Pattaya on charm offensive to ditch sleazy image

Sunday, 29 Mar, 2017 0

In a bid to rebrand Pattaya away from its ‘sin city’ reputation, tourism leaders launched a ‘Happy Zone’ as a first step to improve its image.

Notorious as one of Asia’s capitals of sex tourism, authorities hope the Thai beach city will gradually rid itself of its sleazy image.

The Happy Zone was set up on the infamous Walking Street with a goal to expand it elsewhere in Pattaya.

Aiming to make it safe place for tourists to visit, the Happy Zone will have increased security patrols and businesses are asked to support the scheme by making the area feel welcoming for all ages.

Police also rolled out a mobile phone app for visitors to summon help if an emergency situation occurs.

"This is a pioneer project to organise a tourist destination and elevate it to promote Thailand’s quality tourism," Apichai Krobpetch, chief of Pattaya city’s police, said.

"We will also stamp out prostitution in the area."

The huge sex tourism industry has long irked the Thai Junta and the latest major crackdown in Pattaya was carried out last month with several bars raided and people fined.

"I want people to see that we are not like what they say. We are not allowing prostitution in these entertainment places," provincial Gov. Pakkaratorn Teianchai told reporters.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.