What do you see in Pattaya?

[lewisp91]

Hey guys,

My friends and I have been in Thailand now for about a month, we spent the month in Chiang Mai and felt comfortable there very quickly. In an attempt to keep things interesting we decided to come to Pattaya for a month, however after 2 days we're already talking about changing our plans.

We like having the beach nearby, but it's not a very nice beach at all.
We like having a wide variety of nightlife, but the majority just seem to be overpriced go go bars.

We like exploring the streets, but everyone tries to sell you something every few steps.
We like seeing other westerners, but they are mostly old men with young Thai women. (So cringy).

On top of all that, food is about 50% more expensive than in Chiang Mai for some reason.

I don't want to offend anyone living here, but I am truly curious about what those of you see in this place that we've just completely missed?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. We are currently staying near central festival.

[rocketboybkk]

Everyone like different things

I don't like Chang Mai

Best thing to do is move on & enjoy yourself

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[onemorechang]

Loads of cheap un complicated sex.

or was it the pristine beach stuff

[brewsterbudgen]

If that's bad for you I hope you don't have to stay the whole month! A little research would have given you a good idea what Pattaya is like and how it definitely doesn't suit everyone. Sorry you're having a disappointing holiday but it's a good idea to research places in advance.

[whitemouse]

Why not just leave, and go some place that you like?

[whitemouse]

You mentioned you enjoy wide variety of night life, well, Pattaya is not known to be a place for this. For night life Chiang Mai is really your best option, I'd head back there immediately!

[Denim]

A host of golden daffodils through rose tinted glasses.

[chickenslegs]

Why not just leave, and go some place that you like?

Yes. Then come back when you are in your 60's - you may like it more.

[Jingthing]

Leave the beach area and it gets less touristy the further you get away from the beach. Food prices will go down too. Not sure it's worth a month as a tourist, but I LOVE living here. Different being a resident and a tourist.

[lewisp91]

Leave the beach area and it gets less touristy the further you get away from the beach. Food prices will go down too. Not sure it's worth a month as a tourist, but I LOVE living here. Different being a resident and a tourist.

What areas would you suggest?

Perhaps we're just in the wrong part of Pattaya...

[Lucifer]

Leave the beach area and it gets less touristy the further you get away from the beach. Food prices will go down too. Not sure it's worth a month as a tourist, but I LOVE living here. Different being a resident and a tourist.

What areas would you suggest?

Perhaps we're just in the wrong part of Pattaya...

Yes, just take a walk north, about 510 miles. You'll like it there.

[Mooner]

There is not many good beaches on the mainland in Thailand.

From Pattaya I would recommend Ko SameT or Ko Chang

[kurtramsbottom]

I did some research and just imagined it differently. I guess it's not the worst but it's definitely a downgrade from Chiang Mai and that's probably why we feel this way.

In fact, I'm researching now to see where we can go instead. Somewhere relaxed like Chiang Mai but with a beach would be perfect.

Thought you was off to Bangkok tomorrow ?

[Ling Kae]

I did some research and just imagined it differently. I guess it's not the worst but it's definitely a downgrade from Chiang Mai and that's probably why we feel this way.

Each to his own, I come here 5 Months a year and I have been to Chiang Mai several times, I don't like it.

Here I think it is cheaper

More bars and entertainment

Plenty of available women

Plenty of shops and including an upmarket mall

Cheap accommodation

And food is cheap, can you get all you can buffet breakfasts for 120 baht in Chiang Mai including unlimited salads, coffee and fruit?

[Jingthing]

I wouldn't be the person to oversell it as a tourism spot. On the other hand, I think the Pattaya is vastly underrated as a place for foreigners to live. There are really a lot of advantages of living in Pattaya compared to Chiang Mai.

[KittenKong]

Whilst many eating places are quite expensive here, there are also many that are very reasonably priced. And I definitely think that we have a much better choice of non-Thai eating places here than they do in Chiang Mai. What CM does have easy access to are the vegetable growing areas which means that fresh fruit and veg is indeed cheaper and more plentiful and varied there, and that's something I miss here.

Personally if all the bars and clubs in Pattaya and CM closed overnight I would not miss them for an instant. I cant even remember in which decade I last set foot in one!

As for the beach, Pattaya bay is OK but Jomtien and beyond are better. I speak as someone who only walks by the sea and never swims in it.

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

"I don't want to offend anyone living here,.................................?"

Except of course the "old men with young Thai women. (So cringy)."

Well I am one of them and having a great time without you so go back to Chiang Mai and cringe your heart out !

[BaldPlumber]

Jeez, who has seen this many replies ever.

Anyway,it's pretty obvious that you're gay. No problem with that except most of the elderly guys here are heterosexual and were lucky enough to meet hi-so Thais in their work related or cultural activities. Their wives are deffo not bargirls, no way (despite the tats)

Anyway, good luck.

[Flanno]

You have been here 2 days? My guess is you have only frequented Beach Rd and Walking St. As others have suggested get away from there and you will find a different Pattaya with low cost accommodation, cheaper food and drinks, lower key entertainment and bars which expats frequent and socialise in. Just take the blinkers off, use a little initiative and go for a walk away from the beach. It's surprising what you can find when you are actually looking for it.

[stoneyboy]

It's not for everyone.

Beaches crap.

Traffic a ball ache.

Tourist tat shops.

You like massage handsum every 20 yards.

In your face.

I much prefer the beaches south of Hua Hin.

[loppylugs1]

Not much,even Specsavers will have a hard time in this joint

[Rimmer]

A profane post has been removed

[zurgos]

Am guessing this is a troll post, but anyway will bite......Pattaya has lots of great food at great prices....also some fantastic beaches....try Koh larn or further south towards Bang Sare, Sattahip....tons of sporting options as well....or you could stay in your hotel room and complain on a web forum.

[Enoon]

Leave the beach area and it gets less touristy the further you get away from the beach. Food prices will go down too. Not sure it's worth a month as a tourist, but I LOVE living here. Different being a resident and a tourist.

What areas would you suggest?

Perhaps we're just in the wrong part of Pattaya...

Maybe this will make you feel better:

[VIPinthailand]

have you tried the gogo boys? I am sure you will like it.

[craigt3365]

Everybody likes something different. If you are not into beer bars and go go's, then Pattaya might not be for you. We live outside town a bit and love it here. Not far from a beach that is OK and still close enough to get into Pattaya when we want.

We go to Bangkok about every 6 weeks or so for our fix of great restaurants and live jazz music. We were in CM several months ago and loved it. A totally different vibe. Lots of young people out and about. Nice cafes and bars with very good live music. And plenty of things to do just outside the city. We don't really have that here.

If you had a car, you could explore around a bit, but that's not something most tourists want to do. Where else have you been in Thailand? Phuket is a bit slow right now, but should be picking up shortly after the monsoon season. Samui is pretty cool if you like sitting on the beach, eating and listening to music. A bit too crowded for me now, but if you are young, seems to be a big crowd there now.

I don't know of any other town that's like CM. Hua Hin a bit, but it's very small compared to CM.

How many are there? What are the ages? I notice you're looking for a place in Bangkok. I'd highly recommend going there for at least a week. So much to do and see. And great for walking about and exploring.

[piersbeckett]

You can't beat the clock - you'll have to go back to work (if you've started it, that is), they won't; you'll have to worry about money and keeping up with the Jones's, they won't. I cringed in Chiang Mai recently seeing all those young people looking like I did fifty years ago - been there, done that.

I'm not based in Patts but visit there sometimes, why, nostalgia I guess; many years ago it was a lot cheaper (and exchange rates more favourable), wilder and I was younger - oh and the diving was good.

[thaibeachlovers]

Leave the beach area and it gets less touristy the further you get away from the beach. Food prices will go down too. Not sure it's worth a month as a tourist, but I LOVE living here. Different being a resident and a tourist.

What areas would you suggest?

Perhaps we're just in the wrong part of Pattaya...

Correct. If you'd taken a 20 baht baht bus ride to Jomptien you would have found a different place altogether. Nicer beach. Still lots of farangs with young girls of course.

Did you not google Pattaya before going? That is what Pattaya is all about on the tourist side for farangs- not so much the Chinese.

If you think it's only gogos you must have only gone to Walking Street.

Lots of things to do in Pattaya, but if you go to WS that's the premier gogo place in Thailand.

[fang37]

Pattaya provides "comfort" women.

CNX provides a historical perspective of LOS.

But, where are the toothless grannies?

[craigt3365]

I think the more interesting places here require a vehicle. Bang Saray, Buddha mountain, Wat Yan, lunch at the lake, Ban Chang's beaches (or the navy's), NaJomtien near the Glass House, Dinner at Preecha's in Ban Amphur (or just on the beach), etc.

Definitely go to the Sanctuary of Truth. The mountain in Pratumnak for views over Pattaya. Drinks on roof top of the Hilton. Live music at the Lion Pub or Mood. The show at Angels Witch or What's Up. Koh Larn makes for an interesting trip. Public transport, outside central Pattaya, is a problem.