Slowdown in tourists from Siberia and Eastern Russia hits nightlife mecca Pattaya

Some occupancy rates are down to 35% in the resort traditionally popular with tourists from eastern regions of Russia. 

Wittaya Khunpluem, chief executive of the provincial administrative organisation, said tourism business in Pattaya had been sluggish since a sharp drop in Russian arrivals, reported the Bangkok Post.

The Chon Buri provincial administrative organisation projects Pattaya will welcome less than 10 million visitors this year.

Sanpech Supabowornsthian, president of the Eastern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, said: 'Many Pattaya hotels, especially middle-level and illegal ones, prefer leaving their rooms vacant rather than selling them at a loss, like tour agents are pressing them to do during the low season.'

Despite the gloom, there are signs tourism to Thailand and Vietnam from Russia is on the way up again.