What will Pattaya look like in ten year’s time?

[Inspire]

What will Pattaya look like in ten year’s time?



It was my pleasure to visit Pattaya for the first time in a year last week.

I say pleasure somewhat tongue in cheek because I have never thought of living anywhere else in Thailand apart from Bangkok and visits to other places in the kingdom are never very long for me. Most of my visits to what legendary columnist Bernard Trink used to refer to as “the resort” have been very short.

Kind of short time in Pattaya if you like – in the early years of living here I usually felt that around ten hours was more than enough before feeling it necessary to hurry back to the capital. Sometimes I hot footed it back in the middle of the night, unable to take any more even if the hotel was ok.

They say a change is as good as a rest but I always felt the need to get home to Bangkok. I went on stag nights or trips with the lads. Sorry to those that like it, but it has never really been my cup of tea.

It was easier to stay longer in Pattaya, however, when my kids were growing up some years later. They enjoyed the trips to the resort with Ripley’s, Pattaya Park and mini-golf being their favorites. For their sake I could see out most of a Saturday and Sunday, maybe even a two night stay. I did always feel that Pattaya represented excellent value for money. And it was an easy drive to get to.

Hotels were always good value and there were lots of great places to eat. It was a daytime adventure. We tucked up in bed early and the seedier side of life didn’t bother me as we weren’t interested in it and we weren’t affected by it. I felt better about Pattaya as the years went by.

But last week when I arrived for my yearly visit it really hit me that the place was in a time warp. Looking around it really seemed like nothing has changed there for thirty years.

Full story: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/will-pattaya-look-like-ten-years-time/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-07-03

[nanoth]

Working in Bangkok in 1966-1968,I used to spend my week-ends in a small and charming village,called Pattaya,even if the road Bangkok-Pattaya was difficult and dangerous...At that time,you were sure to find there:nature,,simple life and friendship...The three groups of people living there (local thai,foreigners working in Bangkok and American soldiers...)have one thing in common:to be very friendly open-minded and easy-going!A true paradise!

[does]

Ask a silly question. My question would be: Why do you care?

[pattayahenry]

compared to the huge changes in the last 40 years, there will be only little changes in the next 10 years. 40 years ago pattaya was a village with a perfect clean beach, all streets were dirt roads, exept 2 or 3 paved roads.there were no shops with aircon, in all of jomtien there was only 1 big hotel in 1982, the p.park hotel, the pool with the slides was already there. p. has grown 10-fold to a big city, maybe the second largest in thailand, and will continue to expand to the north, south and east.
a bigger airport in sattahip, and possibly a express-rail-link to suvannabum will bring many more tourists, mostly chinese, who just voted pattaya as their favorite holiday destination. after the next huge flood in bangkok there will be a new wave of thais coming to pattaya. i guess, the number of buildings, condos, hotels, streets ,tourists will grow around 30% in the next 10 years, but it will be so spread out, that the changes will be hardly noticed.

[perdido]

...come on long-term old timers.....looking forward to some profound projections....and some ruminative reminiscences...

[Junkyarddog]

No projection but will say this. Been in Thailand for thirty years. Bought a very nice condo in South Pattaya twenty years ago that I planned to retire in. Well according to plan I now am retired and live in Pattaya. There is no place in the world I would rather live than in Pattaya. 100 per cent happy here.

[Bernard Flint]

How can anybody say what Pattaya will be like in 10 years, However Bangkok will be dirtier, more foul smelling pollution and more floods.

[Thechook]

It may not be hell but you can sure see the fires of hell from there.

[JHolmesJr]

There will be lots of hookers, lots of conmen and bar fines will be up to 600 in the bar beers and about 2,000 in the gogos.

[tomyumchai]

ill be laughing at what mabprachan turns into. it used to be a nice little laid back retreat from the relentless onslaught of pattaya but its started to change now.....it will soon be another ' bangkok by the sea'.

[rleaton2]

Working in Bangkok in 1966-1968,I used to spend my week-ends in a small and charming village,called Pattaya,even if the road Bangkok-Pattaya was difficult and dangerous...At that time,you were sure to find there:nature,,simple life and friendship...The three groups of people living there (local thai,foreigners working in Bangkok and American soldiers...)have one thing in common:to be very friendly open-minded and easy-going!A true paradise!

We may know each other....I was there in the same time frame working for Philco-Ford in Bangkok! We would take weekend jaunts to Pattaya (a quiet deserted beach)...Only places there were the Nipa Lodge hotel and a small motel and restaurant on the south end of the beach called the Nipa Hut! If you wanted to go to a bar there was only one....you had to ride up the hill on a dirt road to find it!

[does]

Are you perhaps confused by the huge firework display on Beach Road on New Years Eve?

It may not be hell but you can sure see the fires of hell from there.

[Naam]

Working in Bangkok in 1966-1968,I used to spend my week-ends in a small and charming village,called Pattaya,even if the road Bangkok-Pattaya was difficult and dangerous...At that time,you were sure to find there:nature,,simple life and friendship...The three groups of people living there (local thai,foreigners working in Bangkok and American soldiers...)have one thing in common:to be very friendly open-minded and easy-going!A true paradise!

We may know each other....I was there in the same time frame working for Philco-Ford in Bangkok! We would take weekend jaunts to Pattaya (a quiet deserted beach)...Only places there were the Nipa Lodge hotel and a small motel and restaurant on the south end of the beach called the Nipa Hut! If you wanted to go to a bar there was only one....you had to ride up the hill on a dirt road to find it!

first time in Pattaya november 1973. quite a number of bars existed then. at least three, perhaps even four

[Tony125]

By your own admission you have never stayed in Pattaya long enough to see the changes, especially since you say nothing changed in 30 years. Mike's Mall and Royal Garden Mall have been upstaged by Central Festival Mall which will soon be upstaged by Station 21 which took over the land that all the shops had near Dolphin roundabout.

There are new clubs and hotels on Beach Road such as the new "Hooters" and others.The water is cleaner than it used to be and there are more plans to clean it up in the future

As others have said there has been a lot of changes over the years but you have only visited for short time and don't see them.

[Thaidream]

Walking street will be devoid of the type of bars and GoGo places that are there now- they will disappear simply because Western tourist will be gone and the chinese and Thai Visitors would never be seen in such places. There maybe a few beer bars that hang on but few and far between. Pattaya will emerge as a destination for Thai and their families as well as Chinese tourists who will come in droves. The water will be cleaner and possibly safe for swimming. Most of the expats will have left for greener pastures and be replaced by Thais who purchase Condos for weekend and holiday relaxation. The prices will increase based upon the demographics that are coming. You will see many more Thai style restaurants and some Western style Pubs. The majority of clientele will be Thai for the restaurants and a mixed crowd for the Pubs. The lady boys will be mostly gone because they will never have any customers and the crime rate will go down accordingly because Thais will not tolerate the way it is now.

[Guy360]

My first time in Pattaya was in 1968. We drove up from Utapao while waiting to pick up some supplies. I definitely remember the Nipa Lodge Hotel as well as the girls in their long dresses and Jackie Kennedy Boufant hair styles. I was 23 back then. It has definitely come a long way. I currently live in Jomtien which was non existent at the time. Beach Road was a real beach with white sand and the water sparkled bright blue. To say it has come a long way certainly doesn't do it justice. Unfortunately, as Pattaya as well as many areas of Thailand grew, the lack and foresight and proper planning wasn't even an after-thought. How sad as Pattaya could have been the gem of Thailand.

I believe that in 10 years, it will be far more family friendly. More family style resorts and recreation activity. I believe that gambling will finally be approved and will bring in tourists from all over the world. Bigger hotels, amusement parks, high end condos Pattaya will always have the bars and women, but it would keep moving eastward and away from Beach Rd, Second Rd and Soi Baukao.

Beach Rd will have more of the upscale bars and restaurants. The beach will be enlarged and cleaned. It is all about money and the casinos will be bringing in plenty.

Then again, I voted for Nixon, the Warriors to beat the Cavaliers, the Sharks to beat the Penguins and the Brexit to be voted down... so what the hell do I know.

[ragpicker]

Considering the Thai goal to make all of Thailand like Bangkok eventually, it will continue to degrade and be an even bigger mess.

[eldragon]

I always pack a bathing suit when I go to Pattaya, but for some reason I never make it to the beach.

[Naam]

Walking street will be devoid of the type of bars and GoGo places that are there now- they will disappear simply because Western tourist will be gone and the chinese and Thai Visitors would never be seen in such places. There maybe a few beer bars that hang on but few and far between. Pattaya will emerge as a destination for Thai and their families as well as Chinese tourists who will come in droves. The water will be cleaner and possibly safe for swimming. Most of the expats will have left for greener pastures and be replaced by Thais who purchase Condos for weekend and holiday relaxation. The prices will increase based upon the demographics that are coming. You will see many more Thai style restaurants and some Western style Pubs. The majority of clientele will be Thai for the restaurants and a mixed crowd for the Pubs. The lady boys will be mostly gone because they will never have any customers and the crime rate will go down accordingly because Thais will not tolerate the way it is now.

and all former working ladies will be nuns living and praying 24/7 in a dozen monasteries built in Pattaya's suburbs, mainly the "dark side".

[Guy360]

Walking street will be devoid of the type of bars and GoGo places that are there now- they will disappear simply because Western tourist will be gone and the chinese and Thai Visitors would never be seen in such places. There maybe a few beer bars that hang on but few and far between. Pattaya will emerge as a destination for Thai and their families as well as Chinese tourists who will come in droves. The water will be cleaner and possibly safe for swimming. Most of the expats will have left for greener pastures and be replaced by Thais who purchase Condos for weekend and holiday relaxation. The prices will increase based upon the demographics that are coming. You will see many more Thai style restaurants and some Western style Pubs. The majority of clientele will be Thai for the restaurants and a mixed crowd for the Pubs. The lady boys will be mostly gone because they will never have any customers and the crime rate will go down accordingly because Thais will not tolerate the way it is now.

Walking Street will always be Walking Street. It is an institution and freak show attraction that tourists will always flock to. Every city needs a "bad boy" section.

There will still be lady boys, just a bit more east than they are now. They will develop and work in their own section of town.

[slipperylobster]

Walking street will be devoid of the type of bars and GoGo places that are there now- they will disappear simply because Western tourist will be gone and the chinese and Thai Visitors would never be seen in such places. There maybe a few beer bars that hang on but few and far between. Pattaya will emerge as a destination for Thai and their families as well as Chinese tourists who will come in droves. The water will be cleaner and possibly safe for swimming. Most of the expats will have left for greener pastures and be replaced by Thais who purchase Condos for weekend and holiday relaxation. The prices will increase based upon the demographics that are coming. You will see many more Thai style restaurants and some Western style Pubs. The majority of clientele will be Thai for the restaurants and a mixed crowd for the Pubs. The lady boys will be mostly gone because they will never have any customers and the crime rate will go down accordingly because Thais will not tolerate the way it is now.

Walking Street will always be Walking Street. It is an institution and freak show attraction that tourists will always flock to. Every city needs a "bad boy" section.

There will still be lady boys, just a bit more east than they are now. They will develop and work in their own section of town.

I can see where this is going....

Well...you get greeted nicely on pretty young ladies on many, many, many sois.

Hard to avoid that. Would not know how the wife would take it all.

[Wilsonandson]

Mumbai.

[Pattaya28]

10 years Hmmm

Maybe Pattaya will have a completed "Underpass".

[Gonsalviz]

I know what it looked like in 1978. Not even a pittance of resemblance.

[ozyjon]

I can't wait to be an old fart, then i can start

every conversation with, '' 20 years ago ''

[Thaidream]

I know what it looked like 50 years ago and it will never, ever look that way again and that is because greedy business owners are simply after money and will do anything to get it- even destroy what was once beautiful. As far as those who doubt the fact that the GoGo bars and their ilk will start to disappear, it is simple- the Government of Thailand wants to do away with them and in doing so the Western sex tourist will go elsewhere. This time the government is serious- Pattaya has a new Administration and they are Army. If You don't believe me- simply take a look around and watch the changes take place. Most of the bar owners want out- the reason being- they can't make a profit and cannot handle the scrutiny. In addition places like Nana and Cowboy are on the chopping block. As the years go on- those tourists who came for the booze and girls will still come to find them- but they won't be in Thailand. Thai tourism will not suffer because of the Chinese influx. Thailand will make its money a different way. Those who adopt to the change will make money- those who don't or can't will leave or retire.

[camble]

I lived in Pattaya 10 years ago, it looks much the same today except for some signs in Russian, a few more shopping malls, a few more GoGo bars, a few more restaurants, and the commercial development of the LK Metro area. Ten years ago many people were claiming there would be fundamental changes in Pattaya over the next decade, it didn't happen.

[Thaidream]

It didn't happen because there was nothing to force any changes. Th Thai military government is quite conservative. It doesn't like prostitution; GoGo Bars; Massage Parlors and any other business that sells sex. It;s goal is to do away with it. I have no opinion one way or the other on the long term results of this effort except they have more clout than any 'civilian' government and they will be around in some form for many years to come. That is why this time I believe the change will occur. There will always be some type of 'service staff' somewhere- it will just be much less visible and in places that are away from what the general public can see. Thailand's reputation is poor around the World, and the Generals are determined to fix it.

Edited July 4, 2016 by Thaidream

[sawadee1947]

Hopefully someone will throw a bomb on it 5555

[camble]

It didn't happen because there was nothing to force any changes. Th Thai military government is quite conservative. It doesn't like prostitution; GoGo Bars; Massage Parlors and any other business that sells sex. It;s goal is to do away with it. I have no opinion one way or the other on the long term results of this effort except they have more clout than any 'civilian' government and they will be around in some form for many years to come. That is why this time I believe the change will occur. There will always be some type of 'service staff' somewhere- it will just be much less visible and in places that are away from what the general public can see. Thailand's reputation is poor around the World, and the Generals are determined to fix it.

The junta aren't shutting down prostitution, they have no interest in doing so, it's an integral part of the culture. You can go into any regional city in Thailand and find soapy massage businesses that cater primarily to Thais.