Covid-19 devastates Pattaya
January 6, 2021 by David Herd
Coronavirus devastates business
Covid-19 devastates Pattaya businesses & almost closes down the island of Koh Samui. This post will focus on some of the venues in Pattaya who have closed their doors permanently. The photo above shows a coffee shop at the Bay on Beach Rd, this was one of the first to shut down.
The Coffee Club
Located at Markland where I live on the corner of Beach Rd & Soi 1.
A very familiar image on Beach Rd.
That sexy girl has been smiling at us for 42 years. My first trip to Pattaya was 40 years ago in 1980, to see photos just follow THIS LINK.
It seems I was taken in by fake news, this venue has in fact reopened. 🙂
A very sad story indeed.
The Tahitian Queen (known affectionately as the TQ), Pattaya’s original A-go-go bar and Pattaya’s longest running establishment, has shuttered for the last time after 42 years. With over 100 employees, the objective for the last ten months has been to keep them with enough salary that they could subsist until the Covid nightmare is over.
It was a very sad night on Tuesday the 29th December 2020 as the staff arrived to collect their last paycheck. There were many tears and hugs as the doors were locked for the last time and the staff wandered off to uncertain futures.
Starbucks corner Beach Rd & Soi 13/1.
One block away you will see in the photo below Pizza Hut has closed as well.
Pizza Hut
Closed & being demolished, when will this all end you may well ask?
King Seafood in Walking Street
One of the larges seafood restaurants on Walking St. Here is the heartfelt announcement from the owner.
“Dear all beloved customers.
Announcement; Shop closes until the situation improves.
We give up. We can’t fight anymore.
Seriously, since I was back open last August, we have been carrying a loss all the time. But during that time, we have hope that things will be better. Finally, it’s not what we hoped for.
This time, we are sold out. Physical and mental support.
Secondly, this round of crime comes from the corruption of government officials. Whether it’s multinational labor case or casual case, the state throws responsibility and burden to the private sector. Order closes before New Year’s Eve. Damages us. Customers cancel all bookings if there is any. New Year’s event as usual. We would have the encouragement and capital to fight. But at this time, it leaves us with no choice but to close the shop.
Miyazaki Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant at Central Marina
This was one of my favourite lunch venues, sadly they closed up shop in November 2020. It was great value for your money, please follow THIS LINK for more photos.
Burger King 2nd Road NorthPattaya
Two or 3 other branches also closed, Beach Rd near Soi 8 & the at the food court in Central Festival.
My usual massage parlor in 2nd Rd near Soi 1.
One of many that have closed permanently. As you can see in the photo they had already sold most of the chairs.
Deutsches Haus closed pernanently
They claimed to be Pattaya’s oldest German restaurant, located on the corner of Beach Rd & Soi 4. Another regular lunch venue for me, I used to really enjoy their Polish Sausage with Potato Salad.
Customers at Deautsches Haus
I just had to include this photo, these two seem to have ordered the beer that matches their physical resemblance. 🙂
Million restaurant Beach Rd.
It’s January 8 2021 & within the last hour or so another business closes permanently. Located between Soi 4 & 5 they claimed they were paying B200,ooo per month. Sadly the carnage continues.
Stripping everything from Millions
The owner will take everything from the bar to try & recover some money, we wish her luck.
Covid-19 devastates Pattaya. beer bars on 2nd Rd opposite Central Marina
On the right was Billabong 2 which was originally the Cherry Bar, a local of mine for many years. The far left is the well known Atlantic Bar which is my current local when it’s open. Follow those links for some great photos. 🙂
One of four hotels closed in Soi 2 North Pattaya
The Sandalay is on the corner of Beach Rd & Soi 2 next to Markland where I live of the 20th floor.
The Thai Hotel Association has reported that hotel occupancy for May and June 2021 is just 6%.
Indian restaurant
Located on 2nd Rd next to drinking St. Even before Covid I don’t think it was doing too well.
FamilyMart 2nd Rd North Pattaya
Just 2 blocks down from the Indian Restaurant shown above. There are many other convenience stores closed in Pattaya & sadly more will follow.
Next step February 2022
Lets pull it down.
Gone baby gone
Another one bites the dust in February 2022.
Lisa Bar 2nd Road
Almost opposite the Family mart in the previous photo the Lisa Bar have closed permanently.
Soi 33 Naklua 2nd Soi north of the Dolphin roundabout.
Every business on the north side of the Soi has ceased to exist, the bar above fronts Naklua Rd.
So sad to see the devastation
Prior to Covid this popular Soi was a hive of activity.
Opposite Leckerle
Leckerle has been one of my favourite low cost restaurants for over 10 years, thankfully they are still open but are struggling to stay that way.
Retox Game On, Soi Honey.
Without a doubt this was one of Pattaya’s most popular sports bars. It’s such a shock to see them close.
New bar is replacing Retox March 2022
Hemmingway’s are coming.
One of our favourite bars
Here is one of many nights my friend Hamish Elton & I watched football & drank ice cold beers & red wine. 🙂
Here is a statement they published June 1st 2021;
It’s a sad day, first time I’ve ever had to do this but as you know we have closed the bar today, hopefully only for a short period but with the situation as it who knows, so if possible I’d like to try and line up my staff for a job if anyone has any positions available, I’ll vouch for them all.
Walking Street is like a ghost town
Who would have predicted this a couple of years ago?
Mr 99 Seafood Restaurant and Steakhouse
Adjacent to Soi 7 on Beach Rd, Mr 99 is another victim of Covid-19.
The good news is….
A new business is opening on the Mr 99 site.
Genki Japanese restaurant Soi 4
I’m shocked & saddened by another closure in Soi 4. Genki was definately one of my favourite restaurants. It was located behind this yellow building. To say I’m pissed off with all this Covid crap is an understatement. https://fivestarvagabond.com/genki-pattaya-japanese…/
A-One hotel closes temporarily
This huge complex closed for a few months mid July 2021.
The infamous Soi 6
It reminds me of a ghost town.
Diagonally oposite Central Festival in 2nd Rd.
It’s November 2021 & no end in sight for this Covid epidemic.
Soi Buakhao markets close
This popular used to opem Tuesdays & Fridays, sadly it has closed permanently.
Thai Garden Resort helping the hungry.
Many Pattaya businesses have stepped up to help those who are struggling without money or a job. Our thanks yo all these generous people.
A heart of gold
A young female food stall vendor in Pattaya with the help of her friends and other charitable individuals decided to spend an entire day earlier this week cooking and providing freshly made food for free to the needy in Pattaya.
Ms. Wilaiporn K started a new food business near Tukcom Mall last week and decided to give back to the people of Pattaya by giving all food away for FREE.
One thousand meals
A group of Chinese businessmen, who preferred to stay anonymous, handed out just over a thousand meals to the needy in Pattaya on Wednesday evening January 20th.
The donation event took place near Third Road and was also attended by Pattaya City Police who ensured that social distancing and other Covid-19 related measures took place.
A heartbreaking sight
June 2021 & hundreds of hungry Thai people wait patiently for some food.
My thanks to you for visiting my Covid-19 devastates Pattaya businesses photo blog, sadly in the coming months I will be adding more businesses to this site.
18 major tourist attractions have shut temporarily including the Alcazar and Tiffany shows, 4 Regions Floating Market, the aquarium and dolphinarium, Art in Paradise, Frost Magical Ice of Siam, One Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, Harborland, Ripleys and the Cartoon Network water
Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂
Counter only started January 7 2021
This gallery contains 2 photos
