Pattaya Reports

[CaliGuy33]

After a week here so far, I'll try to describe the pros and cons from previous visits.

Pros.

Bolt app for ride-sharing.

Cons.

Higher prices.

Seriously though, the price structure is complicated to say the least. An example was when I was at a bar on Soi 6 (Love Missile?) I got 3 very different prices for a barfine from the lady, mommy and the manager. It seems like it depends on the time of day if you want long time. So bottom line at this bar is the long time barfine is 2,000 Bhat before either 5 or 8 or 6 and some random price after 3 or 11. Short time? Understand?.

I'm currently here and having a good time, but indeed prices are higher for everything, but if you're a true cheap charlie you'll find deals whether it's on hotels, girls or food.

One extremely annoying thing I've noticed, any massage I get (foot, oil, Thai etc.), the masseuse spends the whole massage complaining about money and how difficult times are. It's really annoying to deal with, like I'm trying to enjoy a massage but I'm getting bombarded with negative vibes. It's a good reminder when in Pattaya, the only thing anyone wants from you in Pattaya is your money and extracting as much of it from you as possible. In response to that, always have a sa bai sa bai attitude and enjoy your vacation / mongering.

[CaliGuy33]

5 hours is very unusual. That has happened to me only once since 2005, when I first came to Pattaya.
It usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, maybe more on Fridays and Sundays.
Personally I don't mind taking the bus, even though it's a boring ride between BKK and Pattaya. I don't own a car, so I'm used to taking public transport (in my home country). And beside that I feel saver in a big bus than in a small taxi in the crazy Thai traffic. And the bus drivers are usually less aggressive drivers than the average taxi driver.
I only take a taxi to the airport when my plane is leaving late at night, or very early in the morning, and there's no bus or train service anymore.

I took the bus from Ekkamai to Pattaya this past Sunday and it was excellent. Absolutely no traffic in Sukhumvit getting out of Bangkok, the whole ride was less than two hours.

Overall, I don't get the bickering about taking the bus, it costs only $4! The money you save by taking the bus over a taxi equates to an ST session, that's how I look at it.

[Mogwai]

I definitely will not take a bus from Pattaya to Bangkok City or the reverse anymore. I did that once and it took 5 hours.

5 hours is very unusual. That has happened to me only once since 2005, when I first came to Pattaya.
It usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, maybe more on Fridays and Sundays.
Personally I don't mind taking the bus, even though it's a boring ride between BKK and Pattaya. I don't own a car, so I'm used to taking public transport (in my home country). And beside that I feel saver in a big bus than in a small taxi in the crazy Thai traffic. And the bus drivers are usually less aggressive drivers than the average taxi driver.
I only take a taxi to the airport when my plane is leaving late at night, or very early in the morning, and there's no bus or train service anymore.

[Mogwai]

The intra-BKK part usually takes a lot of time due to BKK traffic. A workaround is to get off at first BTS stop and take the BTS from there. Saves a lot of time.

You can only do that if you only have carry-on luggage, and nothing in the luggage compartment at the bottom of the bus.

[Mongering1]

That is on my list as well. I had fantastic results in Cambodia, but I never tried here yet. I'm not even going with the apps. I've seen plenty of freelancers around Tree Town and of course the beach. A couple of guys I've been talking to said that Ibar / Insomnia looked really good.
Google Translate has been a great help this trip!

So why not get a freelancer instead of investing your hope and money into a middle man, aka barfine?

[Mr Enternational]

I haven't been on Walking Street yet due to my current sleep pattern, but I'm not getting my hopes up due to all the talk about how most ladies won't barfine at all. I'm here on a pretty decent budget, so the higher prices is not my main gripe, it's the guessing game on which ladies will go and at what price. I know this report is a bit on the negative side, but maybe I haven't found my groove yet.

So why not get a freelancer instead of investing your hope and money into a middle man, aka barfine?

[Mongering1]

After a week here so far, I'll try to describe the pros and cons from previous visits.

Pros.

Bolt app for ride-sharing.

Cons.

Higher prices.

Seriously though, the price structure is complicated to say the least. An example was when I was at a bar on Soi 6 (Love Missile?) I got 3 very different prices for a barfine from the lady, mommy and the manager. It seems like it depends on the time of day if you want long time. So bottom line at this bar is the long time barfine is 2,000 Bhat before either 5 or 8 or 6 and some random price after 3 or 11. Short time? Understand?

I haven't been to a soapy yet, but if that isn't up to par, I'll be finished with Thailand.

I haven't been on Walking Street yet due to my current sleep pattern, but I'm not getting my hopes up due to all the talk about how most ladies won't barfine at all.

I'm here on a pretty decent budget, so the higher prices is not my main gripe, it's the guessing game on which ladies will go and at what price.

I know this report is a bit on the negative side, but maybe I haven't found my groove yet.

My legit massage plans are working out, 4 hours a day average so far.

[Explorer8939]

Seems we need more details.

There is a policy at Maggie Mays that if you buy a lady 4 tequilas, she has to get naked. I had forgotten about it, until the ladies with me got naked. And then the other ladies followed suit.

[Explorer8939]

Must be an awesome view. Drooling.

Please name the GC.

I was in Maggie Mays on Soi Chaiyapoon.

[Explorer8939]

Been looking at hotels in Pattaya and seem all the 5 stars I'm looking at are in one area -royal cliffs, intercont, monttra, avani etc and seem to be ridiculously cheap!!

Hows that area to stay in? Access into town and all the action areas?

Or is there a better area to stay "closer" to action?

Thanks great people of the forum.

If only there were a topic here about hotels in Pattaya. Then you could read it.

[Christian G]

Been looking at hotels in Pattaya and seem all the 5 stars I'm looking at are in one area -royal cliffs, intercont, monttra, avani etc and seem to be ridiculously cheap!!

Hows that area to stay in? Access into town and all the action areas?

Or is there a better area to stay "closer" to action?

Thanks great people of the forum.

It depends on what you are looking for. I love to stay in Pratamnak / Cozy beach area because is super quiet, and just 5 min motorbike to the town. Rent a motorbike or use Bolt app if you want to stay there.

Anyway Avani is in Central Pattaya not on the hill https://www.avanihotels.com/en/pattaya/contact.

[NemanLion]

Been looking at hotels in Pattaya and seem all the 5 stars I'm looking at are in one area -royal cliffs, intercont, monttra, avani etc and seem to be ridiculously cheap!!

Hows that area to stay in? Access into town and all the action areas?

Or is there a better area to stay "closer" to action?

Thanks great people of the forum.

[Nixonbd]

"Life is a balance between holding on and letting go".

--Rumi.

A lot of ink has been spilled on the post-Coattaya (I'm hanging out more in Jomtien these days). In the interim, happy mongering!

Great report! I'm arriving in early September; staying at Areca Lodge first time. We used to stay at LK Empress on Beach Road, but as well noted, not much action on Beach or Second Road these days. We've concentrated on the LK Metro area for several years now. Billabong in the past had some great older freelancers and Sugar-Sugar had the hottest girls, IMHO.

We may go to WS once in the whole stay. Soi Pothole looks like my kind of Soi; small, seedy bars. Tree Town looks a little too bright and glitzy, but we'll give it a walk, I'm sure. Soi 6 is always an adventure, but can be pricy. Buy one girl a drink and before you know it, you've bought all the girls drinks.

One area that was not covered is "Soi Boomerang". What is the vibe there? Looks to be mostly "Club" type venues with only a few outdoor bars.

[Rick Rock]

Better yet, I use the personal SUPER VIP service that picks me up after plane lands and docks. They come lift me up from my seat and carry me on their shoulders, down the plane's steps, and straight to a private air conditioned station wagon with mattress. If I am hungry, they hand feed me and wipe my mouth with a napkin if needed. I don't need to lift a finger to do anything. How I envy sloths.

Hey, we don't all have the moral fortitude and intellectual integrity required for standing in line at a crowded airport with a stinky sweat covered backpack over our shoulder. Glad you're there to keep the flame alive!

[JizzyB]

Must be an awesome view. Drooling.

Please name the GC.

Why are Gentlemens Clubs so popular now?

Last night, I was buying drinks for 3 or 4 ladies, when I noticed that I was the last customer in the bar. (It was 1 am). Immediately, the ladies got naked, not just the 3 or 4, but the cashiers and other ladies, as well.