Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=JesseJames1447;1882584]Hey guys,

I don't post all that often. Some of you may know me from Sosua actually, I lived there for several years. Recently I moved back to the states and am trying out some other spots. Pattaya this trip. So far it is off to a bit of a rough start, but I have faith it is going to get better.

Landed Thursday night in BKK. I used AIRBnB to get a 2 bedroom apartment for my traveling buddy and I. They arranged to pick us up at the airport and give us private transport to the apartment in Pattaya for 1,200 THB. I thought that seems to be a pretty good deal. Arrived at about 2 AM, took a shower and quickly unpacked. I was dying to get right out there too it. Headed down to WS at about 2:30 ish and it was flat out dead. Almost abandoned. My thought is what the hell? Almost everything is closed. Nothing walking around except a few LB (no interest there).

I figured to myself. "this cannot be it." My buddy and I are hungry, and even the restaurants are closed so we just stop at McDonalds (turns out the one right by New York diner). I whip out my phone and start researching again, trying to find "something I missed" or look at the map to make sure I was even in the right place. Yeah. It was that bad.[/QUOTE]Yeah, the Buddha days are always slow. I don't know about Pattaya, but in BKK the saving grace is Pat Pong. They still serve booze and have girls, they just don't advertise their drink specials. Freelancers should be out on those days, but not at 230 am. I think it really is the time you arrived more than Pattaya being lame. I was there two weeks ago and had a blast. Don't worry, it will get better!

[QUOTE=JesseJames1447;1882584]
Next day (still our first day there, just several hours later). We wake back up about 7 am, shower, all that. And decide to go walk around and get the "lay of the land" in daylight so we know our way around. We start by walking up Beach road and start noticing signs about "no liquor sales today" and look at each other trying to figure that out. After a few questions to the locals we figure out it is Buddha day. Go figure. There needs to be a travel advisory about this or something! A no-beer holiday on a Friday? Really? FUCK MAN![/QUOTE]There is a travel advisory here:

[URL]http://www.boomboomme.com/resources/holidays/thailand/[/URL]

I have found that site to be extremely accurate at predicting closures.

[QUOTE=EricSwiss;1882629]
I have found that site to be extremely accurate at predicting closures.[/QUOTE]Not on this occasion. Venues on Walking street were closed yesterday and today. Virtually the only exceptions were Marine Disco (open both nights), and Insomnia, which was open today but only until 5 am. Per calendar doesn't make sense.

Dude, IMO, you are going to love Pattaya way more than Sosua. It has a lot more options, but the young good looking girls have way too many options too, with monthly, LT sponsors.

In the DR (not Sosua though, as most of my girls will not come to or hate being seen in Sosua), I just find a heck of a lot of young GFE non pros and semi pros living in Pto Pta. A bit more difficult to find that in Patts. But I am pretty much a Pattaya newbie. Also, in Pto Pta I enjoy taking a chick to an inclusive resort like Lifestyle for a few days at about $115. / night for 2, all inclusive (low season). I don't see such options in Pattaya.

And, Pattaya right now, is way, way more hotter and the humidity kills me.

1. If you haven't already I would spend some time in Ibar and Insomnia (their attached restaurant is also very good IMO). IBar (lower level) is a tad bit like the old the Latins in Sosua. Insomnia can be a back up later at night, and is way better than Classicos in Sosua. The other place I think you will really like is 808. Very Classicos type of vibe. But, the layout is quite poor IMO. So, I preferred Insomnia just because of that.

2. Of course, there are no Gogos or soapies or Pattaya style massage places in the DR. If you like the Pattaya style beer bars then you will have a feast of girls to choose from. But, they all prefer ST mostly (and I don't care at all for ST).

3. For food, I would definitely head out the Central Festival mall for their myriad of food options. Very, very good IMO. And also a great grocery store there. Also, a great place to people watch in an AC environment.

4. Pattaya can be very transactional as the hot, young girls have lots of options with many, many guys after them. In the DR, particularly in Pto Pta most of the girls have very few non-Dominican men options. So, there are some differences, IMO.

5. I think you'd like Kinnaree during the day. Banana Boi is the Kinnaree expert and I would take his recommendation and get there by 1 pm. By 3 pm most of the top girls are taken / busy.

Finally, I suggest you PM, Mr. ENT (also a DR and Sosua expert) for great info and Banana Boi about Kinnaree and other daytime options.

Btw, re shopping, if you like high quality ( made in Taiwan) fake brand name watches, then I suggest Mr. Jacks on Soi Buakhao, at the intersection of Central RD ( I think that's what it's called ). Also, I don't think you can really bargain the prices at Mr. Jacks, like you probably can at MBK mall in BKK ( Mr Jack opens up each watch to check its all good and gives you his own in store warranty ). I bought a few for gifts ( as I don't wear a watch anymore ). They can cost anywhere from 2000 Baht to nearly 6000 baht each depending on the brand and model that is being copied.

Enjoy! Good Luck!

Since that place has been mentioned twice with comparison, I want to share my recollection of it, from few years back (I don't think it has changed much). So people that has never been there will get an idea about what they're missing.

It is not really a town, more like a spread-out village of decrepit or uncompleted buildings. Perhaps the best way to describe it is four dusty roads crossing. Like most of the DR there is no infrastructure to speech of, shops and restaurants are dirty holes in the wall, public transportation consists of overloaded, old small vans, or taxi bikes.

As a welcome gesture one girl took few dollars from a pocket or something. Fortunately she didn't go for the big prize, or I was quick enough to come out from the shower. I don't remember if I went to Classico or where else, but my guess is that there are maybe 2 or 3 places, which were all equally scary both in terms of setup and female attractiveness.

I lasted one night before running to Samana' (by guagua, which can be fun just for a first time), which was only marginally better; I was still mugged within 1 minute of entering a disco by a girl pretending of dancing with me.

People has to carry guns, doors and windows are all grated, police is dangerous, males are often aggressive, and the entire country seems to be build on the exploitation Haitian labor. A Russian mafia guy once told me that he was kept hostage three months in the mountains over some dispute. Strangely, I tend to believe him. To be fair, the nature, beaches (in the North) and weather were wonderful, but that's pretty much it.

The interesting thing is that I speak Spanish, love to listen and dance salsa, merengue and bachata, dig local food (even if they don't have much to offer really), but that is not enough for me to get along with the place.

[QUOTE=OldNewGuy;1882732]...and Insomnia, which was open today but only until 5 am. Per calendar doesn't make sense.[/QUOTE]How many of these kind s of things really do make sense in the LOS? There is always a loophole, exception, or interpretation that some enterprising Thai is trying to take advantage of.

The place is always entertaining (unless you are trying to run a business there yourself). 555.

[blue][Message to Admin deleted][/blue]

That being said, day to had not started out to be much better. But for different reasons. We had booked diving today (I am a cert. Dive master from my time living in sosua and Pto Pta DR). So first we found a nice little place near Soi 12 (where the dive shop is) to have breakfast. Cheap american breakfast for 90 thb (see, not capitalizing even the money like you are supposed too). Then it was off to the dive shop. Today there was a huge triathlon to be happening all day long so we where scheduled to be taken about 45 minutes south on a bus for different dive sites. The first one was to be a shipwreck about 80 to 100 feet down. We start going down and there is a fair current and nearly no visibility. About 15 minutes into the dive, I check my guages and look back up and my buddy, or anyone else for that matter, is no where to be seen. I am on my own in a shipwreck with almost no visibility and a current. Great. So I begin to panic a bit and have to close my eyes and remember my training for a moment. Made it back to the surfacing rope and headed back to the dive boat alone. Possibly the most scared I remember being.

My buddy and the dive master talked me into getting right back in for a 2nd and 3rd dive to get over the physiological thing. Which I did. And they were nice. Yet still poor visibility and not much life to look at. All in all. Thailand sucks for diving. Even if you do not consider my bit of trauma.

Back in the apartment now. About to take a shower, have a beer, and maybe nap for an hour or 2. Then. I believe it is time to go get another soapie. That should fix my day right up. After that, it is Friday night so I want to go check out some of the go-gos now that they are back open. Maybe insomnia too. I would love to find a LT to come snuggle up to me all night.

Anyway. Hopefully it will start going better quickly. Its has to right? After all, I have hears too many good things about here for my whole trip to be like this.

More later. Of course.

JesseJames

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[QUOTE=OldNewGuy;1882749]Since that place has been mentioned twice with comparison, I want to share my recollection of it, from few years back (I don't think it has changed much). So people that has never been there will get an idea about what they're missing.

It is not really a town, more like a spread-out village of decrepit or uncompleted buildings. Perhaps the best way to describe it is four dusty roads crossing. Like most of the DR there is no infrastructure to speech of, shops and restaurants are dirty holes in the wall, public transportation consists of overloaded, old small vans, or taxi bikes.

As a welcome gesture one girl took few dollars from a pocket or something. Fortunately she didn't go for the big prize, or I was quick enough to come out from the shower. I don't remember if I went to Classico or where else, but my guess is that there are maybe 2 or 3 places, which were all equally scary both in terms of setup and female attractiveness.

I lasted one night before running to Samana' (by guagua, which can be fun just for a first time), which was only marginally better; I was still mugged within 1 minute of entering a disco by a girl pretending of dancing with me.

People has to carry guns, doors and windows are all grated, police is dangerous, males are often aggressive, and the entire country seems to be build on the exploitation Haitian labor. A Russian mafia guy once told me that he was kept hostage three months in the mountains over some dispute. Strangely, I tend to believe him. To be fair, the nature, beaches (in the North) and weather were wonderful, but that's pretty much it.

The interesting thing is that I speak Spanish, love to listen and dance salsa, merengue and bachata, dig local food (even if they don't have much to offer really), but that is not enough for me to get along with the place.[/QUOTE]For whatever reason, I think you have / had bad karma.

I've spent about 4-5 months in total in San Felipe de Puerto Plata and Sosua during the last 3 years. I have had zero (0) incidents of any kind happen to me.

The infrastructure is poor, the schools and education system incredibly poor, . But Sosua has at least 5 excellent restaurants with great construction and quality furnishings and ambiance. Baileys is outstanding. Interestingly, I think at least 3, maybe 4 of them are owned by Italians (who make up the number one expat ( Canadians being number 2) population in Sosua and in Costambar (in San Felipe de Puerto Plata).

The DR is the NUMBER one destination for North American tourists in the entire Caribbean. I have been fortunate to visit some of the great all inclusive resorts in the world, in my life, and the Lifestyle resorts in Puerto Plata (with 6 different hotel sub brands within it) are probably the best value of any all inclusive resort in the entire Caribbean and Mexico. And, IMO, (not all Dominicans) many of the chicas I have met in the Puerto Plata area are some of the nicest, pleasant girls I have ever met and several have spent more than 3 nights with me, with no incidents of any kind. Yeah, I think karma is a bi (t) ch.

[QUOTE=JesseJames1447]Also, anyone else in town? Want to meet of for dinner or something? Is it appropriate to put my whatsapp number here? Or some other method of contact?[/QUOTE]I am in town, but you have to pay the membership fee in order to exchange info by private message.

[QUOTE=Haven123;1882736]Btw, re shopping, if you like high quality ( made in Taiwan) fake brand name watches, then I suggest Mr. Jacks on Soi Buakhao, at the intersection of Central RD ( I think that's what it's called ). Also, I don't think you can really bargain the prices at Mr. Jacks, like you probably can at MBK mall in BKK ( Mr Jack opens up each watch to check its all good and gives you his own in store warranty ). I bought a few for gifts ( as I don't wear a watch anymore ). They can cost anywhere from 2000 Baht to nearly 6000 baht each depending on the brand and model that is being copied. [/QUOTE]I take my watches there to be repaired if I have had them a long time. If not, then I just take them back to my watch guy and he gets them fixed for free. I am a hard bargainer and you are right about Mr. Jacks. The last time I was in there to get a watch repaired, I was looking for a new watch for my aunt. The lady who was helping me would not bargain for shit.

And take my word, the watches in there are way overpriced. The most I have ever paid is 4000 baht, and that was for that special Rolex diving watch. Other than that most super copies should not cost you any more than 3000 baht. 2500 if you know how to bargain. But 6000 baht, never ever ever. The lady wanted 5000 for the one I was trying to buy for my aunt. I could get that type of ladies watch from my guy for 2000. I always laugh when I go to my guy and he has a group of Russians in there because I know they are about to get the shaft. I can't discuss prices in front of them so I will just point one out and he will say the usual and I will give him 2500.

I remember when OJ Simpson was sued by the Goldman family and they wanted to take his Rolex watch. The watch ended up being a supercopy and was appraised for $100. No dealer back in the States has ever been able to tell the difference under normal scrutiny with the ones me or my friends have purchased in Thailand. Maybe if they took it apart or did a close examination they could. Whatever you do, don't buy an el cheapo from the guys walking around the street selling them.

As usual got to the airport and went upstairs and outside to cross over to the taxis who have dropped people off. I told the first driver that I was going to Pattaya and he said 1000. I countered with 900. He said okay. I jumped inside. The time was 9:35pm.

He was going 120 km/hr for most of the way. We came upon an accident right past Sri Racha, so traffic was backed up a little. I would say it took us from 5 to 10 minutes to creep up to the front. It was weird. Maybe the car rear ended the pickup. See fotos.

He stopped for gas and went into the store. He brought a Coca-Cola to me which I declined. At 11:08pm we pulled up to my building. He had the meter running the entire way. 1101 baht ended up being the fare by meter. So some of you guys who are paying 1500 baht to get from the airport may want to pay by meter instead. Of course there is 60 baht for the 2 tolls as well (30 baht each), but I roll all of that into my 900 baht offer. I always leave them with 1000 baht though.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1882926]As usual got to the airport and went upstairs and outside to cross over to the taxis who have dropped people off. I told the first driver that I was going to Pattaya and he said 1000. I countered with 900. He said okay. I jumped inside. The time was 9:35pm.

He was going 120 km/hr for most of the way. We came upon an accident right past Sri Racha, so traffic was backed up a little. I would say it took us from 5 to 10 minutes to creep up to the front. It was weird. Maybe the car rear ended the pickup. See fotos.

He stopped for gas and went into the store. He brought a Coca-Cola to me which I declined. At 11:08pm we pulled up to my building. He had the meter running the entire way. 1101 baht ended up being the fare by meter. So some of you guys who are paying 1500 baht to get from the airport may want to pay by meter instead. Of course there are 60 baht in tolls as well, but I roll all of that into my 900 baht offer.[/QUOTE]

Welcome back Mr. E!

Thanks for the tip. I use Mr. Virach.

[URL]http://www.pattayataxi.info/[/URL]

They are always waiting for me when I get out of customs and it's always a flat fee of 1000 baht.

I usually tip the guy 50-60 baht for his trouble.

I guess I could save 150 Baht, but I have been using them for years.

Its part of my ritual, I guess. Its nice to be greeted by a friendly face after a long flight.

A few trips ago they had a nice looking (but a bit older) girl waiting for me who was organizing the drivers. It was her birthday so I dug into my luggage and gave her one of the souvenirs I'd brought to give to my girls. She was beaming. I got her number but never ended up calling her.

And they always have a nice new spacious car where I can stretch out and get some rest.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1882926]As usual got to the airport and went upstairs and outside to cross over to the taxis who have dropped people off. I told the first driver that I was going to Pattaya and he said 1000. I countered with 900. He said okay. I jumped inside. The time was 9:35pm.

He was going 120 km/hr for most of the way. We came upon an accident right past Sri Racha, so traffic was backed up a little. I would say it took us from 5 to 10 minutes to creep up to the front. It was weird. Maybe the car rear ended the pickup. See fotos.

He stopped for gas and went into the store. He brought a Coca-Cola to me which I declined. At 11:08pm we pulled up to my building. He had the meter running the entire way. 1101 baht ended up being the fare by meter. So some of you guys who are paying 1500 baht to get from the airport may want to pay by meter instead. Of course there is 60 baht for the 2 tolls as well (30 baht each), but I roll all of that into my 900 baht offer. I always leave them with 1000 baht though.[/QUOTE]That's pretty good Mr. Ent. I am super impressed. Really!

Although I now know why you are such a successful bargainer. It's because you are pretty famous! Well, you are pretty for sure and famous here on these boards! You rock!

[QUOTE=Haven123;1882943]That's pretty good Mr. Ent. I am super impressed. Really!

Although I now know why you are such a successful bargainer. It's because you are pretty famous! Well, you are pretty for sure and famous here on these boards! You rock![/QUOTE]900 is easily attainable, just make yourself immune to cheapskate insults, it's just part of the game to milk farang and many westerners are afraid of being labeled cheap. If ride goes smooth, don't be a dipstick pay 1 K, just like he did.

I have had ZERO problems with this, EXCEPT when I had a Thai lady meet me at airport who did all kinds of crap, including trying to tip the driver with her own (yeah right) money. Lesson learned.

I think the wholesale rate BKK-PTY is somewhere around 800 if some readers from hard bargaining nations want to explore the rock bottom, I don't.

[QUOTE=JesseJames1447;1882775]
All in all. Thailand sucks for diving. Even if you do not consider my bit of trauma.
[/QUOTE]Not at all, it's just Pattaya that is a poor location. Just browse your usual diving sites and you will see the other locations, some are breathtaking.

I wanted to take training at the same friendly shop but I gave up on doing that in Pattaya because prices are higher and the environment is nothing special.