One reason Pattaya’s administrators banished chairs and umbrellas from beaches every Wednesday was to use the day to get the shoreline clean again. As it turns out, it’s dirtier that day than any other.
A stroll along Jomtien Beach late March 28 found the beachfront littered with garbage that beach chair vendors normally would pick up. The litter lingers until morning when the operators return.
It has been 2½ years since the order to remove chairs once a week came down and people are still debating whether it’s worth it. Half of beachgoers surveyed bemoan the lack of shade and easily obtained refreshments. The other half, carrying their own mats and towels, like the natural look of the shoreline.
But vendors’ claims that beach use dips on Wednesdays appears to be all wet. Wandering merchants and regular sun worshippers say the Wednesday crowds on Jomtien are basically the same as any other day.
Beachgoers lament the Wednesday litter problem, however, saying that if Pattaya City Hall wants the beach to be cleaner, it needs to actively work to clean up garbage on vendor holidays.
