Pattaya Bars Empty Amid Low Season and Shifting Tourism Trends

[webfact]

Reference file photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

ANALYSIS 

 

Pattaya's tourism dynamics have shifted significantly, transforming the city that was once bustling with Western tourists into a hub primarily frequented by Asian visitors. This change has led to bars that were once thriving during the traditional high season now finding themselves empty.

 

Historically, Pattaya attracted a surge of European and North American tourists during the winter months, who filled bars, hotels, and nightlife venues.

 

However, the city now predominantly hosts tourists from Japan, Korea, India, China, and the Middle East. These groups travel year-round, unlike their seasonal Western counterparts.

 

This demographic shift has influenced the local economy, demanding a pivot from traditional bars to attractions that cater to new tourist preferences.

As shopping centres and family-friendly venues gain popularity, nightlife spots face a decline in patrons. New developments such as Terminal 21 and Central Festival signal this changing focus.

 

Despite the change in tourist demographics, bars continue to open, leading to an oversupply in a market no longer reliant on European visitors. Whereas Western tourists heavily populated nightlife districts, today's diverse visitors spread their spending across shopping, dining, and cultural experiences instead.

 

The concept of a "low season" is fading, given the consistent flow of Asian tourists. Pattaya's future lies in broadening its appeal to include family and luxury tourism, supported by ongoing government and private sector investments. In this evolving landscape, businesses must adapt to sustain economic growth and maintain Pattaya's reputation as a vibrant destination, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

[Briggsy]

More Chinese night clubs on Third Road.

[ozz1]

It really has to do with the strength of the Thai baht I know a lot of people not coming because they can go elsewhere for less money but they won't listen and trying to get more Chinese is not the right path in my opinion

[blaze master]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

New developments such as Terminal 21

 

Ahhhh terminal 21 opened almost 7 years ago. In today's insta face tweet world that's about 2 decades.

 

 

[AdrianUk]

Why does everyone that I know say bars are busy in Pattaya?

[AdrianUk]

I guess these articles are wrote by someone sat in India

[JAG]

But, but, but, now a certain poster has returned, rich beyond our wildest dreams following a couple of months in Hong Kong, the good times can roll again!

 

I joined Thai Visa in 2003. I believe the first post I read was telling us that the bars were empty, Pattaya was dying, it was all over...

 

Must try and get down there before it all ends!

[proton]

Pattaya bars are just fronts for prostitution. Not all visitors want to hire a rough Isan tart for sex, so why go into a tacky bar?

[Nick Carter icp]

The days of older divorced western men going to Pattaya for prostitution in the western winter seem to be coming to an end .

   That could be the reason why the bars are empty ?

Prostitution  is widely avsi;able on their home Countries and they can also book girls online in Thailand .

   Girls also don't need to to to bars these days either 

[bkk6060]

12 minutes ago, AdrianUk said:

Why does everyone that I know say bars are busy in Pattaya?

They are in the main tourist areas.

There will be empty bars and restaurants away from there and always have been.

[hotchilli]

12 minutes ago, AdrianUk said:

Why does everyone that I know say bars are busy in Pattaya?

Because the OP is BS

[Tailwagsdog]

2 minutes ago, proton said:

Pattaya bars are just fronts for prostitution. Not all visitors want to hire a rough Isan tart for sex, so why go into a tacky bar?

Gosh yes I think you've cracked it ol boy ...

[CallumWK]

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

It really has to do with the strength of the Thai baht

 

Only that the baht isn't strong, in fact is same level or even weaker than 10 years ago.

The only currency it has signifcantly strengthened against is the Brit pound, but that is because the pound has weakened. And the Brits on here posting they get 5% interest in the UK and are winners LOL

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

I think the multitude of ex-special forces regulars will keep the bars profitable long into the future.....

 

 

[Thingamabob]

44 minutes ago, proton said:

Pattaya bars are just fronts for prostitution. Not all visitors want to hire a rough Isan tart for sex, so why go into a tacky bar?

Nothing worse than a pompous, self-righteous prig. Lighten up.

[thecyclist]

There are just too many bars, a massive oversupply of beer bars. 

If you want to lose money, open a beer bar. 

[spidermike007]

Well I think the same could be said for Phuket, Samui, and Chiang Mai. There is a different element here these days, there's a far lower quality of tourists, they're not spending as much and the nightlife has diminished dramatically from what it used to be. There are still plenty of bars but they're loaded up with older and considerably larger women than back in the day! 

 

From my point of view the only exception to that is Bangkok, as you can still find very hot  women there. You just have to pay a whole lot more than you used to!

[proton]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Nothing worse than a pompous, self-righteous prig. Lighten up.

 

Nothing worse than an offended user of Thai prostitutes from tacky bars 😁

[proton]

56 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

There are just too many bars, a massive oversupply of beer bars. 

If you want to lose money, open a beer bar. 

 

This Guy is about to open his second within 2 years, after the first one went down in flames, this is a 'Gents club', posh name for a brothel. For every B Flowers there are many more losers like this

 

 

 

[Thingamabob]

3 minutes ago, proton said:

 

Nothing worse than an offended user of Thai prostitutes from tacky bars 😁

Not at all offended. Have a nice day !

[KireB]

5 hours ago, Briggsy said:

More Chinese night clubs on Third Road.

 

Better than all the gogo-bars serving westeners, who are explointing poverty stricken women in Thailand for a bit of money.

 

 

[JAG]

2 hours ago, proton said:

Pattaya bars are just fronts for prostitution. Not all visitors want to hire a rough Isan tart for sex, so why go into a tacky bar?

Well everyone needs a hobby, even I need a break from model trains from time to time!

 

Mind you, not so much Isan, but then I live in the "Top North" :" angzang hniang!"

[khunPer]

No wonder the girlie-bars are empty, Pattaya is a family destination...

[dinsdale]

It's not the low season. February is in the high season albeit the end of the high season.

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, proton said:

 

Nothing worse than an offended user of Thai prostitutes from tacky bars 😁

No offence.

[KhunHeineken]

In the same way Uber disrupted the taxi industry, and AirBnB disrupted the hotel industry, apps are disrupting the sex trade in Thailand. 

 

No need for lady drinks and bar fines anymore when you can find a girl for an hour or for the night on an app, whist sitting having a beer in your hotel lobby bar, or even by your hotel's pool. 

[saintdomingo]

3 hours ago, proton said:

Pattaya bars are just fronts for prostitution. Not all visitors want to hire a rough Isan tart for sex, so why go into a tacky bar?

So you are saying that every bar is tacky and a front for prostitution. I hadn't noticed.

[Taco]

Good news! Time to book a trip to Pattaya 

[rough diamond]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

From my point of view the only exception to that is Bangkok, as you can still find very hot  women there. You just have to pay a whole lot more than you used to!

As a new poster do you mind if I ask how much it was and is now?

[spidermike007]

3 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

As a new poster do you mind if I ask how much it was and is now?

We used to find super hot gals at bars for 1500 baht with a 200 baht bar fine, and they would be willing to stay a few hours or all night. Granted that was quite a long time ago, but things have changed very dramatically. Since about 2012 a lot of the really hot girls are working online, they're finding sponsors that are willing to pay huge money, and the girls that are in the 8.5 to 9 range are able to get work at high end escort agencies that charge as much as 70,000 baht for 2 to 3 hours. And the high rollers seem to be willing to pay that.