PATTAYA — Entrepreneurs, local leaders and residents in Pattaya gathered at the entrance of Pattaya Walking Street on the evening of July 11 to protest a cable news channel that used headlines suggesting Pattaya is a “sin city” and a “gray paradise” for tourists visiting the “land of prostitutes”.
Among the protesters, there were people holding signs calling for the repeal of anti-prostitution laws and signs demanding the abolition of laws criminalizing sex workers. There was also a trend on social media with #savePattaya, along with demands for the media outlet to take responsibility.
Subsequently, the news station issued an apology, stating their intention to present this issue to help lead to legislation protecting sex workers.
Business representatives don’t deny that Pattaya has a significant number of sex workers, but they believe using such strong language and presenting a negative image of Pattaya ignores the many other attractions that draw tourists from around the world.
Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, said that Pattaya isn’t just about nightlife tourism. Presenting Pattaya as a “sin city” makes people in other professions feel undervalued. She doesn’t want the city to be discriminated against with this viewpoint and calls for accountability for news that damages Pattaya’s image.
“Pattaya is an economic city where many people come to find work, earn money to send home, and support their families. We don’t want other tourism-related professions to be looked down upon, noting that nightlife workers contribute significantly to the country’s income,” added Amporn Kaewsaeng, President of the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association.
Boon-anant Pattanasin, President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, urged the media to present more creative news perspectives, portraying Pattaya as a city of opportunity where people come to work legally, follow social rules, and generate income for the country. He asked for understanding, noting that while such issues exist in Pattaya, they’re also present in other tourist cities.
Manoch Nongyai, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, stated that no one in Pattaya likes this characterization. He emphasized that Pattaya has traditions and culture, beautiful seas, the famous Koh Laan, and hosts many events to stimulate the tourism economy, including world-class sports events like the Pattaya Marathon and various monthly events. He noted that nightlife entertainment exists everywhere, not just in Pattaya.
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