On 11/13/2025 at 8:34 AM, Dobbsie said:

I have made this point so many times on these forums including Hua Hin, I constantly get attacked by Expats claimimg that places like Hua Hin and Pattaya are amazing places to visit, retire etc These resorsts arent stuck in the 90's its more like the Vietnam war - I have lived and worked in Thailand for 6 years and I have never taken any family or friends to Pattaya or Hua Hin because I find the bars and restauarants so dated and the hotels antiquated given the price. Most of the bars consist of a counter lined with girls in 200bhat dresses shouting at passers by, lots of screens showing sports, a pool table and a couple of old fat ferangs in vests thinking they are living the dream - fact is if they were all packed this would be one thing but they are all empty. In Pattaya if you want a neutral bar and a view you have to go to The Hilton....on top of this the screeching, cackilng ladyboys, the hevay smell of weed, the beach lined with freelancers, gangs of indian men and middle eastern men learing at any western woman - how is this condusive to families, couples, high end tourists etc - My kids are 20 and 26 and are pretty down to earth but Hua Hin and Pattaya would have nothing to offer them - indeed I would be scared for my daughter in these places

      Pattaya has plenty to offer you and your kids if you take yourself away from the bar areas, which are only a small part of Greater Pattaya.  You will also find many nice, newer hotels away from the bar areas, as well, including Mitt, Ozo, Grand Centre Point, Centre Point Space, and Akira, as well as a refreshed Centara and new wings at D'Beach and Amari.  

1 hour ago, newnative said:

      I don't know Central CM but Pattaya's Central has undergone a facelift and I wouldn't describe it as 'tatty and old'.  The mall bathrooms were all re-done and the public spaces refreshed with new treatments for the ceilings, the support pillars, and many of the walls.  The food court was also remodeled and other areas changed, including the kiosks.  In addition, some of the businesses, themselves, such as Fuji and Power Buy, have also re-done their spaces.   It remains one of my favorite places to shop in Pattaya and, according to Google, is one of the most successful malls in Thailand and the largest beachfront mall in southeast Asia.  

 

It probably is the best place to shop in Pattaya, though that Big C mall is also not bad, and sure there was a facelift in 2019 but I was there in Deccember 2024 and it still looks more "vintage" shall we say, than Central Festival. Which is odd, because whilst the Pattaya Central mall was built in 2009, the Central Festival in CM was built in 2014, so also fairly long ago. But the Central CM mall just feels much newer and cleaner. Maybe better looked after, though I guess the spacious architecture plays a part, the Pattaya mall can feel a bit cramped in parts and CM Central Festival has a leasable area that is five times larger than Pattya almost. That's part of it too.

On 11/13/2025 at 8:13 AM, hotchilli said:

Pattaya, Phuket and Samui all need re-modelling.

Nothings changed in the last 20+ years and it's looking tired, 

I remember the Winchester getting re-modelled from the comfortable, worn-in boozer that it was to an anonymous chrome and glass place that just seemed to lose it's way.

On 11/13/2025 at 5:20 PM, Jack Hammer said:

Let’s be honest. Pattaya is just one cesspit of sex, corruption. Take away the girls and Pattaya will die overnight. There has been many comments about the quality of girls in bars. Why should an attractive lady be subject to the harsh rules and conditions laid down by most bar owners? It is equal to human trafficking.  The smart ones now are freelancing and on dating sites. 

     'Take away the girls'. . . and Pattaya would continue to do what it is now doing, which is its evolution to a large and ever growing beach city that now attracts many more non-bar focused visitors--and non-bar focused residents.  No way would it 'die overnight'.  Likely just the opposite--its evolution would just accelerate. 

     Several posts back we had a poster complaining that Pattaya is now fireworks, festivals, and other stuff that attracts Bangkokians.  Indeed, yes--and not just Bangkokians but a wide non-bar demographic from all over.  If you look at threads like this you'll see the usual moaning and groaning that Pattaya is not what it once was, and mostly posted in a negative manner.     

     The reality is that it is largely positive, not negative, for most Pattaya visitors and the Asean Now demographic of old western white dudes is, read it and weep, not representative of the majority of the tourists now visiting Pattaya.   And, much of this Asean Now demographic posting, it is clear to see by their postings and my responses to some of them, have either not been to Pattaya recently, or, if they have visited, have not ventured very far from Walking Street, as they are mostly clueless to all that has been happening away from Walking Street--and it has been massive.  And, it continues.

On 11/13/2025 at 8:13 AM, hotchilli said:

 

 

1 hour ago, newnative said:

     'Take away the girls'. . . and Pattaya would continue to do what it is now doing, which is its evolution to a large and ever growing beach city that now attracts many more non-bar focused visitors--and non-bar focused residents.  No way would it 'die overnight'.  Likely just the opposite--its evolution would just accelerate. 

     Several posts back we had a poster complaining that Pattaya is now fireworks, festivals, and other stuff that attracts Bangkokians.  Indeed, yes--and not just Bangkokians but a wide non-bar demographic from all over.  If you look at threads like this you'll see the usual moaning and groaning that Pattaya is not what it once was, and mostly posted in a negative manner.     

     The reality is that it is largely positive, not negative, for most Pattaya visitors and the Asean Now demographic of old western white dudes is, read it and weep, not representative of the majority of the tourists now visiting Pattaya.   And, much of this Asean Now demographic posting, it is clear to see by their postings and my responses to some of them, have either not been to Pattaya recently, or, if they have visited, have not ventured very far from Walking Street, as they are mostly clueless to all that has been happening away from Walking Street--and it has been massive.  And, it continues.

Most opinions would favour that of Jack Hammer . Pattaya has always been know as sin city , bar girls and massage parlours etc . Investment in Pattaya is based on the high amount of tourists who tend to be single men and not families . No place to take young people . You say "beach city " , more like sewer city . The local sea is polluted and unsuitable for swimming . I will say that there are some nice hotels in Pattaya . Pattaya main Beach road needs a makeover with traffic free zones to bring it out of the dark ages . 

8 minutes ago, superal said:

Most opinions would favour that of Jack Hammer . Pattaya has always been know as sin city , bar girls and massage parlours etc . Investment in Pattaya is based on the high amount of tourists who tend to be single men and not families . No place to take young people . You say "beach city " , more like sewer city . The local sea is polluted and unsuitable for swimming . I will say that there are some nice hotels in Pattaya . Pattaya main Beach road needs a makeover with traffic free zones to bring it out of the dark ages . 

 

 

I'm often tempted to take a dip, but in the absence of any form of Blue Flag categorisation I wisely chicken out.

 

 

3 hours ago, superal said:

Most opinions would favour that of Jack Hammer . Pattaya has always been know as sin city , bar girls and massage parlours etc . Investment in Pattaya is based on the high amount of tourists who tend to be single men and not families . No place to take young people . You say "beach city " , more like sewer city . The local sea is polluted and unsuitable for swimming . I will say that there are some nice hotels in Pattaya . Pattaya main Beach road needs a makeover with traffic free zones to bring it out of the dark ages . 

    Yes, indeed, most opinions on Asean Now, would favor Jack Hammer.  Precisely my point.  Big, expensive investment in Pattaya is certainly not based on single men.  It certainly is based on families, and that continues.  If you actually live here you will know that all the big, new, nice development in Pattaya is being done well away from the entertainment zones and Walking Street. 

    Terminal 21, Grand Centre Point, Centre Point Space resort, Ozo Hotel, Mitt Hotel, Amari Family Wing, the Centara resort large-scale remodel, the massive Centre Point 3 resort now being constructed, Universal Studios Amusement Park, Art in Paradise, Ripley's, the new water park out by View Ang restaurant, plus the other new one built, the new go cart track, Again Pattaya shopping/restaurant project, the list goes on and on--none built specifically for single men.   

On 11/12/2025 at 11:41 PM, spidermike007 said:

I would have expected that reaction from you rather than any sense of kindness or decency. The vast majority of your responses are of a very nasty nature. 

A decent person does not fat shame young women with little or no power living in a patriarchal  society.  You’re a nasty person and I’m happy to call you out. 

On 11/12/2025 at 9:37 PM, MalcolmB said:

Approximately 3 decades of servicing tens of thousands of men from around the globe.

Now around 50 years old with worn out genitals they will find an elderly farang to marry.

They are masters of their art.

Except that elderly "farangs" can still recognise worn-out John Wayne saddlebags, slapping around between their legs.

Are you a 'young' man then? Dumb and full of it?

On 11/13/2025 at 10:41 AM, superal said:

Totally agree and my opinion for years . Pattaya is a <deleted> hole . Lack of public conveniences , dangerous broken  pavements , electric cables hanging down below head height , concrete posts in the middle of pavements , no consideration for wheelchairs / push chairs , street vendors occupying the pavements etc etc . It could be so much better e.g. create a promenade on Beach road with seating . Lay new wider , hazard free well lit pavements . Provide hygienic attended public toilets and charge a fee to use them . But the powers that be show zero concern . There are better places to holiday in Thailand and maybe Vietnam is worth a visit ?

All the elites are making a killing on land leasing. They take no risk while thousands of bar and restaurant owners go bust. Plus they get a percentage when the business owner sells. Zero chance they put any money into improving the area.

10 hours ago, newnative said:

The reality is that it is largely positive, not negative, for most Pattaya visitors and the Asean Now demographic of old western white dudes is, read it and weep, not representative of the majority of the tourists now visiting Pattaya.

Another thinly veiled attack on White men. White men built Pattaya pal, we get the right to complain if we want. You're probably an indian who's never built anything, you just show up and ruin it after we build it.

On 11/12/2025 at 5:44 PM, dinsdale said:

There is absolutelty no reason now or before for the 2-5 pm law that holds any rational scrutiny. As for this latest round of insanity who are the faces behind it?  Who's pushing this insanity? People are not allowed to have even a sip of alcohol from one second past 2 pm til five pm and one second after midnight til 11:00 am. This is a policy thought up by absolute imbeciles.

Well, you've identified the culprits.  What's the plan to get them out of positions of power and influence and replaced by individuals who actually can reason?

12 hours ago, captain_shane said:

Another thinly veiled attack on White men. White men built Pattaya pal, we get the right to complain if we want. You're probably an indian who's never built anything, you just show up and ruin it after we build it.

     Ha.  I  am an old white dude--but, one living in the present, not the past.   Complain all you want; that's your right and nobody's stopping you, certainly not me.  All I am doing is pointing out that Pattaya is evolving.  When a poster makes a ridiculous comment that Pattaya would die if you 'take away the girls', I also have a right to give a second opinion.  When someone makes the ridiculous comment that investment in Pattaya is based on 'single men', I have a right to give a second opinion. 

     By the way, can anyone name one big investment in Pattaya in, say, the last 15 or so years that was built specifically for 'single men'?  And, no, a bar here and a go-go there do not count.  I'll start us out.  T21?  No.  Ramayama Water Park?  No.  Centre Point Space?  No.  Universal Studios Amusement Park?  No.  Central Festival?  No.  Central Marina?  No.  How about the future?  Centre Point third massive resort now being built?  No.  Again Pattaya shopping/restaurant project?  No.

    

17 hours ago, newnative said:

    Yes, indeed, most opinions on Asean Now, would favor Jack Hammer.  Precisely my point.  Big, expensive investment in Pattaya is certainly not based on single men.  It certainly is based on families, and that continues.  If you actually live here you will know that all the big, new, nice development in Pattaya is being done well away from the entertainment zones and Walking Street. 

    Terminal 21, Grand Centre Point, Centre Point Space resort, Ozo Hotel, Mitt Hotel, Amari Family Wing, the Centara resort large-scale remodel, the massive Centre Point 3 resort now being constructed, Universal Studios Amusement Park, Art in Paradise, Ripley's, the new water park out by View Ang restaurant, plus the other new one built, the new go cart track, Again Pattaya shopping/restaurant project, the list goes on and on--none built specifically for single men.   

Who would choose Pattaya for a family holiday ? Without doubt , Pattaya is know as the sex city for both men and ladies and even married couples without children for sex adventures . Granted there are some nice shops , hotels and some entertainments e.g. top class golf courses  but beach holidays are a negative .

1 hour ago, superal said:

Who would choose Pattaya for a family holiday ? Without doubt , Pattaya is know as the sex city for both men and ladies and even married couples without children for sex adventures . Granted there are some nice shops , hotels and some entertainments e.g. top class golf courses  but beach holidays are a negative .

       Except, except.  Centre Point company has built the huge Grand Centre Point on top of T21.   Huge success so they built the even bigger Centre Point Space resort right across the street.  Huge success so they are now building the even bigger Centre Point 3 resort, also nearby but a bit closer to the beach.  Just one example--they are all over the place and easily seen if you actually live here.   

     You, and others, may not see Pattaya as a family holiday destination but, obviously, many do or none of these projects would have ever happened.  Pattaya will likely always have the adult entertainment component but it also has many other family-oriented attractions--and this has made up the vast majority of the major construction projects that have been done in Pattaya since at least 2010, when I arrived.   Meanwhile, has anybody come up with a major construction project built here just for 'single men'?  

but it has changed, the only sign i remember from that pic is king seafood

3 hours ago, newnative said:

       Except, except.  Centre Point company has built the huge Grand Centre Point on top of T21.   Huge success so they built the even bigger Centre Point Space resort right across the street.  Huge success so they are now building the even bigger Centre Point 3 resort, also nearby but a bit closer to the beach.  Just one example--they are all over the place and easily seen if you actually live here.   

     You, and others, may not see Pattaya as a family holiday destination but, obviously, many do or none of these projects would have ever happened.  Pattaya will likely always have the adult entertainment component but it also has many other family-oriented attractions--and this has made up the vast majority of the major construction projects that have been done in Pattaya since at least 2010, when I arrived.   Meanwhile, has anybody come up with a major construction project built here just for 'single men'?  

The projects that you mention are aimed at Thai folk , no doubt .

28 minutes ago, superal said:

The projects that you mention are aimed at Thai folk , no doubt .

    No, not really.  Like the older very large Centara resort on Wongamat Beach, which just had a big remodeling, the Centre Point projects are appealing to more than just Thai visitors, though, of course, they certainly do have Thais vacation at them.