Pattaya versus Sihanoukeville

[geisha]

Go visit, you won’t stay long. As everyone says, it’s been destroyed .

[Pdavies99]

  On 4/17/2019 at 11:37 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Personally I don’t mind hotels, condos, shopping malls , and casinos.

If those nice beaches with its beach clubs joints are still there then i think for me Sihanoukeville been really improved.

Expand  

The beaches are private now, not many beach bars either. I was there in Jan 2019.

 

Property prices are double that of Pattaya, and the issue is that ALL the other condos are occupied by Russians and Chinese, not some, ALL! 

 

The hotel prices have doubled or more, what used to cost $25 a night is now over $45 and are usually full of Chinese.

 

There are now many supermarkets with food imported from Thailand or Hong Kong and the price increase means double Thailand Prices!

 

A Motor bike rickshaw style which used to cost to the hill area bars was US$2-3 one way and for a couple extra dollars would wait all evening to take you back, now you are charged US$10 per person and a minumum of $20 each way.

 

So personally enough said...the main difference between Pattaya and Sihanoukville was that most of the beach aeas were in private hands and so have now been sold off, likewise land say 100 meteres from the beaches which was open ground is no Chinese or Russian or Korean owned Hotels.

 

The Russians have even bought two large local islands are privatised the whole Islands and beaches completely.

[rott]

  On 4/18/2019 at 10:16 AM, DaRoadrunner said:

It didn't get washed away, most of the 400MB ended up in someones pocket. A fraction of it went on sand.

Expand  

Waste of time talking to him. He asks questions and rejects the answers he gets because they are not what he wants to hear. Then he slags Pattaya and nobody asked his opinion of Pattaya.

Don't know why he.wastes his and other people's time, it is easy enough to get there and see for himself.

Whatever he is told he will always know different, always know better.

[Benmart]

  On 4/18/2019 at 3:36 AM, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

Destiny1990, your views are about 10 years out of date. S'ville, which I had pinpointed as a retirement destination,  has been destroyed. No exaggeration. Check a couple of expat forums, such as Cambodian Expats Online and read the long-running thread. It would make you cry. Expats have abandoned the place and moved to Phnom Penh and Kampot, and many have fled to Vietnam. 

Expand  

So true. I communicate frequently with Khmer teachers in Cambodia who echo your comments. They add, the country is being sold, bit by bit to the Chinese.

[Letseng]

  On 4/17/2019 at 11:37 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Personally I don’t mind hotels, condos, shopping malls , and casinos.

If those nice beaches with its beach clubs joints are still there then i think for me Sihanoukeville been really improved.

Expand  

The beaches 10 years ago looked nice. I enjoyed spending many hours in the sea until I spotted the waste water pipes under the sand and ending a few metres from the shore line in the water.  Happy swimming?

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 2:35 AM, Letseng said:

The beaches 10 years ago looked nice. I enjoyed spending many hours in the sea until I spotted the waste water pipes under the sand and ending a few metres from the shore line in the water.  Happy swimming?

Expand  

And Pattaya doesn't have those pipes?

we are comparing 2 cities but since most of u only insert negative comments about one place then it becomes fishy.

surely there are pros and cons about each town in comparison!

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/18/2019 at 8:53 AM, VBF said:

I suggest you have a look at

 

 

This was from someone who had visited just 18 months before, not 10 years!

I shall certainly never return. ???? 

Expand  

I was actually in Sihanoukville only 6 months ago.  You can see the date stamp on my photos.

 

I suggest the OP follow the link.  I answered many questions and posted many photos. 

 

If anyone on this thread has any photo requests, let me know.  I took a lot of photos.

 

I was shocked with the scale of the development taking place, but it's well discussed in the other thread. 

 

As far as comparing Pattaya to Sihanoukville, it's like comparing apples to oranges. 

 

The main focus of Sihanoukville is well and truly gambling now, something that Thailand does not have, so no real comparison. 

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/18/2019 at 11:50 AM, Destiny1990 said:

Well what is weird is all these comments from posters  only contain negative remarks.(No balance) good points bad points.

While already their Visa and real estate purchase laws are better in Snouky as in Thailand  also people can better English over-there. Also having casinos i see it as a advantage but no they only come up with rubbish on a beach and too many chinese in Snouky.. 

So Pattaya has no rubbish on a beach and no chinese and or Indians?

much better get comments from someone living there for 5 years then these weekends tourists who think they seen it all.

Expand  

I suggest you check out the thread I started in the Cambodia Forum.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.  My photo are not negative, or positive, just fact.

 

I posted many photos, and took requests for photos from members. 

 

Despite being told not to go there, I wanted to go to see the destruction for myself, and I did see.   If you check out my photo, you will also see the big changes there.

[fuzzie]

Notes Beach. 2018 Feb.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 8:10 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I suggest you check out the thread I started in the Cambodia Forum.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.  My photo are not negative, or positive, just fact.

 

I posted many photos, and took requests for photos from members. 

 

Despite being told not to go there, I wanted to go to see the destruction for myself, and I did see.   If you check out my photo, you will also see the big changes there.

Expand  

Yes you’re right very nice and much more balanced thread about Snouky.

I look forward seeing the changes for myself.

Again the fact that many new condos, malls and casinos have arisen for me thats is a positive development  however if its become an Chinese only town and super expensive with all the beach bar clubs destroyed then thats a turn down.

I think Pattaya should at least try to get back the momentum by allowing 1 or 2 casinos could be for tourists only if gambling isnt allowed for locals.

Seems these casinos are creating the economic boom.

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 8:02 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I was actually in Sihanoukville only 6 months ago.  You can see the date stamp on my photos.

 

I suggest the OP follow the link.  I answered many questions and posted many photos. 

 

If anyone on this thread has any photo requests, let me know.  I took a lot of photos.

 

I was shocked with the scale of the development taking place, but it's well discussed in the other thread. 

 

As far as comparing Pattaya to Sihanoukville, it's like comparing apples to oranges. 

 

The main focus of Sihanoukville is well and truly gambling now, something that Thailand does not have, so no real comparison. 

Expand  

They can be easily compared both are are Asian seaside places relying on tourists.

10 years ago Pattaya already was a city while Snouky was still a village.

Now Snouky has added casinos and seems to have some momentum malls , Condos coming up etc its possible that the transformation is still disappointing  but maybe the place needs more time as its far from completed?

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/19/2019 at 9:19 AM, Destiny1990 said:

Yes you’re right very nice and much more balanced thread about Snouky.

I look forward seeing the changes for myself.

Again the fact that many new condos, malls and casinos have arisen for me thats is a positive development  however if its become an Chinese only town and super expensive with all the beach bar clubs destroyed then thats a turn down.

I think Pattaya should at least try to get back the momentum by allowing 1 or 2 casinos could be for tourists only if gambling isnt allowed for locals.

Seems these casinos are creating the economic boom.

Expand  

The beach bars on Serendipity Beach are all gone. 

 

It has become an all Asian town.  You don't even see backpackers stay there anymore.  

 

It is expensive, but the Chinese have driven rents up.

 

No malls or condo buildings.  They target Chinese gamblers, not Chinese shoppers.  The Chinese have brought over their own construction workers, so they rent a lot of the long term accommodation for them, but not one worker per condo, they put in bunk beds and get as many as they can in there, and the construction is 27/7, not just in the day. 

 

Check out Agoda and similar websites for what is left for tourist accommodation. It may surprise you.

 

Gambling is where Thailand is losing out to Vietnam, big time.  Sihanoukville has become like a Macau, but the infrastructure is so bad there.

 

Vietnam offers casinos, but with good infrastructure. 

 

You will not see anything like the below in Sihanoukville.

 

https://www.thegrandhotram.com/experience/

 

And the casino part.

 

https://www.thegrandhotram.com/casino/

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/19/2019 at 9:31 AM, Destiny1990 said:

They can be easily compared both are are Asian seaside places relying on tourists.

10 years ago Pattaya already was a city while Snouky was still a village.

Now Snouky has added casinos and seems to have some momentum malls , Condos coming up etc its possible that the transformation is still disappointing  but maybe the place needs more time as its far from completed?

Expand  

I disagree. 

 

There's nothing like Central Festival, or a Big C shopping mall in Sihanoukville.  They fly gamblers in, and fly gamblers out.   Many will never leave the casino they are in for the duration of their trip, because when they step outside, they are in the third world. 

 

The power goes down regularly, as well as the water supply, but not for a short time, for many hours.  That's no cool shower to wash the dust off, and no a/c or fan to sleep. Some nights were not pleasant.  Sure, Pattaya experiences power and water outages, but no where near as bad as Sihanoukville.  The big casinos have generators, but smaller hotels do not.  The pressure all these casinos put on the electricity and water supply sees them fail regularly.

 

Like I said, they are building a Macau, but is surrounded by third world infrastructure. 

 

So, unless you want to sit at a slot machine or card table all day, there's nothing left in Sihanoukville to see, or do.  You certainly will not find any expats, or tourists to mingle with. 

[DaRoadrunner]

  On 4/18/2019 at 6:07 PM, rott said:

Waste of time talking to him. He asks questions and rejects the answers he gets because they are not what he wants to hear. Then he slags Pattaya and nobody asked his opinion of Pattaya.

Don't know why he.wastes his and other people's time, it is easy enough to get there and see for himself.

Whatever he is told he will always know different, always know better.

Expand  

It really hurts my brain..... the sand got washed away... not the 400M Baht... Got it?

 

Think about it, how much sand would 400M buy?

 

In case you are wondering rott, I have been to Pattaya.

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 11:44 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I disagree. 

 

There's nothing like Central Festival, or a Big C shopping mall in Sihanoukville.  They fly gamblers in, and fly gamblers out.   Many will never leave the casino they are in for the duration of their trip, because when they step outside, they are in the third world. 

 

The power goes down regularly, as well as the water supply, but not for a short time, for many hours.  That's no cool shower to wash the dust off, and no a/c or fan to sleep. Some nights were not pleasant.  Sure, Pattaya experiences power and water outages, but no where near as bad as Sihanoukville.  The big casinos have generators, but smaller hotels do not.  The pressure all these casinos put on the electricity and water supply sees them fail regularly.

 

Like I said, they are building a Macau, but is surrounded by third world infrastructure. 

 

So, unless you want to sit at a slot machine or card table all day, there's nothing left in Sihanoukville to see, or do.  You certainly will not find any expats, or tourists to mingle with. 

Expand  

 

 https://buildangkor.com/

Yup Pattaya lacks Casinos to get their momentum back up.

 

but did u click the above link?

It features  many Condo projects and malls and hotels  all planned or some even starting for their construction in Snouky.

[Letseng]

  On 4/19/2019 at 12:29 PM, Destiny1990 said:

 

 https://buildangkor.com/

Yup Pattaya lacks Casinos to get their momentum back up.

 

but did u click the above link?

It features  many Condo projects and malls and hotels  all planned or some even starting for their construction in Snouky.

Expand  

When I look at the projects to be built in S.ville I can see the same happen as with Forest City/ Johor in Malaysia. Chinese built thousands of condos and now most are empty and rotting. All built by Chinese for Chinese.

 

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 2:28 PM, Letseng said:

When I look at the projects to be built in S.ville I can see the same happen as with Forest City/ Johor in Malaysia. Chinese built thousands of condos and now most are empty and rotting. All built by Chinese for Chinese.

 

Expand  

Who knows..

[smedly]

anyone posting on this thread that has not been to Sihanoukeville recently has absolutely nothing to contribute

 

those that have been there recently thanks for the heads up - been there 4 times and last time was about 6 years ago, won't be going back

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 5:50 PM, smedly said:

anyone posting on this thread that has not been to Sihanoukeville recently has absolutely nothing to contribute

 

those that have been there recently thanks for the heads up - been there 4 times and last time was about 6 years ago, won't be going back

Expand  

That’s ur last post then in this thread.

[myshem]

  On 4/17/2019 at 11:37 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Personally I don’t mind hotels, condos, shopping malls , and casinos.

If those nice beaches with its beach clubs joints are still there then i think for me Sihanoukeville been really improved.

Expand  

 

Nice beaches in Cambodia ! 5555+

 

 

 

[smedly]

  On 4/19/2019 at 6:26 PM, Destiny1990 said:

That’s ur last post then in this thread.

Expand  

could be …...………. oooops

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/19/2019 at 12:29 PM, Destiny1990 said:

 

 https://buildangkor.com/

Yup Pattaya lacks Casinos to get their momentum back up.

 

but did u click the above link?

It features  many Condo projects and malls and hotels  all planned or some even starting for their construction in Snouky.

Expand  

I looked at your link.

 

There are no doubts there is big development taking place in Sihanoukville, but it's a long way off what is in the photos in your link.  Below are some photos of the stages of construction.

 

I think a lot of these projects are used for money laundering, on a big scale, both for gamblers, and the developer.  

 

Even if all the nice buildings in your link eventually get built, step outside the building and you are in the third world.  The Chinese have poured a lot of money into their construction projects, but zero money into the infrastructure of the town of Sihanoukville.

 

I was told when a lot of these building are completed, the Chinese will do a deal to increase capacity of the airport, and maybe upgrade the road from Phnom Penh, so they can get more gamblers it, but other than that, they have not upgraded any state owned infrastructure to cope with all their extra development.  You will see photos of the condition of the roads there now in the other thread.

 

Photo 1:  Would you like to live in a place like this.  It looks like the rows and rows of old style Soviet housing.  It could be one of the projects in your link.

 

Photo 2: This looks like the project named Prince City Center, or possibly the Royal Bayview. or the Blue Bay in your link.

 

Photo 3:  Many projects were still just at the clearing of the land stage.  I don't know if they are selling these off the plan in China, either for real, or for money laundering purposes. 

 

I'm not saying that nothing is actually being built there.  On the contrary, there's a lot of construction.  What I am saying is, only private construction is taking place, no public construction or upgrade to critical infrastructure to keep pace with the development there.   

 

 

[Destiny1990]

  On 4/19/2019 at 11:28 PM, KhunHeineken said:

I looked at your link.

 

There are no doubts there is big development taking place in Sihanoukville, but it's a long way off what is in your photos.  Below are some photos of the stages of construction.

 

I think a lot of these projects are used for money laundering, on a big scale, both for gamblers, and the developer.  

 

Even if all the nice building in your link eventually get built, step oyside the building and you are in the third world.  The Chinese have poured a lot of money into their construction, projects, but zero money into the infrastructure of the town of Sihanoukville.

 

I was told when a lot of these building are completed, the Chinese will do a deal to increase capacity of the airport, and maybe upgrade the road from Phnom Penh, so they can get more gamblers it, but other than that, they have not upgraded any state owned infrastructure to cope with all their extra development.  You will see photos of the condition of the roads there now in the other thread.

 

Photo 1:  Would you like to live in a place like this.  It looks like the rows and rows of old style Soviet housing.  It could be one of the projects in your link.

 

Photo 2: This looks like the project named Prince City Center, or possibly the Royal Bayview. or the Blue Bay  in your link

 

I'm not saying that nothing is actually being built there.  On the contrary, there's a lot of construction.  What I am saying is, only private construction is taking place, no public construction or upgrade to critical infrastructure to keep pace with the development there.   

 

 

Expand  

I think in 5 years time  Snouky will look a lot like Pattaya Jomtien is looking today but then with casinos.

To make more roads improve infrastructure it  isn’t so difficult because there is Still enough empty land for roads in Snouky.

In Phillipines also u go to a 5 star mall once u go outside it looks third world style and small roads but folks get used to that fast.

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/19/2019 at 2:28 PM, Letseng said:

When I look at the projects to be built in S.ville I can see the same happen as with Forest City/ Johor in Malaysia. Chinese built thousands of condos and now most are empty and rotting. All built by Chinese for Chinese.

 

Expand  

I have been told this is happening in Phnom Penh.  I haven't been to Phnom Penh for a few years, but will go there later this year.

 

My friend there tells me rents for a condo in one of the many Chinese built complexes is quite cheap, and they are quite new.  He said many were vacant, and never had anyone live in them.  I'm not thinking of moving there, but out of interest will have a look as some of these complexes, and maybe a condo, and check out some prices.

[BritManToo]

  On 4/20/2019 at 12:01 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I have been told this is happening in Phnom Penh.  I haven't been to Phnom Penh for a few years, but will go there later this year.

 

My friend there tells me rents for a condo in one of the many Chinese built complexes is quite cheap, and they are quite new.  He said many were vacant, and never had anyone live in them.  I'm not thinking of moving there, but out of interest will have a look as some of these complexes, and maybe a condo, and check out some prices.

Expand  

Was there last week, lots of new high rise buildings under construction.

Rooms can be had for $150/month and up, plenty of vacant apartments.

Didn't see any Chinese, apparently they stay in a different part of town to white folk.

 

I'm told Sihanoukville has been deserted by expats, and they mostly hang out at Kep these days.

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/19/2019 at 11:57 PM, Destiny1990 said:

I think in 5 years time  Snouky will look a lot like Pattaya Jomtien is looking today but then with casinos.

To make more roads improve infrastructure it  isn’t so difficult because there is Still enough empty land for roads in Snouky.

In Phillipines also u go to a 5 star mall once u go outside it looks third world style and small roads but folks get used to that fast.

Expand  

Would you live in Jomtien Pattaya if it was all Chinese, and I mean, all Chinese?  That is, the signage, the food, the TV channels, the shopping, just about everything?  That's what you are looking at in Sihanoukville, because it will all be Chinese owned, catering for Chinese.    

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

  On 4/20/2019 at 12:04 AM, BritManToo said:

Was there last week, lots of new high rise buildings under construction.

Rooms can be had for $150/month and up, plenty of vacant apartments.

Didn't see any Chinese, apparently they stay in a different part of town to white folk.

 

I'm told Sihanoukville has been deserted by expats, and they mostly hang out at Kep these days.

Expand  

I can confirm there are little to no western expats or tourists left in Sihanoukville.  You see the odd backpacker passing through on their way to the island, but that's about it.   

 

I have been to Kep, but some years ago, prior to the Chinese taking over Sihanoukville.  I was told many moved to Kep, and I would be interested to see or hear about what has been set up to cater for them.  I was also told many moved to Vietnam. 

 

Where did you stay in PP?  I used to stay in the riverside area, near the Royal Palace.  Is this area still the same? 

[BritManToo]

  On 4/20/2019 at 12:14 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Where did you stay in PP?  I used to stay in the riverside area, near the Royal Palace.  Is this area still the same? 

Expand  

Riverside bar area, packed out with expats in their 50-70s.

The riverside walk is nice, I would get up at dawn and walk along to the ferry and back every morning.

Was a bit surprised at the number of bars and the number of bar girls that were in the area, enjoyed the draught beer at 50c-75c a glass (330ml).

 

[bkk6060]

  On 4/20/2019 at 12:22 AM, BritManToo said:

Riverside bar area, packed out with expats in their 50-70s.

The riverside walk is nice, I would get up at dawn and walk along to the ferry and back every morning.

Was a bit surprised at the number of bars and the number of bar girls that were in the area, enjoyed the draught beer at 50c-75c a glass (330ml).

 

Expand  

Anything else exciting besides your morning walk?

Those girls in the bars cost more then Pattaya.

 

But, the ultimate one I always love is the 50 c beers.  It is hilarious to me how many small mind people when asked about a reason to go to PP is: 50 c beers! Wow, I am jumping on a plane now.

PP is a filth of a nothing hole. Any entertainment and quality of life is so much better in Pattaya.

As a golfer, Cambodia is a joke.

If people get off and feel good about themselves for 50c beers and wide open pharmacuticals, then go enjoy.

[bkk6060]

  On 4/19/2019 at 7:44 AM, Destiny1990 said:

And Pattaya doesn't have those pipes?

we are comparing 2 cities but since most of u only insert negative comments about one place then it becomes fishy.

surely there are pros and cons about each town in comparison!

Expand  

For someone who has not been there for 10 years and asked for input, you sure are spending a lot of time on here defending the false virtues of Shville....