New Covid wave leaves Cha-am beach empty
The once bustling beach in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district is now mostly quiet after a new wave of Covid-19 infections hit Thailand in December.
Prasarn Phromsri, 56, the owner of a beachside seafood stall said his shop has hardly had any visitors since the New Year and hopes the government will roll out measures to help small merchants survive.
Meanwhile, Wasan Kittikul, president of the Thai Hotels in Western Region Association, said that due to a drastic drop in customers, hotel operators in the province have had to slash their room rates as well as reduce the working hours of staff to save cost.
“Some hotels have even shut down temporarily until the situation improves,” he said. “The association expects domestic tourists to return to Cha-am by the end of 2021, when the new wave is under control
“Some hotels even have to temporarily shut down until the situation improves,” he said. “The association expects domestic tourists to return to Cha Am by the end of 2021 when the new wave is under control, and foreign tourists may return in 2022 once international travel restrictions are lifted.”
