[VoriEremiagem]

Pattaya is one of the dirtiest, seediest places in Thailand.
Though they are trying to clean up the image and attract more "quality tourists" (read: monied families), Pattaya is notorious for the pay for play scene.

Bargirls that are too old or too ugly or have messed up too much to make it in Bangkok move to ply their wares in Pattaya.

There is also a large Russian mafia contingent in Pattaya.

Many foreigners retire and buy a condo in Pattaya and almost every week there is a story about one of them "jumping" to their death from the high floors of their condos. The police never seem to think that jumping with your hands tied behind your back is a suspicious way to go.

In my experience the type of people who visit Pattaya regularly fall into one of two categories: sex tourists and those who cannot afford to go to Phuket or any other island.

A little harsh?

[DoterrFor]

But if you go to Jomtien Beach a few kilometers south then you are considered family orientated, a bar girl can be redeemed after her working hours are over by doing a 15 minute commute home.

[Butiqueso]

In my experience the type of people who visit Pattaya regularly fall into one of two categories: sex tourists and those who cannot afford to go to Phuket or any other island.

A little harsh?

A little bit harsh. I was there last weekend for the long weekend. Heavy traffic. Apparently all Bangkokians had the same idea as me to go down to the islands for a quick getaway. I went to Koh Larn which has the nicest beach closest to Bangkok.

If I'm not wrong, Pattaya is also known as Disney Land for adult. I think most Thai women will be offended if you call her "pooying pattaya".

[Blotassefesek]

Hi, I've noticed a few times Thai people refer to a woman being "from Pattaya" as a bad thing.
Either a Thai lady saying she didn't want other Thai's to think she was "from Pattaya" because she was with a Farrang man.
or
People identifying a woman from Pattaya as someone a man should be suspicious of.
I even recall someone saying something like, "Why would she admit she lives in Pattaya?"

I've not been there myself, so what's the subtext I'm missing?
What is the prejudice or assumption being expressed in these statements?

Thanks.
Mikel.

[Quaganoca]

HI

every area in the world has a sterotype. some valid some just for hype.

England is know for bad teeth and big ears.
France for body hair and odor.
germany for beer drinking and sausages
scandinavian countrys for blond and tall women.
US for red necks and arrogant tourists.

are any of these true ?

You ask any male about thailand and all they know or hear of is Pattaya
especailly if they have been in military service or Lower class.
unfortauntley Patttaya as gotten a bad name over the years.
starting in the viet nam war when the US sent all of it's troops there on R & R.

even in thai songs and video's it is portrayed as a bad place where poor young thai girls go to find a rich farang when no one wants to marry them in thier own village.

[yurawerj]

I'm sure that some foreigners imagination is what makes Pattaya dirty. And honestly, how many foreigners met their wives in Pattaya. Without Pattaya lots of "shy foreigners" will be still single and on the other hand, why foreigner use the service in Pattaya when they afterwards shy to say: "My Girlfriend or my Wife comes from Pattaya?

Pattaya is not only Sex. Once again, it is the imagination of someone what makes Pattaya dirty

[aburva.org]

Pattaya is one of the dirtiest, seediest places in Thailand.
Though they are trying to clean up the image and attract more "quality tourists" (read: monied families), Pattaya is notorious for the pay for play scene.

Bargirls that are too old or too ugly or have messed up too much to make it in Bangkok move to ply their wares in Pattaya.

There is also a large Russian mafia contingent in Pattaya.

Many foreigners retire and buy a condo in Pattaya and almost every week there is a story about one of them "jumping" to their death from the high floors of their condos. The police never seem to think that jumping with your hands tied behind your back is a suspicious way to go.



In my experience the type of people who visit Pattaya regularly fall into one of two categories: sex tourists and those who cannot afford to go to Phuket or any other island.

A little harsh?

Thanks for those pearls of wisdom about Pattaya Jerome.!!

[aburva.org]

Your "experience" is obviously very limited Jerome!

Why is it that farangs obsess over the seedy side of Pattaya??

My wife and I go to Pattaya 3 or 4 times a year with our two sons. I assure you we are neither sex tourists or short of money!

Pattaya is a 1 hour and 40 minutes drive away for us door to door.

We stay at a nice resort with great facilities, including a stunning swimming pool.
My wife likes to shop at the new Central Festival shopping centre there, It is world class.
We enjoy dining at the great restaurants. Some of the best Western (and Thai) food in the Kingdom is to be found there. My sons play minigolf, go to the movies, or ride the go karts.
Sometimes we hire a boat and go fishing. Sometimes we have a round of golf at one of the many excellent golf courses in the district. There are plenty of attractions in the area. We occasionally take the boat over to Larn Island as well.
On some occasions we go there with another family (Thai) from our Soi. They are also not short of a baht. Last time we were there the eight of us drove to Sattahiip and had lunch at a seafood restaurant on the waterfront, excellent food and cheap! Frankly we have a great time in Pattaya!!

People are quick to rubbish Pattaya's reputation. But there is far more to it if you can see past your initial impressions.

[Butiqueso]

I thought the initial question was how do Thai women feel if people say they are from Pattaya?

[mylittlejewelaa]

There is also a large Russian mafia contingent in Pattaya.


Many foreigners retire and buy a condo in Pattaya and almost every week there is a story about one of them "jumping" to their death from the high floors of their condos. The police never seem to think that jumping with your hands tied behind your back is a suspicious way to go.

!!!!

[mylittlejewelaa]

Patttaya Beach has nice water and lots of water sports. Another plus point is that it is just a few hours' drive from Bangkok.

[mnhloot]

I'm not sure if they have cleaned up the place. A few years ago when I went there, the waters were dirty and the beach was full of litter.

[mylittlejewelaa]

A few years ago when I went there, the waters were dirty and the beach was full of litter.

The water might have got dirty, cos the one and only time I went there was about 10years ago

Anyway I didn't go back there not because of the sleeze or anything like it but that I am never a beach sort of person

[mikeyyuiok]

Haha I can't believe you are never a beach sort of person...As u had gone jetski before

[mylittlejewelaa]

As you said - jetski before. When that 'before' means only one time

[mikeyyuiok]

You have nearly made me speechless...even though 'before' which only means one time, but it's a fact that you have tried before and this doesn't serve as 'never beach sort of person'. I should be the one saying this as I've never tried anything before haha..

[fetesiceWaist]

Why is it that farangs obsess over the seedy side of Pattaya??

I agree with your observations Surawut (although I don't like Pattaya myself and also can see that Jerome's thoughts about the place are shared by many). When my father first moved to Thailand he lived on Koh Samui for the first 3 or 4 years to be close to my brother, but found that the lack of decent restaurants, cinema (at that time) shopping, etc meant a move to the mainland. Bangkok was too hectic for him, Hua Hin wasn't quite right, but he liked Pattaya for all the reasons that you mentioned in your post. He has since built a house in the country (close to Kamphaeng Phet) but still keeps a condo in Pattaya and divides his time between the two.

[VoriEremiagem]

Thanks for those pearls of Wisdom Jerome.

You are welcome Surawut.

Your "experience" is obviously very limited Jerome!

Yes my experience in Pattaya is quite limited.
The first time I went was right after the Tsunami. We had booked our honeymoon at Krabi but had to cancel and reschedule somewhere else. At that time of year on such short notice, and with so many places devastated by the tsunami, we didn't have many choices and ended up at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya.

The second time was this January and we stayed at two lovely 5 star hotels. (Well one genuine 5 star and another 4 star that claimed to be a 5 star). I was there for work (hotels related) and while there were quite a number of new and lovely hotels in the area including the Woodlands and Z Through, I don't think that they can really make up for the unpleasant aspects of the area- or at least the beach front area.

Why is it that farangs obsess over the seedy side of Pattaya??

I'm not obsessed with it, a question was posed and I shared my opinion of the place, which isn't very high. That's all.

My wife and I go to Pattaya 3 or 4 times a year with our two sons. I assure you we are neither sex tourists or short of money!

Pattaya is a 1 hour and 40 minutes drive away for us door to door.

We stay at a nice resort with great facilities, including a stunning swimming pool.
My wife likes to shop at the new Central Festival shopping centre there, It is world class.
We enjoy dining at the great restaurants. Some of the best Western (and Thai) food in the Kingdom is to be found there. My sons play minigolf, go to the movies, or ride the go karts.
Sometimes we hire a boat and go fishing. Sometimes we have a round of golf at one of the many excellent golf courses in the district. There are plenty of attractions in the area. We occasionally take the boat over to Larn Island as well.
On some occasions we go there with another family (Thai) from our Soi. They are also not short of a baht. Last time we were there the eight of us drove to Sattahiip and had lunch at a seafood restaurant on the waterfront, excellent food and cheap! Frankly we have a great time in Pattaya!!

People are quick to rubbish Pattaya's reputation. But there is far more to it if you can see past your initial impressions.

Yes the Central Festival shopping center was quite nice and a good place to escape all the dodgy people shuffling up and down beach road.

I was recommended by a friend to try Larn Island, but unfortunately we didn't have time to venture to any of the islands, so I have probably missed something pleasant there.
If a lot of people trash Pattaya's reputation, surely there must be some reason for it?

[repldoinfo]

I thought the initial question was how do Thai women feel if people say they are from Pattaya?

Hi all,

When I first hung out (in Rayong) with my then boss Aussie we often got that look but it didn't bother me one bit as I believed in myself and thought that those people didn't know me and I couldn't stop people from thinking about other people any way. So, why sad about it.

One day we walked pass a group of motorbike taxi, some one called out " Nong Nong, are there a lots of customers (I believed he meant tourists) in Pattaya?? I smiled and answered ' I don't know, I am not from there ', while, my husband was curious to know what they said as he thought they were talking about him. I explained that they wanted to know if there were many tourists in Pattay. Then we kept walking

another occasion, we had our dinner at the same food stall we often dined, a dear little tall lady who owned it asked me the same question those boys asked and I did the same, smiled and said I don't know, I am not from there, in a friendly manner. She was embarrassed and very apologetic and said that she thought I was from Pattaya - It's amusing.

To be honest, I never got angry or embarrassed when walking along side my Farang husband followed by that look. I take it as a compliment.

Peace,
~Lime~

[Freeptube]

Hi all,

When I first hung out (in Rayong) with my then boss Aussie we often got that look but it didn't bother me one bit as I believed in myself and thought that those people didn't know me and I couldn't stop people from thinking about other people any way. So, why sad about it.

One day we walked pass a group of motorbike taxi, some one called out " Nong Nong, are there a lots of customers (I believed he meant tourists) in Pattaya?? I smiled and answered ' I don't know, I am not from there ', while, my husband was curious to know what they said as he thought they were talking about him. I explained that they wanted to know if there were many tourists in Pattay. Then we kept walking

another occasion, we had our dinner at the same food stall we often dined, a dear little tall lady who owned it asked me the same question those boys asked and I did the same, smiled and said I don't know, I am not from there, in a friendly manner. She was embarrassed and very apologetic and said that she thought I was from Pattaya - It's amusing.

To be honest, I never got angry or embarrassed when walking along side my Farang husband followed by that look. I take it as a compliment.

Peace,
~Lime~

I don't understand. Why would so many people think you are from Pattaya?