24 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Wrong, I wasn't argumentative. I stated my experience back then. You seem to challenge me to prove it, just as you "challenged the OP's price point". Seems to me then, that you're the argumentative one here.

My recollection is back then there were plenty of decent places around b500. B500 got you a lot 25 years ago.

I had no problem with you sharing your experience. But you quoted a post challenging the OP's assertion of 500 baht at most.

Why did you not simply post your experience without quoting my post? That's my point. You engaged specifically with me, so I asked you about what 500 baht at most accommodation was like. You couldn't answer. But yet you are still claiming there were plenty of decent places. That's fine, name a few. It might jog some memories.

Personally, I remember posting reviews of rooms for forum members in those days, with pictures and prices. So whilst you might imagine an argument, it is not. it's a request to join a discussion about your personal experiences with those 500 baht rooms.

For me, they obviously weren't an option. But that could be due to my preference of being close to the beach of a beach resort. Even Second Road was a bridge too far for me 😊

Honey Lodge was as far back as I would allow myself to go.

I think there were two or three Diana places, but I considered them as being in the jungle. Diana Inn being the closest to the beach. Was there another off Bua Khao and the third off Third Road somewhere?

You see? There's no argument, just a sharing of perspectives.

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:

I had no problem with you sharing your experience. But you quoted a post challenging the OP's assertion of 500 baht at most.

Why did you not simply post your experience without quoting my post? That's my point. You engaged specifically with me, so I asked you about what 500 baht at most accommodation was like. You couldn't answer. But yet you are still claiming there were plenty of decent places. That's fine, name a few. It might jog some memories.

Personally, I remember posting reviews of rooms for forum members in those days, with pictures and prices. So whilst you might imagine an argument, it is not. it's a request to join a discussion about your personal experiences with those 500 baht rooms.

For me, they obviously weren't an option. But that could be due to my preference of being close to the beach of a beach resort. Even Second Road was a bridge too far for me 😊

Honey Lodge was as far back as I would allow myself to go.

I think there were two or three Diana places, but I considered them as being in the jungle. Diana Inn being the closest to the beach. Was there another off Bua Khao and the third off Third Road somewhere?

You see? There's no argument, just a sharing of perspectives.

I will ignore responding to your first 3 paragraphs in order not to get you going again.

As we are "sharing perspectives":

LP 1999:

Honey Lodge b500

Diana Inn (pattaya 2 rd) b600

Apex b350

Malibu b350

Viking b250 to 350

German garden b500

Welkom inn b450

1 hour ago, Bredbury Blue said:

I will ignore responding to your first 3 paragraphs in order not to get you going again.

As we are "sharing perspectives":

LP 1999:

Honey Lodge b500

Diana Inn (pattaya 2 rd) b600

Apex b350

Malibu b350

Viking b250 to 350

German garden b500

Welkom inn b450

Yes, we are sharing perspectives. That is how it feels when you aren't just talking with yourself. 😊

I remember the names of most of those places, so thanks for the trip down memory lane 😊

Didn't visit any of them myself, maybe apart from Apex once(might have just viewed a room), but read a lot whilst researching what to expect/avoid.

I think my initial choices in those days, were Honey Lodge in Pattaya and Green Park Resort in Na Kluea. Was quite German in Na Kluea, a different vibe so to speak. Found it nicer in general in the North.

It was also still nice at Bali Hai. Palm trees, a tropical feel. Phra Tamnak too. Less developed with a more natural vibe. Jomtien was also much less developed and could feel like you discovered an oasis from full on Central Pattaya.

Whichever way you look at it, we were privileged to have lived through those experiences, to be able to compare then to now. Still privileged now.

5 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

You seem to challenge me to prove it, just as you "challenged the OP's price point". Seems to me then, that you're the argumentative one here.

Read some of his old posts under the user NowNow, then all of this will make a lot more sense.

15 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

I had no problem with you sharing your experience. But you quoted a post challenging the OP's assertion of 500 baht at most.

Why did you not simply post your experience without quoting my post? That's my point. You engaged specifically with me, so I asked you about what 500 baht at most accommodation was like. You couldn't answer. But yet you are still claiming there were plenty of decent places. That's fine, name a few. It might jog some memories.

Personally, I remember posting reviews of rooms for forum members in those days, with pictures and prices. So whilst you might imagine an argument, it is not. it's a request to join a discussion about your personal experiences with those 500 baht rooms.

For me, they obviously weren't an option. But that could be due to my preference of being close to the beach of a beach resort. Even Second Road was a bridge too far for me 😊

Honey Lodge was as far back as I would allow myself to go.

I think there were two or three Diana places, but I considered them as being in the jungle. Diana Inn being the closest to the beach. Was there another off Bua Khao and the third off Third Road somewhere?

You see? There's no argument, just a sharing of perspectives.

So you did not find the cheapest rooms. Other people clearly did. Some managed it, some did not. That does not mean the cheaper options were not there. Try and get over it. Nobody else seems to care.

Did the Bufalo bar exist then?

Apart from the obvious nostalgia feeling why Pattaya (and Thailand in general) felt better 20-25 years than now, a major factor is that there were far fewer of us farlangs here in say 2000 (approximately 9.57 million international tourists) compared to now (2025 = 32.97 million international) arrivals. Its hard to explain, but life as an expat felt better then than now; now you're just one of far too many farlangs in the country. Now there are so many of us married to Thais compared to back then. I remember having an thai architect girlfriend on the mid 90s who would walk behind me when we were out as there was still a stigma for thais having a farlang boyfriend/spouse. It was different back then.

Working in Bkk 20-25 years ago and visiting the usual bars and pubs, made driving down to Pattaya Friday evening and back Sunday evening feel exciting, while Pattaya also had a very relaxed feeling about you didn't get in Bkk. Nowadays however, when I visit Pattaya it feels like Bkk-by-the-sea, and I don't feel at all relaxed (I prefer Sri Racha or Rayong for the quiet).

Troll posts removed @IsmeUno Formal warning coming if this behavior continues.

On 2/19/2026 at 12:49 PM, Bredbury Blue said:

My recollection is back then there were plenty of decent places around b500. B500 got you a lot 25 years ago.

It did indeed. The other consideration was the much weaker baht. 500฿ was well under £10 back in those days, right up until the crash around 2008.

Thanks for the OP! Absolutely agree! I consider myself lucky I still got to know the pre-millennium Pattaya.

Though when I visited first mid 1990ies expats told me already how much better it apparently was in the 1980ies.

I loved the time before the opening hours were restricted. 24/7 business; people waking up early and going out for breakfast would still meet the ppl from the previous night sitting at the bars.

My first experience with the girls was absolutely sweet.  A true darling from one of the beer bars, showing me all the markets, the food, the fruits, teaching me some thai and insisting I stay with her at her room because „hotel room expensive and food not good“.

Nowadays I rather avoid the place for all the stated reasons. But it’s not just Pattaya, changes sadly also happened to other nightlife spots in the region, some reasons apply to all (internet, hand phones, social media, dating apps - change of mentality) some are specific (political, crackdowns etc.) Thinking about Phnom Penh, AC, Surabaya etc., some places are gone completely.

Wondering how Patty will look in ten years.

On 2/22/2026 at 3:37 PM, mangkut70 said:

Wondering how Patty will look in ten years.

Can't answer that, but I bet that most expats will still be pronouncing Pattaya incorrectly 😅

On 2/18/2026 at 5:08 PM, Bredbury Blue said:

You seem to be trying to pick a fight with me and not the OP. I merely stated that I stayed at Diana Inn back then, which was a decent place, and it ranged from b450-550 (1997) and b600 (1999).

That is all that xxx does. tries to start trouble with eveyone who says anything on the whole site. Should be barred

On 2/22/2026 at 8:37 AM, mangkut70 said:

Thanks for the OP! Absolutely agree! I consider myself lucky I still got to know the pre-millennium Pattaya.

Though when I visited first mid 1990ies expats told me already how much better it apparently was in the 1980ies.

I loved the time before the opening hours were restricted. 24/7 business; people waking up early and going out for breakfast would still meet the ppl from the previous night sitting at the bars.

My first experience with the girls was absolutely sweet.  A true darling from one of the beer bars, showing me all the markets, the food, the fruits, teaching me some thai and insisting I stay with her at her room because „hotel room expensive and food not good“.

Nowadays I rather avoid the place for all the stated reasons. But it’s not just Pattaya, changes sadly also happened to other nightlife spots in the region, some reasons apply to all (internet, hand phones, social media, dating apps - change of mentality) some are specific (political, crackdowns etc.) Thinking about Phnom Penh, AC, Surabaya etc., some places are gone completely.

Wondering how Patty will look in ten years.

I wonder how all of Thailand will be in 10years time. So many challenges heading Thailand's way and I am not hopeful that the government will do much about them

On 2/13/2026 at 3:41 PM, Harrisfan said:

Pattaya first began gaining popularity in the 1960s, primarily due to American servicemen stationed at the U-Tapao airbase during the Vietnam War. A pivotal moment occurred in June 1959, when a group of U.S. soldiers visiting from Korat discovered the town’s serene beaches and began recommending it to others. This word-of-mouth spread rapidly, turning Pattaya from a quiet fishing village into a sought-after rest and relaxation (R&R) destination. By 1961, the influx of foreign tourists had solidified Pattaya’s transformation, leading to the construction of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The city officially became a self-governing municipality in 1976 and was granted city status in 1978, marking its formal emergence as Thailand’s premier beach resort.

I was a 6th grader in 1969, our father worked at US Embassy in BKK, our whole family lived at the end of Sukumvit Soi 15. I lived across the street from an international school. i would go exploring all along the klong boats, enjoying many activities alone along Soi 15. It was a safer time then, now i would not let my children do what I could do safely then. One time we went to pattaya beach. It was such a cool place then, the beach was clean, water clear. We took a glass bottom boat ride out in Pattaya ocean about 1/4 mile out and saw all the way to the bottom of the ocean floor. There was no road or development on pratamnak hill. There was only one hotel that more than one floor. There was an outdoor movie screen that we watched a movie on. The tree in the middle of Beach Road. That was a special time and I recognize what the OP is saying. When I came back to Pattaya in the ealy 2000's, I was shocked at what a mess of buildings, small roads, traffic, the amount of people, especially the lack of infrastructure. Those were truly special times that I remember from Pattaya. It was a cool place, and clean water and beach.

3 minutes ago, tootall said:

I was a 6th grader in 1969, our father worked at US Embassy in BKK, our whole family lived at the end of Sukumvit Soi 15. I lived across the street from an international school. i would go exploring all along the klong boats, enjoying many activities alone along Soi 15. It was a safer time then, now i would not let my children do what I could do safely then. One time we went to pattaya beach. It was such a cool place then, the beach was clean, water clear. We took a glass bottom boat ride out in Pattaya ocean about 1/4 mile out and saw all the way to the bottom of the ocean floor. There was no road or development on pratamnak hill. There was only one hotel that more than one floor. There was an outdoor movie screen that we watched a movie on. The tree in the middle of Beach Road. That was a special time and I recognize what the OP is saying. When I came back to Pattaya in the ealy 2000's, I was shocked at what a mess of buildings, small roads, traffic, the amount of people, especially the lack of infrastructure. Those were truly special times that I remember from Pattaya. It was a cool place, and clean water and beach.

May I add for those who like to say bad about the topic of how I was a greater time back then. After I came to Thailand in the early 2000's, I moved here and lived for 20 years, married a Thai woman, I have been married to for over 11 years. We have 2 boys, I enjoyed my first 10-15 years living there, but became disillusioned with the congestions, bad elements in tourist, but I do not hate ever living there. I just remember how it used to be.

4 hours ago, tootall said:

I was a 6th grader in 1969, our father worked at US Embassy in BKK, our whole family lived at the end of Sukumvit Soi 15. I lived across the street from an international school. i would go exploring all along the klong boats, enjoying many activities alone along Soi 15. It was a safer time then, now i would not let my children do what I could do safely then. One time we went to pattaya beach. It was such a cool place then, the beach was clean, water clear. We took a glass bottom boat ride out in Pattaya ocean about 1/4 mile out and saw all the way to the bottom of the ocean floor. There was no road or development on pratamnak hill. There was only one hotel that more than one floor. There was an outdoor movie screen that we watched a movie on. The tree in the middle of Beach Road. That was a special time and I recognize what the OP is saying. When I came back to Pattaya in the early 2000's, I was shocked at what a mess of buildings, small roads, traffic, the amount of people, especially the lack of infrastructure. Those were truly special times that I remember from Pattaya. It was a cool place, and clean water and beach.

I worked at JUSMAGTHAI, off of Sathorn from 68-70, did a lot of courier work to the Embassy, got married there in 69, might have met your father. I can remember my first trip to Pattaya, horse back riding on the beach, water skied in the ocean, Best of times.

My farang wife and I moved to Pattaya in 1969 when it was heaven on earth. We left in 71 and when we returned to Pattaya in 1980 we were very disappointed.

On 2/13/2026 at 1:04 PM, SoCal1990 said:

There was a time 20 to 25 years ago when Pattaya was actually really good fun. If you were working in Bangkok, it was a great place for a quick getaway for a couple of days. But really, a couple of days was all anyone could muster. Too much hedonism to stay longer.

You’d hop on one of the 60 baht air-conditioned buses from Ekamai in the evening. They left every half hour. Check into your air-conditioned hotel for 500 baht at most, and some places at the north end or up on the hill toward Jomtien were as low as 300 baht and no joiner fees. Then head straight out and hit the ground running. It was total sensory overload, so two nights was enough.

Everything cost next to nothing. Food, hotels, drinks, great discos and go-gos on Walking Street, girls for a fiver. It had everything anyone could want, and all for a song.

ST was not really a thing there yet like it was already in Bangkok. Most girls expected to spend the night, maybe grab a meal on the way back to your hotel, and then go for another round in the morning. If you wanted to cut it short, they were often a bit taken aback, as many were hoping to stay over. It was not only about the money for them back then. Many wanted to hang out. But it was usually more fun to find a starter for the early evening, then head back out later and look for a second one to spend the night with. It was very easy to go overboard. So do two nights, get in and get out. Catch a minivan back to Bangers and get off at Victory Monument on a Sunday evening. Painless.

Back then it did not have all the different varieties of tourist trash you see down there now . There were always a few dregs, but most people were from the US or Europe, so it did not feel as ghetto as it can today, with middle eastern bike gangs and skint groups of south Asian men trying to chat up one girl and angle for a group discount. None of that existed.

You also had some great restaurants with home-style European food run by expats who were actually in the kitchen making sure the dishes came out right. The restaurants alone were worth the trip. Half the price of Bangkok, or less, for a good home-cooked steak, some British pub food, or some other specialty European dishes. Or head down toward the Marine Hotel area for a shawarma chicken wrap from a street cart. Maybe some Thai food at Kiss Food. Brilliant. Then breakfast at an open-air joint along Beach Road in the morning. It was all blissful. It was not covered with Big Cs and endless shopping malls. You really only had Royal Garden and Mike’s, and that was about it.

All the really good stuff is gone, but mostly the vibe. There is no way you can ever bring that back. The world has changed. There were no stereotypes back then. Nobody judged anyone else. Everyone was happy with the exchanges that were made. Not complaining. It is just how the world has gone. Glad to have had some fun down there at a time when it was still all a good laugh.

So true! 25-30 years ago Pattaya was accurately described as "Disneyland for adults".

For anyone who visited then, cherish your memories. For those less fortunate, there are no words to convey the full wonderfulness of the experience.

Thank you for the post SoCal1990, it brought back awesome memories.

19 hours ago, flexomike said:

I worked at JUSMAGTHAI, off of Sathorn from 68-70, did a lot of courier work to the Embassy, got married there in 69, might have met your father. I can remember my first trip to Pattaya, horse back riding on the beach, water skied in the ocean, Best of times.

My father was in the Marines @JUSMAG, he was a Capt, or Lt Col Robert Thompson. He received his Naval Cross at the Marine Corps anniversary in BBK, during that time. Do you remember him?

1 minute ago, tootall said:

My father was in the Marines @JUSMAG, he was a Capt, or Lt Col Robert Thompson. He received his Naval Cross at the Marine Corps anniversary in BBK, during that time. Do you remember him?

Don't remember that name, I was Army, we only had one Marine in my division. There were a lot of officers that worked in the compound during my time. In my small section we had nine officers and two enlisted, I worked with the Engineers J-42

On 2/27/2026 at 3:01 AM, Suetape said:

My farang wife and I moved to Pattaya in 1969 when it was heaven on earth. We left in 71 and when we returned to Pattaya in 1980 we were very disappointed.

Exactly same for me when I returned in early 2000. I was so disappointed what Pattaya turned into. I asked the driver, when I saw the Welcome to Pattaya sign, are you Shure this is Pattaya? Pattaya turned into a mini-Bangkok. I was so disappointed