The demise of Pattaya

[jaxxon55 252]

I have been going to Centara Grand in Naklua to work out for a couple of months. I had not spent much time in Naklus and am surprised at what I see there. What I see is many affluent couples and families and tour groups eating in expensive restaurants and enjoying Pattaya away from the mongering scene. The Royal Cliff area on the south end of Pattaya is the same and we have Central Festival and the Hilton in the middle. I believe in the future they will all expand and the area will be much higher priced.

I think mongers are really deluded if they think the economy of Pattaya is based on their small segment. Especially the cheap charlie mongers.I think many have never been past soi 6 in the north end and soi 17 in the south end. Pattaya is becoming a big city and attracting more affluent Thais from BKK and many more affluent Asians from all over as well as Russians and Scandinavians.

The members that are quick to call Pattaya a shithole should go around and check out these areas. The areas you stay in may be a shithole but it is not representative of Pattaya as a whole.And these people building the high end places do not care if you go to the P.I. because drinks are cheaper. They are not trying to attract you anyway. IN fact,they hope you leave so their high end clients do not have to deal with you.

Expats that think the building all over town is creating a big room surplus (I was one for several years) fail to see that most are filling up and it does not matter if it takes a while because overheard is low. The big hotel chains also just might know more than you do with their marketing and research teams. I know it is hard to believe they know more than expats but it is possible.

So I don't think 10 more baht draft beer or higher ladydrink prices is going to stop Pattaya. The girls will be here and the drinks will be here but they will cost more. And the people with less money will be gone just like in the rest of the world.

Jack

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I think that some folk don't appreciate the extent of industrialisation of the area surrounding Pattaya and the amount of money that brings into the city. The same folk probably think that the nice new roads from BKK were all built so that mongers could get from BKK to Soi 6 in the shortest time possible. Of course, it may just be that Amari, Centara, Hilton, IHG, Sheraton, Marriott. Central Pattana, MBK, Tesco, BigC etc etc have all got their numbers wrong ......

 

There's a good recent article here.

[bigmick 840]

I agree with the OP and i have also seen a much higher number of "unusual" tourists for a city like Pattaya. It is changing and changing for the better. I agree about the properties being built and sold, but only at the high end, there are still the View Talays all over that are not even half full. Alot of people were sold a pony on them and will never really benefit from them unless they personally live in them.

I saw this start a few years ago when they first began to build the new shopping centres and high end hotels. The days of the cheap charlies are numbered, and soon i also think the bars away from areas like WS will find it harder to survive and close, making ay for more hotels.

 

Just my two cents worth

[2dave 8]

Truer words have never been spoken. Pattaya has been growing and changing since I first moved there in 2004. I feel I am still a newbie to the scene there with much to learn.

Many more tourist busses with people from many asian countrys are there now that ever before and the accommodation areas are catering for their needs.

Some areas of Pattaya will never go (like Walking Street) but some will make way for other things. Some bar owners were saying how their takings have been dropping off over the past few years and this is an ominous sign.

[Jomtien Joker 0]

To say that Patts is NOT a shithole totally ignores the facts.

What other beach resort has a strong raw sewage smell when you walk down certain sois?

It isn't Cabo or Cozumel or any other place I've been. It may be getting more non-monger tourists, but that is only because they can't afford a first (or even second) world beach.

 

That said, it's still my favorite shithole. I love the temples and the culture....of young girls sucking my dick to send money home to mom (who taught her how)

[CheshireTom 1,377]

 

It isn't Cabo or Cozumel or any other place I've been. It may be getting more non-monger tourists, but that is only because they can't afford a first (or even second) world beach.

 

 

What's a first world beach? Blackpool? Margate? Bournemouth?

 

 

 

[ozibill 546]

I agree with the OP - My son , who has lived in the LOS for nearly 30 years and remembers Pattaya when it only consisted of Beach Road and half of Second Street lives outside Pattaya now but he has invested in a large Condominium at the south end of Patts . He has also withdrawn from 2 bars that he had an interest in to leave him with more scope for high-end property . I think in the future ex-pat mongering will develop more into the Dark Side ,

 

[grayray44 49]

I agree with the OP - My son , who has lived in the LOS for nearly 30 years and remembers Pattaya when it only consisted of Beach Road and half of Second Street lives outside Pattaya now but he has invested in a large Condominium at the south end of Patts . He has also withdrawn from 2 bars that he had an interest in to leave him with more scope for high-end property . I think in the future ex-pat mongering will develop more into the Dark Side ,

 

 

ozbill.

the diference i saw from last visit 97 till next visit last april 2010 was massive, i not talking of the bars built in bukhao or LKmetro but the high end hotels,super markets,dept stores,according to me mate who has toured twice a year since 88, the last 10yrs have changed pattaya more than the previous 20yrs.

cheap booze and girls is slowly moving on,cause we would not want it to turn into a aussie "surfers" where i lived from 70-81 and did not know it last year.

regards

grayray

[nus01 305]

 

I think mongers are really deluded if they think the economy of Pattaya is based on their small segment. Especially the cheap charlie mongers.

Jack

Some of the Cheap charile mongers thing the entire economy of thailand is reliant on them

[TheFiend 1,181]

Slowly the bars and mongers are being moved away from Beach Road and Second Road and getting replaced by hotels and shopping complexes. Pattaya is evolving, it has to.

[dontcha 53]

Thanks to the OP and Tom for dissuading me to visit Pattaya again.

I used to allow for about a 6000 baht per day spend in Pattaya but I have found out that is possible to have good accomodation, pretty girls, drink and food for less than 2000 baht per day.

I am sure all the barowners will thank the OP for highlighting how expensive Pattaya is.

Pattaya's future is Russian and Indian families, ..... it is strange that I keep getting sms messages from Thai girls telling me how much they miss me eventhough I only gave them1000 baht per day, I would not consider paying a 1000 baht per day now.

 

The best of luck to all the barowners in Pattaya but in my humble opinion your business is doomed as long as people talk up the prices in Pattaya.

The only way the bar scene will survive is if Pattaya can persuade "cheap charlie" spenders to come back.

 

My hard earned money is going to be spent outside of Pattaya unless things change.

 

You big spenders are welcome to all that Pattaya has to offer, the filthy beach and the hoards of Russian and Indian tourists.

[jaxxon55 252]

Thanks to the OP and Tom for dissuading me to visit Pattaya again.

I used to allow for about a 6000 baht per day spend in Pattaya but I have found out that is possible to have good accomodation, pretty girls, drink and food for less than 2000 baht per day.

I am sure all the barowners will thank the OP for highlighting how expensive Pattaya is.

Pattaya's future is Russian and Indian families, ..... it is strange that I keep getting sms messages from Thai girls telling me how much they miss me eventhough I only gave them1000 baht per day, I would not consider paying a 1000 baht per day now.

 

The best of luck to all the barowners in Pattaya but in my humble opinion your business is doomed as long as people talk up the prices in Pattaya.

The only way the bar scene will survive is if Pattaya can persuade "cheap charlie" spenders to come back.

 

My hard earned money is going to be spent outside of Pattaya unless things change.

 

You big spenders are welcome to all that Pattaya has to offer, the filthy beach and the hoards of Russian and Indian tourists.

 

Like I said, They are not trying to attract you. And I didn't say I liked it either.

Jack

Edited September 8, 2011 by jaxxon55

[bratpack 91]

I have been going to Centara Grand in Naklua to work out for a couple of months. I had not spent much time in Naklus and am surprised at what I see there. What I see is many affluent couples and families and tour groups eating in expensive restaurants and enjoying Pattaya away from the mongering scene. The Royal Cliff area on the south end of Pattaya is the same and we have Central Festival and the Hilton in the middle. I believe in the future they will all expand and the area will be much higher priced.

I think mongers are really deluded if they think the economy of Pattaya is based on their small segment. Especially the cheap charlie mongers.I think many have never been past soi 6 in the north end and soi 17 in the south end. Pattaya is becoming a big city and attracting more affluent Thais from BKK and many more affluent Asians from all over as well as Russians and Scandinavians.

The members that are quick to call Pattaya a shithole should go around and check out these areas. The areas you stay in may be a shithole but it is not representative of Pattaya as a whole.And these people building the high end places do not care if you go to the P.I. because drinks are cheaper. They are not trying to attract you anyway. IN fact,they hope you leave so their high end clients do not have to deal with you.

Expats that think the building all over town is creating a big room surplus (I was one for several years) fail to see that most are filling up and it does not matter if it takes a while because overheard is low. The big hotel chains also just might know more than you do with their marketing and research teams. I know it is hard to believe they know more than expats but it is possible.

So I don't think 10 more baht draft beer or higher ladydrink prices is going to stop Pattaya. The girls will be here and the drinks will be here but they will cost more. And the people with less money will be gone just like in the rest of the world.

Jack

 

 

Pretty old news TBH mate.Dont underestimate expats here they have a brain too.

[Parkwahn 61]

Pattaya is changing, visitors from the West are less and less due to the economies, life changes

[Siam Sam 964]

Great post and one which I concur (to a certain extent) with. The sex industry will always be available in Pattaya but I think the type of people that will visit here is changing all the time. Airfares might be cheaper than they ever have been and most people are looking to go further afield for their holidays these days but Thailand isn't a cheap holiday any more due to weaker Western currencies and the clientèle in Pattaya will reflect that. It is possible to go to to Pattaya and have a holiday if you're not a sex tourist and the TAT are trying to entice different types of holiday makers, they don't want the sex tourists and all the negativity that it brings with it. They're not naive enough however to think that they can simply eradicate the problem as they know it will just go underground which would make it even worse.

[Obsession 571]

Thanks to the OP and Tom for dissuading me to visit Pattaya again.

I used to allow for about a 6000 baht per day spend in Pattaya but I have found out that is possible to have good accomodation, pretty girls, drink and food for less than 2000 baht per day.

I am sure all the barowners will thank the OP for highlighting how expensive Pattaya is.

Pattaya's future is Russian and Indian families, ..... it is strange that I keep getting sms messages from Thai girls telling me how much they miss me eventhough I only gave them1000 baht per day, I would not consider paying a 1000 baht per day now.

 

The best of luck to all the barowners in Pattaya but in my humble opinion your business is doomed as long as people talk up the prices in Pattaya.

The only way the bar scene will survive is if Pattaya can persuade "cheap charlie" spenders to come back.

 

My hard earned money is going to be spent outside of Pattaya unless things change.

 

You big spenders are welcome to all that Pattaya has to offer, the filthy beach and the hoards of Russian and Indian tourists.

 

Have you stopped your TR mate?

[Bullfrog 2,224]

You big spenders are welcome to all that Pattaya has to offer, the filthy beach and the hoards of Russian and Indian tourists.

 

...and Thais..I love it when there is some festival on and the place is packed with Thai families on beach road....and if you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere then go and do it....move on.....but don't criticise people that decide to stay..

[villaman 15]

I have to say that I dont think the current financial climate is the only reason westerners are staying away. TBH I considered not coming this year myself following my trip last november. Wall to wall Indian and Russian tourist, I sat one evening in a live music bar in walking street (sorry name escapes me, the band were pretty good, banging out the rock classics, the ruskie patrons had a liking for two particular song, Enter Sandman and Nothing else matters both Metalica tracks..now dont get me wrong I`m a DJ by calling/nature and do loads of bikers "do`s" and appreciate rock music, but I had to sit thru those two songs performed 4 times each in a little over an hour...the tip box was overflowing and as the saying goes "he that pays the piper calls the tune".

I also had a bit of a disagreement with an ignorant indian tourist, who had`nt quite grasped the concept of queing in line in the 7/11 anyway..he left the store a minute or so ahead of me but our paths crossed as he was browsing thru kiddie porn dvds at a stall along beach road..I could`nt help myself, and set about chastising this vile peado,his defence was that it was available so he would buy it. we had a further heated discusssion about supply and demand, culminating with him telling me to fuck off and mind my own business, I`m ashamed to say that I lost it and put him on his arse, thankfully no BIB around but the whole episode soured my trip.

In 3 weeks time I`m coming over for 2 weeks well earned break. I`ve opted to base myself in Naklua, yeah I know the german area, I can cope with them but I have to put up with Indians/Pakistani`s everyday at home in our "wonderful Multicultural society", I dont want them everywhere when I am on vacation.

No Offence intended.

[joekicker 53]

...and Thais..I love it when there is some festival on and the place is packed with Thai families on beach road....and if you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere then go and do it....move on.....but don't criticise people that decide to stay..

 

Exactly. The Thai tourist made Pattaya and will decide what happens to it as time goes by. The others, including western sex tourists, are bit players. They get their own tiny corners of the place to play in, no problem.

 

.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

 

My hard earned money is going to be spent outside of Pattaya unless things change.

 

 

Err, the whole point of the OP is that things are going to change.

 

Apparently there are some cracking young birds in Ulan Bator.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

To the guys that just don't get it..Imagine the cheap greasy spoon cafe you like to eat at GREAT ..but customers start coming in and asking for steak instead of sausages..and clean cutlery and table cloths and chairs made of something other than cheap plastic that gives you a sweaty arse......so the cafe next door provides it...then another cafe..and another...All these become full of customers whilst you sit alone in your greasy spoon until it closes....

 

You have two choices

 

1. Find a new greasy spoon cafe

2. Go into the other cafes and order egg and chips......but more expensive..

 

EDIT = FLB and PBG are of course good places to "eat" and nothing greasy about them..

Edited September 8, 2011 by Bullfrog

[dontcha 53]

Have you stopped your TR mate?

nobody seemed interested so what's the point in putting in the effort

 

 

...and Thais..I love it when there is some festival on and the place is packed with Thai families on beach road....and if you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere then go and do it....move on.....but don't criticise people that decide to stay..

 

I am not criticising those that decide to stay in Pattaya, I just saying it is no longer my holiday destination choice.

 

Err, the whole point of the OP is that things are going to change.

 

Apparently there are some cracking young birds in Ulan Bator.

I may check it out, thanks for the tip

[Bullfrog 2,224]

I may check it out, thanks for the tip

 

You are 20 years too late..UB girls were cheap as chips in Beijing in the early 90s..If price is so much of a factor over looks then Blighty is quickly becoming 3rd world so why not just stay at home and shag whores...

[player 1]

To say that Patts is NOT a shithole totally ignores the facts.

What other beach resort has a strong raw sewage smell when you walk down certain sois?

It isn't Cabo or Cozumel or any other place I've been. It may be getting more non-monger tourists, but that is only because they can't afford a first (or even second) world beach.

 

That said, it's still my favorite shithole. I love the temples and the culture....of young girls sucking my dick to send money home to mom (who taught her how)

Have to agree, Pattaya is still a favorite of mine, as you say, a shithole with smelly sewers and may I add thieving/ scamming capital of Thailand, still love the buzz but I have been spending less time there as the years go by. I have much more fun running around Isaan, but you need to know some Thai most of the time.

 

When I run into first time tourists that need help with directions in Pattaya, they are usually shocked and sweating their asses off (disappointed) in Pattaya. Then they asked me where I am from, I tell them Hawaii and they simply don't understand and say, what (figuratively add "what the fuck") are you doing here for Christ sake? With a young TBG in tow, I assume they don't get it, shrug my shoulders and walk away.

[Norfloxacin400 87]

it was fun while it lasted.