19 hours ago, JoePai said:

Expats do not go to WS - far better bars elsewhere 

True, WS is for Indians, Koreans, Chinese and Arabs willing to pay twice as much for the same 304.  Drinks are overpriced, the weed is a rip off and the only thing positive about WS is the food.  Great seafood restaurants.

Pi**ing in a cup every night you went out would get boring after a while 😄

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I think thay the expats who are visiting these venues regularly can be missed..drugs and bought sex is a miserable life imo.

Yes, Reverend.......🙄

5 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

The article doesn't mention Walking Street.  

water sports !

Interesting to hear that bars in Pattaya are the subject of many raids.

 

Tangentially, I am told that police in Phuket have told bar owners in Phuket to close at midnight because they want to impress the new governor. Plus more raids are on the cards.
 

Whether true or not I don’t know, I’m usually tucked up in bed by then, but it’s what a bar owner told me (not in Patong)

40 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Never been tested because I don't hang out with druggies.

druggies go to clubs police raid..... obviously.

 

are you that dumb?

59 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

its a piss test on a stick thing ....not obstusive unless you are shy.

ive pisssed clean every time.

I don't think those field tests are super reliable, especially if you are not supervised during the sample collection or very educated on the procedure.

 

Drug screening results can negatively affect many circumstances; therefore, accuracy is of the utmost importance. Some data suggests 5% to 10% of all drug tests may result in false positives.

 

What is the penalty for a false test? Does a nurse confirm the test at the station later on?

 

Taking any kind of test here would scare me even if I were clean due to a false positive, or just a botched test that some cop interpreted as positive in the noise and turmoil of a raid situation...

I'd think expats would feel more comfortable in bars in which there were police, wouldn't you?

20 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

as an expat i still enjoy walking street and loads of others do too based on what i see, others do move on, some just want to drink and have no intention of paying bar fines now

Of course not the extraorbitant barfines.... paying barfines are for the sad losers.

6 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

But not to LK!

Saw a report about arbitrary raids of FOUR LK locations just after opening hours.

Big number of forces. Some in SWAT like gear.

All staff and guests tested.

ONE person positive.

Pointless and damaging.

 

Doing these raids at opening seems stupid to me they should do them around midnight or near closing time tht s whenthe drugs are going to be more prevalent

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

While these measures are heralded as necessary for safety, many foreigners argue they’ve chilled Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife.

Sometimes these actions are needed when the balance has become unbalanced.

Pattaya needed a clean up

20 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Guess the average "2 week-only-millionaire" tourists and long term expats are more an more aware of all the scams and overpricing in these girlie bars. 

 

Plus many of the young tourists probably do not want to get busted with drugs on them who knows ? 

Plus most don't want to get a dose of the clap & H.I.V. it's running wild amongst the old bar dogs. 😡🤬

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I don't even know how I would react if I was in a bar or a club and a policeman asked to do a drug test. I doubt if I would act respectfully, it's a huge intrusion on one's privacy and it's definitely a step in the wrong direction for Thailand. 

 

It's draconian, it's ridiculous, it's unnecessary, it prevents nothing, and it's just stupid. 

 

 

Well in Australia, the UK and I understand some other  Western  countries the the Police can also carry out an 'invasive' drug search, in which case I suspect you would feel an intrusion.

23 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

Well in Australia, the UK and I understand some other  Western  countries the the Police can also carry out an 'invasive' drug search, in which case I suspect you would feel an intrusion.

I feel infinitely more comfortable pushing back against the cops here than I do in the West, you push back against law enforcement in America and all bets are off. 

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Once the heartbeat of Pattaya's bustling nightlife, the city’s famous pubs and go-go bars are seeing a shift in patronage as long-term expats and regular tourists opt for quieter venues. The frequent police raids, part of the “No Drugs, No Dealers” campaign, are casting a shadow over the renowned party atmosphere, leaving venues under tight scrutiny.

 

Every evening, a new spectacle unfolds as local authorities conduct surprise inspections at popular establishments. Licenses are checked, staff are scrutinised, and random urine tests are carried out in an effort to combat narcotics use. While these measures are heralded as necessary for safety, many foreigners argue they’ve chilled Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife.

 

A seasoned British expat, who has called Pattaya home for over a decade, lamented, “It used to be fun, spontaneous, and vibrant. Now you enter a club or a go-go bar and feel like you’re stepping into a police inspection. The atmosphere is gone.”

 

Disenchanted expats have shifted from lively pub complexes to smaller neighbourhood bars or even the comfort of their own balconies. One German retiree noted, “You can’t enjoy yourself when every night might end in a raid. It’s safer and more relaxing to have a quiet drink somewhere else.”

 

Frustration is also mounting among bar and club owners. The relentless inspections not only deter patrons but also place undue pressure on staff, concerned about public scrutiny and potential reprimands. Many bar staff support law enforcement efforts but argue that the frequency of raids is detrimental to business.

 

For many who viewed Pattaya as a haven of entertainment, the allure of traditional nightlife is waning. Quieter spots and casual balcony gatherings have taken precedence over the once-thriving scene, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

An Australian resident of Soi Buakhao remarked, “Pattaya was all about freedom, fun, and music. Now, it’s about peaceful nights on balconies or in small bars where you’re not constantly interrupted. It's quieter, but at least you can enjoy yourself.”

 

As Pattaya grapples with this transformation, the balance between safety and the city's renowned nightlife is keenly watched by both officials and the international community. The question remains whether Pattaya can restore its vibrant spirit without compromising on law and order.

 

For now, it seems, the quiet corners of Pattaya are welcoming those seeking solace from the flashing lights and tension of routine inspections, redefining what a night out looks like in this once-unstoppable party hotspot.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Pattaya Mail 2025-08-29

 

Ah yes back to the 70s. 

It's just part of a process to try and change Pattaya to a family centric area. They want wealthy people to visit. So raid all the bars, make visas difficult and freeze expat bank accounts. 

 

But the rich don't come to resorts like Pattaya and a world wide recession is incoming. 

 

Hard times coming for Thailand and Pattaya. 

1 hour ago, Toby1947 said:

Plus most don't want to get a dose of the clap & H.I.V. it's running wild amongst the old bar dogs. 😡🤬

HIV is actually on the sharp increase with teens, you might be safer with the old dogs

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

Well ok, a few 'new ones' maybe but as many know, far better elsewhere

 

Stop assuming that you and your own little clique are representative of the entire expat scene.

 

There are plenty of expats, many who have been in Pattaya a very long time, who still frequent walking street either regularly or occasionally.

3 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

True, WS is for Indians, Koreans, Chinese and Arabs willing to pay twice as much for the same 304.  Drinks are overpriced, the weed is a rip off and the only thing positive about WS is the food.  Great seafood restaurants.

IMO WS is over-priced, over-rated for just about anything (or anyone!) that's on sale there.

I, a a regular tourist, might go there once in a trip, just to confirm my opinion of it.

 

Far better seafood at MUCH lower prices elsewhere - maybe not as "smart" looking (more typical Thai places) but the food's what counts (again, IMO)

3 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

I hope the Thai cops continue to crack down and also flood WS with more cops so that those drunk morons learn to stop fighting each other over women that have slept with hundreds of men every year.

The article said the raids are destroying the vibes or atmosphere. I do not understand the dynamics of this. Can someone kindly (not condencendingly) educate me?

 

The police and local officials want the entertainment areas safe for the average party goer. On the othe side, the Pattaya area depends heavily on tourism for revenue. So what does Pattaya government want - to get red of all red light action and its patrons? Wouldn't this eliminate a major source of income? Are they damned if they do and damned if they don't?

Meanwhile, the press covers the goings on with a tinge of sensationalism that can leave the daily, casual reader with the impression Pattaya is an unruly, immoral collection of tourists and expats who flock to this city to satisfy needs that cannot be met in the home country. I often get this impression when reading how locals long for the good old days when it was really fun.

So, what is at the heart of the problem? Are the police overzealous in their efforts to get some good PR, which the press often enables? Secondly, are the local officials crying wolf by pressuring law enforcement to do something about the over-the-top behavior that is reported in the news about the outrageous behavior of foreigners or rogue Thais? In other words, is this problem overstated?

 

How about some hard facts? How has the crime rate in the entertainment areas of Pattaya fared from 2018 to 2025? I would love to see a credible chart or report. 

Can any residents of Pattaya explain the situation from an observers point of view.? I read quite often Pattaya wants to change its image, but worries about low tourist numbers.

 

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

its a piss test on a stick thing ....not obstusive unless you are shy.

ive pisssed clean every time.

 

Does the officer have to watch the urine leave the body?

Is there an area in Pattaya where expats have traditionally gone to that is off the tourist track. That is Expats who have lived in Pattaya for years and can speak at least communicative Thai?

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I think thay the expats who are visiting these venues regularly can be missed..drugs and bought sex is a miserable life imo.

Try telling that to the hundreds of thousands that enjoy that life. 

IF and of this is accurate... Seems the only reason to be afraid of and avoid WS is because you use or are in possession of drugs. Why else would you be changing your behavior now?

3 hours ago, Gabor said:

Of course not the extraorbitant barfines.... paying barfines are for the sad losers.

Why's that..........?  🤔

4 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

its a piss test on a stick thing ....not obstusive unless you are shy.

ive pisssed clean every time.

I'd piss on the trousers of the copper, and blame it on my prostate.

 

How about you?

 

But seriously why go to a bar? Forget about holidays in Thailand anyway. Even Turkey is miles ahead now.

46 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Try telling that to the hundreds of thousands that enjoy that life. 

 

Mostly sad old fools with delusions that the girls actually like then

On 8/29/2025 at 5:02 PM, Jingthing said:

Likely those expats on balconies are simply getting older.

Or falling off them

5 hours ago, Mark1969 said:

I don't think those field tests are super reliable, especially if you are not supervised during the sample collection or very educated on the procedure.

 

Drug screening results can negatively affect many circumstances; therefore, accuracy is of the utmost importance. Some data suggests 5% to 10% of all drug tests may result in false positives.

 

What is the penalty for a false test? Does a nurse confirm the test at the station later on?

 

Taking any kind of test here would scare me even if I were clean due to a false positive, or just a botched test that some cop interpreted as positive in the noise and turmoil of a raid situation...

 

I do not do drugs so the dozens of time I have done a field test that hasshown a negative result..... telss me they are reliable.

6 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

If you are not doing anything illegal, there should be no worry about the cops doing their jobs.

 

I have to disagree with this....

It is not about people who do not do the drugs that makes what the cops are doing bad. It is that you go to a place to have a few drinks. Then all hell breaks loose when the cops storm the place and demand you stop relaxing with your drink to make you pee. All the while you have to wait with all the lights on high for them to do their thing which basically ruins your evening. 

Police need to focus on the places that are distributing the drugs. The people who are selling them. Not going after every single person they can that are at a bar trying to relax and have some fun. Permits can just as easily be checked during the daytime when there is staff inside cleaning the establishments. 

Personally, i do not do drugs, but if i was in a bar and it got raided, i would do their little pee test. then walk out the door, never to return. I am sure there are others who feel the same. I can only imagine the reports brought back from the tourists when they go home. So surely, this will affect business and tourism..