sure, poverty (and slavery) gets shit done. we all know.

I'd take that slavery allegation to the Thai Police - they'll get a taskforce on it right away ....

Slavery is employers who refuse to pay their staff the new minimum wage, and I know of no Farang bar where that is the case,. Something for that Police taskforce to look into - ask them to produce their tax receipts

To start with, these broad-brush statements always remind me of a certain little Austrian who used similar statements to vilify a race of people and make himself and his supporters feel better about the fact that they were the lowlifes. It is always good to hate someone. It takes your mind off hating yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_Hitlerum

Actually I wasn't trying to use Hitlers arguments or liken people to Nazi's just because they think we are all sexpats. As a jew I would be desecrating the suffering of my tribe and countless others. What I meant to say in my cack handed way was that when someone is at the bottom of the pile it is comforting to place someone else below them. This was a tactic the National Socialists used very successfully.

A poor analogy I fear and my apologies to anyone who thought I was branding them Nazi's. Just because they have the wrong opinion of me doesn't mean I should stoop to join them.

^ Report it. And anyone who 'likes' it.

i say POVERTY (and SLAVERY) gets shit done.

as in: POVERTY gets shit done (ask any bargirl) + SLAVERY gets shit done (ask someone who built the pyramids)

i'm not saying that prostitution implies slavery per se.

and arguing on the internet is not a bad thing or waste of time. i enjoy reading other opinions. hitler has nothing to do with having an opinion. i've been in pattaya several times, invited by a LONGTIME friend (ex-sextourist, no discussion about that) and the place is just not my cup of tea NOR are the people who tend to go there. besides that i've been in every province of Thailand for professional purposes and the real thailand has nothing to do with farang or the lack of farang.

Who wants to live the near the ocean , yet have to commute 1 hr each way to the beach ...only to share it with 20,000 Chinese ???

If the OP believes that only 1% of the population is involved with the sex industry ,then I would query his maths .

Pattaya is generally cheap and seedy , which is what attracts most of it's patrons ,Russians included .

Thais like to go there to watch the Farang freak show ...and also shop - I'll concede that .

Anywhere can be "amazing" if you can afford to live very comfortably and distance yourself from the reality of your surroundings .

200,000 Chinese. How did you arrive at that number?

"To start with, these broad-brush statements always remind me of a certain little Austrian who used similar statements to vilify a race of people and make himself and his supporters feel better about the fact that they were the lowlifes."

People who hate Patts are Nazis? Come on, the place is a dump.

One persons dump, is another's paradise. Live and let live.

Pattaya is a shit hole.. get over it ! If you like living there, then that's great..live there. The OP sounds like he is trying to convince himself rather than the readers.

totster

and you are talking shit... get over it!

Pattaya is a shit hole.. get over it ! If you like living there, then that's great..live there. The OP sounds like he is trying to convince himself rather than the readers.

totster

Using base language to describe something does not fully explain your position. Use the intelligence you have to elaborate in terms we can all understand. Some people may love the anus. Being ale to explain why is another story.

One post in bad taste that also contains a profanity has been removed also a quoted reply

i say POVERTY (and SLAVERY) gets shit done.

as in: POVERTY gets shit done (ask any bargirl) + SLAVERY gets shit done (ask someone who built the pyramids)

i'm not saying that prostitution implies slavery per se.

and arguing on the internet is not a bad thing or waste of time. i enjoy reading other opinions. hitler has nothing to do with having an opinion. i've been in pattaya several times, invited by a LONGTIME friend (ex-sextourist, no discussion about that) and the place is just not my cup of tea NOR are the people who tend to go there. besides that i've been in every province of Thailand for professional purposes and the real thailand has nothing to do with farang or the lack of farang.

How many years would you say girls from rural Thailand have been making a beeline for Pattaya - 10, 20 years ? Try 40+ years - since the war in SVN.

The Thai people have had 4 decades to decide if they wanted one of the world's biggest nightlife precincts on the doorstep of their largest city. 4 decades of women sending money home to their families, and 4 decades of Thais accepting 'tea money' to keep that neon flashing. Any 'slavery' is presided over by Thai overlords, just as it has been for centuries - the punters are just cogs in the wheel.

(Prostitution is illegal in Thailand - the law is there, but its not enforced : money talks, simple as that.)

i say POVERTY (and SLAVERY) gets shit done.

as in: POVERTY gets shit done (ask any bargirl) + SLAVERY gets shit done (ask someone who built the pyramids)

i'm not saying that prostitution implies slavery per se.

and arguing on the internet is not a bad thing or waste of time. i enjoy reading other opinions. hitler has nothing to do with having an opinion. i've been in pattaya several times, invited by a LONGTIME friend (ex-sextourist, no discussion about that) and the place is just not my cup of tea NOR are the people who tend to go there. besides that i've been in every province of Thailand for professional purposes and the real thailand has nothing to do with farang or the lack of farang.

How many years would you say girls from rural Thailand have been making a beeline for Pattaya - 10, 20 years ? Try 40+ years - since the war in SVN.

The Thai people have had 4 decades to decide if they wanted one of the world's biggest nightlife precincts on the doorstep of their largest city. 4 decades of women sending money home to their families, and 4 decades of Thais accepting 'tea money' to keep that neon flashing. Any 'slavery' is presided over by Thai overlords, just as it has been for centuries - the punters are just cogs in the wheel.

(Prostitution is illegal in Thailand - the law is there, but its not enforced : money talks, simple as that.)

Hahahah aha as so often you go way OTT mr notsoworldwide. 40 years ago Pattaya was not even on the map. But I take the point air bases in Issan were of course very popular with the local girls, and their mothers!

Prostitution is in every city around the world on every continent bar NONE. But you know that.... World wide.

Thailand is no different. The market place just appears to be more buoyant in the hot centres of Pattaya, Bangkok, the Islands and Chiang Mai. BUT there is one fact that many are not aware of, over 90% of Thai prostitutes serve Thai men outside of the tourist havens...... Just the same as in any country. It is the oldest profession in the world! I am not against the general point you make, but your lack of real Thai knowledge is exposed.

I hope I haven't given the impression that I think my world is better than anyone elses. My point is that where I live is a multi faceted place with a lot more than just sex. It suits me and it suits alot of other people too. I have lived in Bangkok and also Kanchanaburi (one year and two years respectively). Each has their charms and drawbacks.

I originally moved here, reluctantly, for work. Reluctant because I thought, like so many others, that Pattaya was just about sex. It took very little time to find out that it had a lot more to it than that. I count myself lucky that I have been able to afford a good standard of life and I can insulate myself from the nastier end of the city, just as I was able to do when I lived in London.

I live 50 metres from the beach but never go in it. I swim every day in the pool and when I do go in the sea it is out at the islands (again I am lucky to have a couple of friends with speedboats). But I love looking at the sea in the mornings with a cup of tea and watching the storm clouds gather in the evening and race in to give us a soaking.

Whatever you think of our fair city it is here, it is not going away and it is getting to be a better and better place to live. None of us are conscripts and your slice of paradise is exactly that. Yours. I have just read about a Brit living in the boonies ekeing out a living as a farmer. He is a truly happy man in his paradise. Just as he would not swap my life for his I would not want his. One mans paradise is another mans hell. But that guy has never told me I am a sexpat and lowlife for living where I do so I hope his paradise remains so forever. And may yours remain so too.

Pattaya is great, remember the main users of the sex industry in Thailand are THAIS

the OP seems to be an expert on the Thai sex industry, Pattaya is one of the worlds biggest open air brothels, nothing to be ashamed of if that's the sort of thing that takes you there. Don't try and pretend it's something else though

Hahahah aha as so often you go way OTT mr notsoworldwide. 40 years ago Pattaya was not even on the map. ....

Oh yes it was....

Hahahah aha as so often you go way OTT mr notsoworldwide. 40 years ago Pattaya was not even on the map. ....

Oh yes it was....

pattaya1965.jpg

My point exactly .... Looks wonderful. It is what it is today. I don't agree with Australian based posters who have already publicly declared their intention to settle in Malaysia coming on TV and posting their [academic] dribble at every opportunity at the expense of decent people who love this country. Shameful!

Sms747 did you actually read my posts because you certainly have not understood them.

Just enjoy the place for what it is and its whatever you want it to be and remember nowhere is ever perfect is it?

Stop kidding yourself.... Patts would just be like Hua Hin if it wasn't for the over the top sex industry.. Also, if it wasn't for the fact that Pattaya only became anywhere near as big as it has, is purely down to all the bad things about it drawing in many bad folks, everything that has come after that is there ultimate to extract more money from the tourists.

The only reason the Thais go there, is none other than it is the closest pace with any action and a bit of seaside.

For me, I liked Patts the first couple of times I went with my wife, but since then I wouldn't go even if there was a free 4 star hotel and free beer on offer. Thailand has much better places to go to, without all the scum that Patts attracts, despite being Thai, farang and Russian.

Who wants to live the near the ocean , yet have to commute 1 hr each way to the beach ...only to share it with 20,000 Chinese ???

If the OP believes that only 1% of the population is involved with the sex industry ,then I would query his maths .

Pattaya is generally cheap and seedy , which is what attracts most of it's patrons ,Russians included .

Thais like to go there to watch the Farang freak show ...and also shop - I'll concede that .

Anywhere can be "amazing" if you can afford to live very comfortably and distance yourself from the reality of your surroundings .

200,000 Chinese. How did you arrive at that number?

He didn't.

I had a lot of fun in Pattaya, small city and very easy to get around. I spent my days and nights well there. Everyday was a choice between pool, swimming, going to an island or other random day excursions, movies, lots of shopping malls, mini golf, go karting, weird little video game outlets (used by Thais almost exclusively), huge selection of open beer bars, strip clubs a plenty, can see sooo many cute girls, really good variety of restaurants etc etc.

Of course the Thais are there to make money, like most other tourist resorts in the World and of course most of the things I mentioned are available to do in most semi major tourist destinations, but it is just the Thai sanuk feel mixed with a extremely heavy dose of debauchery in a small cosmopolitan city by the Beach in the tropics which made the place unique for me and a very fun place to be.

Anyways OP, just let people hate if they want, be a cool dude always man

I visited Pattaya only one time, when I was in BK visiting Thailand for first time in 2010 and with my first Thai girlfriend. We were looking for a parking spot for 1/2 hour, just to take a walk by the beach and to have lunch. The beach was too small and full of farangs with Thai "companions" and vendors. No way to walk on that beach. The park and the promenade by the beach was a parade of walking girls and seating seniors. Lunch was expensive for what we got, and after lunch we drive to spend a nice weekend on a deserted Rayon Beach. I understand that the walking street is not Pattaya, but it is the face of the city..and got its reputation because that...and its prices because that. After visiting other beach cities in Thailand, I will not choose Pattaya for sure if I was looking for a beach city. But...after living for short times in Bangkok, Cha Am, Chiang Mai and Lampang, I settled for the mountains of Chiang Rai. By the way....It is a "Pattaya Beach" here in Chiang Rai...Do you know that?...and it is a real beach..

OK, but you pretty much knew what to expect before you even got in the car to go to Patts, right ? If you didnt, surely your GF did ? I just find it hard to contemplate that there is a Thai over the age of 15 who doesnt know exactly what Pattaya is and avoid it at all costs. It would be the equivalent of me taking a Thai girl to Darlinghurst Road in Kings Cross - who the hell does that ??

"... my first Thai girlfriend. ... The beach was too small and full of farangs with Thai "companions" "

More irony than a tin of McEwans.

I love Pattaya, because I can feel superior to so many of my fellow farangs, and thanks to this forum, I don't even need to go there to do so.

I've been to Pattaya few times, mostly on family holidays, so I'm interested to know if the gogo bars are any good. Is it worth the trip down?

SC

Stop kidding yourself.... Patts would just be like Hua Hin if it wasn't for the over the top sex industry.. Also, if it wasn't for the fact that Pattaya only became anywhere near as big as it has, is purely down to all the bad things about it drawing in many bad folks, everything that has come after that is there ultimate to extract more money from the tourists.

The only reason the Thais go there, is none other than it is the closest pace with any action and a bit of seaside.

For me, I liked Patts the first couple of times I went with my wife, but since then I wouldn't go even if there was a free 4 star hotel and free beer on offer. Thailand has much better places to go to, without all the scum that Patts attracts, despite being Thai, farang and Russian.

There's some little olde-worlde resorty sort of places round Samutprakarn, if Pattaya is too busy for you.

I've only stopped there once for lunch, but it looked like it could be good for a couple of hours by the sea

SC

Never been.

yeah, you lost me when you asserted that disliking pattaya is akin to hitler.

hyperbolic fail.

as for the rest, i could not care less. my experience in pattaya has led me to believe it is a shithole unless i spent my time in pattaya insulated from pattaya.

you may like it. my mileage varies.

Stop kidding yourself.... Patts would just be like Hua Hin if it wasn't for the over the top sex industry.. Also, if it wasn't for the fact that Pattaya only became anywhere near as big as it has, is purely down to all the bad things about it drawing in many bad folks, everything that has come after that is there ultimate to extract more money from the tourists.

The only reason the Thais go there, is none other than it is the closest pace with any action and a bit of seaside.

For me, I liked Patts the first couple of times I went with my wife, but since then I wouldn't go even if there was a free 4 star hotel and free beer on offer. Thailand has much better places to go to, without all the scum that Patts attracts, despite being Thai, farang and Russian.

sadly hua hin is full of ugly old hookers and lousy traffic.

neither float my boat. i want bangkok, i stay in bangkok. i want the beach i go to the islands.

i have found that specialization works far better for me than seeking an unsatisfying compromise

Never been.

I think you've seriously missed out big time!

I visit the place a couple of times for a weekend during my winter in bangers...

...and i must say i do enjoy a few beers in the evening sitting on the beach road watching all the characters its unreal... there are some real odd balls there... one guy dressed in glitter riding his glitters push bike up and down the beach road! Though on my last visit i didn't see him...the locals called him gary glitter! And that's just 0ne character, plenty to keep you amused

GREAT entertainment, see you soon, I'm the one sitting opposite mikes shopping mall, drinking a LARGE beer chang...!

Never been.

I think you've seriously missed out big time!

I visit the place a couple of times for a weekend during my winter in bangers...

...and i must say i do enjoy a few beers in the evening sitting on the beach road watching all the characters its unreal... there are some real odd balls there... one guy dressed in glitter riding his glitters push bike up and down the beach road! Though on my last visit i didn't see him...the locals called him gary glitter! And that's just 0ne character, plenty to keep you amused

GREAT entertainment, see you soon, I'm the one sitting opposite mikes shopping mall, drinking a LARGE beer chang...!

I presume you italicised "think" because you realise there's a small chance that I'm not into gogos, beer-swilling, hookers or tanning.

You'd be right.

well, tanning just happens if you are active. the rest are available anywhere in the country too.

"To start with, these broad-brush statements always remind me of a certain little Austrian who used similar statements to vilify a race of people and make himself and his supporters feel better about the fact that they were the lowlifes."

People who hate Patts are Nazis? Come on, the place is a dump.

I agree that the above statement is a little over-the-top, but what the OP is saying is that you are perfectly entitled to not like, or even hate, Pattaya, but there is no need to keep going on about your hatred, and, by inference, your vilification of the people who choose to live there.

(I am not talking about you personally) OK?

If the real intention was not to bring out another tired argument about Pattaya why did the OP create it in the first place?

All I know is, I would be very happy if I never see Pattaya again, but then I feel the same about London, Singapore, Oz for various reasons.

Each to his own.