Comparison Of Pattaya And Sihanoukville.

[JR Texas]

i agree with many of the above points. SV will be there in 7-10 years so if ur prepared to invest now and wait its a good idea

BUT living there is down right boring and u have to get everything u really need in Phnom Penh.

Turing into a Phuket. NO WAY. Although there are some nice islands in the area. diving no way compares to Similains and or the islands south outside Trang.

The airport is built and ready but there is problems as the owners ( related to the big wig) wants to much money to allow planes to land there.

Otres is slated for developmet and Och and ser wil be all torn down in the next few years. Even now they only get 1 year leases.

The 5 star hotel the Rusinas have is a joke as no one goes there and they charge you $25 to go visit which included the boat and a glass of wine. NO beach and nothing but high priced rooms. The islnad they own juus off Victory beach, ( where they built their disco) where they are bulding a brigde will be 5 star as well with a golf course and Casino.

The Marina and condo/apts are coming along ( next to Hawaii beach) and that would be a good buy in for a condo for less than $150,0

Marina and condo? That part is new to me. I did not go to Hawaii Beach the last time I was in SNVL. If I had a fortune to invest in something, I think a waterfront condo would be a HUGE hit in SNVL.

By the way, my reference to SNVL evolving into a small Phuket did not come from me. It came, first, from an intellectual in Thailand who had made several trips there. Then I heard the same thing from a well-known owner of hotels in Cambodia......the type of guy who sits down with Cambodian Generals and has whiskey.

I learned a lot from these guys.........inside information I was not aware of. The area is beautiful (or potentially beautiful). A lot needs to be cleaned up. No, the water is not like Phuket, but it is like Pattaya (not saying much.....ha ha ha).

I think when the President of the country decided to build a huge mansion there.........and his sister decides to put up money for a 5 star hotel near it.......changes are in the wind.

In ten years you will not recognize the place...........Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

[runner]

Pattaya is not expensive at all. Sure, the ladies are a bit more expensive, but when you consider the overall living costs and infrastructure, Pattaya wins hands down.

Only go to Cambodia is you are forced to live on $500 a month or something. Otherwise, forget it.

[thedistillers]

Sihanoukville seems like such a depressing place to live.

I've checked a real estate website and all the houses for rent seem to be in a creepy environment.

[JimsKnight]

Pattaya is not expensive at all. Sure, the ladies are a bit more expensive, but when you consider the overall living costs and infrastructure, Pattaya wins hands down.

Only go to Cambodia is you are forced to live on $500 a month or something. Otherwise, forget it.

Agreed. I can stay in some very nice places in Pattaya with all the whistles and bells. Sports facilities are all over the place. Good for bikers etc etc.

Snooky doesn't have that, getting in and out on the roads independently means you'll need an offroad bike if taking it from the Thai border.

It's true that there are silly prices wanted for certain areas, but if you spend the time and effort you can find the best places anywhere.

I found a decent apartment complex charging 5000 - 6000 baht for rooms with AC and fast WiFi in central Pattaya. Do-it-yourself Washing machines and water-makers were in the lobby.

A 'pocket' villa (pool, bar all the trimmings) with 5-star quality rooms (ultra-fast WiFi etc etc) for 12,000 baht. Good value for money.

None of these things exist AFAIK in Snooky and won't be for quite some time...

Somebody mentioned that they'll be gearing up for 'top-end' tourists. Well that's not me I'm afraid. I don't spend two weeks somewhere churning a truck-load of $$$$ into crp and over-priced stuff.

As soon as the russian factor was mentioned that's another red-flag. Not really my scene spending money to visit a bridged island.

I have no worries on the visa-issues. Every 3 months is my turn for a trip and that's good enough for me.

Thailand doesn't really care about people who go to Cambo, it sorts the wheat from the chaff I feel.

[duchovny]

Not been to Snooky but there is this lingering vibe that the expats who lives there tend to be 'at the end of the road' so to speak.

Failed in Thailand, gone to Cambodia anyone??!!

So you've never been there but you can give advice on the people who live there.

Look at the big brain on JimsKnight!!

Let me see, I'll now give my insights on Uzbekhistan, even though I've never been there either.

Coming soon on uzbkvisa.com

But on topic, SV is developing nicely IMO, more reasonably priced good restaurants, decent mid range hotels and none of the in-your-face bullshit of Pattaya. I was in Patters a few months ago and all I could do was ask myself was "why did I come here?".

Oh, and just for big brained Jim, there are at least 100 fold more desperatos in Pattaya than in SV. No comparrison.

[mel2surf]

I lived in Jomtien for three yrs and am now living in SNV(only five months). I was very satisfied at my 10k baht month condo room at View Talay 2 in Jomtien and i enjoyed the security/the western fixtures in room,the quiet, $50/mo. good,dependable IN ROOM INTERNET,the location was great for easy travel to anywhere in Thailand,and I enjoyed the availability of female companionship located very nearby.

Now I'm in SNV and I like the locals but I do find myself missing Jomtien for the reasons stated above. I have been considering setting up a small business here in SNV,but am going to hold my horses for a bit,and keep reading,talking to local biz people and learning what I can.I feel comfortable in SNV,but it does get boring and i have yet to experience the supposedly long(and biz killing rainy season) There are good and bad aspects of every place no doubt.

Having said that, I am fascinated by everyones posts on here,and will continue to absorb as much as I can.The visa faction (here in SNV) is HUGE with me...and not having to deal with big ego immigration personnel nor visa runs is very much a relief and the kindness of locals at SNV a big plus as well(personally I think Snooky locals are kinder than Phnom Penh)

but until I find that reasonable fan room(i don't like or need A/C) with one big bed,shower that doesn't go on the <deleted> FLOOR,a decent sized simple TV with RCA plugs that I can hook up my peenchy ass DVD player and watch my movies and IN ROOM INTERNET at a cost UNDER $60 or $100 a month

(as I write this i'm in Phnom Penh and looking at a poster at this net cafe advertising ACAD ADSL @home 128/512 kbps FOR AS LOW AS $119/mo.) I'm going to keep my one green suitcase and sport bag at the ready for easy splitting. It takes some adjustment at SNV. According to most established biz people here the future looks good. Will I stay? Not sure.I am leaning toward staying and getting something going (possibly a T-shirt/cargo shorts/good coffee joint or good coffee/DVD shop...something along those lines maybe)In the meantime keep up the posts folks! Always good to read them

Mel

[RAZZELL]

Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

Do you think there will ever be gambling in Thailand, perhaps it's the only way to save Pattaya?

RAZZ

[JR Texas]

Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

Do you think there will ever be gambling in Thailand, perhaps it's the only way to save Pattaya?

RAZZ

As you know, gambling is all over Thailand........the National Sport! But the govt. hypocrites have banned it.....causing the "players" to go to Cambodia and Macau.

Actually, if Thailand did decide to turn Pattaya-Jomtien into a Macau-type of gambling resort, it would likely generate a huge amount of income and jobs. That might actually be a solid development plan.

But try to teach a dumb rock to turn over...............impossible.

[manjara]

....

There is a good choice of Khmer/Thai/Vietnamese and international food and it's mostly very cheap. I remember going to a very fine French restaurant, where a 3-course meal for 2 was $60, with cocktails and a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

...

I think your wine was probably Mouton dressed as Lafite!

But in thailand, even a Mouton would be over 1000 baht - one of the main things I hate about thailand is the cost and quality of wine that you can get, and the advice you get from the salespeople. "This one very good!" "Why?" "Good taste, very sweet!" "Thanks, I'll pass on that then"

I heard the bread was a lot better in Cambodia too

[YaiJung]

Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

Do you think there will ever be gambling in Thailand, perhaps it's the only way to save Pattaya?

RAZZ

Word on the street is that the casinos have been planned for yrs and the doors will open as soon as a "certain someone" kicks the bucket.

[loong]

Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

Do you think there will ever be gambling in Thailand, perhaps it's the only way to save Pattaya?

RAZZ

Word on the street is that the casinos have been planned for yrs and the doors will open as soon as a "certain someone" kicks the bucket.

The word on the street years ago was that it would happen, but South of Jomtien, quite a way away from the Pattaya nightlife. Is that still the word on the street?

[Hobgoblin]

Having been to all corners of Cambodia, I conclude the following:

Sihanoukville = Koh Phangnan/Phuket

Phnom Penh = Bangkok

Siem Reap = Chiang Mai

Poipet = Pattaya

[OriginalPoster]

A short summary would be that Pattaya is a moderately interesting shithole filled with sex tourists, and Shihoukville is a boring shithole infested with westerners looking for either nearly free marijuana or for girls younger girls than what would be legal in Pattaya.

[anotheruser]

Having been to all corners of Cambodia, I conclude the following:

Sihanoukville = Koh Phangnan/Phuket

Phnom Penh = Bangkok

Siem Reap = Chiang Mai

Poipet = Pattaya

LOL Pattaya=Poipet???? Everybody take note of that.

Interesting posts here that basically re-enforce what I have experienced in Cambodia. It is a crap heap with less available to buy at higher prices. The cost of a good net connection is the rent on a modest apartment in Thailand. The visa conditions are great though.

[Tejas]

Not been to Snooky but there is this lingering vibe that the expats who lives there tend to be 'at the end of the road' so to speak.

Failed in Thailand, gone to Cambodia anyone??!!

What I have found is quite the opposite , rarely catch sight of an ex Thai bum here , in fact it is quite nice to meet people who are willing and with whom you can carry on ,an intelligiable conversation . The expats give the impression they want to do something worthwhile that will also benifit the locals , do not hear the constant tirade of "What's wrong with this country' , as is often the case in Thailand . No , I personally believe after experiencing both sides of the coin , Thailand is the end of the road for far too many expats , even if they had the desire and the accumen , I doubt they have sufficient funds to achieve anything worthwhile in making a fresh start .

It is somewhat funny that some posters cannot fathom that entrepreneurs/expats (with money) might decide Cambodia is a better place to invest/live than Thailand.

Sure there are "the losers." But there are far more losers in Thailand.

There are also "winners" in Cambodia. And they are doing fine (or at least as good as can be expected given the global economic downturn).

[sokal]

Not been to Snooky but there is this lingering vibe that the expats who lives there tend to be 'at the end of the road' so to speak.

Failed in Thailand, gone to Cambodia anyone??!!

Can you elaborate on that ? Do you mean priced out of Thailand, gone to Cambo ?

[sokal]

Don't get me wrong, I think that many people that like Pattaya but regret it's commercialization would like Sihanouksville.

I like Pattaya and the extent of the commercialization but I cant stand the bad reputation. I don't like the womanizing or the beer in Pattaya but I like everything else.

Can you rent Jet skiis and street bikes on the cheap in snook ?

[sokal]

Thanks for all the replies, especially Shane and Richard.

However, we all know what I was really asking ( but cannot be answered directly ), so can someone please tell me if there is there an equivalent of the Pattaya beach walk ( you know what I mean ), but without getting the thread closed.

Is there a forum where I can discuss things as cannot be discussed here?

Thanks.

Go to Pattaya-addicts.com, thats all they talk about

[sokal]

Pattaya-Jomtien is dead......has been for a long time. Maybe it is time to take a serious look at what Cambodia has to offer. But, like many others, I find it a bit boring. That can and is changing.

Do you think there will ever be gambling in Thailand, perhaps it's the only way to save Pattaya?

RAZZ

Word on the street is that the casinos have been planned for yrs and the doors will open as soon as a "certain someone" kicks the bucket.

Are you serious ? That would have huge implications on condo prices for the next 3 to 5 years. Do you have any proof of that ?

[Tejas]

Are you serious ? That would have huge implications on condo prices for the next 3 to 5 years. Do you have any proof of that ?

The talk about a casino south of Jomtien has been going on for years...........meanwhile, Macau did it!

And Sihanoukville already has it, but on a small scale.

Now casinos are in trouble all over.......global economic downturn.

Don't bet on a massive increase in property values in Pattaya-Jomtien casinos or not........the place is dead and going downhill fast.

The future? Sihanoukville (it is set for massive growth)........beach areas in Vietnam (lots of potential)........good spots in South America.

Thailand is not stable. Investors like stability.

And nothing is being done to the immigration/visa policies to make foreigners feel welcome.........just the opposite and no doubt it will get worse.

Right now the govt. is trying to place much of the blame for the recent violence on Cambodians.

I do not think that is true at all, but it opens the door for more draconian visa rule changes.

[jeepster]

I did a visa run a couple of years back and decided to incorperate 'snooky ' in to the trip . I stayed a week and that was enough for me . Decent accomodation was hard to find and nowhere near the standard you would get in pattaya at similar prices . The beaches were ok but you really need your own transport to get around . The town itself is a hole and victory hill was nothing to write home about . I found the people friendly enough but as I went on my own , I found that there was nothing much to do except lie on the beach all day reading and drinking warm ..after the first two sips local beer [it usually comes in a glass making it hard to keep cool] Seemed a lot of the backpacker type there pretending to be poor mostly Dutch , Scands etc but thankfully very few Brit lager louts . I found it was not easy to get in to the company as it is a much younger set than the pattaya crowd and they looked like the cast of neighbours .. albeit stylishly scruffy !! I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had gone with friends but on your own it can soon become tiresome and the heat was tremendous to be lying in all day . All in all , I,d say it,s a long way to go just to sit on another beach when you have so many good places near pattaya ...not that cheap there either as i recall .

[007]

Sorry for the, perhaps, strange comparisons and question; if you were a single guy, who likes to party once in a while, but not necessarily daily, if you liked a relaxed life-style but in a place that is not too quiet - not working, looking for some fun a la Pattaya: would you rather settle down in Sihanoukville or in Phnom Penh, and why?

Which one of the two is the better alternative to Pattaya?

Edited May 26, 2010 by 7

[Tejas]

Sorry for the, perhaps, strange comparisons and question; if you were a single guy, who likes to party once in a while, but not necessarily daily, if you liked a relaxed life-style but in a place that is not too quiet - not working, looking for some fun a la Pattaya: would you rather settle down in Sihanoukville or in Phnom Penh, and why?

Which one of the two is the better alternative to Pattaya?

That is a tough question..........really.

In both places you can find "the party."

SNVL is too quiet to many people.....it is a small beach town.......not a lot to do but enjoy the beach and restaurants......there are some decent bars.

PP has much more than SNVL...........a mall........Foodland-like places......loads of restaurants and bars.

Both are growing fast........but if you don't know their past you will not know it (except construction all over).

I think the cost of living is about the same in both places, but there are more places to stay in PP.

No condos in SNVL.

SNVL has potential........let me stress the word potential.........after the airport opens it might become similar to Pattaya 15-20 years ago.

Now you have to endure six months of rain..........no customers if you are in business..........that might change.

I wish I could answer you question..........maybe the best thing to do is to just visit both places.

[Tanaka]

I did a visa run a couple of years back and decided to incorperate 'snooky ' in to the trip . I stayed a week and that was enough for me . Decent accomodation was hard to find and nowhere near the standard you would get in pattaya at similar prices . The beaches were ok but you really need your own transport to get around . The town itself is a hole and victory hill was nothing to write home about . I found the people friendly enough but as I went on my own , I found that there was nothing much to do except lie on the beach all day reading and drinking warm ..after the first two sips local beer [it usually comes in a glass making it hard to keep cool] Seemed a lot of the backpacker type there pretending to be poor mostly Dutch , Scands etc but thankfully very few Brit lager louts . I found it was not easy to get in to the company as it is a much younger set than the pattaya crowd and they looked like the cast of neighbours .. albeit stylishly scruffy !! I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had gone with friends but on your own it can soon become tiresome and the heat was tremendous to be lying in all day . All in all , I,d say it,s a long way to go just to sit on another beach when you have so many good places near pattaya ...not that cheap there either as i recall .

As you recall. Ok, so you have at least been there. But it was some years ago and people who visited lately say that it is changing rapidly. So what does this post bring to enlighten us?

[dumball]

Should you be looking for a Pattaya style place to visit , stay in Pattaya , a place to stay away from the maddening crowd , visit Sihanook-ville , it is not possible to even allude a comparison . There are good clean places to stay at reasonable prices such as the gheco on victory hill plus a few down by the beach , mealy chenda has a good restaraunt also on victory hill .

In Phnom Penh you have street 184 area where the partying goes on with many expats and friendly ladies , fan accomodation starts at $3.00 p.n. , a good clean hotel starts at $12.00 just off of the riverside where you can find most of the bars and cafes catering to tourists .

When visiting Cambodia , please remember it is an immerging country still recovering from a horrific oppression , where millions of mosly educated people were indiscriminately put to death , often with a hoe in the head . Huge steps in improvements have been made in the past 4 years , you need to give it time and be patient with what it is .

[Pattayatony]

Should you be looking for a Pattaya style place to visit , stay in Pattaya , a place to stay away from the maddening crowd , visit Sihanook-ville , it is not possible to even allude a comparison . There are good clean places to stay at reasonable prices such as the gheco on victory hill plus a few down by the beach , mealy chenda has a good restaraunt also on victory hill .

In Phnom Penh you have street 184 area where the partying goes on with many expats and friendly ladies , fan accomodation starts at $3.00 p.n. , a good clean hotel starts at $12.00 just off of the riverside where you can find most of the bars and cafes catering to tourists .

When visiting Cambodia , please remember it is an immerging country still recovering from a horrific oppression , where millions of mosly educated people were indiscriminately put to death , often with a hoe in the head . Huge steps in improvements have been made in the past 4 years , you need to give it time and be patient with what it is .

Hey dumball >>>> Dont tell them too much or they will all be coming over here.

STAY AWAY>>>> Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh are dreadful places, all dirt roads everyone sleeps in a tent, so on & so on.

Please dont come your pushing prices up.

[sokal]

Are you serious ? That would have huge implications on condo prices for the next 3 to 5 years. Do you have any proof of that ?

The talk about a casino south of Jomtien has been going on for years...........meanwhile, Macau did it!

And Sihanoukville already has it, but on a small scale.

Now casinos are in trouble all over.......global economic downturn.

Don't bet on a massive increase in property values in Pattaya-Jomtien casinos or not........the place is dead and going downhill fast.

The future? Sihanoukville (it is set for massive growth)........beach areas in Vietnam (lots of potential)........good spots in South America.

Thailand is not stable. Investors like stability.

And nothing is being done to the immigration/visa policies to make foreigners feel welcome.........just the opposite and no doubt it will get worse.

Right now the govt. is trying to place much of the blame for the recent violence on Cambodians.

I do not think that is true at all, but it opens the door for more draconian visa rule changes.

Thailand has never been stable per say and it still grew fine. Pattaya is not dead and is not going down hill fast. The talk has been going for years but somebody mentioned that the plans where shelved until a certain man dies. This is man is not in good health at the moment and it wouldnt surprise me if these plans come off the shelf in 5 years or less.

[Tejas]

Are you serious ? That would have huge implications on condo prices for the next 3 to 5 years. Do you have any proof of that ?

The talk about a casino south of Jomtien has been going on for years...........meanwhile, Macau did it!

And Sihanoukville already has it, but on a small scale.

Now casinos are in trouble all over.......global economic downturn.

Don't bet on a massive increase in property values in Pattaya-Jomtien casinos or not........the place is dead and going downhill fast.

The future? Sihanoukville (it is set for massive growth)........beach areas in Vietnam (lots of potential)........good spots in South America.

Thailand is not stable. Investors like stability.

And nothing is being done to the immigration/visa policies to make foreigners feel welcome.........just the opposite and no doubt it will get worse.

Right now the govt. is trying to place much of the blame for the recent violence on Cambodians.

I do not think that is true at all, but it opens the door for more draconian visa rule changes.

Thailand has never been stable per say and it still grew fine. Pattaya is not dead and is not going down hill fast. The talk has been going for years but somebody mentioned that the plans where shelved until a certain man dies. This is man is not in good health at the moment and it wouldnt surprise me if these plans come off the shelf in 5 years or less.

Thailand's annual GDP growth rate has been one of the worst in Southeast Asia for many years now.........it is not "growing fine."

Thailand is probably the least stable country in Southeast Asia (except Myanmar). Laugh...........the problem is that it is true.

Pattaya-Jomtien are dead............dead in the sense that the positive growth period is over (stopped around 2000). The good days (the period of time when it was fun, relaxing, inexpensive, uncrowded, non-violent, and stress free) are long since past.

Now the problem is too much negative growth. Given that you probably are involved in real estate, I don't think you will be able to understand what I am saying here..........fine, we can agree to disagree.

As stated, casinos are losing money now. But it might be worth trying.........it might generate jobs and income.

[sokal]

Are you serious ? That would have huge implications on condo prices for the next 3 to 5 years. Do you have any proof of that ?

The talk about a casino south of Jomtien has been going on for years...........meanwhile, Macau did it!

And Sihanoukville already has it, but on a small scale.

Now casinos are in trouble all over.......global economic downturn.

Don't bet on a massive increase in property values in Pattaya-Jomtien casinos or not........the place is dead and going downhill fast.

The future? Sihanoukville (it is set for massive growth)........beach areas in Vietnam (lots of potential)........good spots in South America.

Thailand is not stable. Investors like stability.

And nothing is being done to the immigration/visa policies to make foreigners feel welcome.........just the opposite and no doubt it will get worse.

Right now the govt. is trying to place much of the blame for the recent violence on Cambodians.

I do not think that is true at all, but it opens the door for more draconian visa rule changes.

Thailand has never been stable per say and it still grew fine. Pattaya is not dead and is not going down hill fast. The talk has been going for years but somebody mentioned that the plans where shelved until a certain man dies. This is man is not in good health at the moment and it wouldnt surprise me if these plans come off the shelf in 5 years or less.

Thailand's annual GDP growth rate has been one of the worst in Southeast Asia for many years now.........it is not "growing fine."

Thailand is probably the least stable country in Southeast Asia (except Myanmar). Laugh...........the problem is that it is true.

Pattaya-Jomtien are dead............dead in the sense that the positive growth period is over (stopped around 2000). The good days (the period of time when it was fun, relaxing, inexpensive, uncrowded, non-violent, and stress free) are long since past.

Now the problem is too much negative growth. Given that you probably are involved in real estate, I don't think you will be able to understand what I am saying here..........fine, we can agree to disagree.

As stated, casinos are losing money now. But it might be worth trying.........it might generate jobs and income.

You don't have a clue. Just because Pattaya-Jomtien stopped growing does not mean they are not economically viable although, thanks to low interest rates the world over, everything is over built, not just Pattaya-Jomtien. So some half assed resturants and guest houses go broke in Pattaya. Who cares ?

Thai Q1 GDP surprisingly strong

by Team Reuters Finance 05.24.2010 05:17 BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's economy grew at its fastest rate in 15 years in the first quarter of 2010, surprising analysts, and a state agency forecast growth of up to 4,5 percent this year. Powered by a surge in exports, Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy expanded 3,8 percent in the first quarter of this year from the previous quarter, more than double the 1,8 rise expected by most economists.

[Tejas]

Good luck with your dream. The only problem is having to wake up.

Thailand's annual GDP growth has been dismal in comparison to virtually all of the other countries in Southeast Asia for about 8 years now.

That is a fact...........a "clue."

Cambodia's annual GDP growth actually exceeded China's a couple of years ago.

That is a fact...........another "clue."

Which one of us is really "clueless?"

But it would be nice to stay on subject: Comparing Pattaya to Sihanoukville.