Governments new plan to reduce traffic on Pattaya Beach Road

Baht Bus Pattaya Beach Parking Zones opened by Provincial Governor 

Traffic on Pattaya Beach to be reduced by limiting where "Baht Buses" can legally park.

 

   As Pattaya continues to grow as a city so does the traffic problem. The recent widening of Pattaya's Beach Rd has been one step in attempting to reduce the problem. It has been long discussed that one of the major problems is just way too many baht buses " sorng taews" on the streets. They seem to stop and park where ever they want, well it looks like things are about to change on Beach Rd. check out this article from Pattaya One

On Wednesday the Governor of Chonburi Province, officially opened 17 dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones for Baht Buses along Pattaya Beach, which has been done to reduce traffic congestion along the Beach Road.

In a colorful and melodic ceremony, which included a Marching Band, long speeches and the ceremonial cutting of a ribbon, 17 new parking areas for Baht Buses were opened, which culminated in a demonstration of how a Baht Bus is expected to conduct itself in the future.

For many years the Baht Buses, which currently number 712, have been able to park where they want, regardless of any parking restrictions. Police have been seen to issue parking tickets to the Baht Bus Drivers but overall the influential Baht Bus Cooperative members have been able to stop where they want.

The Governor claims this is about to change and any Baht Bus who stops outside of a parking area will be fined and clamped which the Governor hopes will alleviate the traffic jams at peak times on Pattaya Beach Road.

Many are skeptical and believe the zones will largely be ignored by the drivers who are unlikely to ignore tourists who flag them down, especially those who need transportation off of the main routes which normally commands a higher fee than the standard 10 or 20 Baht you would pay if the Baht Bus is running along a designated route.

Baht Bus Pattaya Beach Parking Zones opened by Provincial Governor - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/114512/baht-bus-pattaya-beach-parking-zones-opened-by-provincial-governor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.io2GLZX2.dpuf

Baht Bus Pattaya Beach Parking Zones opened by Provincial Governor - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/114512/baht-bus-pattaya-beach-parking-zones-opened-by-provincial-governor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.io2GLZX2.dpuf

Baht Bus Pattaya Beach Parking Zones opened by Provincial Governor - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/114512/baht-bus-pattaya-beach-parking-zones-opened-by-provincial-governor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.io2GLZX2.dpuf

Baht Bus Pattaya Beach Parking Zones opened by Provincial Governor - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/114512/baht-bus-pattaya-beach-parking-zones-opened-by-provincial-governor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.io2GLZX2.dpuf

How long will the Thai Baht continue to weaken?

Thai baht continues to weaken against  

western currencies

This year the Thai Baht has seen a lot of movement. From dropping below the 29.00 level to now passing the 32.00 level it is sitting today at 32.12. According to "The Nation" This is short term however tourists now will be getting more bang for their baht and will be able to spend more and for foreign investors this is a great time to bring money into The Kingdom. Atricle from "The Nation" below.

Plunge in the baht 'a short-term issue'
Business Desk
The Nation

Economic fundamentals strong, currency may rise again: analysts

BANGKOK: -- Thai economists and financial authorities say the sharp depreciation of the baht is likely to be a short-term phenomenon and foresee stability returning when the economy picks up, as economic fundamentals remain strong.

Commerce Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan said yesterday that the government would not interfere with the Bank of Thailand's work in stabilising exchange rates.

After a brainstorming session with the prime minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Niwattumrong said the heart of this issue was to ensure stability and alignment with regional currencies. He said it would take a month or two to see if the baht's decline would boost Thai exports and whether the export target of 7-7.5 per cent would be revised.

Two forces are speeding the depreciation of regional currencies: the United States' plan to scale back its asset-buying or quantitative-easing (QE) measure because of improving economic health; and the worse-than-expected economic data within the region. Investors are shifting money back to the US.

The baht passed 32 to the dollar yesterday, a level unseen since September 2010, and economists say it could strengthen if the local economy shows improvement in the second half.

Tak Bunnag, head of Bank of Ayudhya's treasury group, said foreign investors had shifted investment out of Asia for some time. So if the Federal Reserve really acts to taper its QE, the baht should not fall much more, or it could even rise again.

In the year to date, the baht, at 32.12, has weakened by 4.8 per cent against the US dollar. Thailand's current-account deficit in the first half stood at 1.9 per cent.

Tak attributed part of the depreciation to the National Economic and Social Development Board's downward revision in the economic forecast on Monday. GDP figures roughly weigh 30 per cent when foreign investors make a decision, he said. This year's growth estimate for Thai gross domestic product was cut on Monday to 3.8-4.2 per cent after slowing in the second quarter to 2.8 per cent.

Kampol Adireksombat, senior economist at Tisco Securities, said the baht had fallen beyond its fundamentals.

His view was that the Thai economy should improve in the second half. If exports pick up, Thailand could show a balanced current account or even a slight surplus. In a worst-case scenario, a deficit of less than 1 per cent of GDP was anticipated. In these scenarios, it was likely the baht would strengthen against the dollar to around 31.5 later this year.

While urging the Bank of Thailand to restore exchange-rate stability via use of foreign reserves of US$170 billion (Bt5.45 trillion) or so, Kittiratt insisted yesterday that the economy remained strong. Even with slowing growth in the second quarter, investment was on track and would keep unemployment low.

To boost the economy in the second half, aside from pushing for the disbursement of the state budget and 20 measures backed by the Cabinet on August 6, the government would resort to no new measures, said Kittiratt.

"All the measures are not to boost the economy in the short term, but to invest in what we should and what will create long-term value," he said. All state agencies should also lend a hand in boosting consumer and investor confidence.

He said that in the short term, the macroeconomic picture remained satisfactory. The baht's depreciation was not worrying, in light of low inflation, as that would cushion negative impacts on importers.

-- The Nation 2013-08-23

 

Bangkok set for 2014 Formula E Grand Prix

 Looks like Bangkok is growing up and going green! Check out this article from this mornings "The Nation"

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok was yesterday chosen to host a race in the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E Championship for electric cars next year.

The announcement came during a special unveiling for the first time in Asia of the fully-electric-powered Formula E car, witnessed by Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings (FEH), advisor to the Minister of Energy Pol Maj-General Lattasanya Piansomparn, and Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya, director-domestic MICE, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. The Formula E car will be demonstrated again this November in honour of His Majesty the King's 86th birthday.

Bangkok has been added to the preliminary list of eight host cities for its inaugural season - London, Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The remaining host for the 10-circuit race will be announced in September.

The Formula E cars are being built by Spark Racing Technology (SRT) in collaboration with Renault, with a design that mimics their Formula One counterparts but focuses on ease of control, low cost and weight (780kg), and safety. Tyres are being supplied by Michelin.

The Formula E machine accelerates from 0-100kph (60mph) in 3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 220kph. The car will also serve as a platform for research and development on electric vehicles (Evs), and help boost general interest in EVs for personal use.

-- The Nation 2013-05-22

Dem Reds are at it Again!!

Reds urge mass rally at court

 Group calls for 100,000 people to protest outside charter court next week to pressure judges to resign

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt group protesting against Constitutional Court judges yesterday called on fellow red shirts nationwide to join a rally in front of the court next week in order to step up pressure against the nine members of the bench.

 

 The Pro-Democracy Community Radio Group made the call for up to 100,000 red shirts to move to Bangkok to join a mass demonstration in front of the Constitutional Court on May 8.

Charn Chaiya, a leader of the group, said the 24-hour deadline for the judges to clarify whether they were properly appointed by royal command had expired, so they must all resign.

The group has been rallying outside the court, located in the Government Complex, for the past 10 days.

Spokesman Sornrak Malaithong said the group wanted to invite red shirts nationwide to join the rally next Wednesday to pressure the judges to resign and to demand the cancellation of Article 309 of the charter, which endorses the 2006 coup and its consequences.

The group will also gather signatures to begin an impeachment process against the nine judges. If the judges do not resign by May 8, they will face an all-out campaign from the group, he said.

However, the Constitutional Court judges came to work yesterday, despite the rally against them in front of the court. They considered two cases related to petitions against the bill that seeks to amend Article 68 of the Constitution and restrict the court's power in accepting petitions.

In the first case of a petition filed by Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, the court announced that copies of the petition had been sent to 312 MPs and senators who were accused of violating the charter, although the parliamentarians claimed they had not received the copies and refused to send their explanations to the court.

In the second case, the court voted 5:3 to accept a petition by General Somjet Boonthanom for review, but it declined to issue an injunction to suspend the amendment of Article 68.

Somjet was ordered to send copies of his petition to the 312 MPs and senators supporting the amendment bill.

The court yesterday also postponed to its next meeting the review of a petition against Democrat Party leader and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying the judges needed more time to consider the case.

The petition asked the court to revoke the MP status of Abhisit following the Defence Ministry's decision to revoke his military rank on allegations that he had dodged military conscription.

A company of crowd-control policemen was deployed to maintain security around the Constitutional Court, and the police set up a barricade to prevent people from entering the court's compound.

Two bills backed

Meanwhile, Suporn Atthawong, deputy PM's secretary-general and a red-shirt leader, said yesterday that the Pheu Thai Party supported both the amnesty bill of Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema and a reconciliation bill of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Worachai's bill, which has been put on the House's top agenda for deliberation in the next parliamentary session, is aimed at absolving ordinary red-shirt people from crimes committed during the protests.

However, Chalerm's bill is aimed at granting amnesty to all sides, including the yellow-shirt movement and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Suporn said it was possible that Chalerm's bill could be deliberated along with Worachai's draft.

Abhisit yesterday called on the general public to come out to send a strong message to the government that ordinary citizens disagreed with the plan to grant amnesty to Thaksin so that he could go scot-free and get his Bt46 billion in seized assets back.

He said Thaksin had sent a clear signal to his red-shirt supporters and Pheu Thai members that he wanted Chalerm's bill to be enacted so that he could get the assets back.

The former PM said Thaksin's recent Skype video-call to a Pheu Thai meeting clearly indicated that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was doing everything she could to whitewash her brother and help him get the assets back. Parts of the seized assets also belonged to Yingluck, he added.

-- The Nation 2013-05-02

Thailand is not just a poor mans paradise

Thailands reputation as a low budget tourist destination or poor ex-pat haven may proceed itself. 





Backpackers come from all over and hit the hostels of Bangkok, Chaing mai, Koh Samui, and Koh Pan Ngans Full Moon Party.

Ex-pats that sometimes fill the description on runaway, refugee, or retiree flock lower income housing developments and apartments in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Jomtien Beach. Some stay in Thai style apartments anywhere from 2,000 THB to 6,000 THB, others buy condos starting at less than 700,000THB for smaller units.

Would you believe a high end condo unit in Bangkok has just been sold for 480 Million THB??? According to an article in the Bangkok Post, luxury property developer Pace Development Corporation Plc last month sold a 1500 square meter unit in its Ritz-Carlton Residences for 480 MB!!! 

 

• Who would buy a condo for that kind of money?? Apparently it was all affordable enough for a retired Indian property investor that has been based in Dubai.
• Why would anyone spend that kind of money? Pace Development Corporation Plc.'s chief director Sorapoj Techakraisri seems to feel that "This year will be good for the high-end residential market, as foreign buyers' confidence is growing stronger,"
• What is the Ritz-Carlton Residences? The Ritz-Carlton Residences will be a luxury condo project with 194 units priced at 280,000 baht per sq m on average for a 99-year leasehold. It is part of the 77-storey MahaNakhon luxury mixed-use skyscraper being built on nine rai of Narathiwat Road next to Chong Nonsi skytrain station.
• How will such an expensive sell?  To date, Pace has sold 100 units worth a combined 5 billion baht, with 60% bought by foreign buyers. Another 3 billion baht in sales is expected this year.

 

Wealthy foreign buyers do not feel 400,000 baht per sq m, the level now offered for a resale penthouse at the St. Regis on Ratchadamri Road, is high, as they are used to paying more than that in major destinations such as London, Hong Kong and Singapore, Mr Phanom said.

So who said Thailand is a poor country or only for washouts, sex tourists, sex-pats, and back packers. It seems Thailand is capable of drawing the worlds richest investors. The only real explanation is that contrary to popular belief...Thailand has alot to offer!!

Is the condo market in Pattaya and Jomtien Beach finally cooling off?

The buzz around Pattaya and Jomtien Beach is that sales are down!

A friend of mine from one of the most prominent reality companies here in town has confirmed rumours as to what was already believed, that sales are down this year. Down to what degree? Last month alone saw a decrease of about 75% compared to November of last year. Of course you'll still get the majority telling you sales are rocking and business is great.

What does this mean for the potential buyer?
  Overall i would have to say that it should mean nothing. If you want to have a place here in Pattaya or the neighboring Jomtien Beach and even down to Bang Sarae, these are still nice places to live regardless of what the property market is doing at the moment. Property is a long term investment in its own right, not a get rich quick overnight goldmine.

Is buying a condo right now a good idea as an investment?
 If you are looking to purchase to make a return on monthly rentals one thing you should consider is if you have enough friends that either holiday here regularly, or if you know enough locals to rent for long term. Agencies have a far bigger database of available properties than prospective renters.

Is buying and looking towards the equity a good odea over the mid to long term?
 I would have to say definitely. In the 10 years i have been here prices on everything have contimued to rise. This is in the wake of tsunamis, political instability, airport closures, foreign exchange rates declining by an average of 25%, property and land prices have continues to rise.

All in all Thailand is still a great holiday destination and place to live. Pattaya and Jomtien Beach are particularly convienent and ex-pat friendly beach communities. The newer condos offer better construction, more luxury and hold their value. In particular Nova Group and Tudor Group are some of the best deals going atthe moment.

Thailands floating markets are no longer free in Pattaya

Pattaya no longer the cheap tourist destination it used to be. This is due to a few reasons...

• Thai baht strengthening against most currencies.
• Related inflation and increases in general.
• Uninformed tourists that do not realise they are getting scammed and happily paying what they feel are small fees.

Thailand is well known for its two and even three tier pricing but the low fees being imposed on tourists in Pattaya's floating market located just south of Jomtien beach takes the cake. This is approaching typical internet MLM ( multi level marketing ) scams. It apprears that tourists that pay to be part of a tour to be taken to the market will now be charged entrance fees on arrival.

This took place on December first where previously the market was free to all visitors. The fee structure will now currently beas follows...

1. Typically free for Thai nationals.
2. A nice break for those of that live here...we can enter free with a Thai drivers license or work permit.
3. Foreigners that are brought be a Thai can also enter free as Thais are entitled to bring two guests.
4. Foreigners that show up on holiday unaccompanied by a Thai citizen will be charged 200 Baht.

All i can say is congradulations to Pattaya Floating Market and Thailand in general for showing tourists just how appreciated they are. At least this time they have showed some restraint towards ex-pats.

Will new condo and housing projects in Thailand be completed on time?

Thailands property developers are facing a shortage of workers.

Reports from property developers are there just not enough workers available to fill the demand for upcoming projects in the new year. The new minimum wage increases still will not solve the problem.

Thailand has a 0.6% unemployment rate according to "The Nation", and the construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors are looking at a shortage of approximately 200,000 workers.

While reasons for this may be debateable and the above unemployment rate skeptable, the lack of workers seems prominent.

One attempt to solve the problem has come from the Housing Business Association asking Labour Ministry to ease restrictions on foreign workers. There are an estimated 2 million foreign workers in Thailand at the present time.

While it can't be estimated just how many delays in new projects breaking ground it would seem wiser for property buyers to be looking at projects nearing completion as opposed to buying empty shells on pieces of land that have not yet broken ground.

Here in Pattaya, where there are still a huge number of new projects lined up for 2013, even if builders can deliver units on time there may be a question of the local Thai government having enough workers to complete the necessary infrastructure...which all in the Pattaya Jomtien Beach area know is lacking to say the least.

Real Estate development in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket to remain hot!

Developers  continue to remain confident in the property market in 2013. Predictions are property will grow by 5-10 per cent, this based on strong growth in gross domestic product, which is anticipated at roughly 4-5 %.

This confidence is spurring a plan to launch new residential projects worth more than Bt200 billion next year. locations targeted are the  Greater Bangkok community and upcountry regions such as Chon Buri, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen.

The top three property firms - Pruksa Real Estate, Land & Houses and Sansiri - told The Nation last week that they would each launch between 30 and 40 projects, totalling nearly 100. These 3 developers projects are estimated to be worth around Bt90 billion to Bt100 billion.

Asian Property Development, a top 10 listed real estate firm, is planning at least 18 projects worth a total of Bt20 billion. SC Asset Corporation is also planning at least 14 projects worth Bt20 billion, and LPN Development is planning at least another10 projects. their projects will also be worth between Bt15 billion and Bt20 billion. This creates a total investment budget for these launches next year will be between Bt100 billion and Bt130 billion.

 Pruksa Real Estate president and chief executive officer,Thongma Vijitphongpun has stated that the company has strong confidence demand for home purchases will grow next year at an estimated 5 to 7 %. This is in line with Thailand's expected GDP growth.

Kree Dejchai, SC Asset Corp chief operating officer, said the company would continue to focus on the middle-to-upper-income market next year. Up to 70% of its new projects will be low-rises projects including detached houses and townhouses.

Most property firms stated that the market this year would post 5-per-cent growth over 2011.



 

Is Pattaya’s condo market facing a bubble?

According to recent numbers, residential increases in property - especially the condo market in the Pattaya Jomtien Beach area - have only risen on average of 1 percentage point per year. That is amounts to 4% combined over the last four years. These increases are inclusive of inflation consisting of both rising land prices as well as a significant increase in materials cost.

These numbers are much lower than the bubble of 1996, and the financial crisis of 1997… 11% lower from 1993 – 1996. In addition, home loan rates have increased only half (12%) what they were during the bubble of 93-96 where they topped out at 25%.

Although the last 2 years have seen an increase of 5%, versus the 2% FOR 2008 – 2009, this is in confluence with Thailands GDP which has been maintaining 2% annually. This is the same as it was 10 years ago.

Current supply seems to be meeting demand as Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, and Thailand in general continue to grow. This growth is attributed to rising foreign investment, foreigners ex-patriating and retiring in Thailand as well as domestic growth and investment as a whole.

Thailands major airports and tourist destinations ready for record high season!

Thailands 6 major airports are gearing up for high season and numbers are expected to well exceed double digit increases in tourists coming through. Somewhere between 13.5% and up to as much as 60% according to an article in todays Bangkok Post.

Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkoks main international airport could see figures rise to as much as 142,000 passengers per day up over 19% from the average 119,000. Tourists flying into bangkok easily access not only Bangkok but other popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, Ayutthaya as well as serving as a gateway to many of Thailands wonderful tourist spots. DonMueang, Bangkok's hub for Air Asia and other low budget carriers, should see as much as 50 more flights per day.

Phuket's international airport will also be seeing nice increases in arrivals up almost 24% with the number of flights increasing from 163 per day to 178.

Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, and Hat Yai are all looking forward to projected increases ranging from 14% to 27%. A good portion of this increased traffic will be coming from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports via Thai Airways as well as the fore-mentioned low budget carriers in addition to international arrivals.

Good news for Pattaya and Jomtien as Thailands tourist numbers continue to rise!

The report is out and the number of Thailands tourists has seen an increase of 8% in the fiscal year between Sept /30 /2011 and Sept /30/2012. It is estimated that Thailand has seen 15 million tourists enter the Kingdom so far this year, with an expected 20 million by years end according to a statement made by Suwat Sidthilaw. This Thailands Ministry permanent - secretary.

Despite some bad publicity of crime in Pattaya and Phuket including jet ski scams and crooked taxi drivers, tourism continues to thrive. Thailand has seen its fair share of obstacles over the years from tsunamis, political unstability, and flooding, yet still holds strong.

Thailand continues to work to solve runway problems and slow immigration queues at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport but with the opening of the old Don Mueang Airport and plans to further commercialise Pattaya's Utapao it looks like things are getting better.

Pattaya suffers effects of tropical storm Gaemi

If you have ever been in Pattaya during a heavy downpour you will be no stranger to how quickly the town can flood. Poor drainage has plagued the city for decades and with all the new development little has been done to correct the problems of poor drainage, not to mention how the flooding further effects an already poor infrastructure.

Local government has assured its citizens that rescue services are on full standby as is the military to aid local poice and rescue teams if necessary

Although the storm appears to be weakening and the worst of it possibly over, it will still take sometime to recover and with another powerful storm set to come in behind Gaemi, conditions may continue to be tough.

Locals have been encouraged to stock up on essentials, which will undoubtedly be causing prices on necessary goods to rise dramatically. Batten down the hatches and stay safe everyone.

Pattaya Real Estate Market Team!

Cost of new homes and condos to rise!!

 

I saw this article in "The Nation" this morning, looks like the cost of new houses or condos may be going up: 

 

Home-builders' costs are expected to increase by 5-10 per cent in the final quarter of the year because of rises in the cost of construction materials and labour.

Home Builder Association president Dr Patchara Tantayanyong said home-construction companies would maintain current residential prices until the end of the ninth "Home Builder" exposition that will run from August 23-26 at the Plenary Hall, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

She said the demand to build homes had recovered after last year's flood and would drive market growth of least 5 per cent this year. The Home Builder 2012 expo targets new contracts worth Bt3.3 billion from the four-day event, up 15 per cent from Bt2.9 billion at last year's expo.

The association also expects 15-20 per cent more visitors this year, totalling between 50,000 and 70,000, as buyers are eager to build before prices go up.

To boost the number of visitors at this event, Home Builder 2012 will coincide with Home Buyer Expo 2012, a leading consumer show for detached houses, townhouses and condominiums, NPA Grand Sale 2012 organised by the Housing Finance Association, and Home Loan 2012, a consumer finance show - all of which are expected to draw a good number of well-informed visitors to the venue.

Meanwhile, the association will partner with the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand and the de-partment of innovation in real estate development, faculty of architecture and planning, Thammasat University, to highlight the "Across the Line" concept. They will showcase the latest in home construction and design innovations and outlook as well as play host to more than 40 leading home-builders and building-material suppliers.

Ministry proposes tourism master plan

Found this article in the Bangkok Post this morning, thought it may be interesting to those that were wondering just which tourism in Thailand was going:

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry will push forward the tourism master plan after the Office of the Prime Minister approves it.

About 20% of tourism projects in the master plan are ready to start once the plan is approved next Wednesday.

It is expected the master plan will be a key factor driving tourism revenue to the government's target of 2 trillion baht by 2015.
There are six action plans under the supervision and cooperation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Department, the ministry's permanent secretary and the Royal Thai Air Force.
Suwat Sidthilaw, the ministry's permanent secretary, said the action plans will cover marketing campaigns, tourism attractions, logistics, facilities, and products and services.

The TAT and TCEB have proposed 28 projects to help the tourism industry such as the Five Region Thai Travel Promotion and the Chao Nai Pai Tiew project.
Supol Sripan, the Tourism Department's director-general, said it will instal tourism signs and routes around tourism attractions.

The department assigned its provincial offices to survey tourism sites that have insufficient signage and expects to install them next January.

The department is also studying world-class theme parks at the request of the private sector, with the goal of building new man-made tourism sites to attract tourists.

Mr Suwat said the tourism development plan is under way for 29 sites in 18 provinces and is scheduled to be finished tomorrow.
Yesterday, the TCEB announced its plan to aid the Thai Mice (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) industry's leadership in Asia. Based on the continuing success of its Green Meeting initiative in Asia, Thailand aims to extend the approach with Sustainability Thailand as the next strategic goal.

The TCEB introduced the new ISO 20121 standard (event sustainability management system), which recently made its global debut at the London 2012 Olympics. Thailand will be the second country to implement the standard for the Mice industry after the UK.

Condo Market still hot in Thailand!!

With all the new condos going up all over Thailand it would seem like it is a bubble waiting to burst. I just came across this article printed today that clearly suggests otherwise. Low price condos less than 5 Million Baht appear to be the big draw. Read more...

Pattaya Mayor Implements Four Main Strategies to Improve the City

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome has begun to work on the four strategies to improve Pattaya which he mentioned in his recent election campaign. I found this article in the Pattaya Times. I do like the "KISS" strategy but still seems there is more work to be done. You can check out the article here

Future of Pattaya's booming condo market

Our last blog post had some very positive quotes from "The Nation" regarding Thailands Condo Craze! But ifyou're wondering just how that will affect the Pattaya - Jomtien area this article was printed just days earlier in the same paper targeting Pattaya and Jomtien Specifically...Looks like this bubble is not going to pop anytime soon, making The Eastern Seaboard and Thailand as a whole still a stable investment. Read more

Is Thailands condo market about to burst?

In Thailand it is no secret that the condo market has been growing like wildfire. People have been saying -- especially here in Pattaya -- that the market is over built. In fact that has been more than a whisper for over 5 years now as developments continue to pop up everywhere you look....but they do continue to sell and sell well. Check out what "The Nation" had to say about the overall Condo market here in Thailand...Read more

Good time to invest in Pattaya?!

Pattaya on course to see record numbers!!

• Pattaya is on track to accommodate a record 8 million hotel guests this year, the highest-ever for a Thai resort destination, as improvements in the domestic market and infrastructure boost demand, says a hotel industry report.
 
C9 Hotelworks, the hospitality consulting firm, recently released a report highlighting a 66% hotel occupancy rate for the Eastern Seaboard city last year.
The report stated in 2010 and 2011, occupancy rose by 17% and 9%, respectively. Visitors to the region doubled in 2010 despite fallout from the financial crisis and political turmoil.
Bill Barnett, managing director of the Phuket-based firm, attributed Pattaya's rise to solid infrastructure, a strengthening domestic market, international brands and changing perceptions of the city.

"If you visit Pattaya, you're sitting next to the country's capital with an established tourism market. It's the yin to Bangkok's yang," he said.

Infrastructure is the most important factor, said Mr Barnett. The proliferation of low-cost flights and improved toll roads to the area has made Pattaya an ideal weekend getaway for Thais, who account for a quarter of the market there.
 
Pattaya has clearly eclipsed Hua Hin as a weekend destination, he said while joking that the hour-and-a-half drive to the former sometimes matches the time it takes to cross Bangkok.

The report shows the international tourism market has flourished as well.

Russian and Chinese tourists flocked to Pattaya last year, and the Civil Aviation Department said total arrivals at the nearby U-tapao airport rose by 39% from 2010.
Chinese, Russians and Thais together accounted for nearly 60% of all Pattaya visitors in 2011.
But Pattaya is not all tourism. The second-best property market in Thailand is reaping the fruit of the nearby auto-manufacturing sector.

In terms of a second business district outside of Bangkok, the Eastern Seaboard is developing, and Pattaya is benefiting from that, said Mr Barnett, adding that 60% of the occupancy at the Holiday Inn Pattaya is from corporate functions.
He said the rise of brand-name hotels and megaprojects will help, while the Cartoon Network will open a 1-billion-baht theme water park early next year.

These big demand generators will make the market sustainable.
Mr Barnett, who has worked in the Asian tourism industry for 27 years, said investors are stuck in the past, as investor sentiment has not kept up with market realities.

The real estate market is hot, and there is no oversupply of hotel rooms in the pipeline, signifying well-balanced growth.
"As long as the Thai middle class is growing strong, Pattaya isn't going anywhere," said Mr Barnett.