Pattaya: Also for the somewhat boring and introverted person!
It was a conscious choice, I must admit. My previous article, in which I claimed that Pattaya is “not for unsociable and boring people,” was meant to stir up a bit of dust. And let’s be honest, it worked. The ‘angry’ reactions poured in and it seemed for a moment as if I had touched the sensitive chord of many a reader. However, I want to emphasize that I did not mean to offend anyone – and certainly not those of us who view Pattaya through slightly less sparkling glasses.
But let's approach this from a different angle. Because what would Pattaya actually look like for the more serious types among us? Those who prefer an evening on the couch with a book instead of dancing on the beach, or who prefer a quiet walk along the boulevard instead of partying in a bar? Yes, Pattaya has a lot to offer for them too!
Imagine walking along the pier at Bali Hai, free from loud music and people trying to lure you into some party. You breathe in the salty sea air, look out to the horizon, and feel a sense of calm come over you. No crowds, no fuss – just you and the sea. This is the side of Pattaya that few people seem to see, but for the quiet souls among us, it’s perfect.
If you’re someone who prefers to dive deeper, there are plenty of places where you can explore Pattaya’s rich culture without being distracted by the pulsating beats of the popular nightlife. Think of a visit to the Wat Phra Yai temple, where you can enjoy the view in peace and reflect on the things that really matter (or don’t). Or how about the Thailand Cultural Centre, where you can watch traditional dances without the risk of being asked to join in?
Pratumnak HillPattaya
For those who prefer to treat Pattaya as a retreat rather than a party paradise, why not? Take a book to one of the many beaches outside the city and let the sun slowly embrace you as you lose yourself in a good story. Or treat yourself to a day at the spa and a massage – you are in Thailand after all. The massages here are not only legendary, they are also reasonably priced. Who needs wild parties anyway?
Pattaya also has plenty to offer for culinary connoisseurs who aren’t looking for yet another trendy cocktail bar. Visit the local markets, where you can sample fresh fish and authentic Thai dishes without having to fight for a table. Here you simply eat with the locals, no Instagram pictures, no fuss. Just good food. And that, my friends, is sometimes just what we need.
And yes, even for those who want to avoid every party, there is hope in Pattaya. There are plenty of bars and restaurants where the music is not overpowering, where you can have a good conversation without having to shout. And if even that is too much, you can always pop into one of the many cinemas where you can immerse yourself in a film you’ve always wanted to see (with air conditioning as a bonus).
Anek Kusala Sala(Viharn-Sien) Chinese temple in Pattaya
Pattaya: A place for everyone
So, yes, my previous article was a high five to all those people who are living life to the fullest in Pattaya. But let’s be honest: Pattaya also has plenty to offer for those who prefer the quieter, less bustling side of life. And that’s the beauty of this city. Pattaya is for everyone, whether you’re looking for a splashy adventure or just a place to catch your breath.
So, for all those people who may have felt a bit attacked: Pattaya embraces you with open arms too. It really isn’t all glitz and glamour, it also has a calm and serene side waiting to be discovered. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the side of Pattaya that is most special.
About this blogger
- The Expat (66) has been living in Pattaya for 17 years and enjoys every day in the land of milk and honey! Previously employed in road and hydraulic engineering, but fled the capricious weather in the Netherlands. Lives here with his Thai girlfriend and two dogs just outside Pattaya, a 3-minute walk from the beach. Hobbies: enjoying life, going out, sports and philosophizing with friends about football, Formula 1 and politics.
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Totally agree.
My youthful 'party years' are also long gone, and visiting Pattaya now means something very different than it did in the early 90s.
Now I prefer to lie down in a beach chair, with a book and a glass of juice in hand, then do some shopping, have a massage, go for a walk, go for a swim, etc.
In the evening with a glass of rum and a big cigar on the hotel balcony, where I am amazed by all the colorful figures marching past me. No film can compete with that.
It's wonderful to just float around in Pattaya, where all pleasures are literally within reach.
If your brain starts to boil over, just slide into the 7-11 and lean in front of the air conditioning, for example.
Also the fact that I once met my dear wife Oy here means that I have always taken Pattaya (despite many things that are not right there) to my heart.
Exactly, that's just the way it is.
My first encounter with Pattaya was in 1979, Walking Street was a sandy path and in my eyes at the time it was like walking out of a western, I had a great time there but Pattaya changed and I changed too, the wild nightlife has made way for a different kind of entertainment, enjoying the unparalleled culinary possibilities, enjoying the in my eyes beautiful live music while enjoying a nice glass of wine or beer, the many possibilities for excursions all within a radius of 50 km, in short, from hadbangers to bookworms can have a great time in Pattaya and if you don't feel like going to the lady bars, nobody forces you to go there.
By the way, I live in Isaan in a quiet area, but every now and then I like to visit Pattaya.
What is the definition of boring?
I know someone who you can't have a conversation with on any level, I find them boring at that moment.
But he enjoys life in Pattaya.
I don't like drinking beer, watching football in a bar with others or sitting in a cafe with loud live music so that you have to shout in each other's ears if you want to have a conversation. For those people I am probably boring. But for others I can be an interesting conversation partner - possibly while enjoying a good meal - and for them certainly not boring (and vice versa).
I am thoroughly enjoying Pattaya (and the pleasant climate + some things already mentioned in the previous article), wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Don't let the author's use of words, Sjoerd, put you in a corner. He himself indicates that he primarily just wants to shake things up a bit. Just enjoy life, whether it's in Pattaya or elsewhere. Happiness is within yourself, no matter where you are.
That there is actually so many arguments to be deliberated back and forth against each other does show that something is wrong with Pattaya. The Thai themselves think so too, although they themselves are the ones who let it get this far: https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/2842321/pattaya-tourism-operators-tired-of-sin-city-image