Pattaya Reports

[GettingFedUp]

Place where I play pool near Soi 5 2nd road had 5 fairly busy beer bars 6 months ago. Only 1 still open.

If you mean the beer bars on Second Road near Soi 5 Beach Road, the bars have shut because the landlord is redeveloping. As of 11 O'clock today they were merrily knocking out the beer bars, although the one remaining was still stubbornly open and getting covered in dust. Running down the lease? Hoping to sell remaining stock? Taking over the whole area? Who knows?

There appear to be no beer bars near Soi 5 Second Road, which is roughly opposite Hard Rock Hotel. Certainly I don't recall any there in the last 5 years since I first stayed at Twin Palms near there.

Bars don't necessarily close for want of trade. Landlords may have other plans, sell the land or just get plain greedy with rent reviews (typically every 3 years in Thailand) if they see their tenants business doing OK. Owners retire up-country, die, etc.

[Crazy4Thai]

So how current is this? Today or a few weeks ago? I'll be in Pattaya in two weeks after a few days in Bangkok. I've been building up a list on contacts on TF in case Soi 6, LK Metro and around Soi Pothole let me down. So I should be good.

Thanks.

You won't be disappointed. No shortage of working women, as usual. My comments are boots on the ground fresh.

[Downandup]

Chinese are in full force in Pattaya even though "numbers are down'. Take the Chinese out and Pattaya would be nearly empty.

So how current is this? Today or a few weeks ago? I'll be in Pattaya in two weeks after a few days in Bangkok. I've been building up a list on contacts on TF in case Soi 6, LK Metro and around Soi Pothole let me down. So I should be good.

Thanks.

[GettingFedUp]

Whilst not directly related to the (predominantly Hindu) Temples of Angkor for which Pattaya is famed, members who ride or drive in and around the city might like to know that the local plod seems to be having a fund raiser at the moment.

Target seems to be primarily driving / riding under the influence, with not having the correct paper (plastic) work as a consolation prize, rather than the usual "no helmet, pay fine or come police station to pay bigger fine".

Check point was set up on Pattaya-Naklua Road early this week, and across all lanes of Second Road just south of Central Festival 2 nights ago.

[Crazy4Thai]

I cannot verify this personally but it is my impression that Koh Samet has been overrun with Chinese tourists. I had trouble booking there 6 months ago and changed my plan because of that. Chinese are in full force in Pattaya even though "numbers are down'. Take the Chinese out and Pattaya would be nearly empty. Place where I play pool near Soi 5 2nd road had 5 fairly busy beer bars 6 months ago. Only 1 still open. Went to Red Car last night about 11:30. Maybe 6 women in the place and 4 were taken. Bamboo was filled to the rafters with old peeps like me but I kept going to another favorite up a ways from Kiss Food place. 3 ladies, no customers. A small sampling true.

[Franga]

I have it on some reasonable authority, though I have not been able to verify it myself, that there are hidden spy cameras installed in each of the Tipp Plaza Short term rooms used by Beach Rd hookers. In some sort of box next to the TV. If you don't want to be filmed then just turn the box around apparently. It seems that the manager is a fan of the action going on in these rooms.

[Questner]

Thank you for the advice! Is "1 night 2 full days trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia" worth the hassle?

I booked a group bus tour from Pattaya, so we saw the temples, a dance show, visited the lake etc. Took a hooker from a house, she brought me back to the hotel on her motorbike. 2 days were packed with events. It all depends on your attitude. If you're interested in details, in discovering a new weird place on a map, then yes, worth a visit.

[VsebudetNY]

Angkor what is the best thing I have seen on this planet.

You cannot do it all in 1 day if it is your first trip. Way too much to see and photo. Well worth the trip.

In my experience 3 days and 2 nights are better for visit all the best temples around Angkor Wat.

MrE, Dinghy, Christian thank you very much for the input! I will definitely put Angkor on my bucket list, but for the next trip.

A problem arises, however, if you only have 2 weeks travel time.
If I were contemplating my 1st 2 week trip to LOS, I would concentrate on BKK & Pattaya. Angkor... and so much more can and should be considered as quality addendums on all subsequent trips.

Natty, thanks a lot for the detailed explanation considering my limited time! I will follow and will concentrate on BKK and Pattaya.

Try Koh Samet (island) which is fairly close to Pattaya. Water is fairly clean there with nice beaches, but better to go between Mon and Fri rather than a weekend to avoid crowds.

Franga, thanks for the idea! Will go there as a substitute for Phuket LOL.

Can anybody please answer my second question:

Also need advice on accommodations do we need to book 2 hotel rooms or look for AirBnB with 2 bedrooms.

I probably need to provide more details: I'm traveling with long time friend who was with me on multiple mongering trips to DR and the same activity in states. In DR we usually rented 2+ BR villa and were taking 2 girls and swap and / or had fun all together it's like happy hour for each of us (of course everything was discussed and agreed with the girls beforehand) or took 2 girls and 1 room in Field of Dreams (now Oasis). Of course we did it separately also, but 2 x 2 more fun. I did RTFF but couldn't find anything except stories about 4 Indian guys sharing one girl.

So, do we need to book 2 hotel rooms or look for AirBnB with 2 bedrooms in Pattaya and Bangkok?

Thank you in advance.

[VsebudetNY]

I will be in Bangkok and Pattaya almost exactly the same time.Would love to meet up for a beer or two in Bangkok or walking street in Pattaya.

I'll be glad to meet you. PM me your preferred method of contact.

[Member #4698]

Angkor what is the best thing I have seen on this planet. Followed by Machu Picchu. Followed by the Pyramids in Giza.

I totally agree. Angkor, Machu Picchu, and the Giza Pyramids are all must see places. I would add that Tikal Guatemala, Bagan Burma, Borobudur Indonesia, and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley are all 1st rate as well.

A problem arises, however, if you only have 2 weeks travel time. The Angkor Archaeological Park requires at least 2 full days to explore so that means 3 nights in Siem Reap which is a nice little town, but no longer a good place to find girls after a day out exploring the park. There used to be a disco / massage parlor called Sok San near the center of town that had a lot of nice girls. It was not cheap, but it was a great place to go after dark and find sexy girls. It is the same story only with less options in Bagan, Burma where there are virtually no girls to be had except for backpacker amateurs. Things are a little better over at the Borobudur Temple Complex near Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta does have a few, if not many, viable girly options at night.

If I were contemplating my 1st 2 week trip to LOS, I would concentrate on BKK & Pattaya. Nobody I know visits Thailand who does not return for more once they have sampled the nectar. Besides, there is plenty to see and do in BKK culturally speaking on a 1st visit. Download a good guide book. Angkor, the Beach Islands further south, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, AC, MNL, Yangon, Bagan and so much more can and should be considered as quality addendums on all subsequent trips.

[Christian G]

Thank you for the advice! Is "1 night 2 full days trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia" worth the hassle?

In my experience 3 days and 2 nights are better for visit all the best temples around Angkor Wat.

[Dinghy]

Angkor what is the best thing I have seen on this planet. Followed by Machu Picchu. Followed by the Pyramids in Giza.

You cannot do it all in 1 day if it is your first trip. Way too much to see and photo. Well worth the trip.

Plan on a whole day from BKK just getting there overland. Fly from DMK. Don muang. Is easier and faster but more expensive.

[Mr Enternational]

Thank you for the advice! Is "1 night 2 full days trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia" worth the hassle?

Angkor what is the best thing I have seen on this planet. Followed by Machu Picchu. Followed by the Pyramids in Giza.

[Franga]

Thank you for the advice! Is "1 night 2 full days trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia" worth the hassle?

No, it is not worth it unless you really have to see it. Try Koh Samet (island) which is fairly close to Pattaya. Water is fairly clean there with nice beaches, but better to go between Mon and Fri rather than a weekend to avoid crowds.

[VsebudetNY]

That's not much time, so yes, focus on Pattaya and Bangkok (an extra side-trip would eat up 2 days in travel / adjustment). I'd spend 2-3 days in Bangkok first, sleep off the jetlag and do the touristy stuff, then take a bus to Pattaya and play it by the ear regarding return to Bangkok. It's not North America, hotels are cheap and plentiful, no need to pre-arrange everything. Perhaps just book 1 night (so you know where to go), and extend if you like it.

Pre book two nights at The Landmark. Check in and head to Nana for a few hours. Then move onto Soi Cowboy. Book a car to take you to Pattaya after two days in Bangkok and spend a minimum of 4 days in Pattaya. Thousands of hotels to choose from. Maybe stay longer if you like it. Then back to Bangok for a few days. Check out The Royal Palace, go to Muay Thai on Sunday at Channel 7 stadium at Chatachuk and maybe go up to Ayutthaya to check out the ruins. Forget about Phuket and Sumui.

Thank you for your recommendations! It looks like I have a skeleton plan to start with.

I'm only confused about hotels: shouldn't I book in advance?