Our happy retirement in a Thai sex haven

A group of British retirees explain why they feel young at heart in peaceful Pattaya, which has more to it than its seedy reputation

Retirement in Pattaya, Thailand

The eastern Thai resort town and notorious sex haven that is Pattaya doesn’t seem like an obvious retirement destination.

After all, the city is best known for its neon-lit Walking Street — a 1.5km strip of bars in which you can satisfy any kind of fetish imaginable — and the Russian mafioso who call the place home.

But while Pattaya may have a tarnished image in the Western media, two British retiree couples who have lived happily in the region for the past 12 years insist it’s not as hedonistic as it’s cracked up to be.

Graham and Felicity Smith, 70 and 69, and Wendy and John Khan, 64 and 60, say that beyond the tourist traps is a tolerant and peaceful community no more debauched than others.

"In other countries there’s sex for sale but it’s just hidden," says Graham. "Here, it’s not. It’s totally different to how it’s portrayed."

The Smiths have a long history with Pattaya, which they first visited in 1982. They subsequently holidayed there every year for a month in February.

It was just a small fishing village back then, but they loved the fact they were by the sea, it was sunny every day and the people were polite.

"It was like England in the 1950s,” says Felicity. “The children would curtsy to you."

When their home in North Wales, which had been on the market for years, finally sold in 2001, they took it as a sign.

They arranged for a house to be built in Pattaya, quit their jobs as a quality control officer (Felicity) and an assistant at a boatyard chandlery (Graham), and six months later a new chapter in their lives began.

As for Wendy and John Khan from Leicester, the couple moved because Wendy’s son from her previous marriage lives in Bangkok.

Like the Smiths, the Khans immediately found Thailand to their liking, especially the heat, the culture and the fact their pensions stretched further.

They holidayed in 2000 and relocated a year later, choosing Pattaya as it was only two hours east of Bangkok but not as chaotic.

Read More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/10361650/Our-happy-retirement-in-a-Thai-sex-haven.html

--Telegraph 2013-10-08

Good to see someone putting a truthful and positive spin on living in Pattaya, Thailand.

People don't believe me when I tell them that I see thousands of farang couples holidaying here, and having a wonderful time. I also see plenty of farang couples that either live here or escape the snow here.......and why not? The medical service is decent in emergencies, the cost of living can be what you make it, and you have the sun.

I can think of friends that would be better off here than suffering another European winter, I can't convince them though. That's a shame and the result of relentless sex tourism articles. Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism.

Oh well.

Sex sells.

So they say.....news to me but.

Good to see someone putting a truthful and positive spin on living in Pattaya, Thailand.

People don't believe me when I tell them that I see thousands of farang couples holidaying here, and having a wonderful time. I also see plenty of farang couples that either live here or escape the snow here.......and why not? The medical service is decent in emergencies, the cost of living can be what you make it, and you have the sun.

I can think of friends that would be better off here than suffering another European winter, I can't convince them though. That's a shame and the result of relentless sex tourism articles. Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism.

Oh well.

" Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism. "

Actually there are more than a few odd thoughts/expressions in the article, including the term "sex haven."

"It was like England in the 1950s,” says Felicity. “The children would curtsy to you."

"...Brits are among his most prevalent clientele..."

"When their home in North Wales ... finally sold in 2001, they took it as a sign."

Nice that something sort of positive is being written about Pattaya, but it sounds like a rather badly written secondary school essay by a precocious but pretentious student.

Why would children in an English village curtsy to someone from North Wales?

When their house sold, that was a sign they should move to Thailand?

Very weird.

Edited October 8, 201312 yr by Suradit69

Pattaya is a big place, there is plenty of stuff there away from the red light areas. Personally, not my cup of tea, but it's got good shopping, good places to eat, amenities and it's only an hour and a bit from Bangkok, so I can see the appeal. Pattaya is not all bad..

Like the article says,many places are like Pattaya it just people keep it quiet. I believe people are prudes. Lighten up,get A life relax.When ya retire enjoy life on your terms as long as it don't hurt other people.

Just because people are retired and married doesn't necessarily exclude them from paying for sex as well. But it might make them less inclined to talk about it to a UK newspaper that is going to print their names.

I lived in Thailand and will stay there again. But Pattaya is the last place I would stay. All these retired westerners who stay at Pattaya simply don't know the beauty of many places in Thailand, specially in den north and the northeast. They prefer to stay in a tourist ghetto because they need wurstl and Western food which is difficult to get in some places. Furthermore, Pattaya (and Phuket) are more and more dangerous places, lots of robberies, crimes, etc. No thanks, I won't stay in such ugly places.

Just because people are retired and married doesn't necessarily exclude them from paying for sex as well. But it might make them less inclined to talk about it to a UK newspaper that is going to print their names.

Oh <deleted>!!!

.... All these retired westerners who stay at Pattaya simply don't know the beauty of many places in Thailand, specially in den north and the northeast. ....

Who says?

Good to see someone putting a truthful and positive spin on living in Pattaya, Thailand.

People don't believe me when I tell them that I see thousands of farang couples holidaying here, and having a wonderful time. I also see plenty of farang couples that either live here or escape the snow here.......and why not? The medical service is decent in emergencies, the cost of living can be what you make it, and you have the sun.

I can think of friends that would be better off here than suffering another European winter, I can't convince them though. That's a shame and the result of relentless sex tourism articles. Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism.

Oh well.

" Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism. "

Actually there are more than a few odd thoughts/expressions in the article, including the term "sex haven."

"It was like England in the 1950s,” says Felicity. “The children would curtsy to you."

"...Brits are among his most prevalent clientele..."

"When their home in North Wales ... finally sold in 2001, they took it as a sign."

Nice that something sort of positive is being written about Pattaya, but it sounds like a rather badly written secondary school essay by a precocious but pretentious student.

Why would children in an English village curtsy to someone from North Wales?

When their house sold, that was a sign they should move to Thailand?

Very weird.

"precocious but pretentious " People in Glass Houses................................

Why would you want a child to "Curtsy" to you?

Perhaps you think that kids should fall down and lick your british boots.... what a load of rubbish!

I can't remember Thai children curtsying in the 80s.

I just moved from a 7 year stay in Pattaya to Bangkok. Although I have just been here for 4 days, there are several things I already like here better than in Pattaya:

• Although I live in the busy On-nut area on Sukhumvit, it is much quieter than North Pattaya
• The Skytrain is 600 meters away
• Much less wind than North Pattaya beach
• Beautiful frresh market next door
• Big C (mega store) and Tesco minutes away walking
• Lower rent than Pattaya Markland condo for a beautiful Executive Residence
• My constant sniffing allergy in Pattaya is gone here
• Much better, and more reasonably priced metered taxis (and they use the meter)

Overall, I am glad I made the move, although I am sure I will miss Pattaya and my friends there.

Edited October 8, 201312 yr by moradave

Sex sells.

So they say.....news to me but.

Did I notice an insinuation the media is selling sex?

Are you implying that the tabloids could be prostituting themselves?

Oh dear!

Wat will be Next!

A silly Headline but a good article.

OK we ALL know the BAD side of Pattaya.

I have a friend there. He is always carping and moaning. No we cannot sit outside - are you mad? These bloody Thai drivers - they shouldn't be allowed to drive! All these motorcycles - they're like bloody cockroaches.

My Bangkok post hasn't come for two days. My internet service provider is so bloody awful.

And I asked, "Then Geoff why don't you just bugger off back to the UK!"

Are you mad? It's way too expensive, bloody wet and cold, the drivers are rude, public civil servants are indifferent.....etc etc.

So having never heard it from him and pretty fed up with his bellyaching I asked "So what IS good about living in Pattaya?"

The "good list" just goes on and on.

Graham and Felicity, I know them very well. Helluva nice couple and real "Can Do" folks.

They're right - you don't need the Walking Street thing in your life - leave the idiots and perverts to it, they help to pay the taxes, fund the crime families' expenses and keep the Russian mafia identified.

Pattaya's got really First Class/ World Class Restaurants, great Shopping !!! If you know where to go there are some nice beaches. If you have visitors there's lots for them to do. Though the ladyboys are a pest and the motorcycle "lifters" are a growing menace, it is still massively safer than any town in the UK or indeed Europe.

Within the next two years property prices will fall like stones so plenty of opportunity for buyers.

Pattaya is great.

• My constant sniffing allergy in Pattaya is gone here

There's a good reason for that.

Anyway, the photo of the biddies has traumatised me with the knowledge that they'll be going hammer and tongs at the vinegar strokes soon after.

Good PR article and nothing else.

OK, wooloomooloo, what is the good reason for no more sniffing in Bangkok? Dust or pollen in Pattaya air that is not in Bangkok air?

Wait till the first "ill deed comes" along - then they will write another quite different article.

Used to love Pattaya, can't wait to leave these days, too much traffic and too many dam tourists, lol.

Best of luck to them.

However the article is utter tosh and missed out several points that should have been addressed had the reporter been better informed.

"Our house is paid for

Would sure love to see a copy of the chanote in your name.

Hence the gullible readers back in jolly old blighty who have no idea of Thai property laws will be missinformed at best.

Moved here 10 years ago, ah back to the good old days when the Pommie Peso was 70 baht plus.

No mention of falling exchange rates or inflation in Thailand in the last 10 years.

No mention that the UK pension is frozen when moving here.

No mention of health insurance costs, etc etc etc.

Best of luck to those concerned, but overall a shoddy piece of journalism.

It doesn't seem that either of these couples has any involvement or interest in Pattaya's sex trade. Yet the headline does its best to attract readers by implying that their happy retirements in Thailand are somehow dependent on the sex trade. Gutter journalism form The Telegraph.

Good to see someone putting a truthful and positive spin on living in Pattaya, Thailand.

People don't believe me when I tell them that I see thousands of farang couples holidaying here, and having a wonderful time. I also see plenty of farang couples that either live here or escape the snow here.......and why not? The medical service is decent in emergencies, the cost of living can be what you make it, and you have the sun.

I can think of friends that would be better off here than suffering another European winter, I can't convince them though. That's a shame and the result of relentless sex tourism articles. Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism.

Oh well.

" Even the title of this article could have been "Enjoying Retirement In Thailand" instead of blah blah sex tourism. "

Actually there are more than a few odd thoughts/expressions in the article, including the term "sex haven."

"It was like England in the 1950s,” says Felicity. “The children would curtsy to you."

"...Brits are among his most prevalent clientele..."

"When their home in North Wales ... finally sold in 2001, they took it as a sign."

Nice that something sort of positive is being written about Pattaya, but it sounds like a rather badly written secondary school essay by a precocious but pretentious student.

Why would children in an English village curtsy to someone from North Wales?

When their house sold, that was a sign they should move to Thailand?

Very weird.

"precocious but pretentious " People in Glass Houses................................

A very astute comment!

I lived in Thailand and will stay there again. But Pattaya is the last place I would stay. All these retired westerners who stay at Pattaya simply don't know the beauty of many places in Thailand, specially in den north and the northeast. They prefer to stay in a tourist ghetto because they need wurstl and Western food which is difficult to get in some places. Furthermore, Pattaya (and Phuket) are more and more dangerous places, lots of robberies, crimes, etc. No thanks, I won't stay in such ugly places.

Rubbish ,like most tourists (because that is what you are when you come here) all you see is the bars ,beach road and walking street ,you don't see the really nice parts of the place ,like where we live ,its quiet ,the neighbours are nice and we very rarely see the night side of the town ,because we do not go there at night ,best you keep away son ,and yes i have travelled all over Thailand and know it well and like it ,but prefere it here and not for the western food as we rarely eat it.

Best of luck to them.

However the article is utter tosh and missed out several points that should have been addressed had the reporter been better informed.

"Our house is paid for

Would sure love to see a copy of the chanote in your name.

Hence the gullible readers back in jolly old blighty who have no idea of Thai property laws will be missinformed at best.

Moved here 10 years ago, ah back to the good old days when the Pommie Peso was 70 baht plus.

No mention of falling exchange rates or inflation in Thailand in the last 10 years.

No mention that the UK pension is frozen when moving here.

No mention of health insurance costs, etc etc etc.

Best of luck to those concerned, but overall a shoddy piece of journalism.

But maybe these couples are of the savvy minority that can afford to walk away from their Thai 'investments'. The ones that can afford to eat out most nights, happy to fork out 1500 baht for decent bottle of plonk and not seek out fee-free ATM's. and chase balloons.

I know, unlikely but only if you use the yardstick of the generic TV forum member.

I'm here for the sex and massage~~~What is wrong with this?

Been living 3 years in Bangkok and then I had enough, traffic and air pollution was really bad.

Been living 3 years on Phuket, locals are generally rude and everything is more expensive than the rest of the Kingdom and it rains a lot too, but it's real beautiful there.

Been living + 5 years in Pattaya, not perfect either but we like it here and will most likely stay for the long haul.

Been to ChangMai over 5 times and love the place but since we got a kid in school we can't move away when they start to burn the fields in the whole region and air pollution can be very bad.

Been all over Thailand and I want to live in a place with many western shopping/eating options, I am not Thai and never will be so living in the sticks is not an option for me.

When I was in Bangkok in the 1970s my then wife & I went to Ayuthaya by bus, then returned by train.

On the return trip we saw mothers holding up their children to see these farangs. Not now, I suspect.

Also, I guess I can understand the English thinking the beach at Pataya is good, it's all comparitive. At least it does have some sand, if not breaking waves.

Often take the wife and kids down to Jomtien for long weekends on the beach but would steer clear of Pattaya beach as it is just full of homeless looking people pedaling sex, drunk, werido's etc. No one in their right mind can say that is stereo typing, it is fact. Pattaya centre and beach road is sleeze, sex and dirty etc. Other than that for sure there are nice aspects/parts to it.