Pattaya. Not a place one might usually choose to visit. But, I was going and determined to make the most of it.
Arriving (after an hour & half drive from Bangkok) I soon learnt that the city lived up to it’s reputation. A place for hedonistic adventures. Sex tourism. Exploitation. Smoggy haze. And not even a good beach to make it worthwhile.
Set on a beach about 6km long, Pattaya has a red light district that pretty much stretches the entire length. While the north is slightly (and only slightly!) less seedy, it still doesn’t have much to offer. Apparently all this is a hangover from the American-Vietnam war when the American soldiers would come to Pattaya for some R&R.
With time to spare I found myself wandering & exploring. Walking down Soi 5 there were bars girls (and ladyboys) on both sides. Ironically Roxanne (Red Light) blared out if one of the clubs as I walked down the street. Some of the girls had with menthol sticks stuck up their nose to keep them awake. Sad.
The beach itself has rows of deck chairs & umbrellas so deep there was so sun. The beach itself was tiny, with maybe only 5m-8m of sand before the water started. And there were boats everywhere taking people parasailing and just out on the water. Pattaya even has a giant neon sign, similar to the Hollywood sign, set on a hill at the end of the beach.
So what good things can I say…
* Some things are cheaper than Phuket (30 baht for deck chair).
* The wine and view from the bar on the 16th flooring the Hilton is not to be missed!
* You can get any type of food you like, and a lot of seafood.
* There is lots of shopping.
* The city doesn’t try to hide who it is.
At least I can save I’ve been!
