Pattaya

steveski · #1 01-01-2007, 19:41

Hi all,
Just got back from 3 weeks in Pattaya and i have never seen it so quiet, even in low season in my opinion.
Great for punters, not o good for bar ownwers and the girls though.
The local papers said that attendance was down 50 % and the golf courses were down by 70%.
That has to hurt.
Cheers

LivinLOS · #2 01-01-2007, 19:47

Strange.. Doesnt fit with international arrival figures.. Those seem up about 10 - 15%..

The latest round of bombs wont help the tourist scene sadly..

steveski · #3 01-01-2007, 19:53

I do not know about the arrival figures but i have never seen so many empty bars and you can get accomodation nearly anywhere. Obviously the popular places are full but you do not have to look hard to find accomodation.

Nicke · #4 01-01-2007, 20:01

My guess is that the families and couples has taken over this time of the year (peak season), there are lots of families and couples in Phuket now, beaches and hotels full, but the bars is not that busy it used to be. That may explain why Pattaya is quiet, the tourists go to family friendly destinations.

Petter · #5 01-01-2007, 21:51

From 26 Desember

Quote:

Busy or quiet? We speak with Bar Owners on Walking Street.

On “Christmas Day” night we made our way down to Walking Street in South Pattaya to take in some of the festive atmosphere. We were pleased to see that the street was busy; however one of the major complaints from bar owners this year is that tourists are walking but not spending money in the bars. Over the past few days we have spoken with many bar owners who have mixed views on reports that tourist numbers are significantly down this year. Some bars reported 20-30% increases in trade from this time last year with others reporting up to 50% decreases. Reports in the local media have suggested that overall tourism is down by 50%. We believe this figure is pure speculation and is not based on any official figures which will be released after the high season is over. From what we saw and have seen over the last week, we expect this figure to be around 20-30% down from last year. On a positive note the atmosphere in the South Pattaya area was good with many making the effort and sporting festive costumes and we saw plenty of bars full of customers enjoying what Pattaya has to offer.

Pattaya City News - Latest News Story

Sirgezza · #6 02-01-2007, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

My guess is that the families and couples has taken over this time of the year (peak season), there are lots of families and couples in Phuket now, beaches and hotels full, but the bars is not that busy it used to be. That may explain why Pattaya is quiet, the tourists go to family friendly destinations.

This makes sense. IMHO Pattaya is quieter now than what is was in late January 2006. Maybe the Chinese NY had an effect at that time, but Pattaya can accomodate a bigger influx better than Patong.

nelsonone · #7 02-01-2007, 14:09

tried to get a loom in Patts for alfie last week.......tried several paces and couldn't get one.............finally found one in J-House after a cancellation.....but wouldn't say it was easy!!!

Mav · #8 02-01-2007, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfie

I didnt think it was quiet... but was only there for 1 night.

.......& was smashed off ya head..........doing a Glaswegian Tumbler impersonation

Pentire · #9 02-01-2007, 17:38

Been coming to Pattaya now for Christmas for the last twenty years and infact, apart from the odd week on Phuket or in Cambodia I have been here since Sept 1st.
IMO it is definitely as busy now as at it has ever been in terms of those in attendance however, you have to remember that as a location Pattaya is growing by the month with new Bars,Restaurants, Hotels and places of entertainment springing up all over the City in recently developed zones and
Soi's.Therefore, Pattaya is far better equiped to take a couple of hundred thousand people than it has been in previous years and still it continues to expand.
The negative aspect of all this is that currently Beach Rd is almost at standstill until well into the early hours.

JayBee · #10 02-01-2007, 18:48

Are the tuk tuk drivers as much of a pain in the ass in Ko Samui(the worst) and Phuket or do they have metered cabs(great!) like in BKK or Baht buses like in Chiang Mai?

Pentire · #11 02-01-2007, 19:12

Baht Buses, over a thousand of them and 10 Baht a ride to anywhere on the Beach Rd, Second Rd circuit or to Jomtien.
Or 50-100 Baht for private hire within the City.
Happily no tuktuk's or those little bread vans which we have to put up with in Patong.

Bello Uomo · #12 02-01-2007, 19:37

Baht buses in Pattaya were a great way to get around.

Just don't make the mistake I did early in my trip - and pay before getting on. They aint used to that!

JayBee · #13 02-01-2007, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pentire

Baht Buses, over a thousand of them and 10 Baht a ride to anywhere on the Beach Rd, Second Rd circuit or to Jomtien.
Or 50-100 Baht for private hire within the City.
Happily no tuktuk's or those little bread vans which we have to put up with in Patong.

Well, I think that does it! I am definitely going to have to check out Pattaya. In Samui, the tuk tuk drivers drive me crazy!

Phuket and Hua Hin are only better mainly because I usually get a hotel within walking distance of the bars. There is nothing that irks me more than a$$hole tuk tuk drivers!

I love the taxis in BKK, but the problem w/ BKK is there is not enough air to breathe there.

Bello Uomo · #14 02-01-2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

Well, I think that does it! I am definitely going to have to check out Pattaya.

Recently home from my first trip to Pattaya.

Unless you have to go to Bangkok for business - or like high-end bars, discos and restaurants - I struggle to see any reason not to head straight to Pattaya for all your entertainment needs!

Coyotee · #15 03-01-2007, 12:18

The first 2 weeks had been quiet for pattaya but near christmas, the place were picking up.....Bars were not doing too bad during the last 2 weeks of December...it was full most time in coyotees during the last 2 weeks...ask Sir Gez..as an accountant he was counting ...55555...but Patts has also now more couples and russians..lots of indians also besides asian tourists.

les1999 · #16 06-01-2007, 18:51

I was there 2 weeks before Xmas and it was very quiet, even Nee said "not many farang customers" and she was right - Walking Street Bars were very empty, 25 - 30 girls and about 5 farangs.......not even any good for 'lady drinks' never mind boom,boom.
I'm back there in mid Feb for another couple of weeks, was going to Nicke's 7th year party in Patong but got knocked back on my favorite couple of hotels so decided against it - maybe its picking up at last - have a good one Nicke, I shall raise a glass to you on the 26th Feb.