11 hours ago, mikebell said:

I question the word 'surprise' as a culprit is rarely found despite the battery of tests above.

I remember years back when apparently at some times topless or nude girls were not allowed in the gogos.  So every now and then somebody would get alerted and the girls would put their tops on.  This was in the walking street gogos, baby dolls, living dolls, etc.  No idea what the law actually allows on the books anyway

I personally hate the idea of being so scrutinized.  I am not a drug user.  Heck I still maintain my Security clearance for my defense related jobs.  A stop now and then while in a foreign country is not a big issue except what if a false alert of positive happens?  What type of drug test do they do? Procedures are in place so no mix up can occur?  I doubt it

On 8/29/2025 at 6:00 AM, JoePai said:

Expats do not go to WS - far better bars elsewhere 

walking street was always something different or worth a walk down once or twice a week.  Used to be able to go down at 4 am or 5 am if one was restless or had slept all day.  A few places were still open.  

To me Walking Street is just a drag because its just all thunderous noise and enormous strobing neon signs. As a human being you've been completely eclipsed. I feel like I'm inside a giant video game. You go into a place to have a drink and you are usually ignored as well, its so impersonal as to be no fun at all. Thats not to say you cant have fun and more interaction with people and girls and all of that but not on walking street.

 

I would add also, the world economy is in a bad state, and plus maybe many people have come to Thailand already enough and it really, for most, doesnt deliver that much considering the distance and expense to get there. So there are less customers. Thailand has also developed a lot and become more like the kind of place people are trying to get away from.

 

As for gogo bar girls, they can work the situation online to their better advantage, and that leaves the bars wanting for good people in their bars. The girls that are left are much less attractive and not really that keen on going with customers or doing much of much to entertain them. I feel the bars also now too often victimize the customers, charge them six drinks because of some unsaid rule about a girl getting off the stage to sit with them, or charging customers double drinks for one lady's drink. You just feel on edge that you are going to get ripped off and have your arm twisted by staff and secuirty, its intimidating. Theres also a number of rather aggressive and bossy door men posted at each bar now, you get shouted at for peeking in the door to see if you want to go in or get told you cant go in because you took a peep an hour ago and dint go in, so now you're banned. Some of these guys are really wound up and edgy, it seems it wouldnt take much for them put you in the hospital. Who needs it, any of it?

3 hours ago, jingjai9 said:

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.

 

The first step in changeing Pattayas image is to get rid of all the scum bag males who came from Isarn looking for work but soon found there were far easier earners. I only use my Pattaya condo for holidays as I have a house in outer Bangkok. If you could see the people who live in my estate you would say that they are not the same nationality as the dregs of Pattaya. Don't think I'm a hi so as I bought my 2 storey house in Bangkok for 1.62 million baht 16 years ago. The percentage rate for crime caused by farangs in Thailand is minimal but farangs get the blame as Thai officials get wet in their jocks when they play the blame game.

7 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.

I've lived in Pattaya for the past 25 years, Walking Street has never done anything for me. I've probably been there 5-6 times as I only went there as requested by friends who paid a visit when they were on holidays.

A land of never-ending crackdowns on foreigners and anything foreign-related — yet at the same time, they’re all praying for more tourists. It’s like one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing. 

10 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

A land of never-ending crackdowns on foreigners and anything foreign-related — yet at the same time, they’re all praying for more tourists. It’s like one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing. 

 

Well, according to the TAT we're all here for the temples... 😆 

 

Loved the nightlife in Pattaya in the early 2000s, but since then, IMHO, it has gradually deteriorated... Fortunately, I am less and less interested in the nightlife, and spend less money when in Thailand.

5 hours ago, jingjai9 said:

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?

Other side of Sukhumvit Road.

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

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.

That's not a very scientific study, Einstein.

Expats Flee Pattaya Bars Amid Intensive Police Raids

 

This is utter bs.

 I was last month in Pattaya visiting bars every night and never never was raided. Fake topic

Isn’t soi 6 and WS full of Indians ? 

19 hours ago, Mark1969 said:

I had a beer on my balcony the other night and it was great. I bought a beer at 7-11 and just took it home. Very relaxing, but I have a nice balcony. It was better then sitting at a bar.

Well be careful, after several you may get clumsy!

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Well be careful, after several you may get clumsy!

I don't get <deleted>faced drunk. I have a few beers, relax and enjoy myself.

On 8/30/2025 at 6:10 AM, Ralf001 said:

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

ive pisssed clean every time.

Yes, Maggie Thatcher must piss chmpagne I'd guess.

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

Likely those expats on balconies are simply getting older.

 

And older expats should keep the f*** away from balconies!

On 8/30/2025 at 7:33 AM, JoePai said:

And the photo ?

 

And the small print under the photo?

38 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

And the small print under the photo?

Correct, a file photo of WS 😉

15 hours ago, vangrop said:

Expats Flee Pattaya Bars Amid Intensive Police Raids

 

This is utter bs.

 I was last month in Pattaya visiting bars every night and never never was raided. Fake topic

It’s happening now not last month. 

On 8/30/2025 at 11:20 AM, proton said:

 

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

You seem to know the score. Been at it yourself then?

3 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

You seem to know the score. Been at it yourself then?

 

1994 could not wait to leave, gave it another go a few years later left after one night. Three times since for concerts, left as soon as possible after.

17 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Yes, Maggie Thatcher must piss chmpagne I'd guess.

Are you  talking of someone who has been dead nearly 10 years now? How is that relevant?

22 hours ago, proton said:

 

1994 could not wait to leave, gave it another go a few years later left after one night. Three times since for concerts, left as soon as possible after.

Each to their own then 🤷🏼

15 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Are you  talking of someone who has been dead nearly 10 years now? How is that relevant?

It's 'her' avatar if you scroll up that I was talking about...just piss-talk like half this forum.

On 8/30/2025 at 1:15 AM, BritManToo said:

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

I dont stay out late either. The GoGos open at 8pm, I can be asleep smiling by 8:30

On 8/31/2025 at 12:37 PM, NanLaew said:

And older expats should keep the f*** away from balconies!

If they can't handle a beer on the balcony are they not a gonner anyway? More likely to step a foot too far into a moving vehicle on streets with no sidewalks then fall off the balcony. I don't know how older people manage here, do they just get stuff delivered?

On 8/30/2025 at 4:13 PM, jingjai9 said:

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?

Try soi Khaotalo, on the dark side