I know it sounds crazy.

But how about this?

 

Instead of ruining Pattaya with casinos and Chinese takeover like happened in a certain beach city in Cambodia, why not try something else?

 

An international creative arts zone for Pattaya.

 

Invite creatives and artists from all over the world with a special super easy visa, perhaps even including financial incentives. Only for residence in the Pattaya metro area. Sure for the time being, require anti Covid measures for as long as that is needed. 

 

Pattaya is never going to compete with Samui or Phuket, etc. for the best beach scene.

 

The commercial sex scene for westerners is totally passe. That is not coming back here EVER in a big way. Sure it will always have commercial sex like any city, but not what it was.

 

Pattaya's sell is BIGGER CITY on the the beach.

 

Let them loose on all the empty real estate. 

 

Watch what happens.

 

Maybe nothing, but maybe Pattaya completely changes it's reputation and becomes an internationally recognized center of modern arts and culture. 

 

Really, why not? What does Pattaya have to lose that they haven't lost already?

an excellent idea and yes, they should take a longer term strategic view and take this opportunity to change the face and future  of the City.  Instead of that, they will build more of the same and continue to ruin what could be a paradise. They have no vision worth the name. 

Also, let's be honest about this. As a generality, the world has not been sending Pattaya it's best people. Thais certainly are well aware of that. Tell a Thai in Chiang Mai that you live in Pattaya, and observe the facial expression.

 

Shifting to creatives and artists and the people that would be attracted to a city where such a scene is thriving, that could represent a complete turnaround. 

 

Also such a potentially transformed city would also of course attract many of the most talented Thai people to live here too. Really give sinking into the sea Bangkok a run for their money.

More money in casinos and gambling than arts and culture, and as you know, Money Number One here.    

5 minutes ago, Leaver said:

More money in casinos and gambling than arts and culture, and as you know, Money Number One here.    

 

Well I have no doubt that would be the more tempting instant results tactic. But at what long term cost? (See Cambodia.)

 

There are other things to consider. Look at global urban history. What kinds of cities become great even if they started as lawless brothels such as San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro? Cities where the arts and artistic people flourish.

 

I would include talented international chefs and digital nomad types (making the visas much either) in this integrated vision. 

 

It could still be a major tourism city, but not so much smelly bus tour mass tourism. 

32 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

An international creative arts zone for Pattaya.

555

That's when I stopper reading.

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

555

That's when I stopper reading.

I said it was out there. But you know, the past is the past. Things are going to need to majorly change here if Pattaya is going to be viable going forward. 

BTW this sort of radical rebranding towards a place of arts, culture, cuisines, and more quality tourism can work even in towns and small cities. For example, Marfa Texas.

Check on google what one man can do to transform a city using the creative arts as a focus.  Look up Folkestone UK  and the interventions made by one billionaire, Roger De Haan.  It can be done, given the will and the vision. 

33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

 

Well I have no doubt that would be the more tempting instant results tactic. But at what long term cost? (See Cambodia.)

 

There are other things to consider. Look at global urban history. What kinds of cities become great even if they started as lawless brothels such as San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro? Cities where the arts and artistic people flourish.

 

I would include talented international chefs and digital nomad types (making the visas much either) in this integrated vision. 

 

It could still be a major tourism city, but not so much smelly bus tour mass tourism. 

The Chinese took the small laid back seaside town of Sihanoukville and turned it into a built up city of casinos, destroying the nature along the way.  This made a lot of Chinese people wealthy, including local Khmers.  

 

Pattaya is already a built up city, with the nature already destroyed. 

 

Pattaya, with casinos, and millions of Chinese tourists every year, would make obscene amounts of money for the Thai government, thus Thailand, and the Thai people.  

 

If you think Pattaya prospered by selling sex, just imagine the cash flow from casinos and gambling, targeting the Chinese.  

 

28 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

555

That's when I stopper reading.

'artistic' tattoo parlours maybe...

Pattaya used to be popular as a filming location for Indians.... 

and Thailand has more skilled crews that are used to working with foreigners in international productions

but Thai government didn't give enough tax rebates for film productions... now Vietnam and Cambodia are more competitive 

 

Thailand is not exotic enough to western eyes anymore, 10-20 years ago when Vietnam and such didn't open their borders to film crews, Thailand is perfect as stands in location... now if you want location like Da Nang bay, you can go to Vietnam, bringing the experienced Thai crews even...

 

And for the bohemian artists... why would you come to <deleted>ty city like Pattaya where Chiang Mai or any other beach town exists?

Art Basel Pattaya?  Maybe a Van Gogh exhibit?

 

Hmmmm....don’t think that would fly.

 

Plenty of artists at Chatuchak.  If there was money in it, they’d already be in Pattaya.

 

Or were you thinking more of something like holding the Wagner festival there instead of Bayreuth?

 

Perhaps the Pattaya Philharmonic Orchestra?  Maybe Gustavo Dudamel will relocate from Los Angeles.

 

How about just keep it like it is, legalize cannabis, get some good bands and promote it as the worlds hub of Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll.

 

 

 

    I like the idea.  Pattaya and Thailand both need more people thinking outside the box.  I'd love to see the powers that be try new ideas like yours.  It doesn't need to stop there.  I'd like to see Pattaya and the government do far greater outreach to attract many more foreign retirees, as well.  Pattaya has many of the elements retirees seek in place already--good healthcare, good climate, good shopping, good movie theaters, good golf and other recreation, good restaurants, good location near a major city and major airport, a very wide variety of housing choices both in rentals and property for sale, good international base of expats already living here, and a lower cost of living than many places.  Some condo projects on the drawing boards could consider converting to assisted living centers instead and offer a needed service at a cheaper cost than in the West.   Much easier visas with relaxed requirements and just once a year reporting should be the first start.

1 hour ago, digbeth said:

Pattaya used to be popular as a filming location for Indians.... 

and Thailand has more skilled crews that are used to working with foreigners in international productions

but Thai government didn't give enough tax rebates for film productions... now Vietnam and Cambodia are more competitive 

 

Thailand is not exotic enough to western eyes anymore, 10-20 years ago when Vietnam and such didn't open their borders to film crews, Thailand is perfect as stands in location... now if you want location like Da Nang bay, you can go to Vietnam, bringing the experienced Thai crews even...

 

And for the bohemian artists... why would you come to <deleted>ty city like Pattaya where Chiang Mai or any other beach town exists?

I already said that. 

A special visa only for the area and perhaps financial incentives. 

Seed money as it were.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

But at what long term cost?

 

you are talking about thai people right ? 

2 minutes ago, mr mr said:

 

you are talking about thai people right ? 

I take your point but note that the Thais have been flirting with the casinos idea for decades and haven't bitten.

 

Also I'm not suggesting that I predict that Pattaya will go with the international arts city concept. Of course I assume they lack the vision for that. I also can't possibly predict that it would work if they did try it. But I do know for a fact that such radical transformations are possible.

Maybe just letting foreigners own land with long term investment visas, but only within the city limits (that already has special laws unique to the area) and see what that'll attract... 

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I take your point but note that the Thais have been flirting with the casinos idea for decades and haven't bitten.

difference this time is there is a new sheriff in town. 

6 minutes ago, mr mr said:

difference this time is there is a new sheriff in town. 

I'll believe it when I see it. But yes it's obvious modern Pattaya has never been so devastated so for sure the casino thing is much much more likely to be the change coming than my idea. 

Creative arts is a fabulous idea, I suggest they start with a blank canvas...

 

 

PS

But, casinos and more dirty shows would slot into the sin city new market a lot easier.

 

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Also, let's be honest about this. As a generality, the world has not been sending Pattaya it's best people. Thais certainly are well aware of that. Tell a Thai in Chiang Mai that you live in Pattaya, and observe the facial expression.

 

Shifting to creatives and artists and the people that would be attracted to a city where such a scene is thriving, that could represent a complete turnaround. 

 

Also such a potentially transformed city would also of course attract many of the most talented Thai people to live here too. Really give sinking into the sea Bangkok a run for their money.

Now that's comedy. About the only creative drawing that would be going on here would be the deadbeats drawing unemployment and social assistance from their home countries lol.  It's always nice to dream but this is no place for the creative arts.  Look for Prayut and company to use Covid 19 as an excuse to turn this into Casinoville.  

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Also, let's be honest about this. As a generality, the world has not been sending Pattaya it's best people. Thais certainly are well aware of that.

Sir I take offence to your statement.....I see the happy hour drinking, Chang vest cargo short sandal wearing over weight over the hill farang at the pinnacle of human evolution.... 

5 hours ago, Airalee said:

Art Basel Pattaya?  Maybe a Van Gogh exhibit?

 

Hmmmm....don’t think that would fly.

 

Plenty of artists at Chatuchak.  If there was money in it, they’d already be in Pattaya.

 

Or were you thinking more of something like holding the Wagner festival there instead of Bayreuth?

 

Perhaps the Pattaya Philharmonic Orchestra?  Maybe Gustavo Dudamel will relocate from Los Angeles.

 

How about just keep it like it is, legalize cannabis, get some good bands and promote it as the worlds hub of Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll.

There is a Van Gogh exibition now at River City in Bangkok.

I would like to see an arts and cultural quarter in the Pattaya area and it could be profitable in the right place and run by the right people.

Arts don't have to be highbrow and inaccessible to the masses. Pattaya can be all things to all people.

At the moment I would just be glad of a good library.

 

 

 

13 hours ago, newnative said:

    I like the idea.  Pattaya and Thailand both need more people thinking outside the box.  I'd love to see the powers that be try new ideas like yours.  It doesn't need to stop there.  I'd like to see Pattaya and the government do far greater outreach to attract many more foreign retirees, as well.  Pattaya has many of the elements retirees seek in place already--good healthcare, good climate, good shopping, good movie theaters, good golf and other recreation, good restaurants, good location near a major city and major airport, a very wide variety of housing choices both in rentals and property for sale, good international base of expats already living here, and a lower cost of living than many places.  Some condo projects on the drawing boards could consider converting to assisted living centers instead and offer a needed service at a cheaper cost than in the West.   Much easier visas with relaxed requirements and just once a year reporting should be the first start.

Yes, they should focus on retirees, Bournemouth and Eastbourne have been very successful at this.

 

More brothels, younger, cheaper girls and cheap beer. Gets my vote.

Disagree. In my opinion the reason that Pattaya was losing so many non-Chinese tourists even pre-covid, was that they were trying to turn it into something that it wasn't. Add to that the strong baht, draconian visa requirements AND covid and there's your reason that the only farang here are the long stayers like you and me. 

Pattaya was (is?) unique. There's nowhere else like it in the world, it's what brought me here in the first place. I'd be inclined to try to return it as close to it's old world charm as possible and beggar the jealous critics living in their mud huts in their Isaan jungle clearings.

Ask the many thousands of Thai tourists that descend on the place every weekend and public holiday what they think of it, they love it here warts and all.

I think stick with the Casinos and strip clubs. 

In America, real estate magnates have long used cheap rents to lure artists to areas where they can buy assets cheaply. Then others want to live in an artistic area with the attendant cafes and creative entertainment venues. Which results in a revitalization of the area. 

 

I love the idea but it doesn't necessitate the abolition of the sex scene. Artists tend to be liberal and would have no problem coexisting. Then you have many drivers of the local economy.

 

Unfortunately, this success results in rents increasing and the artists being forced to move on. The government would have have to pledge continuing low rents to the artists but not be involved in who gets what. Could happen?

 

You set it up and I will volunteer to help if the gov't allows me. I have been an artist and worked with artists most of my life.

I always thought that the big empty plot of land near Pattaya Park would make a great casino/hotel venue. It would make Pattaya the No.1 destination in SE Asia.