Changing face of Pattaya ?

[Mr Shagmeister]

I've been making comments on different threads recently about how few paying customers can be seen in the town's bars. Nothing has changed in that regard.

Considering how empty most bars are it is suprising to me to see so many non-mongering farangs around Pattaya. There are still lots of (Russian ?) families on holiday here, and even more startling is that I've seen groups of arab women in full black veil outfits everytime I've been to Royal Garden shopping center in the last couple of weeks.

Are we gradually being pushed off our own peace of turf ? (I know the Thai's actually own the place )

[rocky1838]

I've been making comments on different threads recently about how few paying customers can be seen in the town's bars. Nothing has changed in that regard.

Considering how empty most bars are it is suprising to me to see so many non-mongering farangs around Pattaya. There are still lots of (Russian ?) families on holiday here, and even more startling is that I've seen groups of arab women in full black veil outfits everytime I've been to Royal Garden shopping center in the last couple of weeks.

Are we gradually being pushed off our own peace of turf ? (I know the Thai's actually own the place )

Maybe.

Long haul flights are rocketing. I checked the other day and from May/Jun to October the same airline is up £200.

The credit crunch in the UK is seriously biting. I just went to view a repossessed two bedroom detached bungalow with a garage and land for £67,000
This price was unheard of a year or two ago.
I have just sold two properties at a grand 27% less than the valuation figures. That's what we are against here. Not to mention mega expensive living costs.

I think Pattaya will be losing a lot of British holidaymakers this year and many more if this keeps up.

Russia's not far away and they don't spend big when they get there. They bring pretty Women with them. No need to pay for sex.

I predict a lot of bar closures, with no re-openings and lots of half finished condo projects.

The face is changing. You're right. It's been on the cards for a while now.

[Keen_Punter]

Less Mongers, more choice for me.

[Leo Monti]

Less Mongers, more choice for me.

Yes, but until when?
Most of us should have heard in the past what was considered an urban mith: dismantl the buildings on the seaside of WS and transform Sin City in a tourist spot for families....
No one could seriously think something like that would ever happend....
But if the "sex tourism" industry start to produce less incomes in the country, if less people are interested in invest money on clubs, gogos and bars then there will be soon a low request of WG and possibly the authorities will have the chance to erase from the face of Pattaya all what we like and goo there for and confine it into suburb area just to the needs of locals...
I know, is a long shot and probably will not happend, but you all know how things can change quickly in that place

[rocky1838]

Yes, but since when?
Most of us should have heard in the past what was considered an urban mith: dismantl the buildings on the seaside of WS and transform Sin City in a tourist spot for families....
No one could seriously think something like that would ever happend....
But if the "sex tourism" industry start to produce less incomes in the country, if less people are interested in invest money on clubs, gogos and bars then there will be soon a low request of WG and possibly the authorities will have the chance to erase from the face of Pattaya all what we like and goo there for and confine it into suburb area just to the needs of locals...
I know, is a long shot and probably will not happend, but you all know how things can change quickly in that place

That's true.

It's changed beyond recognition since I first went there. So has the type of tourist.

The girls will only come and work if they can make the cash. If they can't they will stay at home.

[mustardman]

I don't know what many of you guys are talking about. I am seeing a lot of bars full with no seats. Lot's tourists, lots of mongers. Maybe it's just this long weekend or maybe the start of the Euro August holiday.

Seems quite busy all over town as far as I'm concerned. Grocery stores, traffic volume. Everything.

[jaybird]

Pattaya tourism is down 30% so far this year
http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd6

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I attached a photo of Pattaya from 1954. Now that's change!

[Buggsy61]

Pattaya tourism is down 30% so far this year
http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd6

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I attached a photo of Pattaya from 1954. Now that's change!

Cheers for posting that Jaybird - what an incredible pic compared to whats there today. I first went in 1990 when Pattaya 2 road was just a dirt track and bar fines were 100 baht with 400-500 for an all nighter. Those prices were obviously before the 97 currency crash and its still good now but the early years were definitely the golden era. The girls and people in general were a lot less mercenary and really took care of you.

[Buggsy61]

That's true.

It's changed beyond recognition since I first went there. So has the type of tourist.

The girls will only come and work if they can make the cash. If they can't they will stay at home.

When I first went in 1990 it was mainly aged 40+ Germans and US servicemen but your'e right the clientelle has definitely changed. A lot more Brits and Russians now, plus a younger crowd.