due to the popularity and some Bar areas like Soi 7 and 8 could also survive if the popularity is maintained.

 

There will be pressure on some bar and gogo areas that are isolated and we can already see bars in Soi 2 being closed to make way for new hotels.

 

I don’t think that closing the smaller bar areas will reduce the number of girls or the availability. A lot of the industry might be moved further away from the beach to make way for the family tourists and we can already see the growth of LK metro. Who knows there may even be more light in the dark side in years to come.

 

The increase in tourism in Pattaya is a good thing. All the problems we complain about with roads, traffic, transport will need to be addressed to attract new tourists. We can take advantage of the new facilities as well as the “new Tourists”

 

More Family tourists Yes

 

Less sex tourists No

 

I absolutely agree with you, a great response that show cases the reality of Pattaya. I still don't understand why 'sin city' as well as family destination have to be mutually exclusive. Just look at Las Vegas for example.

 

Things evolve, especially places that grow in terms of tourism. I'm sure the old veterans of Pattaya can see that things have exploded now compared to the way it used to be, but this growth only expanded P4P, not shrank it. I see the same thing happening in the future, P4P not going away but simply evolving or adapting to the influx of new tourists. P4P isn't known as the world's oldest profession for a reason. Regardless of what future tourists go to Pattaya for, many will continue to be enticed by Pattaya/Thailand for P4P (thanks to the internet and sites like PA). I would say that collectively, us mongers spend way more money per head per trip than even a family of non mongering tourists from let's say Russia. Not only does our money go to the 'underground' economy, but also restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and other businesses that pay taxes to the government.