PATTAYA, Thailand – Concerns and curiosity have emerged among residents and business observers in Pattaya after a growing number of Indian and South Asian restaurants have opened across the city, particularly in central Pattaya, South Pattaya, and along the beachfront roads. Despite their visible expansion, many of these establishments appear unusually quiet during daytime hours, with only a few customers present at any given time. Local citizens have raised questions about the business activity behind these restaurants, with some suggesting uncertainty over how certain outlets sustain high rental costs in prime tourist zones despite limited visible foot traffic.
A local employee, identified as “Ton”, 34, working in the private sector, said he has noticed a steady increase in Indian restaurants over recent years but often sees them nearly empty when passing by.
“Some of them have been open for years but still look quiet almost every day. It makes you wonder where the income comes from because rent in Pattaya is not cheap,” he said.
However, some tourists and residents offered alternative explanations, noting that customer behavior in these businesses may not always be visible from the street. Certain groups of long-term foreign residents and tourists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Middle Eastern countries often use delivery services, hotel orders, or group bookings arranged through tour operators.
An Indian restaurant operator in South Pattaya, who requested anonymity and was referred to as “Arif,” said many businesses in this segment rely heavily on niche customer bases rather than walk-in Thai tourists. “Some of our main customers come at night or order food to hotels. Many don’t dine in. They may also come in groups or through transport arranged by travel companies,” he said.
He added that while competition in the sector is strong, many restaurants remain operational due to shared family-run networks and cost-sharing arrangements between related businesses.
Despite public speculation, tourism and economic experts caution against drawing broad conclusions. They emphasize that while some businesses may raise questions, there is no evidence to suggest wrongdoing across the sector as a whole. Experts noted that Thai authorities can verify business legitimacy through tax systems, licensing records, and financial transaction monitoring. If irregularities exist, enforcement agencies have the legal authority to investigate and take action. Overall, Pattaya remains a highly international tourism hub, attracting diverse foreign investment and business activity aligned with fluctuating visitor demographics and long-term resident communities.
