Tourism operators seek rebranding as family-friendly destination

[reader]

From The Thaiger

Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling.

The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that engaged foreign tour agencies from five key markets: Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Germany, South Korea, China, and India. The ACTF and the minister discussed plans to collaborate on boosting Pattaya tourism and rebranding the city.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the ACTF, highlighted that Pattaya has evolved from being a nightlife hotspot to a more family-friendly city with a diverse range of activities.

“Pattaya has the potential to become a city of various attractions and a hub for investment as well as world-class events.”

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From Pattaya Mail

Brutal assault on Canadian tourist

A brutal assault on a Canadian national in Pattaya’s infamous Soi 6 has cast a dark shadow over the city’s reputation as a tourist destination. On the night of July 31, Mr Mark Robert Westendorf, a 65-year-old former oil company manager, was viciously attacked by men dressed as bouncers. Now, he lies in critical condition in a private hospital’s ICU, while his wife, Mrs Nongyao Panraksa, pleads for justice.

This incident is not just a random act of violence but a glaring indictment of the safety conditions in Pattaya’s entertainment zones. According to Mrs Panraksa, her husband had gone out to socialize, only to end up fighting for his life after being brutally assaulted. Witnesses reported that Mr Westendorf was attacked after leaning against a vehicle, with an argument escalating to violence when one of the so-called bouncers struck him, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Adding to the outrage, a foreign witness captured parts of the incident on video, confirming the attacker’s identity. The assailant, in a brazen attempt to escape accountability, even tried to seize the witness’s phone. This blatant disregard for law and order is shocking, but what’s more disturbing is the apparent apathy towards the safety of tourists in Pattaya.

The attack on Mr Westendorf is a wake-up call. Pattaya’s local authorities must face the harsh reality: their city is becoming synonymous with danger rather than the vibrant nightlife and attractions it’s supposed to offer. How can a city expect to attract millions of tourists when those same tourists risk being assaulted in the streets?

The question now is, what will the authorities do? This isn’t an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend where visitors find themselves victims of violence. The safety measures in place are clearly inadequate, and unless there is a drastic overhaul, Pattaya risks losing its appeal entirely.

[vinapu]

far from blaming victim, but soi 6 with 100 or so bars and none church is not exactly best area to socialize for married man in his 60 ties.

[xpaulo]

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

is not exactly best area to socialize for married man in his 60 ties

I don't know about that. I've never been there, but the only warning on a website called Pattaya Guide is that people usually go there for sex and some sex workers are aggressive. I'm in my sixties and could quite easily wander in there if I thought there might be a gay bar with dancers. This is all not knowing anything about what happened and maybe this particular fellow should have known better or behaved foolishly, but a blanket statement that married men in their sixties can only blame themselves for being assaulted there seems harsh. I never felt threatened in any way in the Bangkok sex areas.

[vinapu]

8 minutes ago, xpaulo said:

, but a blanket statement that married men in their sixties can only blame themselves for being assaulted there seems harsh.

I made disclaimer. did not I ?

7 hours ago, vinapu said:

far from blaming victim,

My point was not who is to be blamed but surprise that elderly AND married guy venture there, just surprise. 

I agree That sex areas are as safe and all other in Thailand but where are bars , booze may flow freely and that tends to make things more hairy as night progresses

Since we don't know what happened we can only speculate 

[macaroni21]

14 hours ago, reader said:

From The Thaiger

Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling.

The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that engaged foreign tour agencies from five key markets: Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Germany, South Korea, China, and India. The ACTF and the minister discussed plans to collaborate on boosting Pattaya tourism and rebranding the city.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the ACTF, highlighted that Pattaya has evolved from being a nightlife hotspot to a more family-friendly city with a diverse range of activities.

“Pattaya has the potential to become a city of various attractions and a hub for investment as well as world-class events.”

Thai journalism!

Here's what I think transpired at a meeting called by the minister, at which the President and representatives of ACTF participated:

Minister: "I am sure we all agree that Thailand should be seen by others as a first world country with high moral standards..."

He turns the pages of his folder, accidentally revealing a stash of cash hidden between pages; he quickly closes the folder and continues with narry a skip, "... and we should be not be associated with sex tourism and illegal gambling."

ACTF: "Yes, minister, we must take initiatives to achieve that."

Minister: "Indeed, we should have ideas and proposals for that."

ACTF: "We propose that we do that."

Reporter scribbles into notebook: "Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. However, no details were presented."

(Editor would later scratch out However, no details were presented.)

Minister: "We should talk more often on this. Maybe I can make a working visit to one of your golf resorts and check out the greens, and hold the next meeting in Pattaya itself, perhaps over some fine dining that the city has to offer."

ACTF (wondering about whether their association's budget allows for it): "Yes, minister, that is a very good idea. Collaboration is key to success."

Minister: "Thailand's economy in all other areas is not in good health. Our exports of agricultural products decreased 8.3 percent year-on-year in December 2023, and for this year, our overall GDP growth is likely to be sluggish, at a forecasted 2.4%. Tourism is our only bright spot otherwise we will lose the next election because More Forward will win even bigger. Then I won't be able to come play golf or dine with you if I am no longer minister. So, we must boost tourism and rebrand the city."

ACTF: "You are so, so right, minister. We must boost tourism and rebrand the city."

Reporter scribbes into notebook: "The ACTF and the minister discussed plans to collaborate on boosting Pattaya tourism and rebranding the city."

ACTF president adds, "Actually, we have already evolved from being a nightlife hotspot to a more family-friendly city with a diverse range of activities."

Reporter scribbles into notebook: "Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, President of the ACTF, highlighted that Pattaya has evolved from being a nightlife hotspot to a more family-friendly city with a diverse range of activities."

Minister: "It's not in our best interest to say that we have already evolved. We have to say that it is a goal and a continuing campaign is needed, otherwise our ministry will not be able to argue for budget allocation from the Finance ministry. Without a budget, many things are not possible."

ACTF president: "I'm sorry, my previous statement was badly phrased. I should have said 'Pattaya has the potential to become a city of various attractions and a hub for investment as well as world-class events'... yes, I think that's how we should say it."

Reporter scribbles into notebook: "ACTF president clarifies that 'Pattaya has the potential to become a city of various attractions and a hub for investment as well as world-class events'.”