Very disappointing visit to Pattaya.

[thaibeachlovers]

Left today, after a few days and won't miss it.

Started badly when the Nth Bus Stn baht bus driver insisted on 50 baht to a Second Rd hotel. Supposed to be 20 baht, but there is no alternative.

Stayed at one of the grand old Pattaya hotels. I stayed there for a month a year ago, and was very happy, but this time it was a different story. Wifi didn't work, and staff couldn't care less when I complained. If an hotel advertises it comes with wifi, it should have one that works. It was working fine a year ago, and I'm now on the same computer, which is working fine, but in a different hotel. Actually, the hotel is looking a bit run down, and the staff aren't interested, so wondering if it's due to be sold and demolished. Be a shame if it is destroyed, but they ain't doing anything to encourage return custom.

Regarding demolishing things, too many small sois have had all their interesting buildings and businesses demolished and replaced by <deleted> boutique hotels, which has turned them into cultural deserts with absolutely nothing of interest in them.

Even Soi Post Office and Yamato are being taken over by horrid flash nightclubs and hotels, so they are losing their appeal too.

Seems to me that the soul of Pattaya is being ripped out and replaced by horrid, expensive businesses that make the place just boring. That nice hotel that was next to the Apex has gone and going to be replaced by a ghastly condo or something like that.

Quite a few barbeers along Beach Rd closed and obviously going to be demolished. The way it's going, Pattaya is going to be an expensive nasty place with nothing to do except eat in expensive restaurants and drink in expensive nightclubs with that ghastly noise they use instead of music.

Traffic is awful, with huge tour buses even at 1030 PM. The pedestrian lights do work on Beach Rd, but not on 2nd Rd.

It's going to be diabolical in high season.

The beach. Half of it walled off for sand replenishment, and the rest barely visible at high tide. All the speed boats seem to be permanently moored off the beach now.

Walking St. First night I went at dusk and lots of DDG gurls with ( as Fr Ted put it ) lovely bottoms. Next night I went at 10PM. Chock a block with Chinese crocodiles, and barely a lovely bottom in sight. The lesson is to get in early, or miss out. Plenty of lady boys out and about though, if that floats your boat.Actually, I noticed that ladyboys have moved big time into Soi Post office, and take over several barbeers.

Soi 7 and 8. Tragic. Fast vanishing and being replaced by <deleted> boutique hotels. Loads of barbeers for rent or just closed. Walking around them was very depressing, as I remember when they were the in spot, and heaving with customers. Now they are so quiet, even the gurls can barely manage a glance at prospective customers. Didn't hear a single "hansum man".

Cinema. Always love the movies, but Central is way more expensive than Chiang Mai, and have the theatres so cold it is hypothermic. Avenues Cinema is great to have an entire auditorium to yourself.

Buakhao. I forgot that it was so dangerous, with zero pavements and fast two way traffic. Once was enough, as I don't want to be maimed.

 

To sum up, it's losing whatever appeal it had culturally, and becoming a soul less boring <deleted> hole for rich people. The buildings are expensive, but the pavements have actual holes in them, part of the beach promenade has collapsed, they still have to use big water pumps on the walkway because they forgot to put in drains when they widened the road.

Apparently nothing is maintained, and the roads/pavements are just falling apart. I'm sure the broken pavements are the exact same broken pavements as in the 90s.

The only "improvements" I saw was the big holes along Nth Rd to put the power lines underground. Where it's been finished, the road actually looks good, but that's just one road, and no doubt T21 has something to do with the improvements.

Hate to say it, as I've always loved Pattaya, but if this is the way it's going, I won't miss it at all.

[thaibeachlovers]

Forgot to mention that Mike shopping mall is finally getting cladding over the Second Rd end. It's only taken 30 years or so. 

[NanLaew]

I visit Pattaya every 3 months or so as a reality check from a sedentary, semi-retired, family life in Bahn Nork. I stay for a longish weekend, hang out with my old former special forces mates and fellow non-SAS "legends in our own lunchtime" at our regular non-beer bar, ladyboy free watering hole on Soi Post Office that's been there for maybe 22 years. Never go to WS. Once in a blue moon, some of us get a wild hair and hit LK Metro or Lengkee and only cross over Bukhao. When the "been there, done that" feeling kicks in (usually on the fourth day), I hit the main food emporiums and load up the ice box with certain things that I either like or can't get in Nakhon Nowhere and head back home... for a reality check.

Edited July 15, 2018 by NanLaew

[Jip99]

I have long-since stopped crossing over Second Road (except to go to Central Festival or take a walk on the prom).

 

 

I stay in a variety of places in or around soi Buakhao/Pattaya Klang, or I go to Jomtien - hotels or condos.

 

 

Pattaya has something for everyone and the secret is finding what YOU want.

 

 

What it is not good at, is helping you to rediscover the past - or live 'old times'.  It has changed.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Jip99

[Dumbastheycome]

"What it is not good at, is helping you to rediscover the past - or live 'old times'.  It has changed."

 

 

Yep.  Thats  what  sucks  about  getting  older . Change puts  in  your   face !  lol

[champers]

I still think Pattaya has plenty of what you are looking for and always will do. It is difficult to find new favourite places when you only visit and don't live in the city.

Poorly run places close but there are always  plenty of new places opening; bars included.

DDG girls are still much in evidence; I think more and more they are being "sourced" online.

Sorry to hear about your hotel, but again I think it is the poorly managed feeling the squeeze. Airbnb and other OBAs  have a lot to answer for; many stay in condos and only the best run hotels can compete.

The city is evolving and growing all the time and does cater for more demographic groupings, sometimes at the expense of others.

Come back soon; after T21 opens in high season and see what you think then.

[newnative]

He'll be back. Just one of many who can't quit Pattaya.

[AlexRich]

I was there in January and February this year and didn't really enjoy it as much as before, on my next trip I think I'll spend more time in the Big Mango or somewhere quiet where you can relax and meditate ... like a cave in Chiang Rai. 

[Jingthing]

49 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

...
or somewhere quiet where you can relax and meditate ... like a cave in Chiang Rai. 

Too soon. 

[dotpoom]

I remember visiting a town/city somewhere too.... that disappointed me?

[banglay]

I think if you had to eat Kobi beef every day eventually you would get tired of the taste and crave a burger & fries.....The same goes for Pattaya ...variety is the spice of life ...and Pattaya still has the spice ..So just get off the revered bar stool and wonder further afield  you might just find another bar stool to your liking too reminisce the "good auld days"

 

If you  have a "Living in the past attitude too life you will never truly be happy with what the future has to offer you".

 

[DoctorG]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Didn't hear a single "hansum man".

Maybe you are no longer hansum?

Just kidding beachy. Good post.

[chicowoodduck]

Agree with the storyline....used to be I could not wait to get back to Pattaya, now the shoe is on the other foot....can't wait to leave....lol.....?

[Jip99]

4 minutes ago, chicowoodduck said:

Agree with the storyline....used to be I could not wait to get back to Pattaya, now the shoe is on the other foot....can't wait to leave....lol.....?

 

 

 

Don't go !  ?

 

 

Visiting Pattaya is not compulsory....

[Saiyok]

The whole of Thailand is getting worse.

 

More traffic

More overdeveloped beaches

More trash

More expensive

Strong baht

 

 

 

 

[NanLaew]

17 minutes ago, Saiyok said:

More overdeveloped beaches

Meanwhile, in Loei...

[spidermike007]

It does seem that the legendarily non visionary small minds at the top, are making a concerted effort to turn the country into a Quaker state. Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Samui are pale shadows of their former selves, when it comes to attracting and keeping "talent" and the bars are closing left and right. The ones that remain open complain viciously about the lack of trade from the punters. It appears that Bangkok and Hua Hin are sort of holding their own. Not much of an expert on P town. Kind of makes sense. The Chinese do not hang out at the bars, nor do they patronize many of the working girls. And as we all know, the powers that be are not particularly interested in us Westerners any more. Perhaps we bring too much support, respect, culture, and cash? LOL. 

 

I agree about the newer establishments. Many are without much soul. On Samui there are alot of new, expensive restaurants opening. The older, reasonable places where you can get a really good Thai meal are disappearing, and even many of them are asking silly prices for food and drink. However, from what I am told, business is so far off what it used to be, that you can now rent storefronts without paying key money, which is unheard of. Tell that to the TAT!

[phantomfiddler]

Alas the law of nature is that the nicer a place is, the sooner it will be brought down. It was fantastic 37 years ago, and I,m sure even better before that.

[soistalker]

First time I went to Pattaya was 2000. Totally different place then. No Chinese, no Korean, no Chinese, no Russians, no Chinese; no Indians, and no Chinese. There were lots of  English,Aussies, and Germans. The bars had pretty girls, and the mood was upbeat.

NOW?!. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese coming at you, all following that little flag someone is carrying, oblivious to anyone trying to walk by, each one exactly the same as the next. It's the same thing you would have seen in the Korean war, with the heathens coming down the hill in masses.  They won't move out of the way. They make people go into the street around them on beach road because they block the promenade by the thousands.

And the Thai want more?! Chinese tourism is ruining SME in Pattaya. 

Edited July 16, 2018 by soistalker

[manhood]

Dear Mr Sunbeachlover: sure things change here and faster than you can imagine , either the tourists change and the hotels and and and....

You expect all will be perfect for you, but all must be CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!

I think still Pattaya is much cheaper compare to Pukhet! And for farangs living here you can get and buy everything you need as a farang who not want to stick with rice and some curry food!

 

The good old days are gone, sure, but sure not gone within one year!

The world is changing and Pattaya as well: good or not is everybodies different perspective!

[NanLaew]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Stayed at one of the grand old Pattaya hotels. I stayed there for a month a year ago, and was very happy, but this time it was a different story. Wifi didn't work, and staff couldn't care less when I complained. If an hotel advertises it comes with wifi, it should have one that works. It was working fine a year ago, and I'm now on the same computer, which is working fine, but in a different hotel. Actually, the hotel is looking a bit run down, and the staff aren't interested, so wondering if it's due to be sold and demolished. Be a shame if it is destroyed, but they ain't doing anything to encourage return custom.

A mate of mine, one of the "legends in our own lunchtime" brigade back in the 1980's is a creature of habit. When he comes back for his annual revisit, it's like he's caught in a time warp and he still stays at the Mike Hotel near the traffic lights at Tai & 2nd. Back in the 80's, this place was one of the newer, modern 3-4 star places that had nice carpets, marble floored lobby, quiet rooms, hot and cold water and a decent kitchen with the added bonus of being a quick walk from WS when escaping with the night's bedwarmer. When I dropped him off after an airport pickup and went up to the lobby to collect the cheese and stuff he brought over for me, I swear it was the same carpet.

 

Pass on the 'grand old' Pattaya hotels like the Lek. Even the Dynasty which was another home from home in the 90's has the same look and smell, plastic covered sofa's, redolent of nicotine-stained airconditioners and plumbing without traps.

 

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

...<deleted> boutique hotels, which has turned them into cultural deserts with absolutely nothing of interest in them. ...

Some of the boutique hotels from Soi 11 south are really very good and there's at least 4 on Soi 10 alone that get my regular business as they are (for now) mostly Chinese-free, the Soi is wide and most have excellent covered parking. The older ones are as you say, either running on empty or have handed themselves over to the low-budget Chinese tour set. Anyway, since when has any Thai hotel been a 'cultural oasis'? Maybe the old Peninsula down by the Chao Phraya in Bangkok? The old Royal Cliff was the best that Pattaya had for years but never, ever had the same cache. It is Pattaya after all.

 

If all my Pattaya mates simultaneously departed, I seriously doubt I would bother visiting as much. Maybe a one day shopping trip every 6 months but more likely I would either try harder to find what I need locally or elsewhere... or just change my needs. Going to Pattaya on your own with ones' head jammed full of reminiscences is on a hiding for nothing IMHO.

[Saiyok]

28 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Meanwhile, in Loei...

No beaches

[NanLaew]

3 minutes ago, Saiyok said:

No beaches

[scubascuba3]

I think you need to move on from the good old days, accept change will happen, you just have to search for the places you like

[Nemises]

Did the Pattaya sea water quality improve during your 12 months away? 

[NoshowJones]

What is DDG girls? You must have taken a long time to write this very interesting topic, so why the initials?

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, soistalker said:

First time I went to Pattaya was 2000. Totally different place then. No Chinese, no Korean, no Chinese, no Russians, no Chinese; no Indians, and no Chinese. There were lots of  English,Aussies, and Germans. The bars had pretty girls, and the mood was upbeat.

NOW?!. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese coming at you, all following that little flag someone is carrying, oblivious to anyone trying to walk by, each one exactly the same as the next. It's the same thing you would have seen in the Korean war, with the heathens coming down the hill in masses.  They won't move out of the way. They make people go into the street around them on beach road because they block the promenade by the thousands.

And the Thai want more?! Chinese tourism is ruining SME in Pattaya. 

When I see these Chinese people blocking the whole footpath in Beach Road, I just walk right 

through them as if they weren't there, scattering them out of my way.

[Jai Dee]

7 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

What is DDG girls?

Drop Dead Gorgeous would be my guess... 

[soistalker]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

When I see these Chinese people blocking the whole footpath in Beach Road, I just walk right 

through them as if they weren't there, scattering them out of my way.

Do you give them a shout first to clear the way?

[shackleton]

All part of the Thai Tourism Board upgrading for Advertising Pattaya as a Family Resort

Shopping Malls  better up market hotels Restaurants ect 

as already mentioned   the bar scene was great in the 80s and 90s  now to expensive hence the closing of many 

The  influx of Chinese  tourists not interested in bars get them in the Malls and restaurants spending their money