Panic buying and food shortages impact Pattaya
While Pattaya has been largely spared the worst of the flooding which has inundated much of Thailand, the knock-on effect of foodstuffs and other goods not being able to deliver to shops is showing up in panic buying across the city.
As literally millions of Thai citizens are sorely tested by the worst flooding in living memory, the main concern for most Pattaya residents is finding basic staples such as eggs as well as chicken, pork and, for many expats, decent bread. But for the news reports coming out of Bangkok and elsewhere, much of Pattaya would never have known there was any flooding.
The increasing scarcity of many staples and the potential for hoarding and serious price increases is probably no real surprise.
According to unconfirmed reports, a number of the major supermarkets in Pattaya are starting to restrict the amount of product a single shopper may purchase at one time. It’s also being suggested some of the so-called fast food franchises are finding it difficult to source meat products.
Monday is a public holiday in Thailand and over the weekend Pattaya experienced traffic gridlock at times in some areas as Thais fled Bangkok and surrounding regions in search of water relief in and around Pattaya.
The Tesco-Lotus supermarket on Sukhumvit Road was especially busy throughout Monday as shoppers appeared to be stocking up as if they were preparing for a long-term siege. The equally popular Makro superstore was also very busy with many shelves almost emptied of product.
There is talk that many wealthier Thai families are choosing to re-locate to Pattaya for the next month or so to wait until the floodwaters subside in the capital and elsewhere. There has been increased interest being shown in some villages, especially on the eastern side of Pattaya, from Bangkok-based Thais in taking short-term rentals of townhouses and other properties.
Local restaurants will soon start feeling the effects of limited stocks and supplies and many regular customers for some places will no doubt be told their favourite dish is unavailable due to the flooding. This, in turn, will have a direct impact on prices as scarce goods become as rare as hen’s teeth. In fact, forget eggs, it may only be hen’s teeth available for a full English breakfast in coming days.
jo-macral
Figured that was why it has been gridlock over the weekend. Many of supermarkets are getting pretty slim on food like eggs, fresh veggies, chicken, rice and especially water.
It will be an interesting few months, that is fore sure and of course, it's pouring rain outside again right now, just to add insult to injury.
The fresh morning market in Nakula is doing very well still, with great prices on vegitables, and limitless amounts of fresh seafood.
gwats
Looks like my decision not to come to Thailand until next year was the right one.