The OP sounds like one of the many falang real estate agents, I recognise the tendency towards bubbly optimism no matter what the facts say, the desire to seem big and successful (that businessman, that polo club etc).

 

Personally I think Pattaya is in danger of becoming a ghost town. If the recent collapse in clientele of the bars and restaurants continues then we will see closures and once that process starts it can be self feeding...a death spiral....fewer places to go and less buzz will mean even fewer visitors and then even more closures and then even fewer visitors. Who will want to visit Pattaya once all of its buzz has gone? Even the Chinese wont want to. What happens when the hotels start going bust? Imagine Pattaya with half its sois boarded up and empty...thats the future its headed for.

 

Success breed success. Failure breeds failure. I know which of those looks more likely.

 

Edited December 22, 20196 yr by uncleeagle

Dan the reason that you can only see great things ahead is that you possible run a business and at the momenet you are a sleep having a beautiful dream when you awaken you will find that you are still in the nightmare of very few farangs to scam.

 

 

30 minutes ago, uncleeagle said:

The OP sounds like one of the many falang real estate agents, I recognise the tendency towards bubbly optimism no matter what the facts say, the desire to seem big and successful (that businessman, that polo club etc).

 

Personally I think Pattaya is in danger of becoming a ghost town. If the recent collapse in clientele of the bars and restaurants continues then we will see closures and once that process starts it can be self feeding...a death spiral....fewer places to go and less buzz will mean even fewer visitors and then even more closures and then even fewer visitors. Who will want to visit Pattaya once all of its buzz has gone? Even the Chinese wont want to. What happens when the hotels start going bust? Imagine Pattaya with half its sois boarded up and empty...thats the future its headed for.

 

Success breed success. Failure breeds failure. I know which of those looks more likely.

 

This sounds like one of those American, one-industry ghost towns that is now all blowing sand and tumble weed.

Problem is, there won't be anything to "blow" in Pattaya.

Just Danny.

With a name like Cheeseman one must wonder if these articles are written tongue in cheek as they can be quite ridiculous.

TAT forecast 39 million Argentinian polo players to visit Pattaya next year.   And their horses.

I knew a fun town that went downhill and then rose up higher than ever. This town had an amusement park and one of the most fun attractions was the Dodge 'em Cars. Lots of fun banging together, and the most fun was seeing a girl ahead and ramming her from the rear. Wow! But then one day a new manager took over that ride and at the first "bang!" he would run onto the floor and scream at the drivers: "Can't you see the sign? It says 'Dodge 'em', not 'Hit 'em!" So the drivers tried to have fun dodging, but it wasn't any fun with ho one hitting. The park slowly died. Then one day a rich man bought the park, the rides, and the land. He tore it all down and built condos. Now it is a big town with lots of people and taxes and everyone gets to sit home and watch "Wheel of Fortune" on TV. Whoopee.

Spelling police post removed

Because of my job near Pattaya, I lived in the resort city by choice for 14 years... and there are numerous foreigners ( not just retired)that live in or near Pattaya because of employment at the various international industries along the Eastern Seaboard ( we’re not all chasing bar girls- we’re too busy working). 

  I definitely have seen the place change with new towering condos dotting the landscape, more shopping centers ( such as Central and Terminal 21) and numerous tourists venues for families to visit ( water parks, sheep farm, Art in Paradise, Magical Iceland of Siam, Harbor Land...) I was not living in the city because of the adult night entertainment venues; in fact, found such bars full of drunk tourists on holidays places to avoid. I enjoyed the same “Western” comforts found in Bangkok such as Western grocery stores, cinemas, scores of ethnic cuisine at local restaurants and  shopping. Along the beach  watching the sunset fade away behind the  distant islands then  the city lights glimmering  along the tranquil bay of Pattaya was just as impressive as being along the Mediterranean Sea at night. (True,  during the daytime the beach area is not as impressive.) Unfortunately the increase of bumper to bumper polluting  tour buses and the mobs of cheap tour groups in a small designated area of Beach Rd& 2nd Street have created traffic jams and wearing down the city’s infrastructure. Sometimes bigger is not always better and the over  development of Pattaya the past 12-15 years has not been a total “blessing”- especially when city ordinances or zoning is unheard of in a city that only a few decades ago was a fishing village.  

Pattaya has potential to be more attractive to tourists with deep pockets but it needs to be serious and have long range goals instead of responding with “knee jerk” solutions to solve city problems. What are the plans for preventing raw sewage flowing into the bay? (btw restoring the eroded beaches was a huge accomplishment)  What are the plans to enforce city ordinances so a go-go bar or “massage parlor” doesn't pop up overnight  next to a condo or school?   What are the plans  for replacing the crumbling infrastructure from  increase usage? Why isn’t maintenance included in most of the city’s finished projects???? Why can’t the city have police walking around in the city to discourage crime instead of most of the offices sitting in their “police kiosks” or preying on motorbike drivers? ...And  what does the resort city do to promote itself in Bangkok or at the major airports to get the attention of the independent traveling families visiting Thailand? ( Pattaya is certainly cheaper than Phuket.) 

We can all sit and say Pattaya has a bright future but city officials need to show investors and businesses what their long range plans/ objectives are and follow them- not continue having a series of PR campaigns that fade away with the Pattaya sunsets. 

7 minutes ago, toenail said:

Because of my job near Pattaya, I lived in the resort city by choice for 14 years... and there are numerous foreigners ( not just retired)that live in or near Pattaya because of employment at the various international industries along the Eastern Seaboard ( we’re not all chasing bar girls- we’re too busy working). 

  I definitely have seen the place change with new towering condos dotting the landscape, more shopping centers ( such as Central and Terminal 21) and numerous tourists venues for families to visit ( water parks, sheep farm, Art in Paradise, Magical Iceland of Siam, Harbor Land...) I was not living in the city because of the adult night entertainment venues; in fact, found such bars full of drunk tourists on holidays places to avoid. I enjoyed the same “Western” comforts found in Bangkok such as Western grocery stores, cinemas, scores of ethnic cuisine at local restaurants and  shopping. Along the beach  watching the sunset fade away behind the  distant islands then  the city lights glimmering  along the tranquil bay of Pattaya was just as impressive as being along the Mediterranean Sea at night. (True,  during the daytime the beach area is not as impressive.) Unfortunately the increase of bumper to bumper polluting  tour buses and the mobs of cheap tour groups in a small designated area of Beach Rd& 2nd Street have created traffic jams and wearing down the city’s infrastructure. Sometimes bigger is not always better and the over  development of Pattaya the past 12-15 years has not been a total “blessing”- especially when city ordinances or zoning is unheard of in a city that only a few decades ago was a fishing village.  

Pattaya has potential to be more attractive to tourists with deep pockets but it needs to be serious and have long range goals instead of responding with “knee jerk” solutions to solve city problems. What are the plans for preventing raw sewage flowing into the bay? (btw restoring the eroded beaches was a huge accomplishment)  What are the plans to enforce city ordinances so a go-go bar or “massage parlor” doesn't pop up overnight  next to a condo or school?   What are the plans  for replacing the crumbling infrastructure from  increase usage? Why isn’t maintenance included in most of the city’s finished projects???? Why can’t the city have police walking around in the city to discourage crime instead of most of the offices sitting in their “police kiosks” or preying on motorbike drivers? ...And  what does the resort city do to promote itself in Bangkok or at the major airports to get the attention of the independent traveling families visiting Thailand? ( Pattaya is certainly cheaper than Phuket.) 

We can all sit and say Pattaya has a bright future but city officials need to show investors and businesses what their long range plans/ objectives are and follow them- not continue having a series of PR campaigns that fade away with the Pattaya sunsets. 

Good post with many valid points, what spoilt it was the lack of paragraphs, that makes it very difficult to read, -B, could do better. ???? 

5 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

I was in one of my favourite watering holes yesterday out on the darkside, more staff than customers,

Common to see here these days, and this is 'high season." 

“vastly improved coastlines” (last para of Dan’s report)

Not sure what this means - maybe contract Slartibartfast to make Pattaya’s coast look more like Norway’s?

And straight up the usual suspects from a dingy little room in some remote town jump in to offer their expert opinions ????

1 hour ago, madmen said:

And straight up the usual suspects from a dingy little room in some remote town jump in to offer their expert opinions ????

Not quite straight up, for those of you who may have been paying attention will know that this article is a rehash from something posted a week or so ago, I don't know who's trying to kid who here, the only way for Pattaya is well anyone's guess but up is doubtful.

15 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The polarisation of view could not have been any more different from when I met with other business people at the Argentinian polo cup at the Polo and Equestrian centre in East Pattaya over the weekend. Here I met many property developers, industrial to International school leaders and ambassadors; all of whom talked of a wonderful future ahead for Pattaya.

Sounds good. I'll check it out tomorrow.

 

And I would just like to take a moment to remind you we are fighting for the soul of our forum even as we speak.

Please vote for NCC1701A for POTY. Thank you.

 

Edited December 22, 20196 yr by NCC1701A

10 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

, I asked him how things were over in Naklua these days, seeing as it used to be a busy bustling part of town, his response, Dead, he said most bars were empty and shutting shop not much after 10.30 pm, same with restaurants, no tourists.

 

It appears to be the same everywhere, I was in one of my favourite watering holes yesterday out on the darkside, more staff than customers, crazy situation.

Because everyone at the polo with Dan.

48 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

Not quite straight up, for those of you who may have been paying attention will know that this article is a rehash from something posted a week or so ago, I don't know who's trying to kid who here, the only way for Pattaya is well anyone's guess but up is doubtful.

 

I disagree.

 

I even think that it is possible that someone, somewhere has the blueprint of the Pattaya 25 year Development Plan.

 

The gentrification of of Beach Road north end to Klang (excluding sois 6, 6/1) will no doubt continue. The really smart planner would designate an entertainment zone from Soi Buakhao going east and south, keep Walking Street as a live museum and make Pattaya 70% family oriented with 30% set aside for mongering. Market forces will shape those percentages over time.

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Where upon Pattaya once relied on the revenues of the retiree expat market, now it has its eyes focussed on other emerging riches that will better guarrantee a brighter more prosperous future. Like it or not.

Yup, and just listen to 'em squeal......

Dan is a cool guy. He lives one the top floor of the building on the left in this photo.

 

 

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

Dan is a cool guy. He lives one the top floor of the building on the left in this photo.

 

 

55

the choice of the photo is perfect to illustrate the fantastic future fo Pattaya

on the left the famous Waterfront condo, one of the biggest scam and failure

in the city  

On the right the famous marina, another big project that completely sank

despite the colossal sums of money ''invested''

 

Obviously all this money is not lost for everyone

so i am not surprised the 1% ''happy few'' at the polo club enjoy their lifes

for the 99% of the rest of the population, Thais and expat, doom and gloom are

a daily reality, and it's going to be worse in the future.

20 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

but there is plenty for families to do in the area.  Thai families make up a huge proportion of families using the water parks, children's play areas in the many malls and other attractions.  

ohh come on

 

thai families use Pattaya park because it's cheap, the others waterparks are 

too expensives for most of the Thais, can you imagine the budget for a family of 4 or 5?

https://www.ramayanawaterpark.com/explore/?_ga=2.139609271.56810958.1554085920-264688734.1552990662&_gac=1.40634134.1553597422.EAIaIQobChMI_tnksdGf4QIVjImPCh0KZQmQEAAYASAAEgIQ4PD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4M2T_JfK5gIVVZCPCh2d9g26EAAYASAAEgLsR_D_BwE

 

The same for the malls, the play area are empties in Central festival and in Royal garden

and the Harbor mall, wich is the biggest play area for children. is empty too because the prices

are ridiculous, i mean how many thai families are ready to pay 1000 bahts for few hours of play

for the child? You mention at the end of your post ''other attractions'', can you name them?

 

Pattaya can not be a family area because who in his right mind let the child swimming

in the sea here? So you bring your child to the beach and you tell them ''sorry you can

not go in the water because it's like swimming in a sewer''? 

 

7 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

“vastly improved coastlines” (last para of Dan’s report)

Not sure what this means - maybe contract Slartibartfast to make Pattaya’s coast look more like Norway’s?

THHGTTG.

suddenly i don't feel like the oldest here anymore. although i did listen to R4's series, not the C$$P television version

23 hours ago, smedly said:

sorry but what a complete pile of nonsense and a total waste of reading

I got a good laugh out of it.  A nice picture of polo grass - what will it look like when the drought sets in or the floods submerge it?  No pictures of police bandits.  No pictures of garbage piled high on the streets; none of a working taximeter; none of the traffic jams or hospital casualty wards.

21 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

We had dinner with a mate & his GF last night, he got back into town just over 3 weeks ago, due to the state of the £ he delayed his return and continued with his P/T job back home, he has his own place in Naklua, a pickup & M/cycle, I asked him how things were over in Naklua these days, seeing as it used to be a busy bustling part of town, his response, Dead, he said most bars were empty and shutting shop not much after 10.30 pm, same with restaurants, no tourists.

 

It appears to be the same everywhere, I was in one of my favourite watering holes yesterday out on the darkside, more staff than customers, crazy situation.

Hi

 

Your mate description of naklua is right.

It is deadly quiet.

Several bars, no customers, same applies to most restaurants.

 

In more than 10 years of living in naklua never seen it so quiet, I should qualify by saying  for the time of the year but am sure it was busier even in mid season say 3 or 4 years ago than it is now in what is described as high season.

Walked down soi Wong Amat ( 18/2 ) Saturday lunchtime, very very quiet, few boarded up shops/premises.

Incredible change from years gone by.

 

Certainly some struggling businesses here.

Dan the influential blogger ❤️

Clearly a real champion 555

 

 

21 hours ago, Jip99 said:

Market forces will shape those percentages over time.

Do your market forces factor in competition from neighboring countries???? 

What a wxxker.. Naturally the super rich playing polo are unaffected by the evil advantages they take of the common folk. I think he only wrote this article to tell us he went to the polo club. I imagine a friend paid his entrance fee because he kisses way too much axx to be Independently wealthy. 

It is not impossible to see great things ahead for Pattaya .

 

As soon as it bombs big time under the current government it will either have to give up the ' family and sports hub ' fantasy and return to its core financial base , cheap prostitutes, or become the tumbleweed hub of Asia.

 

And this will be great for a whole new generation of sex tourists who will pump their seed into the place and restore its ignomy and its economy.

 

Only problem is that the girls will need so much cash to finance their addictions to smart phones , apartment, television, motorcycle, monthly stipend to mum etc , that the mongers will find it tough going to be able to afford the dissipation like they did in the good old days.

 

Unless of course the baht crashes like it did before. That is the only thing that can save Dans investment.

 

 

1 hour ago, Leaver said:

Do your market forces factor in competition from neighboring countries???? 

 

Market forces factor in anything.

 

I don’t see much competition other than Vietnam. Wouldn’t touch Laos or Cambodia. Places like Penang, and more westernized Malaysian/Indonesian countries do not directly compare with Pattaya. Philippines perhaps does but you can keep that..... Vietnam  Is the place that will attract those who might consider Pattaya.

1 hour ago, Denim said:

And this will be great for a whole new generation of sex tourists

Unfortunately the new generations are not very attracted by the ''sex tourist'' things

 

Years of feminism campaigns and general moral pressure in their home country have associated

this activity to something criminal, widely repressed and socially rejected.

 

Plus they are all connected h24 by ''social medias'' and none of them want to be

identified as a ''Pattaya tourist'' or localised, in a way or another, in the sin city by

their family friends and all their contacts (Included professional contacts).

 

I had 2 friends coming here for some weeks holidays, one said at everybody he was traveling

in Japan and the other was supposed to be in Bangkok, Both was terrorised at the idea to 

have a problem here and their family and friends was aware of their real location.

 

They don't come anymore, it wasn't really holidays for them, too much stress

plus they was not in the bar trip, more using applis like Thaifriendly for the girls

and finaly all included (Plane, hotel, food, transports, girls and so on) they tought

it was pretty costly considering the state of disrepair of the city and without even a real nice seaside.

1 hour ago, Jip99 said:

 

Market forces factor in anything.

 

I don’t see much competition other than Vietnam. Wouldn’t touch Laos or Cambodia. Places like Penang, and more westernized Malaysian/Indonesian countries do not directly compare with Pattaya. Philippines perhaps does but you can keep that..... Vietnam  Is the place that will attract those who might consider Pattaya.

Vietnam this year has 20% of the tourists that Thailand has.

 

Everybody is shrieking about Vietnam but it really is a scruffy hole outside Dan Nang and Nha Trang. There is a black river runs through HCMC and it absolutely stinks.

 

The traffic is worse, the air is worse, once you get fed up of soup and sandwiches the food is worse, the transport is patchy at best, and the hotels are largely pigeon lofts below four stars and there's nothing to see. Their dollar/dong double menu scam would shock even the worst Thai scammer. 

 

By all means, if you're fed up of Thailand, go elsewhere but for Satan's sake shut up about Vietnam.

 

There is one great place that I've found in Vietnam in seven visits (mostly press ganged) and if you think I'm sharing that you are wrong.

The coffee is quite nice.