Pattaya Prices

[JimTripper]

Does anyone think it's still a good idea to live long term in Pattaya?

 

I have been seeing reports & video's that people want to leave and that the prices are too high on everything. I'm not seeing any positive chatter at all.

[realfunster]

11 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Does anyone think it's still a good idea to live long term in Pattaya?

 

I have been seeing reports & video's that people want to leave and that the prices are too high on everything. I'm not seeing any positive chatter at all.

1) Yes, I am sure lots of people do.

 

2) That's life isn't it ? People will make content about changing something in their life ? Few are going to write a report or make a video to announce to the world that they are simply maintaining the status-quo and staying in Pattaya. 

 

3) Inflation is currently a global problem, so I expect those unhappy with prices will only find similar issues elsewhere.

[Jingthing]

Yes Pattaya is still the best of all possible worlds.

 

The baht bus fare is still 10 baht.

 

Come on down

 

You won't regret lt.

[newnative]

    As a previous poster stated, people are more likely to complain about something than to take the time to say things are good.  And, things are good, at least for this Pattaya resident and my Thai partner.  Usually one of the biggest monthly living expenses is keeping a roof over your head.  That hasn't changed much.  If you own, your condo or house is likely paid for and fees and taxes are a bargain compared to many places in the West.  Rents decreased a lot during covid and while they have started to rise, there are still lots of bargains available, too.   Certainly, prices on some consumer goods have gone up--true not just in Pattaya--but living in this great city with all it offers remains very reasonable.

[Guderian]

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

and that the prices are too high on everything

Well at least you can get almost anything here, unlike more remote parts of the country with far smaller farang populations. In the 1980's I lived in the Niger Delta for 7 years and almost all imports were banned. We had large salaries and plenty of money but nothing much to spend it on. Sometimes one of the service companies might get a shipment of food brought up illicitly from Gabon, and we were more than happy to pay the equivalent of £10 for a can of asparagus, or £30 for a bottle of beaujolais. Pattaya is infinitely better, imported things may not be cheap here but they're not usually unaffordable and at least you can buy the stuff if you want it. And maybe the biggest plus here that people take for granted is the wide selection of high-quality breads, I've never seen anything like it in the tropics. A mate of mine lives up country in Amnat Charoen (I know, where?), and if he wants decent foreign-style bread he has to make a 150 km round-trip to Ubon Ratchathani, and even then the selection is very limited. Most of us living in Pattaya forget just how lucky we are here compared with most places.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Guderian said:

Well at least you can get almost anything here, unlike more remote parts of the country with far smaller farang populations. In the 1980's I lived in the Niger Delta for 7 years and almost all imports were banned. We had large salaries and plenty of money but nothing much to spend it on. Sometimes one of the service companies might get a shipment of food brought up illicitly from Gabon, and we were more than happy to pay the equivalent of £10 for a can of asparagus, or £30 for a bottle of beaujolais. Pattaya is infinitely better, imported things may not be cheap here but they're not usually unaffordable and at least you can buy the stuff if you want it. And maybe the biggest plus here that people take for granted is the wide selection of high-quality breads, I've never seen anything like it in the tropics. A mate of mine lives up country in Amnat Charoen (I know, where?), and if he wants decent foreign-style bread he has to make a 150 km round-trip to Ubon Ratchathani, and even then the selection is very limited. Most of us living in Pattaya forget just how lucky we are here compared with most places.

 

 

Whilst I agree with all that, things have changed over the last 15 years.

 

There are far more 'Farang friendly' outlets and a big increase in local Farang distribution. When I stay in Buriram province I can get supplies of everything that I can get in Pattaya

[Phoenix Rising]

6 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Whilst I agree with all that, things have changed over the last 15 years.

 

There are far more 'Farang friendly' outlets and a big increase in local Farang distribution. When I stay in Buriram province I can get supplies of everything that I can get in Pattaya

Because you order from Pattaya based businesses like Siambury?

[dddave]

I've lived in Jomtien the last 2 years after 18 years in Bangkok.  Came as a Covid refugee, wanting a less densely populated area.  Jomtien fits that need, Pattaya does not.

 

I rented a 2BR condo on the beach for B10,000/m.  I figured it would be raised significantly when my lease ends this month but the owner was happy to keep me for another year at the same rent.

There are so many food options.  If one only wants to eat in pubs and western style restaurants, then one can easily spend close 1000 baht a day on food and drink.  If one is flexible on food and seeks out restaurants, night markets and food stands away from the beach and tourist areas, B300 to 400 a day is easily doable.  Cook for yourself, far lower than that.  

I rent a older Honda Click for B1200/m.  I only go on local roadways, no highways or long trips so I don't need a more powerful or brand new machine.  Any trips into Pattaya, easy on the song tao (Baht bus)

Yes, prices have gone up like they have everywhere but not difficult to adjust to.  

A friend just this past week found and rented a beautiful ocean view, 80s/m 1BR apartment on Pratumnak in an older building for B15000/m.  Reasonable prices still exist if you do your legwork.

[KhunLA]

Pricing for all ...

... thrifty shoppers, will always find bargains

... ignorant shoppers, usually the crybabies

... people with too much baht, they just don't care

 

What's expensive, relative to ?

Pattaya, Krung Thep, some metros, one place having it all.  Ease of living for a fair price.   Location location location

 

Where I am, more 'rural', though can be close to all that's 'needed', except P4P, IF needed.  Any more rural, just a few minutes inland, and you'll need transport, and with or without, would bore the hell out of most people needing to be entertained. 

 

No condos, so rent only, and a good thing, as doubt most would stay long, thankfully.

 

So cheap to build or rent, BUT, owning a car is usually one's largest expense, whether buy in, financing + operating cost.  Patts or a metro, and you can eliminate that expense.

 

I myself couldn't live in Patts, as if I saw 10 farangs in one day, I'd be in a state of depression and desperate to move ????

[proton]

If you are interested in degradation, cheapish rough looking women, never ending pavement works, scammers on the beach, loud nightlife and terrible traffic it's just the place ????

[malibukid]

2 hours ago, proton said:

If you are interested in degradation, cheapish rough looking women, never ending pavement works, scammers on the beach, loud nightlife and terrible traffic it's just the place ????

so where are the stunners than?

[HarrySeaman]

I lived 12 years in BKK before moving here to Pattaya 10 years ago.  Both places have their pluses and minuses but of the two I prefer Pattaya, even with the flooding, torn up roads, and what seems like thousands of tour buses at times.

 

Covid closed a lot of businesses and raised the prices of many things, especially imported goods and easy women but amazingly didn't raise rental rates much, if at all.  I am still renting a 140 m² two bedroom, two bath, full farang kitchen house 1 block from a songthaew route for 18,000 Bt/month.  I could easily move to a one bedroom 50-60 m² apartment for less money if I wanted.

 

If you like Thai food you can still get a full meal for 40-50 Bt and if you cook for yourself you can eat even cheaper.  As for women, unless you insist on the sub 25 year old beauty from a go-go bar or fancy gentlemen's club you can do quite nicely for 1000-2500 for short time to long time for an easy woman from a beer bar, a less fancy gentlemen's club, or via internet sites like Thai Friendly.

 

If you want to live even cheaper then you move to a smaller city or a town.  The most important things you will not have are first class medical care and as much access to farang foods.  Depending on where you move you may or may not have easy access to a variety of easy women.

[BigStar]

6 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Does anyone think it's still a good idea to live long term in Pattaya?

 

Great idea. Pattaya has something for everyone, very diverse area. Quiet suburbs, beach, small Thai town (Naklua, Banglmung), Thai Riviera, nightlife (or not), fleabag rooms to penthouses. Extremely convenient--not just for buying Branston Pickle and the like but for restos, medical care, transportation, golf and other resorts, proximity to airports and Bangkok, visa services, etc. Weather's a bit better here than in other parts of Thailand.

 

6 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I have been seeing reports & video's that people want to leave and that the prices are too high on everything. I'm not seeing any positive chatter at all.

Inflation is worldwide, but Pattaya's prices will likely remain relatively cheap in competition with other resort areas. You wanna move out to the weeds, that's always an option.

 

Here, for decades our trolls have always been proclaiming that everyone's leaving Pattaya and indeed Thailand. You may ignore those. Lot of sour grapes and revenge for imagined mistreatment. Most know little about greater Pattaya.

 

Few wish to leave unless for financially relevant reasons such as for free medical care back home or free schooling for kids. Sometimes a Thai woman will persuade them to move upcountry to her village.???? A few get infected with the hellish brain-eating Whither Pattaya? Whither Thailand? space monkeys and troll until they finally win relief by leaving, with much noise & fanfare.

 

Meanwhile, the vast majority moving here don't bother announcing it on the forum. Why would they? The vast majority contented with living here don't bother posting about it. Nobody in my building posts here. Anyway, if they did, our trolls would soon attack.

 

So you'll need to live around in various areas and talk to people living here. Probably the cheaper rent you pay (or cheaper price you pay for a property) the greater the chance you'll run into malcontents. Having sufficient income and being able to afford more comfortable living conditions makes a big difference in one's attitude anywhere.

 

Pattaya doesn't really offer that champagne lifestyle on a beer budget so many have sought in vain here; that's been a source of disappointment and whinging; but if you're adaptable, a beer budget will do.???? Here ya go: the sweet side of Pattaya:

 

 

[kevin612]

avoid the clubs, you will suddenly feel everything is affordable.

[hotandsticky]

4 hours ago, Phoenix Rising said:

Because you order from Pattaya based businesses like Siambury?

No. I use Nookies Delights who source source all the usual Pattaya products.

[HappyExpat57]

I always recommend Jomtien. Plenty of affordable condos close to or on the beach, near enough to Pattaya to venture when you get an itch, far away enough to keep the worst mongers at bay.

[Mickeymaus]

2 hours ago, BigStar said:

Great idea. Pattaya has something for everyone, very diverse area. Quiet suburbs, beach, small Thai town (Naklua, Banglmung), Thai Riviera, nightlife (or not), fleabag rooms to penthouses. Extremely convenient--not just for buying Branston Pickle and the like but for restos, medical care, transportation, golf and other resorts, proximity to airports and Bangkok, visa services, etc. Weather's a bit better here than in other parts of Thailand.

 

Inflation is worldwide, but Pattaya's prices will likely remain relatively cheap in competition with other resort areas. You wanna move out to the weeds, that's always an option.

 

Here, for decades our trolls have always been proclaiming that everyone's leaving Pattaya and indeed Thailand. You may ignore those. Lot of sour grapes and revenge for imagined mistreatment. Most know little about greater Pattaya.

 

Few wish to leave unless for financially relevant reasons such as for free medical care back home or free schooling for kids. Sometimes a Thai woman will persuade them to move upcountry to her village.???? A few get infected with the hellish brain-eating Whither Pattaya? Whither Thailand? space monkeys and troll until they finally win relief by leaving, with much noise & fanfare.

 

Meanwhile, the vast majority moving here don't bother announcing it on the forum. Why would they? The vast majority contented with living here don't bother posting about it. Nobody in my building posts here. Anyway, if they did, our trolls would soon attack.

 

So you'll need to live around in various areas and talk to people living here. Probably the cheaper rent you pay (or cheaper price you pay for a property) the greater the chance you'll run into malcontents. Having sufficient income and being able to afford more comfortable living conditions makes a big difference in one's attitude anywhere.

 

Pattaya doesn't really offer that champagne lifestyle on a beer budget so many have sought in vain here; that's been a source of disappointment and whinging; but if you're adaptable, a beer budget will do.???? Here ya go: the sweet side of Pattaya:

 

 

You are sure that you did not choose the wrong video? This is the Pattaya version for family tourists ????. On YouTube there are endless other videos that show the sex and booze nightlife ????. The noisiest place is Central Pattaya. Avoid it if you don't want to hear extreme noise and if you don't want to see hookers, sex tourists and booze tourists. Many parts of Central Pattaya are red light districts. 

[BigStar]

11 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

You are sure that you did not choose the wrong video?

Sure. When I said "sweet side," were you perhaps thinking "cunnilingus?"

 

12 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

On YouTube there are endless other videos that show the sex and booze nightlife ????.

 Anybody don't know that?

 

18 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

Avoid it if you don't want to hear extreme noise and if you don't want to see hookers, sex tourists and booze tourists.

And so I chose a vid avoiding exactly those. I don't see your problem.

 

[Mickeymaus]

Just now, BigStar said:

Sure. When I said "sweet side," were you perhaps thinking "cunnilingus?"

 

 Anybody don't know that?

 

And so I chose a vid avoiding exactly those. I don't see your problem.

 

I never saw such a boring video about Pattaya ????.

[BigStar]

12 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

I never saw such a boring video about Pattaya ????.

But as you've called attention to your impressive awareness of stereotypical vids about Pattaya's famous red light district, you may watch those to your heart's content, as may the OP.???? Personally, having lived here for decades, I find those videos quite boring, esp. the idiot commentary over them.

[EVENKEEL]

36 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

You are sure that you did not choose the wrong video? This is the Pattaya version for family tourists ????. On YouTube there are endless other videos that show the sex and booze nightlife ????. The noisiest place is Central Pattaya. Avoid it if you don't want to hear extreme noise and if you don't want to see hookers, sex tourists and booze tourists. Many parts of Central Pattaya are red light districts. 

What's a booze tourist?

[Mickeymaus]

4 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

What's a booze tourist?

The people that hang around at the bars and drink all night (some sit there at daytime already and drink). In Central Pattaya you will see mostly male tourists looking for booze and sex at night. You cannot even walk on the Beach Road at night time if you want to avoid the sex business. 

[MrJ2U]

5 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

The people that hang around at the bars and drink all night (some sit there at daytime already and drink). In Central Pattaya you will see mostly male tourists looking for booze and sex at night. You cannot even walk on the Beach Road at night time if you want to avoid the sex business. 

What a prude. 

[EVENKEEL]

10 minutes ago, Mickeymaus said:

The people that hang around at the bars and drink all night (some sit there at daytime already and drink). In Central Pattaya you will see mostly male tourists looking for booze and sex at night. You cannot even walk on the Beach Road at night time if you want to avoid the sex business. 

Oh dear, sounds dreadful. 

[kingstonkid]

7 hours ago, proton said:

If you are interested in degradation, cheapish rough looking women, never ending pavement works, scammers on the beach, loud nightlife and terrible traffic it's just the place ????

That is the tourist part of Pattaya.  That would be like comparing living in NANA to living in the suburbs of Bangkok.

 

I do not know anyone that lives in Bangkok but am willing to be that most people that live in Pattaya don't go near beach road or walking street.

 

It is the same if you live in any big city most people do not do the tourist <deleted> after maybe the first week or 2.

[MrJ2U]

10 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Does anyone think it's still a good idea to live long term in Pattaya?

Great place.  Espresso if you're single. 

 

Lots of fun and beautiful women.

 

Cheap accomodations.

 

Great shopping and restaurants.

 

Close to Bangkok and airports. 

 

 

[Andycoops]

If you are on a fixed income then inflation is going to cause you a problem wherever you are, not just in Thailand.

 

Financial planning is crucial if you want to be an expat.

 

The cost of living here is still far cheaper than the UK and many other western nation's.

 

 

 

[Red Forever]

19 hours ago, Guderian said:

Well at least you can get almost anything here, unlike more remote parts of the country with far smaller farang populations. In the 1980's I lived in the Niger Delta for 7 years and almost all imports were banned. We had large salaries and plenty of money but nothing much to spend it on. Sometimes one of the service companies might get a shipment of food brought up illicitly from Gabon, and we were more than happy to pay the equivalent of £10 for a can of asparagus, or £30 for a bottle of beaujolais. Pattaya is infinitely better, imported things may not be cheap here but they're not usually unaffordable and at least you can buy the stuff if you want it. And maybe the biggest plus here that people take for granted is the wide selection of high-quality breads, I've never seen anything like it in the tropics. A mate of mine lives up country in Amnat Charoen (I know, where?), and if he wants decent foreign-style bread he has to make a 150 km round-trip to Ubon Ratchathani, and even then the selection is very limited. Most of us living in Pattaya forget just how lucky we are here compared with most places.

Most of us living in Amnaat Charoen forget just how lucky we are here compared with most places.

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, dddave said:

I rent a older Honda Click for B1200/m. 

Why haven't you bought one in your own name..... ?

My Mrs nagged me into it and 15 years later, still got it and reckon it has paid for itself a few times over. (Would only be about 5 years to cover it). 

[Sparktrader]

19 hours ago, KhunLA said:

myself couldn't live in Patts, as if I saw 10 farangs in one day, I'd be in a state of depression and desperate to move 

Saw 1 farang yesterday. Nearly had heart failure.