Before: Pattaya never sleeps! After: Everyone in bed by 11 pm: Resort is dead say Thais

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, Happy Grumpy said:

The flight carrying the 6,000 baht per day Indians was delayed. 

There was nobody on it

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"The PM said he'd bring peace and quiet to Thailand". 

Yep, the almighty wet blanket has made Thailand more dull than Singapore.  Of course what do these people who work there for years know?  There could be some top secret military fun operation nobody knows about or can comprehend.  

 

For all those who root on cha cha, you root on the marginalization of Thailand. 

[soalbundy]

6 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

Pattaya has always attracted lonely middle aged and older blokes and more and more blokes are becoming middle aged, elderly and lonelier all the time. They'd still come but it's got too expensive and unwelcoming. It never really was on younger peoples' or the backpackers types' radar.

 

When the public read or hear of people being grilled by immigration officers and placed in detention centres without even getting a chance to defend or explain themselves or even enter the country then it's bound to kill tourism.

 

Just one such incident on the Western media will deter thousands of would be falang visitors.

 

The fellow who'd had a nervous breakdown but had committed no crime a few years ago yet was pictured manacled to the prison bars 'for his own safety' in Pattaya put people off.

 

As have the murders of foreign tourists throughout the LOS especially young women and families. And the British family getting kicked unconscious over in Hua Hin.

 

The stricter visa regulations and health insurance racket don't help either where long termers and ex pats are concerned.

 

They've taken us for granted and now they're losing us. And our money. The bar girls in Pattaya know exactly what's happening. Just ask them what they think of Prayut and his lataban (government).

well that just means less people bringing back STD's to Europe and decreasing the HIV infections.

[spiekerjozef]

"The PM said he'd bring peace and quiet to Thailand". 

 

Classic lol

[Beggar]

"One of Thailand's premier seaside resorts is so quiet that most people are in bed by 11 pm. 

 

Few are buying anything, red light areas are quiet as the grave, hotels won't lower their prices and one poster even spoke of being afraid of ghosts, it was that quiet."

 

 

The end is here. Yesterday when I walked home at 10 pm everything was empty in Central Pattaya. Even the Soi dogs were sleeping already. Bars were dark and had a sign "Closed. Please don't disturb." Frustrated I wanted to buy a beer in a 7-Eleven. When I entered the shop a sleepy looking cashier shouted angrily "What you want!" and so I left without anything - not even with a plastic bag. The motorbike taxi drivers were sleeping and had a big sign "Please don't disturb. Call Grab for a ride". This is not Pattaya anymore. 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, metempsychotic said:

i have seen an increase this year of friends and friends of friends traveling this way. they are coming for islands like koh phangan, or doing wakepark tours of bkk and phuket. they are all 30-45 and are travelling for lifestyle and activities now and pattaya is not on the radar. 

A young couple I know (Brits) in their early 30s are at Krabi/Ao Nang/Phi Phi.

They said they won't be coming again, Krabi and Ao Nang they didn't like, Phi Phi was a bit pricey.

I suggested Vietnam next time.

He's a multi-millionaire (owns thousands of acres of farmland in Oxfordshire).

Edited November 29, 2019 by BritManToo

[SuwadeeS]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"The PM said he'd bring peace and quiet to Thailand". 

Quiet, yes he did bring it to Thailand, But for peace, I am not sure. 

I do not believe that the people are so happy.

 

More and more shops close and shut down, because lack of costumers.

That only proves that all these numbers are fiction. 

[bbbbooboo]

48 minutes ago, smedly said:

although I highly respect most of your posts and find them to be a good read - you are way off with this one.

 

Having lived here a very long time I see no evidence of changes of the type you are suggesting.

 

 

What has happened however are three fold

 

- Thailand has become very expensive mostly down to the strength of the baht, people I know that came here on a regular basis are no longer coming.

 

- the authorities decided to treat western tourists with contempt, they are making it harder and harder for tourists from the west to travel and stay here, so why are they doing this - to my 3rd point

 

- they have foolishly overestimated the value that tourists from places like India and China bring here, there may be big numbers arriving but what are they doing when they get here - certainly not spending money because they generally don't have much, I see Indians wondering about in groups just looking, they may spend some time in hanging in massage joints looking for cheap relief but that is about the height of it

 

 

Thai authorities think that big numbers translate to big revenue - well it doesn't, they have alienated the big spenders who are now going elsewhere - to places were they fell welcomed and treated properly

Well said. Very accurate appraisal

[DannyCarlton]

41 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

I can't blame the police for this

i live here and i am also stopped at the check points for controls

drive licence, insurance, tax, alcool and whatever

i have never had to pay something, 

And i do not want to be killed or wounded on the road by a rented big motorbike

drived by a drunk stupid tourist with no licence and who have no clue about the drive in Thailand.

Recently a friend of mine (regular visitor) got pulled over on his bike on 2nd Road. Helmet, licence, insurance, everything in order. Cop asked him for 200 baht. When my friend asked why, cop said, "cannot park here". My friend pointed out that the cop had asked him to stop there but it fell on deaf ears, "No parking here, 200 baht".

 

My friend posted the story on Facebook and it went pretty viral. One little 200 baht scam by one cop, a shedload of bad publicity for Thailand.

[plastkort]

35 minutes ago, SteveK said:

I'd bet that it's the ridiculous over-valuation of the Thai baht which has been the number one contributor here. Visitors can overlook Thailand's foibles when things are so cheap. When things cost more than in your home country, or more importantly than in places like Bali, Mexico, Portugal or even Spain, is it any wonder people are choosing to go elsewhere? It's the Norwegians I feel most sorry for, 12 years ago I met some in Pattaya and they kept talking about how ridiculously cheap everything was for them. Now very few to be seen in Thailand.

yeah!, the baht is probably strengthen about 100% or more during this time, also the overal price increase does also help making it more expensive to stay here :-o

[Xaos]

1 hour ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I recently got pulled over by the cops for one of their routine collect money stops, and while I had everything, I heard more than one tourist moaning loudly that they were paying out money for the stops that were "everywhere" every single day, and would never be coming back. Fair enough, they didn't have the right documents, but I have never been to a tourist resort that so actively looks to fleece their guests in such a way. Combine this with the murder of the town as it used to be and is it any surprise that the place is a ghost town?

 

I agree. Got all papers. Driving big bike, cops are everywhere day and night. 

Alcohol checks and urine tests. If u from usa and smoked there it shows up few weeks later and they rip ppl of 20k I, heard.

 

Edited November 29, 2019 by Xaos

[SuwadeeS]

1 minute ago, DannyCarlton said:

Recently a friend of mine (regular visitor) got pulled over on his bike on 2nd Road. Helmet, licence, insurance, everything in order. Cop asked him for 200 baht. When my friend asked why, cop said, "cannot park here". My friend pointed out that the cop had asked him to stop there but it fell on deaf ears, "No parking here, 200 baht".

 

My friend posted the story on Facebook and it went pretty viral. One little 200 baht scam by one cop, a shedload of bad publicity for Thailand.

Thats the THAI way, and that is why they lose so many tourists to other nations.

Just 200 Baht but still a cheating. Foreigners are not stupid. They talk about their

experiences in Thailand. It will get worse, bacause too long Thais have ripped of

foreigners. The impact will come with a delay. 100%!!!

[fforest1]

1 hour ago, hyku1147 said:

I got a really bad feeling when they started to widen Beach Road.

I figured that the project was poorly planned, but  i had no idea that it was a harbinger of radical change.

Pattaya was the Las Vegas of South East Asia.

The old promenade was not only a lovely beautiful and a relaxing place in was the crown jewel of Pattaya.....Now the promenade is just a shadow of its former self......   

Edited November 29, 2019 by fforest1

[Isaanbiker]

Few are buying anything, red light areas are quiet as the grave, hotels won't lower their prices and one poster even spoke of being afraid of ghosts, it was that quiet.

 

I'm certain IF there were some good looking prostitutes, there'd be many people. Or Ping Pong ball shooting gals...

 

  But Pattaya doesn't have prostitutes regarding the government.

 Change the fee for having a girl for 24 hours back to 500 baht, change some immigration laws, perhaps look for a new rule, stop the thousands of Indians and Chinese Triads and foreigners might come back.

 

  Too many laws and regulations have made the country a place where you don't have to fly a long time just to find out that they might not let you in. 

 

 All the Russians, Chinese, and Indians aren't what I'd want to meet on a holiday, to be honest.

 

And the Muslim areas do not really make the place to a better one. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Not just Patti in trouble is it take a look on webcamtaxi to find out what this sham government has done to tourism through greed and lunatic laws????  

The rot started to set in around 2000 or so, under Thaksin, who thought double pricing, black money, hating farang, were all good ideas.

As seems to be many seem to have very short memories.

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

You have to say that the authorities have brought this upon themselves. In their desperation to save face and stop anything the slightest bit smutty from going on in town, they destroyed exactly what so many people visited for. People wanting a fun week or two away came here because that was what was on offer, and they didn't give a damn for temples and nature beauty spots, a point obviously missed by the folks that have killed the place.

I am sure the average bar or hotel owner would far prefer it to go back to how it was, rather than go broke in a "family friendly" but empty resort.

Most hurt are the employees that went back or are going back home.

And their families, of course.

[outsider]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

... red light areas are quiet as the grave...

 

There are red light areas in Thailand!?!? Ya mean the traffic-light intersections, I am sure?

 

Anyway, why is anyone complaining? The pesky farangs are gone, the noisy Chinese are nowhere to be seen and the Indians... well they're not here, one assumes? So it's all peace and quiet. No crimes, no noise, no immoral activities, no drunkards, nothing! You guys should be happy, no? And on this front, General Fishstop did deliver 100 percent - bringing back happiness to you lot.

 

[ivor bigun]

dont know how dead it is we never stay up that late(i remember the days when i went out at 11pm) but as i said once before we live a family life here so its no problem ,but if i was a tourist like i was the first time ,i doubt i would ever come back a 2nd time .

[fforest1]

If any one has seen how expensive Indian food is thats why the Indians are always broke because thats all they eat......No need to stay out past 11PM with no money....

[Isaan sailor]

Only three reasons tourism has gone down:

 

1.  High Baht.

2. High Baht.

3. High Baht.

[30la]

Why not follow the suggestion of the tourism minister? Keep the bars open until 4am, maybe then people arrive ...... for breakfast ???????????

[Bangkokazy]

Thailand advertising to the world is a bit like (Holocaust)
Nice pictures but a hell  to be there.

Edited November 29, 2019 by Bangkokazy

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, hyku1147 said:

Pattaya was the Las Vegas of South East Asia.

Surely that dubious honour has to go Macau.

[Miss Pickle]

Typical Thailand they don’t seem to grasp that the exchange rate is rubbish so they don’t lower the prices my husband golfs in a Thailand. And they have put the prices UP ! That is why it’s dead and will stay that way until the prices go down it is not a budget destination anymore sadly.

[toenail]

It seems the majority of the tourists visiting Pattaya are on packaged tours being catered around by bus so have to follow  the schedule program which includes getting up early in the morning to go to Koh Larn or another tourist trap nearby. The “adult entertainment” areas don’t have the volume of customers anymore because that age group is now older and the “young bucks” from Western countries cannot afford to hop on a plane and vacation/ party in Thailand anymore (plus Pattaya looks like a dump to them). 

Yes, Pattaya will always be a vacation spot but the kind of visitor is changing. 

[Thomas Hannah]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

although I highly respect most of your posts and find them to be a good read - you are way off with this one.

 

Having lived here a very long time I see no evidence of changes of the type you are suggesting.

 

 

What has happened however are three fold

 

- Thailand has become very expensive mostly down to the strength of the baht, people I know that came here on a regular basis are no longer coming.

 

- the authorities decided to treat western tourists with contempt, they are making it harder and harder for tourists from the west to travel and stay here, so why are they doing this - to my 3rd point

 

- they have foolishly overestimated the value that tourists from places like India and China bring here, there may be big numbers arriving but what are they doing when they get here - certainly not spending money because they generally don't have much, I see Indians wondering about in groups just looking, they may spend some time in hanging in massage joints looking for cheap relief but that is about the height of it

 

 

Thai authorities think that big numbers translate to big revenue - well it doesn't, they have alienated the big spenders who are now going elsewhere - to places were they fell welcomed and treated properly

Correct.I am one of those that came.I virtualy lived there for 12 years.Not been back for over 4 years.Attitude started changing about 12 years ago.Even the thais used to stand at 6pm to the king.No respect anymore.You are looked upon to be abused in any way they can.I know hundreds that have stopped going.What pattaya was good for has all gone.Its now just an expencive bad place.Rats,filthy sea.Bus fumes.Thieves.Scammers.Even police issue tickets for no helmet and your wearing them.Over the years many people have asked me about going.I tell them the truth.So they dont go.Its now become a place to avoid.And to many other parts of thailand.it is still cheap.Even though its expencive now.

[ThomasThBKK]

26 minutes ago, hansnl said:

The rot started to set in around 2000 or so, under Thaksin, who thought double pricing, black money, hating farang, were all good ideas.

As seems to be many seem to have very short memories.

 

If he was so much of a Farrang hater, why did he introduce the elite visa, wanted foreigners to be able to buy land etc? ...

 

Sure he was rotten too, his war on drugs totally over the top, but don't think he was in any way more xenophobic compared to whats going on now.

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

fireworks festival going on now.

 

all my regular places on Agoda are booked.

Hotels release blocks of rooms for availability on agoda, booking, etc.. These booking sites do not show what any hotel's total room availability is. Since hotels will be hedging on charging higher rack rates for the inevitable walk-in customers this weekend, these websites won't be an accurate indicator of actual occupancy.

[atyclb]

2 hours ago, keith101 said:

2 hours ago, Happy Grumpy said:

The flight carrying the 6,000 baht per day Indians was delayed. 

And the Chinese are going to Vietnam

 

me too

[Emdog]

"One of Thailand's premier seaside resorts is so quiet that most people are in bed by 11 pm. "

and the tourists have the audacity to be in bed by 11 in a different country!