Popular Thai beach deserted as COVID-19 hits tourism

Popular Thai beach deserted as COVID-19 hits tourism

A deserted beach is seen in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, today (August 31) as the city reels from the effect of Covid-19 of its tourism industry.

The coastal resort - best known for as the 'sex capital of the world' for its nightlife industry - has seen income obliterated by the pandemic.

Government chiefs have kept the country's borders closed since March 22.

With no local transmissions of the virus for almost three months, they have successfully prevented the grim figures seen in neighbouring countries.

However, the country's tourism reliant economy accounting for up to 20 per cent of GDP has been shattered - shrinking at its deepest pace since the 1998 Asian crisis.

Footage from Pattaya - once one of the most popular destinations in Asia - shows dozens of closed bars, restaurants, nightclubs and massage parlours with 'for rent' signs as previous tenants have been forced to quit.

The city's once busting beach is now eerily quiet - with rental jet skis parked idle and just a handful of locals paddling in the sea.

Health officials are keen to keep the country closed until 2021 but tourism groups are pressuring ministers for gradual re-opening with 'travel bubbles' that allows holidaymakers from other Covid-free countries to visit.

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn told local media that officials were still working on re-opening plans but admitted it could be a long time.

He said: ''The principle is already approved by the Prime Minister, but it will take sometime before we can execute it, evaluate it, and expand it to other regions.'' President of Association of Thai Travel Agents Vichit Prakobgosol told Khaosod English that even if the plan was immediately approved, it ''will take some time for hotels and airlines to prepare themselves''.

He added: ''We also have to market it to potential tourists.'' Thailand has recorded zero foreign visitors since April when it imposed a travel ban - a staggering decline compared with 2019 when there were 39.8 million tourist arrivals.

Economists believe the country will lose 1.69 trillion baht in revenues due to the travel restrictions put in place because of the pandemic.