thaibeachlovers

Could anyone recommend a good dentist in the Pattaya Klang area?

My usual dentist has moved to the busiest part of Jomtien so looking for a new one.

Thanks!

Modern Smile Dental. But really, you should do your own research dependent on the kind of work that is needed.

Hmmm. The quote facility didn't work. Below is my contribution, TBL

Just went there today. The directions in their website are rubbish, even the Thai hotel staff nearby couldn't work it out. It's on the right hand side looking towards Sukhumvit, before Carrefour Supermarket.

Didn't actually need treatment after all, but certainly seem like nice people; didn't try to do unnecessary work. I'd be happy to go there for treatment.

No one has the knowledge of what goes where so when they replace something they daren't cut the old wires cos they don't know what they are doing.

Like all of Thailand, why don't they make the pavements once and do it properly instead of doing a half arsed job and having to re-do it every few years.

Erm, in London ( SUPPOSEDLY first world ) they seem to dig up the same roads/ pavements every few weeks.

Just took a walk along the walkway from soi 6 to Yamato. Although the trees have been butchered by people that know nothing of tree surgery, the trunks have been left and are regenerating at an amazing speed. Provided they do not fall prey to some terminal disease, due to ragged cutting, within a couple of years they should look OK again.

Hopefully, the powers that be will leave them alone in the future.

If they want to destroy some trees, there are a few palms obstructing the paved walkway that could be removed to the benefit of all.

As for the walkway itself, almost all the grass has disappeared, and I'm sure the next rain will, once again, deposit sand all over the path. The cement surface is still broken in many places, there are many ugly broken light bases and lots of broken overhead lamp posts.

If City Hall can't even sort out the most visible attraction of Pattaya Beach Road, they have no business promoting Pattaya as a "premier" tourist destination.

The first set of posts recommended Nong Nuch . Personally, been there several times and hate the place. Chimps locked in tiny cages without water. Tigers with their teeth and claws removed and sat in the sun for hours (I once got into a row with the keepers after I saw one of them hit an old tiger - minus its fight-back equipment and obviously quite old - so hard on the head with a large stone I hears he crack a hundred yards away, he then laughed aloud). The elephant show is expensive, and the so called culture show (dancing and crap sword fighting) is ridiculously priced (the farang prioce being ten times that of the Thai price when I last went).

Much better Elephant shows around.

I enjoyed Mini-Siam, but its only a do once thing and half a day at that.

If you "hate" the place, why have you been "several" times?

Because I took other people (touring friends) that wanted to go. The tiger incident was the last time and I have refused to go back since; before then I was mostly putting up with the expensive 'shows'/dual pricing (they actually tried to sell my Thai wife and friends farang price tickets because - as the woman said - the farang is paying!) and the sad animals and caging (putting it down to TiT and having seen similar elsewhere). Sorry Sherlock, try another.

Chickenlegs, I am glad they have sorted out the pricing (still dual pricing, but hey so are many places). I hope the building also includes new pens for the animals (chimps especially) - if they have not already been rehomed. As I said, haven't been back for half a decade, so if it has changed, then maybe I'll check it out agian and possibly reassess my views. I did enjoy the gardens and raised platforms (never stayed there though).

Went on a half day tour couple years ago, and loved the garden. Been meaning to go back for a whole day, but now I will make sure I miss the zoo ( didn't notice it last time ) if I happen to come across it.

Love Thailand, but really hate the way some Thais treat animals. Animal illtreatment is not an exclusively Thai thing though, of course. The tiger zoo in Johor Baru back in the 1970s was atrocious, with tigers stuck in small concrete pens. Even New Zealand, sadly, has had it's share of putting big cats in tiny cages.

To add my 5 cents worth about Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, I went to get a root canal there, and the "dragon lady" dentist refused to do it ( after drilling a hole to have a look ) so ended up having to get it done at a clinic on 2nd Rd. and paying for 2 fillings, same tooth. Not a happy chap.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND BANGKOK PATTAYA HOSPITAL!!!!!

Just went up to the clinic to see if it's still open, and there is a for sale sign on the window, so looks like I too will be seeking a new dentist.

The Modern Smile certainly looks promising.

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

Which is?

Sawasdee Court, soi to the left across from Soi 10 on 2nd Rd. No lift is the only drawback.

Does it have a swimming pool?

My favorite is Honey Lodge which is on the street where all of the traffic turns right before Walking Street very close to Beach Road.

Swimming pool, air-con, cable TV, a little run down with no lift. 500-600 baht.

No. Personally don't care as never use them.

Been staying there since '96, so must be satisfied, even if it is a little run down. I did stop going for a while due to a very noisy bar across the road, but thankfully that has closed.

The staff have always been friendly, which to me is more important than the decor.

It's "guest friendly" if that makes a difference.

They replaced the furniture recently, which really did make a difference as the original stuff was literally falling apart.

IMO, it's the best of the cheaper Sawasdee Hotels.

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

Which is?

Sawasdee Court, soi to the left across from Soi 10 on 2nd Rd. No lift is the only drawback.

What do you expect for 500Thb? 5 star facilities with a 3 star Michelin restaurant and a tuck-down service?

Gee Basil,

didn't get it last night eh!

No

Thought so!

My excuse is that I am stuck back in old Blighty, what I want to know what you are doing posting at what must 23:30 when as you said: quote "you might know why I posted this! ( and I don't want to get banned so I'm not going to explain it, either. Those that need to know will understand. )"?

BB

Well I'm in a happier place than you!!!

The only hint I'm going to give is that there are so many lonely young women here ( without any prospect of a boyfriend tonight as there are so few farangs around ), and they would really be happy to see a few more fellas about.

As for myself, there are many visually challenged young ladies around who think that i am a hansum man, and I really would like to get to know them better, so nighty night.

I have heard/read about this program in the past. I believe they do have some sorta program for foreign volunteers to work at their facilities for fixed terms and that they do provide accommodation for them. I think these are usually foreign exchange-student or Catholic school student type volunteers/interns. Not sure about the WPs...maybe not needed but if so, maybe they would arrange for them.

Anyone can volunteer, and they will provide room and board for full time staff, though I understand it is pretty basic. I don't think there is a fixed term, other than they want you to stay as long as possible to avoid upsetting the children with frequent turnover. I also believe that you can live away and volunteer whatever time you want to give.

Police checks etc are of course mandatory.

They do not provide work permits, and claim that it is not necessary, though in fact it is the law to have one. That is the reason I have decided not to volunteer there myself.

The best thing to do is contact the organisation directly, or if in the area go visit them.

Check out the web site www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

No Russian, even if just released from a Gulag concentration camp, would be that miserable.

They never go under 1200B.

It's not being miserable, just leaves more money for "fun".

Seems to me that the Russian guys are always with a ( Russian ) woman, so of course they have to spend more for a better room to keep the woman sweet, as they want to have "fun" too.

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

Which is?

Sawasdee Court, soi to the left across from Soi 10 on 2nd Rd. No lift is the only drawback.

What do you expect for 500Thb? 5 star facilities with a 3 star Michelin restaurant and a tuck-down service?

Gee Basil,

didn't get it last night eh!

No

Thought so!

Fact

last week flew with Thai from Heathrow. 747 had approx 70 people out of 300. Everybody and I mean EVERYBODY had a row to themselves and there were empty rows between rows. Interesting I have never seen an 747 like that and sounds like it may be the same ex USA as well

Was that on a weekday ( not Fri. )? I'm actually not that surprised this time of year, and with the recession/ fuel tax starting to bite. I only flew myself as bought ticket before the fuel tax was increased ( thanks for the warning Thai Visa ).

I also think that Thai needs to upgrade the planes from UK, as people will choose airlines that offer seat back TV if the price is the same, and there are other airlines that offer direct flights.

I flew on Thursday, and despite combining an Air NZ flight, there were still lots of empty seats.

If this is indeed the start of a reduction in family tourists from the UK to Thailand, there will be more than a few sad investors that are building all the new malls etc in Pattaya ( good! ).

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

Which is?

Sawasdee Court, soi to the left across from Soi 10 on 2nd Rd. No lift is the only drawback.

What do you expect for 500Thb? 5 star facilities with a 3 star Michelin restaurant and a tuck-down service?

Gee Basil,

didn't get it last night eh!

I just saw an old video from Walking street, taken maybe 10 years ago (before it was WALKING street) You would be VERY surprised how dead it was then compared to now.

I remember it well, and I was there when they started it.

It actually took a few years to catch on, and become as popular with strollers as it is now. They even put out tables and chairs as a sort of "beer garden" to try and attract customers down there.

Till the Russians came, the far end was pretty dead for many years, as few strollers went far past what was then Simon Cabaret.

Best thing that ever happened for us farangs that like to look at cool chicks walking around.

Just arrived yesterday, and astounded at how few visitors are about.

Most of the bars outside walking Street have but 1 or 2 customers ( at 9 pm ), shops mainly deserted, The Avenue Mall virtually empty of shoppers ( just who do they think is going to support the 100s of new shops in the big new mall, not yet open? ), and plenty of room to move on the streets. well this is low season, have you ever been to Blackpool in January?

Even Walking Street is quiet ( and where have all the Russians gone? ). Georgia? I had no trouble finding one of those comfy armchairs at Lucky Star, where before they were all filled.

I know it's low season, but this seems exceptional. Well do you not listen to the news? there is a global recession on at this time.

I guess the situation is not helped by the rapidly vanishing pound which is now 10 bht down on a year ago, and does not look like going back up anytime soon. It was up a bit a few weeks ago but has fallen again.

Haven't been around long enough to get an idea if bar fines etc gone up overall, but doesn't seem promising.

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

I've never been to Blackpool in January, but I've been to Pattaya plenty of times in the low season, and it's never been this quiet before.

If you had waited long enough to read between the lines, you might know why I posted this! ( and I don't want to get banned so I'm not going to explain it, either. Those that need to know will understand. )

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

Which is?

Sawasdee Court, soi to the left across from Soi 10 on 2nd Rd. No lift is the only drawback.

Just arrived yesterday, and astounded at how few visitors are about.

Most of the bars outside walking Street have but 1 or 2 customers ( at 9 pm ), shops mainly deserted, The Avenue Mall virtually empty of shoppers ( just who do they think is going to support the 100s of new shops in the big new mall, not yet open? ), and plenty of room to move on the streets.

Even Walking Street is quiet ( and where have all the Russians gone? ). I had no trouble finding one of those comfy armchairs at Lucky Star, where before they were all filled.

I know it's low season, but this seems exceptional.

I guess the situation is not helped by the rapidly vanishing pound which is now 10 bht down on a year ago, and does not look like going back up anytime soon.

Haven't been around long enough to get an idea if bar fines etc gone up overall, but doesn't seem promising.

Only bright spot is my fav hotel still same price and a bargain at 500bht including breakfast.

I'm sorry if its been mentioned earlier in this post. What I would like to ask, does everyone think that allowing ladies to sit around and accost passers by on the beach front road is a good image for Pattaya. At least what happens with the bar girls is far more discrete, and not in the face of family members taking a stroll. I think most people will say the families should'nt be there, this is our sex town.

Faranglandoz

Why would you take a stroll on Beach Road with your family? You know what Beach Road is for and it isn't for that. Why not take them to Jomtien where the prostitution isn't in your face? Pattaya is what it is and that aspect will never change.

Believe it or not, I have seen Thai families on the front at Beach Road. Maybe there should be a sign that says only old sex farangs allowed in this area.

Faranglandoz

Yes that's true ( about the Thai families ), but I doubt the Thais get upset about it, just uptight farangs who think single old men should just stay at home, watch TV and die quietly, not go out and enjoy themselves with nice young ladies.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what is most offensive to the "shame brigade", prostitution, or the idea that lonely old men are able to have an enjoyable sexual relationship?

OMG that sign is so BRIGHT, at times IT IS BLINDING. Also it is just showing advertising, so what is the relevance to Walking Street?

If that is an example of the new mayor's "better Pattaya", I dread to think of what is to happen to the place.

btw I read a report a while back that claimed that in the UK, despite the infestation of CCTV cameras, CCTV only actually resulted in the solving of about 3% of street crime.

I think the only cameras that work properly are the ones for catching speeding motorists, so they can fine them. The "powers that be" certainly don't seem concerned about "real" crime, as is evident by the hordes of feral hooligans terrorising the population without any attempt by the plod to disperse them. I guess that it's too dangerous dealing with real criminals.

Pattaya hoodlums are gentlemen compared to the ones in the UK.

The day I leave London to live in Pattaya, is the day I will feel safe walking about the streets!

The undisputed way to improve Pattaya is remove every grumpy farang out there who picks apart this place like so many discarded chicken carcasses. Although Pattaya has its problems - we need to accept these issues as mere idiosyncrasies. The fact is, we are all guests here, and those who spend more time complaining about potholes and suit vendors than enjoying themselves should consider going back from where they came, where everything is picture-perfect. It will make them happy, and it will please those here who enjoy Pattaya for what it is. This should cull the farang population by 75%.

Sólo mis dos centavos.

Wow, what a good idea to remove 75% of the tourists! There would then only be 25% of the money coming in, most of the Thais would have to leave to find work elsewhere, and you could have the place to yourself. Be pretty boring though.

I'm amazed that you think rip off public transport, corrupt police, muggings, shootings, beatings, thefts, uncrossable streets, cons, garbage everywhere, broken infrastructure, obstructed and dangerous pavements, dangerous traffic, dangerous electrical wiring, getting burned to death in your hotel because the safety doors are chained, noise pollution and sewage smells are idiosyncrasies. Just how bad does it have to get before you call it a problem?

My idea of an idiosyncrasy is walking down a street and having lovely young ladies calling me a "sexy man", when it is plain that I am not!

Why do people keep saying that we are "guests" here ( unless you make your guests pay to stay with you, and treat them badly )? We are PAYING CUSTOMERS. Have you ever heard the expression "The customer is always right"? As CUSTOMERS, we have EVERY RIGHT to complain if things are not up to an acceptable level. The TAT is ASKING us to go to Thailand and spend our money there. At an absolute minimum, it should be a pleasant experience.

At home, if customers get a bad deal from a shop, they complain, word gets around and people stop spending there. Then the shop closes. Those of us that love Pattaya don't want it to close, we want it to get better, so we can keep going back and enjoying it.

The day we are treated as guests in Pattaya is the day we will have no need to complain.

^ I think what they tried several years ago and re floated briefly a few months back was the closure of ALL Beach road from Friday night through Sunday night. That was/is a recipe for disaster and not the same as tbl is suggesting.

A partial closure of Beach road between Center road to Walking Street may be more productive and less fraught with traffic mayhem as Center road to the beach is a wide 2-way affair so a great big UK style roundabout would work at the beach end and make the north half of Beach road 2-way again. Same for Second Road; it would remain 1-way from South to Central and revert to 2-way from Central to Dolphin. For the 2-way sections of Beach and 2nd, only left turns when exiting from sois thus merging with the flow of traffic would be allowed, ie. no right turns that would stop traffic.

Instead of 100% closure of the lower-half of Beach road, how about pedestrian-only zones or 'islands' between certain soi junctions with Beach road? This way commercial traffic and baht buses could come down to the beach drop-off & pick-up or deliver and then go back up the next soi back on to 2nd Road. That is 2 adjacent sois would be a 1-way but in opposite directions.

I think you think wrong.Don't know the exact planswere from a few months ago but what they did several years back was exactly what beach lovers mentions.They closed beach road from soi 8 upwards to walking street and only during the weekend nights.Big opposition against from beach road business owners and they canceled it after a month or so.

Don't forget that there was opposition to closing Walking Street to traffic also, and I doubt anyone would advocate abandoning it now. All change is threatening to some people, and some will be affected, no doubt. The question is, though, will the end result be better than the present? I believe so. City Hall just has to make a decision, and have the political will stick to it. The far end of Walking Street was a disaster for most of the restaurants there after Walking Street was initially closed ( for years, few strollers ventured that far ), but it's now recovered ( with the influx of Russians setting up camp there ).

I don't personally remember the closure of all of Beach Road, but I doubt that there would be a benefit to close from Central to Dolphin. When they closed from Soi 8 to South did they make 2nd Road 2 way from South to Central? If not, no wonder it was a disaster. That would have to happen to make it work properly.

NanLaew's modification of having only sections closed to allow the busses down the sois is an improvement on my original idea. It would lessen opposition, and still achieve the objective of a pleasant outside place to spend an evening by the beach. Walking Street has become too popular to allow a relaxing time with a drink.

If you run out of ideas, this thread on the same subject (more or less) should help out: If I Was The New Pattaya Mayor, I would...

I find it kind of funny that (most) people came to Pattaya while it was very similar to what it is like now, and want to change it into something else.

Kind of like those people that buy properties (usually cheaply) near airports, then try to get the airports shut down (or get compensation for the noise, knowing full well beforehand that they were going to be living next to an airport fer christsakes !).

Or buy homes (cheaply) near a shooting range and then try to get the range closed (which would probably/possibly raise their property values of course).

In Canada, a lot of the "hippy" generation took up residence in the Gulf Islands between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Now they have nice homes worth a lot of money, and want to prevent any other development as they fear their property values will go down (funny how that wasn't a concern when they were doing their own developing of course).

Yes, there are things that could be done to improve the city, but to try and change everything so it's more "like home" ? Sheesh, if I wanted to live in a boring "Blighty by the Sea" kind of city, I would have moved to one.

A lot of people forget though, that to live in a nice, clean ("family-friendly") city with decent services, working infrastructure and

everything that they're used to "back home" costs money !

That means taxes (on everyone, not just the locals). Higher prices. More restrictions (can't have all that without some properly enforced standards and regulations).

Suddenly, everything starts looking just like the place you left, which begs one to consider, if everything back there was so great.......(you know the rest).

Hi Kerry,

I came long enough ago to remember when it was a smaller, more relaxed place, and it has changed since then, so my suggestions ( not that I have any illusions that they would happen- I did say I was dreaming ) are to make the monster that it has become a more pleasant place. No matter what changes happened, I would never imagine that I was back "home"!

The only suggestion I made that would entail a LOT of money would be widening 2nd Road, and it's going to have to happen sometime. The soundshell could be sponsored by an hotel chain or resort.

As for "if everything back there was so great"; when they have a bar/ girl scene back home just like the one in Pattaya I, for one, will not be travelling half way around the world for my holidays, or do you think we go to Pattaya for the beach and temples?

<For myself, I'd close Beach Road from Central Road to South Road from 4pm everyday, to encourage bars and restaurants to put out tables and start a "cafe culture".>

Who wouldn't want to have a relaxing drink in the open air?

<Build a proper "soundshell" entertainment complex with tiered seating, on the beach, near Central Road.>

They already have entertainments there from time to time. A proper stage and seating would allow more people to enjoy.

<I'd ban all parking on Beach Road and use the extra space to expand the land side pavement, plus put in a cycle path alongside the walkway>

No one could possibly say Beach Road is OK the way it is.

<Get rid of the sandbanks on the walkway, widen the path, put in drainage and install lots more decent seating.>

If having a decent walkway is making it more like "home", that's OK with me.

<Build some Public Toilets ( get the hotels to adopt them, to keep clean and maintained )>

Much needed.

<Widen Second Road to make it a proper 2 way road instead of the stupid one way system at present.>

This would entail a lot of money, but it's going to have to happen sometime, anyway, so why not now?

<Either put in pedestrian crossings with working traffic lights, or build overhead pedestrian bridges.>

The current lack of safe crossings is just insane.

<Designate a zone for bars of all sorts, and then let them operate 24/7 ( as they decided for their own needs ), and provide adult entertainment for adults ( within the law ).>

Pretty obvious.

<Relocate that awful stinking sewage plant next to the Walking Street entrance.>

Unless you enjoy sewage smell.

<Really develop the promenade past the Bali Hai boat park.>

Could be a real asset if developed.

<Have a regular bus route to the top of the hill, so you could visit the temple and the lookout without being ripped off by the baht busses.>

Makes sense to me.

<Ban all future large scale developments from Central Road to the hill, and from 3rd Road to the beach.>

If only.

<Cut baht bus numbers by 50%.>

Everyone wants less baht busses on the roads.

Everyone ( justifiably ) complains about the negative side of Pattaya, but imagine if you had the chance to really change things to make Pattaya better. What would you do? ( We can dream, can't we? )

For myself, I'd close Beach Road from Central Road to South Road from 4pm everyday, to encourage bars and restaurants to put out tables and start a "cafe culture".

Build a proper "soundshell" entertainment complex with tiered seating, on the beach, near Central Road. Have free bands every Saturday evening.

I'd ban all parking on Beach Road and use the extra space to expand the land side pavement, plus put in a cycle path alongside the walkway ( then put in anti bike obstacles to prevent those dangerous cyclists on the walkway itself ).

Get rid of the sandbanks on the walkway, widen the path, put in drainage and install lots more decent seating.

Build some Public Toilets ( get the hotels to adopt them, to keep clean and maintained )

Widen Second Road to make it a proper 2 way road instead of the stupid one way system at present.

Either put in pedestrian crossings with working traffic lights, or build overhead pedestrian bridges.

Designate a zone for bars of all sorts, and then let them operate 24/7 ( as they decided for their own needs ), and provide adult entertainment for adults ( within the law ). I know that there is supposed to be zoning already, but it's a joke, at present.

Have a dedicated group of law enforcement officers ( tourist police? ) the only ones allowed to patrol within the entertainment area to prevent scams.

Relocate that awful stinking sewage plant next to the Walking Street entrance.

Really develop the promenade past the Bali Hai boat park.

Have a regular bus route to the top of the hill, so you could visit the temple and the lookout without being ripped off by the baht busses.

Ban all future large scale developments from Central Road to the hill, and from 3rd Road to the beach.

Cut baht bus numbers by 50%.

Recently, I read a news article about some students who

made a day of cleaning up the beach which is admirable but they were saying it was from

inconsiderate tourists, which of course as we know is a popular misconception.

Thais seem to have a blind spot when it comes to just who is littering. Many years ago, when Samui was worth visiting, I was walking along Chaweng beach picking up rubbish, and a guy in one of the dive shops was making scathing comments about the littering tourists, but he was not able to explain to me why a tourist would have dropped a 5 litre engine oil container!

Sure, many dodgy folks down there at beach road at day and night. Yes, the beach is a complete disaster zone. However, the pro-Pattaya People, PPP, a new political party of Pattaya will shoot down any negative comments about this lovely area and claim that any complaints are not worth comparisions to our home lands. Those folks seem to state that their own countries suck and that is why they are here. At least I love my home country and Thailand and that is why I try to make it better by reporting positive and negative events. However, the long stay experts that seem to have adjusted to living in an open sewer and love it, Shrekies, need to go for a walk on the beach and take in the majestic mess that has developed over time.

The only upgrade that remains intact are the solid, tile covered benches. Great job!! Everything else is a disaster. My friend Albert Gore can confirm that beach road, along with many other parts of this resort community have hit rock bottom and don't listen to those property sellers or other PPP party members when considering your next 20 million baht, overpriced jumper sky box.

can agree with you that the beach road walkway has become a "majestic mess".

A couple of variations ago, the walkway was actually quite nice, well designed, and attractive, with plenty of space to walk, and incorporating the large trees sadly destroyed recently. Unfortunately, the Thai attitude to maintenance ( none ) allowed it to degenerate to the point that it was subjected to an inferior rebuild, which is when your large tiled benches were installed. However, the real atrocity of the present version has more or less destroyed it. Whomever thought it was a good idea to build sandbanks restricting the width of the path, whilst destroying the drainage of the pathway itself deserves a good flogging. After every rain, as anyone using the path knows, the path becomes a pool, and when the water evaporates it leaves masses of wet sand everywhere ( which is never removed ), while the sandbanks themselves are being destroyed by the pedestrians forced to walk on them to avoid the puddles.

As for the furniture!!! Whale shaped water fountains become rubbish receptacles, the not unattractive benches with the Thai children placed to obstruct rather than enhance the path, the fancy lamps just at the right height to be vandalised. If the designer had wanted it to all become a travesty, he couldn't have done better!

One must wonder if the tourist people off at travel fairs around the world promoting Pattaya have actually looked along Beach Road, which is where every tourist will visit at least once, and if they have, how do they have the gall to look prospects in the eye and lie as to how attractive Pattaya is.