3 Days Before Christmas Why So Quiet!

[Chivas]

But the ladies still think they'll get the same dollar.

Likewise the pound; 70 to 49 baht. 30% DOWN. GFE gone, PSE non existant.

Why even bother going to Patts?

Yeah, but you're judging the exchange rate from an all time peak with now. How about a comparison to the 80's and 90's, before the Asian financial crises?

It all depends where you start. Anyone who budgeted their retirement income on the basis of an all time peak (76 odd baht) will be in trouble now.

Also bear in mind that we don't all come from England. Australians are doing way better now than 10 years ago on the currency exchange rate. Nearly 50% better in fact.

Where did you get the Peak of 76 baht/£ from...............??

I for one was getting 89 baht in 1997/1998 and whilst I never hit the magic 90 there were plenty of people claiming they got 100+ from the Money Changers rather than the Banks.....

[tropo]

Where did you get the Peak of 76 baht/£ from...............??

I for one was getting 89 baht in 1997/1998 and whilst I never hit the magic 90 there were plenty of people claiming they got 100+ from the Money Changers rather than the Banks.....

It was a guess. It was the peak between 1999 until present date on Yahoo finance, it didn't go back as far as the Asian financial crisis. I didn't see the figures prior to that but those figures wouldn't be very relevant to retirement plans as they were spikes and short lived during a currency crisis.

Thanks for setting us straight.

[gmac]

Is it safe to start going out again yet? I've started viewing the Christmas and New Year period a bit like Songkran, keep my head down for a week or 10 days until the madness is over!

Remind us why you live in Pattaya again?

I mean, I dislike the extra traffic, people, and general chaos that the major holidays bring as much as anyone but come on, for New Years and Songkkran, I can get in the party spirit.

To spend remainder of life I think it says on my visa renewal application! A relaxed lifestyle in a better climate, with western facilities available is what I'm here for, you can keep the partying, been there done that, so if you don't mind I'll just draw my head back into my shell for a couple more days and then get on with my boring humdrum life!!

[BlackPuddingBertha]

I mean, I dislike the extra traffic, people, and general chaos that the major holidays bring as much as anyone but come on, for New Years and Songkkran, I can get in the party spirit.

I cant. I detest parties.

[Potosi]

Remind us why you live in Pattaya again?

I mean, I dislike the extra traffic, people, and general chaos that the major holidays bring as much as anyone but come on, for New Years and Songkkran, I can get in the party spirit.

Trapped in the toilet.

[Mooner]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

[sotsira]

I've noticed that there are more elderly couples here now, than before,

together with all the Russian speaking tourists who are mainly families or

couples also.

The sex tourists are slowly in decline, not surprising when you look at the

prices for a night out in the tourist areas.

So where have the so called sex tourists moved to I wonder?

Cambodia, Brazil, Eastern Europe, ex Soviet Union states like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Moldova. etc

[jbrain]

I've noticed that there are more elderly couples here now, than before,

together with all the Russian speaking tourists who are mainly families or

couples also.

The sex tourists are slowly in decline, not surprising when you look at the

prices for a night out in the tourist areas.

So where have the so called sex tourists moved to I wonder?

Cambodia, Brazil, Eastern Europe, ex Soviet Union states like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Moldova. etc

So that's obvious the reason why the citizens from the countries you mention have moved here .

[sotsira]

I've noticed that there are more elderly couples here now, than before,

together with all the Russian speaking tourists who are mainly families or

couples also.

The sex tourists are slowly in decline, not surprising when you look at the

prices for a night out in the tourist areas.

So where have the so called sex tourists moved to I wonder?

Cambodia, Brazil, Eastern Europe, ex Soviet Union states like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Moldova. etc

So that's obvious the reason why the citizens from the countries you mention have moved here .

I think your confusing those who are here are mainly Russians from Russia or Ukraine

[jbrain]

I think your confusing those who are here are mainly Russians from Russia or Ukraine

I never asked where they're from, I only notice they all speak like krevotsj keneka skevoutska

[tropo]

I think that you need to research my previous posts before passing judgement on my spending habits and whether people would miss me or not. I think the likes of me will be missed. As this is on a personal level I will bow out now. However if you should stumble across any of my posts from several years ago.during my mongering days.....nuffsaid.

Spending it on a voluntary basis is very different to being fleeced.

I'm not going to research your previous posts. I'm not passing judgement on your spending habits, the girls are. They won't miss one punter in a sea of tourists this time of year. They're not thinking ahead to the next slow season and they are not educated business people.

[londoedan]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

[OMGImInPattaya]

Is it safe to start going out again yet? I've started viewing the Christmas and New Year period a bit like Songkran, keep my head down for a week or 10 days until the madness is over!

Remind us why you live in Pattaya again?

I mean, I dislike the extra traffic, people, and general chaos that the major holidays bring as much as anyone but come on, for New Years and Songkkran, I can get in the party spirit.

To spend remainder of life I think it says on my visa renewal application! A relaxed lifestyle in a better climate, with western facilities available is what I'm here for, you can keep the partying, been there done that, so if you don't mind I'll just draw my head back into my shell for a couple more days and then get on with my boring humdrum life!!

I'm no spring chicken either but I'm not dead yet

That relaxed lifestyle you seek...pattaya might not be your best choice; I hear there are lots of very relaxed places for retired people in places like Arizona and Florida.

[smedly]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

making comparisons to your home countries or countries in the west is quite frankly pointless (ignore if I interpreted your post incorrectly) , this is Thailand, most people that compare prices to the west are usually in business here trying to justify ripping people off, have you heard of regonal marketing - compare the price of a can of coke with the west and you'll be getting the idea, businesses fail here because most falangs that live in or visit Thailand are not stupid

a can of coke here is 14baht or 30pence - UK it's 1 pound or more, a very good stake in the ground

As for the sex industry not quite as clear cut but 1000baht bar fine in a walking street gogo is pushing the limits never mind double that, there are some very good gogo bars around Pattaya that charge 600baht to release a girl. Like and earlier poster pointed out - drink sales in walking street bars and gogo bars are dwindling because the prices have gone up so to compensate they are increasing barfines - see a pattern ? I call that self destruction

Furthermore if you think tourism is on the up here I'm not sure I would rely on that for too long, Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry in fact I'd say they are one off visitors to Thailand - been there done that nothing else to see.

Eastern Europe tourists are probably going to reduce massively also because Thailand simply won't invest in infrastructure, Pattaya is a rip off dump to the package holiday types - it won't last.

[londoedan]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

making comparisons to your home countries or countries in the west is quite frankly pointless (ignore if I interpreted your post incorrectly) , this is Thailand, most people that compare prices to the west are usually in business here trying to justify ripping people off, have you heard of regonal marketing - compare the price of a can of coke with the west and you'll be getting the idea, businesses fail here because most falangs that live in or visit Thailand are not stupid

a can of coke here is 14baht or 30pence - UK it's 1 pound or more, a very good stake in the ground

As for the sex industry not quite as clear cut but 1000baht bar fine in a walking street gogo is pushing the limits never mind double that, there are some very good gogo bars around Pattaya that charge 600baht to release a girl. Like and earlier poster pointed out - drink sales in walking street bars and gogo bars are dwindling because the prices have gone up so to compensate they are increasing barfines - see a pattern ? I call that self destruction

Furthermore if you think tourism is on the up here I'm not sure I would rely on that for too long, Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry in fact I'd say they are one off visitors to Thailand - been there done that nothing else to see.

Eastern Europe tourists are probably going to reduce massively also because Thailand simply won't invest in infrastructure, Pattaya is a rip off dump to the package holiday types - it won't last.

Whats Up is on Soi 15 off WS - one of the better venue's IMO - but also one of the most expensive.

Do you get out much ?

[OMGImInPattaya]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

making comparisons to your home countries or countries in the west is quite frankly pointless (ignore if I interpreted your post incorrectly) , this is Thailand, most people that compare prices to the west are usually in business here trying to justify ripping people off, have you heard of regonal marketing - compare the price of a can of coke with the west and you'll be getting the idea, businesses fail here because most falangs that live in or visit Thailand are not stupid

a can of coke here is 14baht or 30pence - UK it's 1 pound or more, a very good stake in the ground

As for the sex industry not quite as clear cut but 1000baht bar fine in a walking street gogo is pushing the limits never mind double that, there are some very good gogo bars around Pattaya that charge 600baht to release a girl. Like and earlier poster pointed out - drink sales in walking street bars and gogo bars are dwindling because the prices have gone up so to compensate they are increasing barfines - see a pattern ? I call that self destruction

Furthermore if you think tourism is on the up here I'm not sure I would rely on that for too long, Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry in fact I'd say they are one off visitors to Thailand - been there done that nothing else to see.

Eastern Europe tourists are probably going to reduce massively also because Thailand simply won't invest in infrastructure, Pattaya is a rip off dump to the package holiday types - it won't last.

a can of coke here is 14baht or 30pence - UK it's 1 pound or more, a very good stake in the ground...yeah, another example: bottle water B7-10 in LOS...back in USA B 45-60...<deleted>

Asian tourists...have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry...wanna think again, what do you think the Big Eye place in North Pattaya is all about (built specifically for the Asian market) and is packed out with voyeuristic Asian package tours nitely! In addition, Japanese and Korean men (and some women) have a healthy presence in the sexy bars of Pattaya and Bangkok.

[smedly]

[Whats Up is on Soi 15 off WS - one of the better venue's IMO - but also one of the most expensive.

Do you get out much ?

Sorry for the confusion in my post but I'll leave it as is although not directed at you as a reply

I am out about 5-7 nights a week mate been living here 9 years, seldom visit walking street as I regard it as a rip off tourist area, I've been to a lot of places in Thailand on my Motorbike touring - covered about 80,000km in about 6 years, doing trips to Cambodia now and again as I like it there

Question answered ?

[londoedan]

If you're not visiting WS and passing on places like What's Up, Baccara, Fahrenheit etc then I reckon you're missing-out on some of the best Pattaya has to offer.

But, if you're happy then "up to you"

[Ulysses G.]

Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry

You have got to be kidding.

[yogi100]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

making comparisons to your home countries or countries in the west is quite frankly pointless (ignore if I interpreted your post incorrectly) , this is Thailand, most people that compare prices to the west are usually in business here trying to justify ripping people off, have you heard of regonal marketing - compare the price of a can of coke with the west and you'll be getting the idea, businesses fail here because most falangs that live in or visit Thailand are not stupid

a can of coke here is 14baht or 30pence - UK it's 1 pound or more, a very good stake in the ground

As for the sex industry not quite as clear cut but 1000baht bar fine in a walking street gogo is pushing the limits never mind double that, there are some very good gogo bars around Pattaya that charge 600baht to release a girl. Like and earlier poster pointed out - drink sales in walking street bars and gogo bars are dwindling because the prices have gone up so to compensate they are increasing barfines - see a pattern ? I call that self destruction

Furthermore if you think tourism is on the up here I'm not sure I would rely on that for too long, Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry in fact I'd say they are one off visitors to Thailand - been there done that nothing else to see.

Eastern Europe tourists are probably going to reduce massively also because Thailand simply won't invest in infrastructure, Pattaya is a rip off dump to the package holiday types - it won't last.

Iceland, a retail chain in the UK are selling 12 cans of Coca Cola for £3, that's 25 pence (12 baht) each. Other UK supermarkets charge simiar prices. Newsagents sell the cans for 30 - 50 pence (14 - 24 baht) each. Your quotation of a pound or more is a gross exageration.

[tropo]

Is it safe to start going out again yet? I've started viewing the Christmas and New Year period a bit like Songkran, keep my head down for a week or 10 days until the madness is over!

Remind us why you live in Pattaya again?

I mean, I dislike the extra traffic, people, and general chaos that the major holidays bring as much as anyone but come on, for New Years and Songkkran, I can get in the party spirit.

To spend remainder of life I think it says on my visa renewal application! A relaxed lifestyle in a better climate, with western facilities available is what I'm here for, you can keep the partying, been there done that, so if you don't mind I'll just draw my head back into my shell for a couple more days and then get on with my boring humdrum life!!

I'm no spring chicken either but I'm not dead yet

That relaxed lifestyle you seek...pattaya might not be your best choice; I hear there are lots of very relaxed places for retired people in places like Arizona and Florida.

I'm also no spring chicken and not yet dead, but I find my lifestyle in Pattaya quite relaxing. I don't go to bars or parties.

I wouldn't mind retiring in Florida, but it is not a cheap option available to non-Americans.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

If you're not visiting WS and passing on places like What's Up, Baccara, Fahrenheit etc then I reckon you're missing-out on some of the best Pattaya has to offer.

If that's the best that Pattaya has to offer, maybe I should think about moving.

I have never set foot in any such establishment and never will. They are my idea of purgatory.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

I wouldn't mind retiring in Florida, but it is not a cheap option available to non-Americans.

Actually it's not any sort of option to non-Americans. Anyone with a non-US passport will have huge trouble getting a long visa or staying more than a few months at a time, even if they own a condo/house and have a lot of money.

[tropo]

I wouldn't mind retiring in Florida, but it is not a cheap option available to non-Americans.

Actually it's not any sort of option to non-Americans. Anyone with a non-US passport will have huge trouble getting a long visa or staying more than a few months at a time, even if they own a condo/house and have a lot of money.

Yes, and with my Filipino wife it would be impossible.

I can think of lots of places I'd rather retire, unfortunately most are not feasible so I'll just have to slum it in Pattaya for now.

[londoedan]

If you're not visiting WS and passing on places like What's Up, Baccara, Fahrenheit etc then I reckon you're missing-out on some of the best Pattaya has to offer.

If that's the best that Pattaya has to offer, maybe I should think about moving.

I have never set foot in any such establishment and never will. They are my idea of purgatory.

Each to their own I suppose.

[Ohyesuare]

Seriously 2000 baht for a bar fine? Is someone making this up. I guess all the freelancers and non walking st bars were busy.

Apparently in What's Up it was 4000 THB on NYE

Furthermore if you think tourism is on the up here I'm not sure I would rely on that for too long, Asian tourists might be on the increase but their habbits are different, go to some of the tourist attractions on the outskirts like the floating market and you'll see huge numbers of buses parked up on the main road, these people have no interest in gogo bars in WS nor have they an interest in the sex industry in fact I'd say they are one off visitors to Thailand - been there done that nothing else to see.

You can see those huge numbers of buses parked outside the soapy massage parlors as well, where they definitely do "make use of the facilities there". They are also seen frequently on walking street and I have spotted a large group of Asian tourists taking over the whole upper level of a go go on many occasions. You have no idea what you are talking about. The soapies do very well and their main customers are Asian tour groups from China, India etc..

[swissie]

Yes, once again we have reached post # 119 or more. Who exactly has the time and inclination to raed through all those posts, unless one has unlimited time on their hand.

But I believe we can put it in a nutshell:

- Yes, Pattaya is in the process of pricing themselves out of the "entertainement-service-industry." Especially during "high-season" (Bar fine 2000 Bht and street workers hanging around Walking-Street between 2 AM and 6 AM, also 2000 Bht.)

But this is strictly a "high-season" phenomenon. Remember: The "high-rollers" from Europe and the US is a thing of the past, back then they were able to visit their "Darlings" 3 or 4 times a year. These days, maybe once a year. Around christmas and new year. Is there any wonder that the e-mail sweethearts are booked solid for this time of year?

= For those visitors that can not be accomodated, it's strictly = Gone home for christmas/new year !

Come end of January, things will normalize.

Within 2 to 3 years, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar will have definitely opened for tourism. At that time, everyone involved in the "Hostess-Scene" in Thailand will shed a tear and remember the good old times when Bar-Fines of 2000 Bht were possible.

How was that again? If you kill the Goose that lays the golden eggs, you will not have any golden eggs anymore.

Cheers.