Lifted from one of the facebook groups am in and taken earlier today Thai time. Load of other photos showing the place utterly deserted on the main streets as well

Will just leave this one here. Further words superfluous. 42.50 on the ground for Brits (at best) so am not surprised

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you sure it isn't the fresh smell of Pattaya Bay and its close cousin the local sewer treatment plant? ?

No worries: 3 day weekend coming! Expect hordes of Thai visitors and the "offerings" they will leave behind for the sea Goddess

Expect "pristine deserted beaches" to be added to the description of this world class holiday resort, in the near future

Its true in Jomtien last week beach totally dead and empty..it was on one of these no beach chairs and umbrellas days.

Looks very natural so congratulations..

2 hours ago, Emster23 said:

No worries: 3 day weekend coming! Expect hordes of Thai visitors and the "offerings" they will leave behind for the sea Goddess

Like cigarette butts and plastic bags. Whoa! That can't be!  Only the bad foreigners litter the beaches with cigarette butts and plastic bags! 

Thailand is no longer good value for Europeans and hasn't been for a long time, and it's not all down to the exchange rate. Beer and wine are far, far cheaper in many European countries (10 baht a can of beer in Spain, for example), and food there is of a far, far higher quality. So why spend hundreds of pounds/euros flying to Thailand when cheaper and better is only an hours flight away, or even there at home.

41 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Thailand is no longer good value for Europeans and hasn't been for a long time, and it's not all down to the exchange rate. Beer and wine are far, far cheaper in many European countries (10 baht a can of beer in Spain, for example), and food there is of a far, far higher quality. So why spend hundreds of pounds/euros flying to Thailand when cheaper and better is only an hours flight away, or even there at home.

Food better in Spain?  Depends what kind of food I guess.  Thailand has some of the best food in the world.  You obviously are just looking for reasons to throw rocks.  You are going have a hard time doing it convincingly with the food argument.  Last time I went to Spain many years ago it was quite expensive.  Portugal was much cheaper. 

38 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Thailand is no longer good value for Europeans and hasn't been for a long time, and it's not all down to the exchange rate. Beer and wine are far, far cheaper in many European countries (10 baht a can of beer in Spain, for example), and food there is of a far, far higher quality. So why spend hundreds of pounds/euros flying to Thailand when cheaper and better is only an hours flight away, or even there at home.

I'm European and Thailand is still a good value ? I hope all the cheap charlies stay in Spain and enjoy the 10 Baht beer

1 minute ago, CH1961 said:

I'm European and Thailand is still a good value ? I hope all the cheap charlies stay in Spain and enjoy the 10 Baht beer

I don't know about the beer but they are going to pay a lot more for everything else.  

Make up you mind, I just read how the beaches are littered with tourists cigarette butts???

2 hours ago, connda said:

Like cigarette butts and plastic bags. Whoa! That can't be!  Only the bad foreigners litter the beaches with cigarette butts and plastic bags! 

Thais are the worst litters ever. No need to look beyond 

Surprised nobody has mentioned one very salient point.......  It's low (and rainy) season!

Do the same "survey" in November / December and compare ?

2 hours ago, lapd said:

Food better in Spain?  Depends what kind of food I guess.  Thailand has some of the best food in the world.  You obviously are just looking for reasons to throw rocks.  You are going have a hard time doing it convincingly with the food argument.  Last time I went to Spain many years ago it was quite expensive.  Portugal was much cheaper. 

Can"t speak for the food in Spain, but the prices for Spain have gone down ever since they were financially hit by the crisis. The same for Greece, they had become far too expensive and have again come down in price.

Pattaya beach yesterday. Not 1 person swimming along the whole beach. Water is a mix of blue and black. Revving speed boats everywhere.

1 hour ago, VBF said:

Surprised nobody has mentioned one very salient point.......  It's low (and rainy) season!

Do the same "survey" in November / December and compare ?

lol and every single year the low season gets lower and lower what is it you cant grasp here

Hotels with huge vacancies over christmas new year check yourselves. At 42 and change for Brits its over compared to 20 years ago plus.

 

4 hours ago, lapd said:

Food better in Spain?  Depends what kind of food I guess.  Thailand has some of the best food in the world.  You obviously are just looking for reasons to throw rocks.  You are going have a hard time doing it convincingly with the food argument.  Last time I went to Spain many years ago it was quite expensive.  Portugal was much cheaper. 

 

I didn't write that it was better. I also didn't write that food in Spain was cheaper. I wrote that it is of higher quality. There is a difference. I would go for most Thai food over Spanish, but look around a supermarket in Spain and one in Thailand and the difference in the quality of fish and meat is huge. Unless you go to the few really high-end supermarkets in Thailand, where the quality matches Spain but the prices are astronomical in comparison.

If you want to compare quality, I went to an Argentinian steak restaurant in Spain. The meal cost 15 Euros. Similar in Thailand would set you back at least 3000 baht/80 Euros. Both imported, but in Thailand you must pay dearly for quality. If you go for a so-called Thai-French steak it will cost 200 baht. The only problem is that it would be inedible.

By the way, most Thai food is often a hybrid of Chinese and Indian cooking. Still delicious though, and maybe because of that.

There are worse countries for litter.  Africa as a whole qualifies.  Much of Eastern Europe and Russia are close.  Thailand is not the paradise it once was but it is home to thousands of expats.  I never go to the beach since I always get an earache after swimming.

 

The beaches are far from Thailand's worst problem.  The continuing carnage on the highways is my number 1 issue with Thailand.

 

Thailand is now my home so I will do my best to be tolerant.

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I went to an Argentinian steak restaurant in Spain. The meal cost 15 Euros.

Seriously .. a meal in an Argentinian steak restaurant for 15 Euro ? For a (genuine) steak with salad and beverage ? Any proof available ? I guess you are not talking about a meal .. I'm sure you had a fatty, stinky Spanish burger with a 50 Cent beer in a German/Brit crowded "Kneipe/Pub" ? In Switzerland you pay for a Pizza 700 Baht, a beer 200 Baht and for a steak 1200 Baht .. so Thailand is still a good value .. for me ? 

3 hours ago, sikishrory said:

Pattaya beach yesterday. Not 1 person swimming along the whole beach. Water is a mix of blue and black. Revving speed boats everywhere.

thats exactly the way it looked last week

6 hours ago, lapd said:

Food better in Spain?  Depends what kind of food I guess.  Thailand has some of the best food in the world.  You obviously are just looking for reasons to throw rocks.  You are going have a hard time doing it convincingly with the food argument.  Last time I went to Spain many years ago it was quite expensive.  Portugal was much cheaper. 

 

Perfect statement from a tourist who knows nothing.

Thai food taste is good, but not difficult when you know what kind of $hit they put inside.

Sorry, I was the first to brag Thai food until I started cooking it and understand what kind of poison it is.

But if you like to keep dreaming, do it, we have all been through this path...

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Thailand is no longer good value for Europeans and hasn't been for a long time, and it's not all down to the exchange rate. Beer and wine are far, far cheaper in many European countries (10 baht a can of beer in Spain, for example), and food there is of a far, far higher quality. So why spend hundreds of pounds/euros flying to Thailand when cheaper and better is only an hours flight away, or even there at home.

 

So true !

 

 

400 million baht clean up?? ................. it's still a filty beach with grotty objects floating! Yuk! I'd still never go swimming there ..... even after all the so called improvemments. The foot path is still a nightmare, especially around the "Dusit" area. Thought this area had been renovated & cleaned up ............ apparently not, still has an open sewer flowing out to sea by the Thai Airways office. The area looks really shabby ............ really disappointing as it was "boarded up" for months.

36 minutes ago, cookieqw said:

thats exactly the way it looked last week

Yep ......... I'm 100% with you on this. I went for a walk on the beach too last week ............... I just wonder who is benefitting from all these so called costly improvements. So much rubbish on the beach .... it's a disgrace. 

4 hours ago, Chivas said:

lol and every single year the low season gets lower and lower what is it you cant grasp here

Hotels with huge vacancies over christmas new year check yourselves. At 42 and change for Brits its over compared to 20 years ago plus.

 

Well I shall be going just after New Year but won't be  making any bookings until October/November so "huge vacancies" now for the period are not necessarily a guide.

 

The absolute difference in the exchange rate of 42 versus, say 50 doesn't actually make that much difference to a tourist, unlike someone living in Thailand. For me, staying about 2-3 months it's about £450.

 

My point though was simply that I'd expect Thai beaches to be pretty deserted  in July / August so find the news unsurprising.

2 hours ago, mlmcleod said:

There are worse countries for litter.  Africa as a whole qualifies.  Much of Eastern Europe and Russia are close.  Thailand is not the paradise it once was but it is home to thousands of expats.  I never go to the beach since I always get an earache after swimming.

 

The beaches are far from Thailand's worst problem.  The continuing carnage on the highways is my number 1 issue with Thailand.

 

Thailand is now my home so I will do my best to be tolerant.

Yes, living here is what you make it & I fully agree with your remarks. Sad about the beaches, but it'll not change as people do not care enough here. Most are selfish & do what they want because they can ...... everyone turns a blind eye, even police. Thailand is my home too ...... I tolerate all the madness here as you do & accept all Thainess now .......... it's the mindset, which europeans on holiday have difficulty with on a short stay. I'd not live anywhere else ....... every day is different & I enjoy it.

1 hour ago, CH1961 said:

Seriously .. a meal in an Argentinian steak restaurant for 15 Euro ? For a (genuine) steak with salad and beverage ? Any proof available ? I guess you are not talking about a meal .. I'm sure you had a fatty, stinky Spanish burger with a 50 Cent beer in a German/Brit crowded "Kneipe/Pub" ? In Switzerland you pay for a Pizza 700 Baht, a beer 200 Baht and for a steak 1200 Baht .. so Thailand is still a good value .. for me ? 

 

In a Spanish restaurant. Sorry, I didn't keep the receipt for you. Beverages extra though. Switzerland is different. I remember - who wouldn't - seeing a simple burger there costing the equivalent of eight pounds - and that was over 30 years ago. I'm certain that, as a Swiss, you would find Thailand a bargain. But I compared to Spain. Entirely different.

6 hours ago, Chivas said:

lol and every single year the low season gets lower and lower what is it you cant grasp here

Hotels with huge vacancies over christmas new year check yourselves. At 42 and change for Brits its over compared to 20 years ago plus.

 

Well, you are back here, yet again. It isn't over for you.

18 hours ago, Chivas said:

lol and every single year the low season gets lower and lower what is it you cant grasp here

Hotels with huge vacancies over christmas new year check yourselves. At 42 and change for Brits its over compared to 20 years ago plus.

 

Maybe you guys should not make stupid voting decisions (cough...Brexit...cough) and not expect it to affect your bottom line.  You have nobody but yourselves to blame for your lousy exchange rate right now.  Although, it seems to have recovered a little bit in the last year.  Still a ways to go before it gets to pre-brexit vote levels

With all the people sitting around looking for a way to make some money, they should set up a booth on the beach and give people something like 10 baht for every kilogram of garbage they collect.  The beach would probably be spotless.  It would easily pay for itself in tourism.  That's such an eyesore right now and should not be acceptable in a supposed beach town.  They should also be doing something about the raw sewage.  I know they keep talking about it but nothing seems to get done.