How high is high season?

[SlipSlopSlap 186]

Hi,

 

I usually visit Pattaya in low season, July - September, sometimes April or even February. I much prefer low season for the quiet beer bars, deserted gogos, empty pubs, hotel choice and low rates etc. I also don't mind the rainy weather. (Anti social bugger, aren't I)

 

However I have had to move my plans this year and looks like I'll be staying over this December. So, questions:

 

How high is high season in December now?

 

I usually stay in the soi 2/3 area and find the hotels almost deserted, most of the bars in that area only have a handful of patrons, Big C is quiet and it is only when you get to Walking street that you find the crowds.

 

I know it is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string, but anyone care to give me a heads up on what I might find in December? Any thoughts most welcome.

 

(Also, best place for a Christmas dinner??? Do you have to book? Queen Vic maybe? I love their Sunday roasts.)

 

Thanks all.

[ozibill 546]

Best place for a Christmas Dinner ? That ould be a matter of personal choice - My personal choice would be Jamesons - I have Christmas Dinner there every year - but it gets booked very quickly . This year I booked 2 weeks ago making it 6 weeks in advance and it was virtually full then - I also booked a room at the adjoining hotel - the Nova Park hotel - over 100 rooms - and I got the last room . So Pattaya will be busy that week-end

[jacko 8,827]

Very busy, obviously at a peak Xmas/New Year spell.

NYE and Christmas Eve a pain to get hotel rooms, with shit like overpriced compulsory Gala Dinners.

 

Mind you, shit stirring in Bangkok may yet take the edge off.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Hi,

 

I usually visit Pattaya in low season, July - September, sometimes April or even February. I much prefer low season for the quiet beer bars, deserted gogos, empty pubs, hotel choice and low rates etc. I also don't mind the rainy weather. (Anti social bugger, aren't I)

 

However I have had to move my plans this year and looks like I'll be staying over this December. So, questions:

 

How high is high season in December now?

Hotels, shops, baht buses, sidewalks and many restaurants will be crowded from about Dec. 20 through Jan. 10. On the peak days around Christmas and New Year's, they'll be hugely and unpleasantly crowded.

 

But the situation isn't as dire in the bars. The most popular ones will be crowded and possibly standing-room-only in a few on Christmas and New Year's Eve, but otherwise they're OK. For every go go bar that's crowded, there will be 10 that aren't. Bar fines in some bars may go up on the peak Xmas and NY's days, but it's a myth that the girls' fees go up except maybe for a handful of the most in-demand girls.

 

Bottom line: Everything outside of P4P very crowded, everything related to P4P has more customers than in low season, but not terribly crowded. I saw some beer bars that didn't have a single customer even on Christmas Eve. Sad, really. I don't know how they survive.

 

(Also, best place for a Christmas dinner??? Do you have to book? Queen Vic maybe? I love their Sunday roasts.)

 

Thanks all.

The most popular places, like Jameson's or Punch and Judy, are booked weeks in advance. I don't know about the Queen Vic, but you'd be wise to fire off an email ASAP to find out about its Xmas dinner. The places that offer set-menu traditional Christmas dinners do usually have to be booked in advance.

 

Evil

[SlipSlopSlap 186]

Thanks Guys. Looks like it IS worthwhile even in December.

 

Regards

 

SlipSlopSlap

[Nightrider 340]

18 coins on Soi buk do a great xmas 3 course dinner for around 500b , i have been there with a few friends the last 3 years and you can just turn up without booking but it's a bit busy between 1pm - 5pm but if you are stuck it's always an option.....