Tiffany's Show Pattaya, which features transvestite cabaret performers, now receives more Chinese customers, who are helping to make up for the decline in Russian visitors. "Since the economic hardship in Russia, fewer than 100 Russian customers attend each of our three performances a day," said Alisa Phanthusak, assistant to the managing director of Tiffany's Show.
The 1,000-seat theatre used to enjoy receiving as many as 400 Russians for each show, although they preferred the lower-priced tickets of 800 baht Ms Alisa said the trend had prompted entertainment operators to find new markets and the influx of Chinese travellers was helping "About 6,000 Chinese tourists visit Pattaya each day, twice as many as last year," she said. Most Chinese visitors to the two-hour Tiffany's Show in north Pattaya prefer VIP seats at 1,200 baht for the
performance by ladyboys. The strong depreciation of the rouble and trade sanctions by the United States and European Union have damaged Russia's economy, forcing its nationals to cut travel abroad. The number of Russian visitors to Thailand dropped 7% last year to 1.6 million, and this year the number is expected to be lower. Ms Alisa said Russian travellers normally came in family groups and were fond of visiting beaches or other leisure attractions. Many did not like bars or staying out late at night. Attendances at Tiffany's Show are improving from last year thanks to the rising Pattaya and is now in its 40th year