18 Mar, 2021
The leadership of Pattaya City has reviewed rules for beach bed services in preparing to welcome what they hope will be more foreign tourists due to an area quarantine plan as of April 1st. This comes as the city is already seeing an average of a thirty percent increase in domestic tourists over the past several weekends.
This coming April and May, Thailand is planning to have an ‘Area Quarantine’ for five provinces which are Chiangmai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani (Samui Island, Tao Island, and Phangan Island), and Chonburi (Pattaya). More details on area quarantine will likely be coming as early as tomorrow, according to the Thai Government, at a major meeting held by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration. (CCSA)
A meeting was held at Pattaya City Hall yesterday (March 17th) and was led by Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai. Joining him were beach bed operators on Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, and Wong Ammart Beach.
Mr. Manot told The Pattaya News, “We have opened more space for parking areas along the Beach Road to welcome more domestic tourists which have seen a dramatic increase in beach visitors over the past few weekends, especially on North Pattaya Beach.”
“Each beach bed operator is unable to lock parking areas for their own customers. People can park and choose the beach bed operator by themselves. We had several reports of beach bed operators telling tourists and customers that if they parked near their beach beds they had to use their chairs-that is not true.” Manot continued.
“Beach beds must be in an area of 9*7 metes with one and a half meters space for each beach bed as part of Covid-19 precautions,” Manot explained.
“Beach bed operators should have either a manual check-in or provide a Thaichana online platform check-in for each customer’s details and to help prevent Covid-19.” Manot continued.
“Every beach bed operator must wear a face mask all the time when servicing their customers.”
“Beach beds and items must be cleaned and sanitized every time after usage by a tourist or customer,” Manot added.
“Beach bed operators are not allowed to sell alcohol or allow any customers to drink alcohol in the beach bed area. We have seen several violations of this policy and have instructed municipal officers to crack down on this behavior.” Manot stated.
“Beach beds are allowed every day from 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Operators have to participate in a total cleaning of the beach at 6:00 A.M. every Wednesday,” Manot said.
“The Beach bed services fee must not be more than 50 baht per day for each customer. We had multiple complaints on this, including to the City Hall tip line at 1337. This will not be tolerated.” Manot stated.
“A toilet truck will be provided at the beach near Hard Rock Hotel and we are providing more trash bins around the beach as well after many requests.” Manot concluded.
