PATTAYA: An international fleet show has boosted the occupancy rate for hotels in the resort city.
Sanpet Supabowornsathien, president of the Eastern Thai Hotels Association, said on Tuesday that the reservation rate of the hotels in Pattaya surpassed 90% due to visitors to the International Fleet Review 2017.
The event bolstered tourism in the city during the high season, he added.
The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The 10-member grouping was set up in 1967 by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.
The event, held by the Royal Thai Navy and Pattaya City, started on Monday through Nov 22. The highlight will be on Monday when the review of the international fleet will take place. It features 15 ships from the Royal Thai Navy, 28 ships from 18 Asean and non-Asean countries, as well as 20 aircraft from both the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force.
Pattaya also hopes its fountain will be launched before the naval exhibition ends and becomes another landmark to attract tourists.
City mayor Pol Maj Gen Anan Charoenchasri said the test run of the colourful fountain at Bali Hai cape had already been conducted but the launch date has not been scheduled.
Pattaya conducts a test trial of a fountain at Bali Hai cape. (Video by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)