To welcome the New Year, Pattaya, Thailand, has given the green light to beach umbrella operators to open overnight on Chinese New Year's Eve.
On December 21st, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn hosted a session that laid the groundwork for exciting changes in the beach umbrella industry. More than 150 operators, as well as senior city officials, gathered to learn about new regulations that promise to redefine the waterfront experience for visitors.
Wuttisak has unveiled new rules that stipulate that all beach umbrellas must meet a uniform size of 9×7 meters. Now, operators need to maintain a tidy storage program after daily operations to ensure a pristine beach environment. Permitted hours of operation have been adjusted to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and extended to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
But the real game-changer is the extended working hours, especially during the holiday season.
"Operators can now extend their business hours until midnight during festive seasons, such as the fireworks festival or Loy Krathong, to ensure that visitors have a great time. ”
To address the concerns raised during the meeting, the weekly mandatory closure day has been changed from Wednesday to Thursday. Closure requirements also vary by season, with twice a month during peak season (November to April) and second and fourth weeks of each month during low season (May to October). According to The Pattaya News, if a public holiday falls on a designated closing day, it must be closed the next day.
In anticipation of a surge in tourists during the New Year period, special regulations were introduced on December 31. The deputy mayor revealed that beach umbrella operators will be allowed to operate as early as 6 a.m. on December 31 and until 6 a.m. on January 1. In addition, their coverage area can be extended from the standard 9×7 meters to an impressive 9×15 meters.
Wuttisak stressed that the adjustments are aimed at meeting the needs of tourists and boosting the local economy. He emphasised the importance of friendly customer service and claimed that local businesses play a vital role in making a positive impression on tourists, ultimately encouraging them to return to Pattaya in the future.
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