Tour buses idle as Thai economy takes downfall due to virus
Bangkok
Ranks of tourist buses idle under a burning sun while once-bustling theme parks lie empty - the hollowing out of Thai tourism due to the effect of the new coronavirus.
Chinese tourists - 10 million of who were expected to visit this year have abandoned Thailand, staying at home as a health crisis sweeps the globe, or under quarantine by their government.
The attractions around Pattaya, a Thai tourist resort close to Bangkok which for several years has made its money from mainland tour groups, are struggling for survival.
Beaches are quiet and shopping malls deserted as an economic malaise settles over a kingdom heavily dependent on tourist spending.
"The situation is very bad, there are very few tourists left," said Songsak Srimuang, a 27-year-old tattoo shop manager.
"Maybe I'll go back to my hometown and go back to farming."
Pattaya, like the capital Bangkok, is fuelled by migrant labour from poorer Thai provinces as well as neighbouring countries.
Economic growth is forecast to shrink to as low as two per cent this year.
As tourism is eviscerated by the virus, Thais in spin-off industries fear the worst.
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