Bangkok's New Airport To Change The Face Of Seedy Pattaya

[marshbags]

I am expecting the beach road to become an area for upmarket hotels - have been for years. But the beach is too polluted ! Will people just stay by the pool in their 5 star hotels, watching "traditional" thai entertainment laid on by the Hotel staff ? Sounds a bit Benidorm to me. But it will happen. The Russian market will jump on this one. Just watch.

Soi Bhukow and the nearby Sois will become the Entertainment zone - with all the bar-scene pushed away from the 5 star Beach road.

Spot on and a perfect observation.

Don,t worry about the Pattaya attractions disappearing.

The income they will loose from getting rid of the adult activities will never be met from this proposition / suggestion.

All that will happen ( if ) is they,ll move it all to another area away from the beach locality and recreate more of the same.

( there,s a joke in itself, how the heck will they be able to clean that enviromental mess up and make it a 5 star play area. )

Most of the families i know wouldn,t even consider dragging their children half way across the world when there are so many places nearer home with much cleaner facilities.

They want to come as adults with an open mind and want to look at the so called down side of the resort and enjoy all the atmosphere that comes with it.

As do us that live away from the resort and visit from time to time.

A " Little Pattaya " with it,s own identity for the thrill seekers of the world is my forecast, should they indeed want to change a very successful / popular money making machine.

In the the very worst senario.

As for the child abuse thing that is slowly being sorted out and will hopefully be wiped out completely in the not to distant future through the many respectable organisations and the residents who contrary to reports do not tolerate this sort of thing.

Many of which are being tainted by articles like this, i might add.

It reminds me of all the documentaries that get shown around the globe which are taken out of context to create thrills and get maximum viewing figures.

When was the last time you saw a decent documentary in the U.K. about the real broader sitaution in Thailand and the farang population who choose to live there ?

marshbags

P.S.

I don,t read any considerations being made for the bar owners and all the other businesses that many have had the courage to invest in and create an adult play ground / disneyland.

They deserve recognition for making Pattaya what everyone comes to enjoy , not your 5 star

clients who will never replace or equal them.

[dishrace]

Why would more people come to Pattaya just because the airport is 30 minutes closer??? do they look at the travel brochure and say" ooh! look, lets go to Pattaya instead of .......... it's only 1hour 30 mins to the beach instead of 2 hours ummmm??

I think exactly the same.

Wishfull thinkings have made prices rocketing.Everybody wants a piece of the expected "families-retired-wealthy cake"

But to attract these people the city has not only advantages

Polluted beach and sea;crime rate;crazy traffic ;no pedestrian facilities;water shortages;etc etc etc

I fear there will be a lot of desillusion in the coming years in the area

[Nemo.]

I live amongst Thais in Bankok, many of my wifes friends and our neighbours are self employed in their own businesses. Ive been listening to the same story for at least twelve months now and that is the new airport will be the answer to every ones financial woes. Do tourist go to enjoy the country and culture or just go to look at the airport? Thais think this new airport will fix up more things than the magical jar of Tiger Balm.

Average Thai are led to believe that the new airport will create a lot of jobs and prosperity. The government claims it will be the hub or gateway to wherever, plus they're planning to build a city there, what kind of logic is that

Its sad to see people believing this nonsense

Same same in SE Asia. Seen it in business. Everyone sees the "upside" never the risks or the downsides. Its a complete lack of business sense that makes it the 3rd world

[ehs818]

I think that we would all agree that the one thing all Thais love is money, especially from a Farang.

Many are willing to get it in any way they can, including telling lies, smiling, and if needed, by force. Well there is a big screwing going on now that few people even know about. I'm referring to the run up of land prices along the beach road.

Top dollar is being paid by foreign companies in the hopes that there will be a rise in tourism to Pattaya after the new airport opens. This is such a scam. First, and this is most important, there is a huge mega-project that will begin in Pattaya late next year to fill in the Pattaya Bay from Dusit Point to the Lighthouse.

This will extend out as far as 3 kilometers. The new reclaimed land will be used for further sales of inflated land prices. The work will be done by a company from Belgium with experience in this type of work in Holland. Shopping malls, hotels. and the like will be build on that land. But remember this day when you were told this: Beach Road in Pattaya will not be a road on the beach in just a couple of years.

And no one is speaking about this. You can look back at the Pattaya Mail Newspaper in September of 2004 for the story. Do you remember the test was done early this year with landfill right at the Dusit Resort beach? That was their 'test', and it passed with their premature approval. No matter that the sand that they brought in washed away a month later, even during the dry season. And no matter that the recent rains washed away the areas where they brought in sand. Reality and truth are never an issue here...only money is... YOURS. Be warned.

Just as they recently changed rules about property ownership and visas, so too can they feel comfortable not revealing their plans to investors and further changing land ownership rules later.

As for who they are promoting Pattaya to as a family tourist destination, please note that more and more people are coming here from Asia, not from Europe and the US. The Chinese are impressed with Ladyboys and bring their wives along.

A recent study showed that European tourists to Pattaya spend on average per day, aside from hotels, about 2,000 baht per person. Chinese spend an average of only 55 baht. They come on pre paid package tours that includes most everything, including all meals. Chinese people are keen on getting what they pay for, so they usually go to everything.

Plus, the tour groups warn them all to not talk to locals or foreigners. They use scare tactics, saying they will be ripped off and lied to. But the real reason is to prevent these tourist from learning the truth about how they could come here on their own, do less, and pay much less for it. TAT, take care that you don't bet the farm on these tourists!

[tropo]

So where will the new home of the 50 year old desparate and dateless sexpat be?

Chonburi?

Pattaya is getting a bit too expensive for most

Pattaya is in the province of Chonburi.

Maybe you were thinking of Chantaburi??

I live in Pattaya, and believe it or not there are many "normal" families here on vacation. Don't ask me why, but if you spend a few hours around Royal Garden Plaza you'll see many.

This place has always been a sex-tourism destination with a beach. You take away the sex industry and all you've got left is a lousy, second class beach with dirty brown sand and opaque greenish-brown tepid water.

Another point these “do-gooders” forget is that Pattaya has thousands of beer bars interspersed over a large area. If you take away what made Pattaya famous, it will die a quick death.

[BROWNY]

I don,t read any considerations being made for the bar owners and all the other businesses that many have had the courage to invest in and create an adult play ground / disneyland.

They deserve recognition for making Pattaya what everyone comes to enjoy , not your 5 star

clients who will never replace or equal them.

Good point - lets face it, thats why we love the place so much. I will continue to visit Pattaya as often as i can - it suits me down to the ground.

But once Walking Street and Beach road are merged into one long Walking Street with pavement cafes, cocktail lounges and Sushi restaurants it will be a different place. Don't believe me ? Take a look at the new bars on Walking street - trying to attract a different crowd.

That said - you won't find me sipping a Pina Colada on the Beach Road Promenade - I will be enjoying a Chang beer on Soi Bhukao !

[BROWNY]

[

I don,t read any considerations being made for the bar owners and all the other businesses that many have had the courage to invest in and create an adult play ground / disneyland.

They deserve recognition for making Pattaya what everyone comes to enjoy , not your 5 star

clients who will never replace or equal them.

Good point - lets face it, thats why we love the place so much. I will continue to visit Pattaya as often as i can - it suits me down to the ground.

But once Walking Street and Beach road are merged into one long Walking Street with pavement cafes, cocktail lounges and Sushi restaurants it will be a different place. Don't believe me ? Take a look at the new bars on Walking street - trying to attract a different crowd.

That said - you won't find me sipping a Pina Colada on the Beach Road Promenade - I will be enjoying a Chang beer on Soi Bhukao !

[phillip2006]

Do people go to New York because JFK is big, so why will Pattaya be any different. I have never heard anyone say I would love to go to Ibiza but, I have heard the airport is small. People just dont think about airports that way, they are just part of the journey. I mean have you ever decided to go on the bus instead of a taxi because the bus station is nicer than the taxi rank. Price and speed are factors thats about it. Building a new airport wont make it any quicker to get to thailand and, I am sure you wont get a discount. The area needs development,

clean up the beach,

sort out the roads.

Pedestrian crossings ( the ammount of times I have nearly been run over because I just wanted to cross the road ) Do baht bus drivers have a drivers license or is it the booby prize for failing your test. "nevermind mate you cant drive a car but have a look at one of these"

Regulate the bars look at Holland they have red light districts.

Advertise abroad on TV, in newspapers, mags etc I have never seen an ad for thailand in the uk, I have seen many for other countries.

If the goverment has secured or can attract more airline flights, for example stop over flights to OZ or other long haul flights then maybe yes, Bangkok and the immediate area will benfit. If they can get more parcel traffic throught there system eg DHL and, other courier services. That would be a boost for the Thai economy but, lets face it only a few people at the top are going to get rich

[Arkady]

Why would more people come to Pattaya just because the airport is 30 minutes closer??? do they look at the travel brochure and say" ooh! look, lets go to Pattaya instead of .......... it's only 1hour 30 mins to the beach instead of 2 hours ummmm??

I think it will make a difference to people coming on short trips of a couple of days from within Asia but not much to arrivals from Europe.

The paedophilia thing seems rather overstated. It is obviously does happen in Pattaya and is reprehensible but is not very overt. It also happens in other parts of Thailand and there are many more Thai customers than tourists. I think it should not be too difficult for Thai police to control the tourist paedophilia in Pattaya because it is a specialised market with a limited number of operators and the tourist customers generally have to look for touts in public places to find their prey which makes all of them vulnerable to arrest. Presumably the police are happier taking tea money in cash and no doubt in kind too, judging by reports of policemen raping under age kids over the years. It's OK to blame only the tourists but Thais should make sure they have no paedophiles of their own and that they are making an effort to jail the pimps first or shut up.

[HeikoJT]

As the new airport is closer to Pattaya than the old one, it will definitely bring some more visitors to Pattaya which will become more of an alternative to Bangkok to spend a few days before heading to other destinations. I think so, even as it is not as centrally located. Good transportation will be a prerequisite.

[phillip2006]

Many of which are being tainted by articles like this, i might add.

It reminds me of all the documentaries that get shown around the globe which are taken out of context to create thrills and get maximum viewing figures.

When was the last time you saw a decent documentary in the U.K. about the real broader sitaution in Thailand and the farang population who choose to live there ?

marshbags

Just to highlight your point when that Jonh Mark Carr pervert/nut was arrested in Thailand.

FoxNews run a news article on the child sex tourism in Thailand. It was from 1991 I happened to look in the corner of the screen and i saw the date. It was not up for long. There was no mention on the age of the report. I did have a good laugh it the haircuts and fashion of the early 90's in the report but, thats not the point. Thailand has really tried to sort this problem out and they have made real progress. Talk about misleading journalism not very professional. I am fed up of being labeled a pervent cos I choose to visit Pattaya.

[peter48]

Talk to anyone who has young toddlers and kids and what do they say about Pattaya? Its absolutely bloody helpless trying to cross roads or wheel pushairs on pavements around the town. I suggest all these tourist officials who keep saying lets take Pattaya upmarket try it for a day so try the beach road, try Pattaya central, try Pattaya North raod try the Dolphin Island. - when they have proper zebra crossings, when they have European traffic controls maybe, just maybe...

[Pesche]

Yeah it's great, fine, fantastic...

The golden rush is on since 3 years here and everyone wants to have a piece of the cake (pie).

The land prices went up to the sky -I live in Siam Country Club Road: 2 years ago 1 rai was for 500'000 Baht and now 2'000'000 !!

Quick money yeah.

BUT considering that there are over 5'000 empty and brand new homes to sell and rent in this area I just laugh about the gready behaviour of the landlords!

About the concern about "children" and "family" I repeat what I say since 10 years:

Pattaya IS Pattaya (like Las Vegas IS las Vegas) so put down some REAL rules and make a youth curfew!

Stop having kids roaming the streets after 22.00 h. and there will be less possibilities for this sick pedophiles!

Remember the 15 year old girl "abused" at 05.00 h. on Beach Road 6 month ago?

Can somebody explain what the heck she is doing at this time on the MOST inapropriate place?

Maybe if we ask her parents we shall know...

It is the social behaviour and the regulations which lack of common sense!

So don't blame the others!

Pattaya has the potential to become something unique and the VERY best resort in Asia - It's the management of this City who is responsible for its future - not the tourist nor the expats living here!

[roy deacon]

Most of these women are over 18, but he says that young teenage girls walk the streets looking for customers, while underage boys are offered up as 'masseuses'.

I have been to pattaya several times as i come to go fishing believe it or not.I asked a couple of hookers if you could get child sex in thailand and said I was not want ing it but have heard so many stories that you can.They were horrified and I was told no way can you have sex with children in thailand.You can have sex if you want it with anything else but children I would say defineately no.And i THOUGHT THE BEST PEOPLE TO ASK WERE HOOKERS THEY SHOULD KNOW

[johng]

They have some new railings at the entrance of Walking Street

that make it really convenient for pedestrians wanting to cross the road

[PuaSai]

Does anyone know of a link or map that shows the new airport location vs Don Muang?

[PuaSai]

Many of which are being tainted by articles like this, i might add.

It reminds me of all the documentaries that get shown around the globe which are taken out of context to create thrills and get maximum viewing figures.

When was the last time you saw a decent documentary in the U.K. about the real broader sitaution in Thailand and the farang population who choose to live there ?

marshbags

Just to highlight your point when that Jonh Mark Carr pervert/nut was arrested in Thailand.

FoxNews run a news article on the child sex tourism in Thailand. It was from 1991 I happened to look in the corner of the screen and i saw the date. It was not up for long. There was no mention on the age of the report. I did have a good laugh it the haircuts and fashion of the early 90's in the report but, thats not the point. Thailand has really tried to sort this problem out and they have made real progress. Talk about misleading journalism not very professional. I am fed up of being labeled a pervent cos I choose to visit Pattaya.

Fox News is like the National Enquirer of cable news. Sensationalism at its best. Its like the reports they put out for here in Iraq. You would think there are bombs everywhere. There aren't. I don't watch them because they always paint a bleak picture of everything. Never been to Pattaya, but might check it out sometime.

[Maizefarmer]

I take xception top Burnetts comment:

"The proliferation of foreign-owned or rented apartments can make child sexual abusers harder to detect, as instead of abusing children in bars or hotels, they are now able to do so in their own homes"

Just what is he saying - that abuse takes place more often in foreign - owner/rented apartments than it does in Thai apartments, or that foreigners are more lilkely to be guilty of child sexual abuse in Thailand than the Thais themsleves are behind closed Thai doors - just what is the guy saying?

Of course it happens - and yes, its behind closed doors, but statisticaly, I dont think it would impact one way or the other on its occurance whether or not the apartment is Thai or foreign owned, or occupied by a Thai or foreigner.

Sorry Mr. Burnett, unless I am missing something in what you have said, I think the parameters youhave used to catagorise the incidents of child sexual abuse are misleading.

Tim

[Pattaya_Fox]

Ah! here we go again..........sensationalism.......plugs for the major hotels and property speculators.......and some statements which appear to have some sort of authorative appeal but infact are rather old news.

Amazing how sex has to come into the story to try to improve what is really a boring effort.

Forget the develpoment of condos as being the bordellos of Pattaya with the inference that farangs are the culprits, instead ask the people who are rescuing the poor kids from Thai families where they have been abused by their own relatives.

[paul-s]

Pattaya IS Pattaya (like Las Vegas IS las Vegas) so put down some REAL rules and make a youth curfew!

Stop having kids roaming the streets after 22.00 h. and there will be less possibilities for this sick pedophiles!

Firstly I agree kids should not be out late and that includes those selling watches and roses ect.

However, I can't really see how a curfew would stop pedophiles as surely they can target children any time of the day.

I do think there are a lot of incorrected statements about under age sex and Thailand in the press etc. (they are most likely trying to sell their stories which were a little boring). I have been to Pattaya many times and I have only come across it once, and then I wasn't quite sure.

[Tarqin]

Usual nonsense.

Thais running around yelling 'new airport new airport' as if defacto that changes anything.

Less 30 minutes to Pattaya, so on top of a 14 hour trip your saving 30 minutes big deal.

Already rumours you will need to take shuttle bus to somewhere you can get a taxi. Queue only 'licenced' taxis to be allowed in to airport ie twice the price of Don Mung plus endless delays.

Airport will be a disaster area for at least a year as the computer systems etc don't work.

In order to 'change' Pattaya you need to shut down thousands pf bars, no more tea money, and introduce nice family places, big companies have political clout and don't pay tea money.

Usual idiots in white landcruisers running around shouting 'paedophiles paedophile, give us money'. If you have any EVIDENCE then prosecute, otherwise shut up.

Pattaya already massively over built. Nil spending on infra structure. You can buy one of thousands of new condos at sky high prices. Try re-selling one.

Just had a military coup and the army and TRT and shaping up for a showdown in Issan.

Rent keep your money offshore and remember that Cambo ain't far away...

[tracer0]

Why would more people come to Pattaya just because the airport is 30 minutes closer??? do they look at the travel brochure and say" ooh! look, lets go to Pattaya instead of .......... it's only 1hour 30 mins to the beach instead of 2 hours ummmm??

I think exactly the same.

Wishfull thinkings have made prices rocketing.Everybody wants a piece of the expected "families-retired-wealthy cake"

But to attract these people the city has not only advantages

Polluted beach and sea;crime rate;crazy traffic ;no pedestrian facilities;water shortages;etc etc etc

I fear there will be a lot of desillusion in the coming years in the area

Well If you plan something based on prices of land going up, they will end up with a lot of hotels who cannot sell their rooms. I saw Pataya one time 20 years ago and that was enough....

Land prices going up means stupidly high prices for rooms and owners wondering why the equally stupid farang isnt coming...

They likely forget that those with real money donot need the hotels and likely just rent a super condo or whatever, especially with kids....

AND as mentioned before that 20 minutes doesnt make a difference. They want a place on the beach for families build it elsewhere and start clean...

[VBF]

I am expecting the beach road to become an area for upmarket hotels - have been for years. But the beach is too polluted ! Will people just stay by the pool in their 5 star hotels, watching "traditional" thai entertainment laid on by the Hotel staff ? Sounds a bit Benidorm to me. But it will happen. The Russian market will jump on this one. Just watch.

Soi Bhukow and the nearby Sois will become the Entertainment zone - with all the bar-scene pushed away from the 5 star Beach road.

Most of the "adult" areas of Pattaya actually are away from the beach. Obviously Walking St. is an exception but that's only really open at night when it's very obvious (by virtue of it being a pedestrian only area) that it's exceptional. If you look at Pattayaland, in the south and then go up to Soi 2 and up towards Naklua, most of the "adult" areas aren't on the beach. Then of course Soi Bhukow is the up and coming area so Pattaya may well evolve into a place for all. Having said that, for families a CLEAN beach and less pollution are far more important!

In Patong, Phuket, since the Tsunami, the beach road has become very up-market and "touristy", but turn the corner into Soi Bangla and you've got the nightlife, although nothing like as much as Pattaya.

Edited September 26, 2006 by VBF

[palex]

Bangkok's new airport to change the face of seedy Pattaya

Tourist authorities are now hoping the resort will undergo another transformation, from sleazy sex destination into family-friendly beach town.

I will pray this will never happen...

[tracer0]

I take xception top Burnetts comment:

"The proliferation of foreign-owned or rented apartments can make child sexual abusers harder to detect, as instead of abusing children in bars or hotels, they are now able to do so in their own homes"

Just what is he saying - that abuse takes place more often in foreign - owner/rented apartments than it does in Thai apartments, or that foreigners are more lilkely to be guilty of child sexual abuse in Thailand than the Thais themsleves are behind closed Thai doors - just what is the guy saying?

Of course it happens - and yes, its behind closed doors, but statisticaly, I dont think it would impact one way or the other on its occurance whether or not the apartment is Thai or foreign owned, or occupied by a Thai or foreigner.

Sorry Mr. Burnett, unless I am missing something in what you have said, I think the parameters youhave used to catagorise the incidents of child sexual abuse are misleading.

Tim

He likely is a reporter or NGO spending/wasting money or whatever and complaining about others.

Find one and call the police.... Obviously police may find something wrong about complainer as well.

I had a similar stupid guy YEARS ago complaining when I was on the way to get a hard needed haircut in the next village when some idiot started to complain what I wanted (My 7 year daughter was sitting on the back on the bike) and he was silly enough to do it in the barbershop so I told my daughter to translate it to the villagers. He ended up leaving with a few blue eyes.

I even took them with me to Penang and now years later its still where are your daughters...

Anyway Guys like this are more of a problem for Thailands image then the sextourists... And if he really wants to complain look in Thai bars, they are almost ALL underage as otherwise nobody visits... We farangs get the throwaways with babies, famalies and those who DONOT want a Thai...

[Ulysses G.]

Bangkok's new airport to change the face of seedy Pattaya

Tourist authorities are now hoping the resort will undergo another transformation, from sleazy sex destination into family-friendly beach town.

I will pray this will never happen...

Don't worry. It won't.

[VBF]

Plus, the tour groups warn them all to not talk to locals or foreigners. They use scare tactics, saying they will be ripped off and lied to. But the real reason is to prevent these tourist from learning the truth about how they could come here on their own, do less, and pay much less for it. TAT, take care that you don't bet the farm on these tourists!

You're right there - that's what was happening on Phuket this year. A certain large travel company whose name implies that they should be in the Mediterranean were allegedly telling their clients "Don't go out at night - Phuket is dangerous - stay here and we will provide all you need!"

Draw your own conclusions.......

[The Boxer]

Its all been said

1. The new airport will not make that much difference in bringing in more visitors, it may help those living here to get out quicker - however it took 30 minutes to get the luggage from a flight in from Hat Yai today so what will happen when everyone arrives!

Anyway back to Pattaya

2. Somebody or in fact many somebodies should be investigated for corruption then

3. Jobs started may be finished and done properly i.e. roads, drainage

4. A proper transport system established with meters

5. The police given proper resources and targets i.e clean up beach road, mopeds without plates, abuse of traffic signals (could go on)

6. Put the officials on crutches or in wheel chairs and drop them off with a target to make in back to their offices - in one piece. OK not everyone is disabled but it emphasises how pedestrians do not mix with traffic

7. Stop wasting time on presentations from companies to clean up Pattaya (at a cost) and introduce a workable policy

8. Get the utilities to clean up their acts and wires

9. Make all external signs over a certain size subject to permission which is unlikley to be granted, Walking street in 1975 really looked nice

10. Charge all sand lorries a surcharge per load to a ring fenced fund to repair the damage they do (150 to 200 per hour!! passed through Huay Yai 7 days a week for six weeks)

On and on but only if you really want to make a change

[solesman]

Why would more people come to Pattaya just because the airport is 30 minutes closer??? do they look at the travel brochure and say" ooh! look, lets go to Pattaya instead of .......... it's only 1hour 30 mins to the beach instead of 2 hours ummmm??

I think exactly the same.

Wishfull thinkings have made prices rocketing.Everybody wants a piece of the expected "families-retired-wealthy cake"

But to attract these people the city has not only advantages

Polluted beach and sea;crime rate;crazy traffic ;no pedestrian facilities;water shortages;etc etc etc

I fear there will be a lot of desillusion in the coming years in the area

I couldn't agree more with the above comments. Pattaya is a shithole and if developers want to take advantage of the new airport they should start new in another beach area that's close to the airport but doesn't have such a seedy legacy.

[The Boxer]

Does anyone know of a link or map that shows the new airport location vs Don Muang?

Visit the forum on the new aiport shows maps and airport layout, when blown up (enlarged)very good, helped me navigate straigh to where I wanted to go