The number of tourists, both local and foreign, visiting Pattaya is now projected to drop to 7.5 million this year from 9 million last year because of the prolonged political turmoil.

Tourism revenue in the city is forecast to decline to Bt70 billion this year from Bt85 billion in 2013.

Before the troubles numbers were forecast to match last year's tourist numbers, but the escalating political scenario led to the downward revision. The affacted quarter has seen a loss of 30% in arrivals from 3.5 million a year ago and 30% in cent in tourism revenue from Bt35 billion.

Pattaya has suffered from the political tension in Bangkok because the resort city is combined in tour packages for foreigners with the capital. Many foreigners chose a tour coupling sightseeing at the Grand Palace in Bangkok before heading to Pattaya to relax with sunbathing or sea activities or maybe take in a little nightlife. This group has disappeared, especially from China.

During Chinese New Year, for example, inbound operators expected to receive 300 tour groups from China, but handled only 60. The major problem was that they were worried about travel insurance, which does not cover political chaos.

Thailand's top long-boat racers will compete  at the 13th Pattaya Traditional Long Boat Tournament this weekend at Mabprachan Reservoir.

Races will feature long-tail boats with deep roots in Thai culture. Teams will compete from Chonburi Province, Pong and Nongprue sub-districts and the Thailand Rowing and Canoeing Association will support the race.

Trophies will be awarded in six categories. Large boats (55 paddlers) will compete for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup and 100,000 baht; long-tail boats (30 paddlers) will vie for the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Cup and 50,000 baht, whilst large boats types A and B, small boats type B and international boats (12 paddlers) will also compete for an overall total of nearly 400,000 baht in prizes.

Boats from Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar will compete in the event, which on Saturday Nov. 23 runs from 9am till 4.30pm, and on Sunday Nov. 24 from 9am till 4pm.

Pattaya's local administration says it has joined hands with police to launch a larger crime-busting force.

A negative rating recently by travel website CNNgo.com, which said Pattaya was one of seven places in Thailand that travellers should avoid due to frequent crimes, has prompted the Royal Thai Police to mobilise more officers to boost the Pattaya force's crime-busting capacity. The extra officers come from sections such as Highway Police, Marine Police, the Crime Suppression Division and Immigration Bureau, in addition to Tourism Police, who have long operated in Pattaya and Chon Buri province.

Senior area commander Pol Maj-General Sanchai Chai-amphorn said Russians made up the largest group of victims, due mostly to their large numbers in the resort city. The second-largest victims of crime were Britons, followed by Italians. The taskforce has been launched in preparation for a spike in the number of visitors over the high season, which kicks off in December,

Sanchai said the police were keeping an eye on short-term visitors, migrant workers, as well as people who dabble in prostitution.