Phuket just looks like an upmarket Pattaya with better beaches and better people. Is downmarket the trend?

7 minutes ago, susanlea said:

Phuket just looks like an upmarket Pattaya with better beaches and better people. Is downmarket the trend?

I agree... it's because most of the expats here in Pattaya are retirees on a budget, Phuket is more expensive. 

It's probably why I see so many miserable elderly foreigners here in Pattaya, being on their pensions they don't have the funds to enjoy their retired life. 

 

I choose Pattaya for the international airport location, I travel internationally every month. 

 

 

it must be the all the temples in pattaya. 

Just now, SAFETY FIRST said:

I agree... it's because most of the expats here in Pattaya are retirees on a budget, Phuket is more expensive. 

 

I choose Pattaya for the international airport location, I travel internationally every month. 

 

 

Phuket transport is a rip off but rooms and food much the same.

I have been having a trial retirement and one thing that made me give Jomtiem a go rather than say Patong or Phuket town was it seemed like - unless you get a car - everything you need is close by. Jomtiem isn't too busy, nice outlook to the sea, affordable condos with gym and swimming pool, excellent food, massages etc nearby - and Pattaya minutes away if you want better shopping entertainment or other stuff. 

I have spent a lot of time in Phuket and the beaches are of course much better but there isn't one town or area that ticked the boxes though I may have a month or two in Phuket too - maybe Phuket town or in the west with a car - a bit later. 

1 minute ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I have been having a trial retirement and one thing that made me give Jomtiem a go rather than say Patong or Phuket town was it seemed like - unless you get a car - everything you need is close by. Jomtiem isn't too busy, nice outlook to the sea, affordable condos with gym and swimming pool, excellent food, massages etc nearby - and Pattaya minutes away if you want better shopping entertainment or other stuff. 

I have spent a lot of time in Phuket and the beaches are of course much better but there isn't one town or area that ticked the boxes though I may have a month or two in Phuket too - maybe Phuket town or in the west with a car - a bit later. 

What score would you give Jomtiem out of 10 so far?

 

I would give Hua Hin 7 and Chiang Mai 7. I have never found an 8 anywhere.

Just now, susanlea said:

What score would you give Jomtiem out of 10 so far?

 

I would give Hua Hin 7 and Chiang Mai 7. I have never found an 8 anywhere.

I am not convinced still about staying long term here but as a potential place to spend a few months over winter I give it a 6 or 7. 

21 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I choose Pattaya for the international airport location, I travel internationally every month. 

Hardly a game changer for choosing to live somewhere with the highest concentration of people who and whose lifestyle you seem to detest so much though !

@SAFETY FIRST got it correct, comes down to budget.  Patts is cheaper for the expat on a budget.   

24 minutes ago, mancub said:

Hardly a game changer for choosing to live somewhere with the highest concentration of people who and whose lifestyle you seem to detest so much though !

It's been my home since the turn of the century. 

 

The place has changed, over the decades these types have been arriving in droves. 

 

They are both as bad as each other.

 

bob.

9 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's been my home since the turn of the century. 

 

The place has changed, your type are arriving in droves. 

 

25 years in Pattaya.....that explains alot. My type 😁😁😁

10 minutes ago, bob smith said:

both are as bad as each other.

 

bob.

You live in Bangkok?

56 minutes ago, susanlea said:

better people. 

How, as someone just passing thru, can you really assess the general quality of the people (which is largely the same the world over)?

I hate both, not interested in beaches or prostitutes 

2 minutes ago, susanlea said:

You live in Bangkok?

wouldn't you like to know, Susan!

 

bob.

12 minutes ago, bob smith said:

They are both as bad as each other.

 

bob.

Laos or Cambodia would be much worse. 

1 minute ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Laos or Cambodia would be much worse. 

in what way?

 

bob.

Regarding tourism it might be something general, as most people arrive in Bangkok, and it´s easy and close to reach Pattaya. After that, they are more famous worldwide for their many girls on offer, which is why a lot of single men comes to Thailand.

Regarding the expat community, I do not know if you are right. I see it as equal and that there are as many foreigners in Phuket as in Pattaya. It looks like the people that chose Phuket see themselves as higher class than people who chose Pattaya.

Seen to entertainment I would say they are much the same. Looking at food and hotels, there would be, according to me, a slight advantage for Phuket.

 

Really have no clear answer on why, just leaving my thoughts.

4 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Laos or Cambodia would be much worse. 

Generally yes. Far less infrastructure.

Just now, bob smith said:

in what way?

 

bob.

 

Those countries obviously much more repressive and likely restrictive and have to be more careful of your behaviour. Corruption rife. 

Same pollution and rubbish in cities.

Western pleasures much better catered for in Thailand . 

If you wanted to live the quiet life with a lady in a nice country area you could find somewhere nice - some lovely nature and waterfalls and coffee plantations etc near Pakse in Laos but I sense that's not your thing.

 

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's probably why I see so many miserable elderly foreigners here in Pattaya, being on their pensions they don't have the funds to enjoy their retired life. 

 

Looking in the mirror much, don't you?

 

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I choose Pattaya for the international airport location, I travel internationally every month. 

 

Phuket also has an international airport, and it is actually closer than the one in BKK is to Pattaya.

Why you not just admit it that you are one of those you're talking about in your post?

11 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Looking in the mirror much, don't you?

 

 

Phuket also has an international airport, and it is actually closer than the one in BKK is to Pattaya.

Why you not just admit it that you are one of those you're talking about in your post?

Why the hostile comment? I can see that I found one of the types I described above. 

 

CallumWK, I work on offshore drilling rig, the rig travels to different countries around the world. Phuket airport does not get me to some countries without stop overs. 

 

 

 

Zzz 😴 

6 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why the hostile comment? I can see that I found one of the types I described above. 

 

CallumWK, I work on offshore drilling rig, the rig travels to different countries around the world. Phuket airport does not get me to some countries without stop overs. 

 

 

 

Bangkok 2 airports so I see your point.

For some reason I do feel safer in Pattaya than Phuket.

 

I like big cities tho, and for the past 11 years I stay in Bangkok.

maybe the Temples or co-work spaces aren't as good in Phuket.

Pattaya is easier to get to from the rest of Thailand, making it easier for the Girls to get to, in Mileage and Bus fares, that will attract most Males, therefore it must be a more attractive destination, plus Phuket is just a   major rip off, Transportation, Hotels etc..

1 hour ago, susanlea said:

and better people.

How in your mind do you define better people in this instance?

1 hour ago, susanlea said:

Why do so many people like Pattaya but hate Phuket?

What a farce. Says who? Phuket gets more visitors than Pattaya ever year. People vote with their feet.