Pattaya - The Truth

[cdnvic]

Nah, they just get boring after a while. Nobody ever says "Yeah you're right, my country does suck." It just turns into a slagging match and the thread gets closed.

At least try a new target, the US is too easy. And let's face it, those smug Uraguayans are getting just a bit to confident.

Don't mention Canadian liberals to me, I keep voting against them but they cling to office like crabs to a hair.

cv

[toastwars]

the Senagalese have a lot to answer for if you ask me

and don't get me started on th Winward islanders

[chonabot]

I think there is More to do in the Daytime , ie Excursions/Parks/Activities , in Pattaya with your kids , than any other Thai Resort. If you doubt this then you have either never been there , or have a very limited outlook.

I spent a decade in and around Thailands sleazier armpits when single , a few years back whilst on Vacation in Isaan , we decided to have a family trip to Pattaya , and I was peasantly surprised how decent the place can be.

Obviously the choice and location of Hotel is important, but no more than if you elected to stay in San Antonio or Magaluf.

In the daytimne we went to markets , took in Elephant shows, went to the Waterpark (PP) , day trip to Koh Larn, days by the Hotel pool, more shopping!,Cinema,Bowling,more shopping, went Fishing ( fresh and seawater)various sightseeing trips, the Zoo, shopping, Naklua Beach, did I mention the shopping?

In the evening it's easy enough to stay away from the dodgy parts of town, just have a decent meal in a Family orientated restaurant , take in a Thai ( even a Katoey style) show, go to the movies , watch some Muay Thai, go late night shopping , go bowling , or just stay in the hotel lounge and chill with the kids.

I have done this with my wife and 2 kids , and it was suprisingly nice.

I ask those of you who doubt, and that is your prerogative, have you tried a family Holiday with your kids here?

FWIW we previously have holidayed extensively in the Med and also visited East and West coast USA.

The favourite place in the kids opinion is Pattay.

Go figure.

Despite the reputation , I fell my kids get better treatment here from the Thais , then in any Western Country.

We also spent a week in HH/Cha Am , apart from the beach my kids were a bit bored, and we spent a lot of effort finding things to do.

If not, then your advice is fairly dismissive and based on opinion as opposed to actual experience in this scenario.

Each to his own but unless you have kids and have some imagination you can't really give worthwhile advice IMO.

[britmaveric]

Chons - yeah its diappointing - Pattaya has so much more, but then again prob best close minded people stay away - no doubt they would have problems anywhere they go. As for Dick he is just being a Wank*r - prob goes down Pattaya on fishing expeditions for knock off goods anyways.

[PvtDick]

Thanks for calling me a wank*er, Britmaveric. As I said above, I DO go to Pattaya all the time -- sometimes on business, sometimes on pleasure. I would NOT take my Mum or kids on a vacation there, when there are so many other suitable places. Sorry you feel you have to make this a personal issue and start calling names.

[pedro01]

Thanks for calling me a wank*er, Britmaveric.  As I said above, I DO go to Pattaya all the time -- sometimes on business, sometimes on pleasure.  I would NOT take my Mum or kids on a vacation there, when there are so many other suitable places.  Sorry you feel you have to make this a personal issue and start calling names.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to agree - I live in Bangkok but have a house in Pattaya where I spend my weekends.

I also have a wife & kid.

I know plenty of average families that have been to Pattaya. It is being sold in the UK as a family destination. From the families I have talked to - it's not the kids that have a hard time on holiday here - it's the wives.

So - I would not personally recommend a family trip to Pattaya as it may cause unecessary friction between the parents.

The reason I spend so much time there is that it's fast to get to from Bangkok and has relatively fresh air (relative to Bangkok).

It is an ugly city and it has an 'edge' to it that I can't help but love.

For a family vacation though - take them to Paris, Sydney, Florida - not Pattaya. It's a safer bet.

[bklyngal]

'Boring'? Moi? Ouch.

So I just turned to my tgf and asked her:

"is Pattaya a good place for a farang to bring his children?".

TGF: "no."

-

But before my case I rest, here ya go.

Politically, I'm all for very liberal values/governance and find much  brilliance e.g. in the arguments of Nozick & Hoppe but *only* as far as adulthood is concerned. That's because I've seen firsthand what the potential adult effects of very liberal parenting can be.

One of the most liberally parented of my peer group had developed in his maturity(...last time I heard of him) an addiction which is helping the Afghani GDP along. But when a young teenager, his parents undoubtedly considered themselves 'cool' in taking him on holiday to the RLD's, allowing him to smoke at home etc. Well, ok - who knows if his parenting had any role in his later addiction, but is it not better to 'err on the side of caution' by avoiding taking children to such a blatantly adult oriented town in the orient, when there are so many great places in this world to visit? Yes, Blackpool's crap. And ditto the few notorious places in Greece where too many lager louts are to be found in their droves; but it's not, however, too difficult to find the real Greece which is most charming in many ways. Nor is it so difficult to find the real Thailand  , if the poster really must bring children across the world to here.

For the record, I consider Pattaya to be an excellent place for a lonely single male traveler to find himself. But it's arguably a very questionable destination for almost everyone else... Also, I'd like to think    that few would disagree with this statement: Pattaya has more than its fair share of the barrel's bottom. And this is not stated in offence to anyone in particular on this forum who lives there.

Besides, just last year an American model's letter was published in The Nation stating how disgusted she was to see so many fat old lecherous men walking around Pattaya with Thai teenagers. Being familiar with Pattaya, I (& perhaps most of you on this forum!) wasn't so surprised at all with her findings and frankly would've thought that such a sight was just 'par for the course' in Pattaya; however, if she'd only done a little homework before going, her sensibilities wouldn't have been so offended. And she'd have stayed well clear. Oh well - more fool her!

The original poster, for his part, was at least clever enough to post this question as to a sometimes controversial destination for adults (never mind children!) while seeking a genuine consensus and is to be congratulated on his wisdom in doing so. I am simply restating the 'nay' side of the consensus so that the poster can make his own mind up after reading all opinions.

So at the end of the day, & whatever disagreements among us - as posters, they're your kids, it's their childhood, it's your decision.

HTH. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[chonabot]

Eh ?

[Serendipitist]

Eh ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eh ? (...part deux)

[bklyngal]

'Boring'? Moi? Ouch.

So I just turned to my tgf and asked her:

"is Pattaya a good place for a farang to bring his children?".

TGF: "no."

-

But before my case I rest, here ya go.

Politically, I'm all for very liberal values/governance and find much  brilliance e.g. in the arguments of Nozick & Hoppe but *only* as far as adulthood is concerned. That's because I've seen firsthand what the potential adult effects of very liberal parenting can be.

One of the most liberally parented of my peer group had developed in his maturity(...last time I heard of him) an addiction which is helping the Afghani GDP along. But when a young teenager, his parents undoubtedly considered themselves 'cool' in taking him on holiday to the RLD's, allowing him to smoke at home etc. Well, ok - who knows if his parenting had any role in his later addiction, but is it not better to 'err on the side of caution' by avoiding taking children to such a blatantly adult oriented town in the orient, when there are so many great places in this world to visit? Yes, Blackpool's crap. And ditto the few notorious places in Greece where too many lager louts are to be found in their droves; but it's not, however, too difficult to find the real Greece which is most charming in many ways. Nor is it so difficult to find the real Thailand  , if the poster really must bring children across the world to here.

For the record, I consider Pattaya to be an excellent place for a lonely single male traveler to find himself. But it's arguably a very questionable destination for almost everyone else... Also, I'd like to think    that few would disagree with this statement: Pattaya has more than its fair share of the barrel's bottom. And this is not stated in offence to anyone in particular on this forum who lives there.

Besides, just last year an American model's letter was published in The Nation stating how disgusted she was to see so many fat old lecherous men walking around Pattaya with Thai teenagers. Being familiar with Pattaya, I (& perhaps most of you on this forum!) wasn't so surprised at all with her findings and frankly would've thought that such a sight was just 'par for the course' in Pattaya; however, if she'd only done a little homework before going, her sensibilities wouldn't have been so offended. And she'd have stayed well clear. Oh well - more fool her!

The original poster, for his part, was at least clever enough to post this question as to a sometimes controversial destination for adults (never mind children!) while seeking a genuine consensus and is to be congratulated on his wisdom in doing so. I am simply restating the 'nay' side of the consensus so that the poster can make his own mind up after reading all opinions.

So at the end of the day, & whatever disagreements among us - as posters, they're your kids, it's their childhood, it's your decision.

HTH. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is this possibly me you are talking about? Last Oct. we took our 18 year old son along on our vacation to Thailand. I asked REAl questions about issues we deal with here in the states and how it would be delt with in Thailand. One of them smoking weed, which my son said he did on occation. I must say that most of the reply's were so helpful and influenced our trip and the places we visited. With the info posted we had a lovely and safe trip. My son now is going to college and has since gotten his life in order...less the weed! He had a few real eye opening experiences which also led to his maturity in the real world. We opted not to visit Pattaya on that trip because we did not want him to view woman out in the open doing what they do there. We certainly experienced enough of the bargirls in other locals. I did not "want to be cool" I wnated my son to experience life in other countries where people dont have everything dropped in therir laps and yet are very happy. I did lots of research before this trip. I feel he is a much better person for many resons due to this experience. We cant keep blinders on our young, just teach them to make well informed desisions. Thanks again (you guys know who you are) for all of the sincere advise...btw; I along with a girlfreind are leaving for Thailand April 8th-May 5th.....no kid this time....lol

[Phil Conners]

He's 18 and never saw a prostitute?

[britmaveric]

Dick - you are quite welcome for the compliment.

Dunno every family I've seen there quite enjoyed themselves. As Chons pointed out - there are heaps of things to do in Pattaya for families.

My question - what do you expect anyone to see that might offend families? People sitting in bars, walking the streets with the teerak - apart from that there is nothing to be seen. Course I know parents might have to explain why lads walking along the street are being called handsum/sexy man. (oooo thats so bloody hard)

My mum, dad, sister, bro-in-law and my 2yr old niece - traveled to LOS last year on my recommendation. Guess what - they loved it and are coming back again! I guess that proves what an evil place Pattaya and Thailand is.

[Serendipitist]

Is this possibly me you are talking about?

I'd think not. Alas, he was someone I'd come across in my early teens. And many years later, it was lamentable to learn what became of him. But it's good to know that all going's well for you and that the forum was helpful.

Nonetheless, despite the vast divisiveness on this topic, your words do ring true:

"We cant keep blinders on our young, just teach them to make well informed decisions"

...and ya still didn't take him to Pattaya

[konangrit]

And Brits flock to Disneyworld like there's no tomorrow.  And I see just as many British blokes lining up at Mickey D's in Thailand as Americans (more, perhaps).

Don't get me started on the UK...it's more puritannical than the US is (is hardcore porn still prohibited there?  and are pubs still shut tighter than a duck's ass at some ungodly early hour?).

Anyway, when it comes to kids, only the parents can decide what they want to expose them to.  They have all of their adult years to subject themselves to the ugliness the world has on offer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hardcore porn hasn't been prohibited in the UK for a number of years, and the licensing laws have been changed to allow pubs to open 24 hours a day. No puritanical reasons for the old pub opening hours, they were brought in during the first world war as people were getting drunk all night and not turning up for work at the munitions factories. To suggest that the UK is more puritanical than the UK just isn't true.

Of course you're bound to see as many or more British in McDonalds as Americans as more British come here. I enjoy a McDonalds now and then, anyway.

I do think there are other more suitable destinations than Pattaya for a family holiday, but the people saying that they wouldn't bring their kids here due to being asked awkward questions should learn how to answer those questions. So what if they see fat bald old men with young women, or bar girls shouting out "sexy man". It's not as if you're going to be taking the kids to soi 6 in the daytime, then on to the gogo bars in the evening.

I would have had the time of my life if my parents took me here when I was 12 ......

[pedro01]

And Brits flock to Disneyworld like there's no tomorrow.  And I see just as many British blokes lining up at Mickey D's in Thailand as Americans (more, perhaps).

Don't get me started on the UK...it's more puritannical than the US is (is hardcore porn still prohibited there?  and are pubs still shut tighter than a duck's ass at some ungodly early hour?).

Anyway, when it comes to kids, only the parents can decide what they want to expose them to.  They have all of their adult years to subject themselves to the ugliness the world has on offer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hardcore porn hasn't been prohibited in the UK for a number of years, and the licensing laws have been changed to allow pubs to open 24 hours a day. No puritanical reasons for the old pub opening hours, they were brought in during the first world war as people were getting drunk all night and not turning up for work at the munitions factories. To suggest that the UK is more puritanical than the UK just isn't true.

Of course you're bound to see as many or more British in McDonalds as Americans as more British come here. I enjoy a McDonalds now and then, anyway.

I do think there are other more suitable destinations than Pattaya for a family holiday, but the people saying that they wouldn't bring their kids here due to being asked awkward questions should learn how to answer those questions. So what if they see fat bald old men with young women, or bar girls shouting out "sexy man". It's not as if you're going to be taking the kids to soi 6 in the daytime, then on to the gogo bars in the evening.

I would have had the time of my life if my parents took me here when I was 12 ......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bring the kids - yes.

Bring the English wife - no.

Let's say you have a 40 year old English couple - wife sagging around the edges, husband 100% faithful.

Now - they hit Pattaya - hubby can't keep his eyes off the women & wifey is starting to feel very insecure.

I've seen this in quite a few couples out here (most of them visiting me ;-))

So - now I don't take them to Pattaya - it can cause friction between married couples - too much eye candy.

[maerim]

I wnated my son to experience life in other countries where people dont have everything dropped in therir laps

You mean spell checkers and dictionaries and stuff like that?

[snoophound]

Try India

That will shock the proverbial out of him.

I wnated my son to experience life in other countries where people dont have everything dropped in therir laps

You mean spell checkers and dictionaries and stuff like that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[wilko]

BE WARNED:

THAILAND is not a family place!! THAILAND is one of the WORST places to bring kids.

PATTAYA IS THE WORST PLACE FOR A FAMILY VACATION.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you live here? If so WHY?

Or do you visit here? Again if so Why?

Do you have kids?

Are you ashamed of them finding out what you get up to in Pattaya? If so STOP IT!

[Pattaya_Fox]

And Brits flock to Disneyworld like there's no tomorrow.  And I see just as many British blokes lining up at Mickey D's in Thailand as Americans (more, perhaps).

Don't get me started on the UK...it's more puritannical than the US is (is hardcore porn still prohibited there?  and are pubs still shut tighter than a duck's ass at some ungodly early hour?).

Anyway, when it comes to kids, only the parents can decide what they want to expose them to.  They have all of their adult years to subject themselves to the ugliness the world has on offer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hardcore porn hasn't been prohibited in the UK for a number of years, and the licensing laws have been changed to allow pubs to open 24 hours a day. No puritanical reasons for the old pub opening hours, they were brought in during the first world war as people were getting drunk all night and not turning up for work at the munitions factories. To suggest that the UK is more puritanical than the UK just isn't true.

Of course you're bound to see as many or more British in McDonalds as Americans as more British come here. I enjoy a McDonalds now and then, anyway.

I do think there are other more suitable destinations than Pattaya for a family holiday, but the people saying that they wouldn't bring their kids here due to being asked awkward questions should learn how to answer those questions. So what if they see fat bald old men with young women, or bar girls shouting out "sexy man". It's not as if you're going to be taking the kids to soi 6 in the daytime, then on to the gogo bars in the evening.

I would have had the time of my life if my parents took me here when I was 12 ......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bring the kids - yes.

Bring the English wife - no.

Let's say you have a 40 year old English couple - wife sagging around the edges, husband 100% faithful.

Now - they hit Pattaya - hubby can't keep his eyes off the women & wifey is starting to feel very insecure.

I've seen this in quite a few couples out here (most of them visiting me ;-))

So - now I don't take them to Pattaya - it can cause friction between married couples - too much eye candy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What a load of crap...there are thousands of English wives who visit Pattaya with their husbands and return time and again for holidays.

If the husband is the sort that oggles women he`s going to oggle women wherever he goes, and if he upsets his wife in Pattaya he`ll upset her in the Uk as well.

What you are really talking about here is trust and if the couple have no trust in each other then time to call it a day.

[Serendipitist]

What a load of crap...there are thousands of  English wives who visit Pattaya with

their husbands and return time and again for holidays.

Even if... you had the material facts (viz. the actual statistics) for your claim, your claim's (at best) an inductive generalization, which ultimately may, or may not, bear any relevance to what you're attempting to refute.

If the husband is the sort that oggles[sic] women he`s going to oggle[sic] women wherever he goes, and if he upsets his wife in Pattaya he`ll upset her in the Uk as well.

Here is a false premise leading to a hastily generalized analogy. & yet another inductive equivocation is submitted as if it were indisputable fact.

What you are really talking about here is trust and if the couple have no

trust in each other then time to call it a day.

Well done! In this pronouncement, you've actually managed to invoke a premise, a valid contingency upon same, and a conclusion which is deductively consistent.

(luv, Serendipitist)

[davethailand]

BE WARNED:

THAILAND is not a family place!! THAILAND is one of the WORST places to bring kids.

PATTAYA IS THE WORST PLACE FOR A FAMILY VACATION.

[jayenram]

Here is a false premise leading to a hastily generalized analogy.  & yet another inductive equivocation is submitted as if it were indisputable fact.

Well done!    In this pronouncement, you've actually managed to invoke a premise, a valid contingency upon same, and a conclusion which is deductively consistent.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Isn't there a forum rule that says we must converse in the English Language?

[Humphrey Bear]

Let's see what this thread has thrown up :-

There are several posters who live in Pattaya, with families, who are all happy with the place, know where to visit, where to live, how the place functions.

There are several other posters who visit regularly, with / without families, who are all happy with the place, know where to visit, where to stay, how the place functions.

There are other posters who visit, only go around the bars and go-go's, hold up their hands in horror and say what a terrible place! They must sleep all day, have no idea of the vast wealth of opportunities that abound in and around the area, but spend all evening drinking and ogling the ladies (or boys, depending on preference)

Who should the original poster listen to, those who know, or the lunatic fringe of nay-sayers?

As I posted above, come and enjoy. Stay in Jomtien for the beach, Pattaya Park lies between Jomtien and Pattaya, again good for kids (of all ages), go shopping in Pattaya, go to restaurants in both places, go for trips to WaterWorld, Nong Nooch, Crocodile farm/Million year stane park, go to the islands and snorkel, eat fresh fish, have a ###### good time.

But check the weather! And bring plenty of sun-block.

I can't find Bovril, so if the kids like it - bring it. Marmite is available, so are corn flakes. Unfortunately so are Big Mac's and fries.

Now let's close this thread before we get more tub-thumping knockers (of the tub-thumping kind)

[Jai Dee]

There are several posters who live in Pattaya, with families, who are all happy with the place, know where to visit, where to live, how the place functions.

I'm one of them...

As I posted above, come and enjoy.

Hear hear...

I can't find Bovril, so if the kids like it - bring it. Marmite is available, so are corn flakes. Unfortunately so are Big Mac's and fries.

So is vegemite...

Now let's close this thread before we get more tub-thumping knockers (of the tub-thumping kind)

Agree 100%.

[snowleopard]

Don't inveigle innocent prey into the Pattaya nets.They might be ambushed and trapped by predatory pedophiles who're often marauding around those shores with impunity!

The real Thailand is a wonderful place to visit and stay in with kids. Probably the friendliest in the world.

It's enough to see any attractions in Pattaya during a few hours on a day trip.

[cdnvic]

I think each side has presented their arguements in full, hope you got the info you needed. Wherever you wind up in Thailand, we hope you have a good holiday.

Cheers

cv