The operator of Pattaya Floating Market says attracting a large numbers of tourists is still needed as it urges the authorities to reverse the image of Thailand as an unsafe destination.

Sumaporn Srimuang, general manager of the floating market, said China was the largest source market for Pattaya tourism.

Even though the Indian, South Korean and domestic tourist segments have grown this year, overall expenditure has not been able to match the level generated by the Chinese, she said.

The floating market has attracted some Chinese visitors this year, mostly business travellers and Chinese nationals residing in Thailand, but not leisure tour groups, said Ms Sumaporn.

Before the pandemic, the market welcomed up to 15,000 visitors per day, of which 60% were foreign tourists.

The site closed during the pandemic and reopened in April 2022, recording an average of 6,000-7,000 visitors per day. Roughly half of the visitors to the market were foreign tourists.

The average number of visitors in October and November fell to 4,000-5,000 per day, which was attributed to the shooting incident in October at Siam Paragon, she said.

Ms Sumaporn said a lack of confidence about safety in Thailand and the sluggish Chinese economy have cut the tourism recovery in Pattaya.