Hi Shanek,
your advice last year to me on Samui was spot on, problem I have is my wife will not go to Thailand and I have been to Phuket twice now, that is why i thought Pattaya would be an alternative + my nephew lives in Bangkok and I thought it would make sense to go somewhere not too far from Bangkok. You have me worried now, may have to re-appraise my options

Hi Kirkie,

Have you considered just staying in Bangkok? It is far more interesting than Pattaya and you cant swim in the beach at Pattaya anyway.

Another alternative is Hua Hin, which gives you a bit of everything but with a better beach than Pattaya. Still not your tropical Island paradise but a very nice coastal town with mininmal sleeze.

It really depends on what you want to do, Kirkie. Thailand, as you know, can be many things, to many people.

Is relaxation and natural beauty a priority or do you want to party? What age group are you in?

__________________
I love Thailand this much

Hi Shanek,
Let me just say some some people would describe me as being a fossil, so partying in not a priority. I am going to spend a week in Bangkok as I am doing a cooking course and then a bike ride.

I thought if I stayed in the south pattaya, Jomtein area I woud'nt be subjected to the obvious.

perhaps if someone had some recommendations (around $A50.00 per night) in this area that would be helpful.

Kirkie,

Jomtein is OK, but Hua Hin is MUCH nicer. Plenty to do around the area and only a little further from Bangkok than Pattaya.

It is a weekend getaway for many Thais from Bangkok. It has MUCH more local and cultural identity than the single adult tourist wonderland that is Pattaya.

The sand on the main part of the beach is white and powdery, not grey and grainy, the water is not polluted but still not crystal clear like the southern Islands and the people are MUCH more friendly.

My view on Pattaya/Jomtein, is that many of the locals are so geared around the sex tourism industry, that if you are not their to partake, they have little use for you. Many other Thai's that are not part of this Industry, have been so programmed by the behaviour of poorly behaved, 2 week millionaire, sex tourists, that all Farang are looked at the same way. Yes, there are signs of this all over Thailand, but it is MUCH more apparent here.

I was on a songteuw on the way to the local Pattaya airport for my trip to Samui, when I tried to start a conversation with 2 local girls that were obviously not sex industry workers. They were very reserved initially, but after it became apparent that I was just trying to be friendly, they opened up. One made the comment to me "You are very nice...Not like other foreigners". I was with my wife and kids. Can you imagine how you will be perceived as a single "fossil"?

__________________
I love Thailand this much

What is your budget? In Pattaya many hotels according to your budget.

I thought if I stayed in the south pattaya, Jomtein area I woud'nt be subjected to the obvious.

perhaps if someone had some recommendations (around $A50.00 per night) in this area that would be helpful.[/quote]



*

What does that mean? You mean if a beer bar is a thousand feet away from your hotel you have no will power to stop yourself from going in? In Bangkok and Pattaya when you walk by some beer bars you even see couples sitting down with their children on the benches having their sodas. Sure, there are go-go bars but you actually have to go in to see anything! No one is going to lasso you and haul you on in!

Why do couples and family groups visit Pattaya? Because it is much, much cheaper than overpriced Phuket and it is easy to get to! The malls at nighttime are full of couples and their kids wandering around. Even single female tourists traveling alone or in groups visit Pattaya too - because it is good value for the money. Sure the beach sucks for actual swimming but that is what pools are for!

Jomtien is okay - even better if you are gay! Very gay friendly especially on the beach! A little remote from Pattaya City area where there is more to do.

Thousands and thousands of tourists, family groups and couples pass by bars in Bangkok, Patong, Chiang Mai, Jomtien and even Pattaya on a daily basis and are never forced into a bar! You will see less nudity on a street in Pattaya than a beach in Europe.

Why choose a hotel in the Jomtien area where you have less to do in the evening that you can walk to just because you might actually pass by a beer bar? Most of the better restaurants are in the Pattaya City area, there are many modern malls you can walk to or be able to use the cheap 10 baht transportation. There are movie theaters you can walk to (3 of them on Pattaya 2nd Road.) Supermarkets, street vendors, travel agencies for tours, etc.

If you have a minimum of self control you can avoid any nightlife. There will not be anyone in a hotel trying to sell you a date - you have to go out and find them yourself!
Pattaya : Map of Pattaya City by Thaiways

No problem finding a hotel in the $50 range. A basic hotel with air, hot water, private toilet and TV starts around 500 baht. More cheaper hotels in the Pattaya City area.

On Pattaya 2nd Road/Beach Road not far from Big C.
ibis Pattaya hotel: Map and directions for the ibis Pattaya hotel
Charming Inn Pattaya Thailand - Best discount hotel rates


Bike riding - motor or bicycle? Some hotels have bicycles you can use. Bike riding is easy in Pattaya, I am an old fart now and I have no problem pedaling in Pattaya.

Up to you.

Koonel, much of what you say it true.

There is certainly plenty to do in Pattaya that does not involve the sex industry, but there will be obvious signs of it on a much more widespread area than other parts of Thailand.

There are also some great golf courses, theme parks, water parks, fabulous go kart tracks and as you say, it IS cheaper than the main tourist beaches of Phuket.

BUT, I go on a beach holiday to swim in the beach NOT the hotel pool. There are plenty of Hotel pools in Bangkok and I would rather stay there than go to Pattaya.

It also can be a bit uncomfortable for a lone male walking around many of the sois in Pattaya. It is the only place were I have twice been offered additional services in what appearred to be a traditional massage place and there are plenty of over exhuberant girls that try to entice you into their establishments. If I want to avoid this in Phuket, I just avoid Bangla. It is more widespread in Pattaya, but as you say, you can get away from it. It is just there are many other places that the OP could go where he wouldn't have to worry about it.

I really found many of the other tourist there, particularly less tastefull than other areas of Thailand. Way too much testosterone flying around for my liking. I saw more agressive and drunken behaviour in 6 days in Pattaya than on any of my other dozen trips to various other parts of Thailand. This wasn't just in the bars either.

__________________
I love Thailand this much

What I found annoying about the place was the "comfort level" of the foreigners. When the "visitors" seem more at home than the locals, I give a destination a thumbs down.

I felt that too Curt.

Seemed to be a lot of long-timers that felt very much at home. They would make you feel a little uncomfortable if you sat on their regular bar stool or shared a baht bus with them.

I have never felt like I didn't belong somewhere in Thailand before, but that is the feeling I got.

__________________
I love Thailand this much

I get the feeling that some of the men writing their comments are very afraid of their wives or girlfriends (or boyfriends!) Or, they are afraid of what other people will think of them. I can't imagine a man being afraid to walk past a bar or being offended because some lady has a couple of "boy toys" in tow. Amused - maybe! To say something because you actually believe it is one thing but to say something because you "think" that is what is expected is another thing!

My opinion: A wussification of manhood!


Many tourists just want a place to relax at with cheap hotels, cheap restaurants and cheap transportation! They want someone else doing the cooking and cleaning. For some people a holiday is just a relaxing vacation for them not a race to swim far and dive deep! Relaxing can also mean just walking on the beach, sitting in the sun, taking in a movie or having a drink on your hotel front porch.