After a week in Pattaya
Some time ago we arrived in Pattaya again. With China Airlines. By the way, had a nice flight. Cozy on board. Good seats and good food. Can also be very good at times. No delays whatsoever.
We left with mixed feelings. We left on October 29, just in the bit of a critical weekend for downtown Bangkok. Mixed feelings about what we would find in Thailand, we were very concerned. Followed the messages on this Blog for weeks and on the internet where possible. I often made myself angry about the limited coverage in the Netherlands, especially in the beginning.
Pattaya
After landing the suitcases, customs etc. Exchange money because the baht happened to be a bit more favorable than the previous period and on the way to our taxi. Again with the thought that he would have made it from Pattaya to here, although he (Mr. Lek) had already said: "Nothing is wrong." But still, a lot can happen in a day, especially on the weekend of arrival.
Okay, taxi found. mr. Greeted Lek and packed the suitcases and on our way to our apartment in Naklua/Pattaya. We looked around in surprise, because on the side where we left the airport and further to Pattaya we only saw water, which is normally there. A bit higher in some places. Well, great, you think, that's great for the people on this side. Warmly greeted in Pattaya and shown to our room.
Life goes on
Of course we had to acclimatize a bit, because it was warm, although it is not exactly cold in the Netherlands. Even moments the first days around 33 degrees, but that's what we do it for. The first impression is, a disaster has happened in this country. Yes, you have to say because that is such a big disaster even, but very strange you hardly notice it on the street. Life just goes on. And of course the lives of people who have "nothing" to do with it should go on as usual, but you think for a moment, what about now.
Now I have noticed in all those years if something bad happens in the Netherlands, then we have to put flowers everywhere and organize other things such as a lantern parade, etc. I'm not saying such a thing is bad. I also think that everyone should know that for themselves, but in Thailand people feel sympathy. Look, talk and if you're around you also give something.
Hotels not full
If, like us, after a few days, you get back to your normal doing (Thai doing) then you will notice that something is definitely going on in Pattaya. Only when we left was the warning; do you have a room, because Pattaya is packed. Well if I come out on the street now and in the hotels I notice that Pattaya is NOT full. It's not too bad. Might be 'slightly' busier, but there are still plenty of rooms available in the various hotels, they assured me. When you are in the shops, for example at the Familymarket, you see that they do something for the victims. Ikea near Bangkok does not celebrate an opening party, but donates that money to the victims. On Pattaya TV you see every now and then that something is being done. This week the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra will play a benefit in Pattaya, because a performance in Bangkok could not take place.
I had to deal with the case of “Na-am” or drinking water on the first day. Not to get. Maybe because they like me and I asked something left and right, but within a short time I had 40 liters. Furthermore, there are sometimes dribs and drabs of goods in the Familymarket or the 7-eleven, but that is slowly added. In the large stores, the shelves are not full as is usually the case. Yesterday we could also see on the market that something is wrong.
Fewer tourists
This was my experience after a short week in Pattaya. As said, life goes on here. I also like it personally. I think these people need to earn their living again. It is even more difficult than usual, because of the (slight) scarcity and fewer tourists. That's for sure.
The Thai and the Farang also keep their hands on their purse strings. You see it around you. Where is that going. The Flood on the one hand and the euro situation on the other. Both a disaster that causes or can cause a lot of misery for many people. Let's end with the positive. The water is receding in most places, so that reconstruction can be done and the Greeks are also participating again.
Furthermore, we have nothing to complain about if we can stay here for a longer period of time in a beautiful country with nice people and go to the beach a few times a week. beach can enjoy good food every night, whichever cuisine you prefer. And a bit more expensive yes, but still a wonderful holiday destination. So don't stay here. Holiday man: “It's fantastic here!”
It wasn't Ned. philamonic orchestra but the Dutch Swing College band, of which deed.
Ruud , you wrote “Only when we left was the warning; do you have a room, because Pattaya is packed. Well when I come to the street now and in the hotels I notice that Pattaya is NOT full”
However, on the weekend you arrived, Pattaya was quite full because the Thai had a long weekend and people came to Pattaya en masse from Bangkok and the surrounding area. So that warning was certainly correct.
ok totally right sorry . ladies and gentlemen “””The Dutch Swing College Band “”
Dear René Thai,
Yes, it must be, you probably know better than me, but I happen to know some people who own a hotel and rent out rooms and they still had rooms, and more than 1.
But what does that matter?
Ruud
Nice piece Ruud, at least we know something about Pattaya now. You read so much but just not about Pattaya.
Dear Peter,
I am not a Pattaya connoisseur, I have only been there for 14 years, but I would like to write a piece about my Pattaya, but then the comments will no longer hold. Pattaya is experienced in many different ways, including through the “how do you live in Pattaya. Pattaya is a nice winter city for me with many advantages and also some disadvantages. But you don't have to look them up (which you find disadvantageous. )
Let me know. Every now and then I go away for a weekend.
Ruud
Hi Which apartment have you or you been in.?
I'm looking for an alternative instead of hotels.. Regards Martin
Did you fly first class?
I have very different experiences with China airlines.
Very cramped packed, crying babies etc.
Also came to Pattaya for ten years, last time you could no longer walk on beach road every meter one or more bar ladies and people who offer you drugs.
Happy hotel in Jomtien, enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday there.
Hank.
that's also a coincidence Henk, since you left it has become more fun in Pattaya. By the way, there are no bar ladies on the beach road either. . What can it change eh???? Now I never walk there at night!!!
And as for china airlines. No, not 1st class. just hear!! I always ask them to take the babies away and when I fly they always make the plane more spacious so I don't hear a burden like you.
Besides, I don't think I'm such a grumbler either. And, I don't think everything is good, on the contrary.
Well have fun in Jomtien. Is also fun. I also come often. Also see those barmaids there. (pretty cute girls right???)
Oh yes crazy. They haven't offered me drugs once in 14 years
Yes pattaya is ideal, especially for families with young children, specially daughters, can you recommend it to everyone right? Your piece makes it really believable, doesn't it? Who pays you for this advertisement? It is also not true that robberies are regularly committed by armed youth gangs? What I also read on this blog? No I'm the angry old man, Pattaya is ideal.
@ eltor057 there is nothing wrong with pattaya. Of course something happens sometimes, but when compared to the many tourists who visit Pattaya, it is not too bad. I never feel unsafe there and have never experienced anything.
I completely agree with Khun Peter's reaction! I think that kids don't have much to do there, but that is more the fault of the parents who book the trip.
Gosi gosi how often you agree with Peter Marcos. you totally agree with Peter and you immediately deny that by saying that children have nothing to do with it. And it's the parents' fault. Who may be coming to Thailand for the first time and not knowing at all what to expect. I also feel safe in pattaya. I also come with my children. But they are all well over 20 years old and they are having a good time there. But I can imagine that if your children are a bit younger you will have some trouble with what you see there. I also think pattaya is great so that's not my point
@ kees, if you paid a little more attention, you would know that I clash with Peter more often than I agree! Peter explains something that says positive AND negative. So agree with him! Peter does not respond at all about children, so read carefully. Eltoro57 has one opinion about young children, which I share with him. Your example with your children is about age of majority. I think that's quite different and the laws think so too! With today's media, I can't imagine those coming here for the first time not knowing that Pattaya is just that little bit "different". I call that naive!
Marcos I must be seeing it wrong Peter says there is nothing wrong with Pataya you say kids don't have much to do there. then something is wrong in the naive eyes of many parents. And can be a reason not to go to Thailand. Pataya is praised in all travel brochures. At the travel agency you are told that you must visit Pataya. so mom and dad with 2 kids around the age of 8 have decided to go to Thailand this year. mom asks dad I've heard some strange things about pataya and that sex tourism, what about that. Dad likes Thailand and says it's not too bad, hear all the tall stories, I haven't heard anything wrong with Pataya recently. So onto the internet to search for the right offer. they find the right provider but still want to go to the travel agency. the trip is as good as booked dad looks satisfied at the TV mom surfs the net a bit and ends up on the Thailand Blog by a disastrous coincidence and ends up on marco's piece. And to her surprise she sees that children have no business in Pataya ma is mother of 2 kids the alarm bells ring in her head so loud that dad hears it on the couch. and she shouts Nothing wrong with pataya !!!! dad comes to see reads. And it is precisely in that split second that dad thinks that I really have to go and have a look. Mom looks at him and recognizes that look in his eyes. Hop away holiday Thailand. she immediately books a 3-week holiday online at a campsite on the Veluwe between the wild boars. and Dad acknowledges that look in her eyes and knows he better not say anything. wall otherwise he would be better off buying a mobile home. so he waits patiently until they are a little older. And mom says nothing wrong here on the veluwen. So you see Marco that that piece can have disastrous consequences. If I'm wrong then I hope I've made up for it a bit with this piece. I've done my best
Kees, it will not be the case that an insignificant farang like me expresses the opinion that no one visits Thailand anymore. You could also have sent them to Hua Hin or Koh Samui. I personally find better destinations and nicer beaches for the kids. It's just an opinion, come on. Disastrous consequences…..Go on, Kees. And I'm not saying you're wrong. You interpret Pattaya that way and that is your personal opinion and you are fully entitled to it. I have a different opinion about underage kids and Pattaya.
Marcos I thought I'd write a nice piece, such a piece with a wink. I think you should read it again. And then give your opinion again or do you not want to see the fun. Or do you really think I'm crazy
ok,kees!that worked out well.am glad we aren't all crazy then!I can still laugh after that beating just against the Germans.
If you go purely for the wild boar, both Pattaya and the Veluwe score high points. The wild boar population in Pattaya is more numerous and less shy, so it is rumored that there is a greater chance of actual sighting there. 😉
Point to you, Robert, that was a nice open goal score!
what a nasty comment. Do you live at night. Did you have a difficult childhood. Why so negative. There is really a lot of fun to do in and around Pattaya. We are not outgoing people and do not or hardly come to the "city" in the evenings and at night. We know what is there. But did I already say. You can look things up and just ignore them. If a collision takes place or there is a disturbance and you want to be in front of everything, then you are the one who sticks his nose out. Improve the world, but take a look at yourself. Why make people afraid of Pattaya. You only make it worse. And why not with children in Pattaya. Lovely to the beach very nice things (day trips in the area.) who will take their children to the Walking Street Was on the beach today and there were three families with children and they really enjoyed it. Then I thought of you. < Stop with that negativity. Go to the city center of amsterdam in the late hours at the weekend, just to name a few.
Ruud. You know what's up? You can look things up? you are only making it worse?. What the hell is going on in Pataya? Ruud if you go out in the center of Amsterdam with your wife if she wants to. Then you don't take your kids around 12 years old with you. If so, then I think you had a bit of a strange childhood. I think Pataya is great. Our house is close by. When we are in Thailand, we are also in Pataya. And that walking street is not the most suitable place for the kids, you already indicate that yourself. And a good reader Ruud can get a little scared when reading your piece. have fun in Pataya Ruud. Greetings.
Kees,
Read the wrong part ??. I wrote an article stating that Pattaya is a nice city and that Pattaya is suitable for EVERYONE, Singles, Families, Elderly, etc. You must have read something else. The response I gave above was to someone else's previous response, which I found dfat writing annoyingly about Pattaya. My article is at the very top. My wife and I love Pattaya. We have been coming here for 14 years and 3 months a year. We think Pattaya is a cozy and vibrant city with a lot to experience for young and old. A nightlife that you can enjoy, but also, for young and old, fun things in and around Pattaya such as crocodile farm, Floating Market, Mini Siam etc etc etc. Beautiful beaches. So also very nice for families and the elderly.
What I said is that you shouldn't look up the things you don't like yourself and that you shouldn't go out with your kids in Walking Street. I think we are actually on the same page, only you confused me with something or someone else.
If you read this Blog a lot, you must have noticed that I often defend Pattaya. I love pattaya. I hate it when someone has been here for a week and then already has a clear (negative) reaction to Pattaya. They've seen the worst things. I don't think they saw Pattaye. That's how it is Kees.
Not a bad word about Pattaya from me. (Someone wrote here somewhere whether I get paid to advertise. No is my answer, it's from my heart) With the approval of the editors I will soon write a piece about my winters in Pattaya. But then again that is my experience. It won't be acceptable to everyone, but that's how it goes.
Best Kees. (I'm a bit jealous of you) Wish my (actual) house was also nearby. But my wife thinks a few months is enough (is also nice)
Ruud
Dear Ruud. Then your ad stood. just kidding. A bit in the wrong place. and if I have created the impression that I live there. Not yet Ruud has to wait more than 2 years before I am 65. I know Pataya a bit though 37 years ago for the first time. married to a Thai for 35 years now and have had a beautiful house for 18 years, there is no villa, just a beautiful house between the Thais. You have a Dutch woman, I think most do not want to live in Thailand. That's not strange the woman chooses security she has in NL she was born there often the kids live there. The man is a bit easier at that. Even my Thai wife didn't want to live at first but spend the winter. because it doesn't get any nicer here in NL. we decided to move in. And so you see that those Thai women are not so different from the Dutch. What is often said Have fun there. Greeting. Kees and Pon
OK Kees nice reaction. Yes I have been retired for a few years now and also stopped a little earlier. I just couldn't. Glad we think the same about Thailand and Pattaya. I wish you a lot of living pleasure later, but I think that you and your Pon will succeed. Good Luck for you we say here. and good health
Ruud
Happy with this story, because we are coming to Pattaya for the first time in January 2012 for 3 months, hope to meet you there, have been reading the blog for several months,
Regards, Ton Plass and Hannie Coenen
Tony and Connie,
have fun in pattaya. I think you're going to have a great time. You do have to be a bit active if you come for three months. I mean discovering a bit etc. We occasionally go away for a weekend or sometimes a few days. Let's see something else.Pattay can be very cozy though. Don't know how old you are, but it doesn't matter Transport enough.
Exciting for the first time. I remember hearing. We are usually located near the Dolphin Pattaya North Nakluaroad. So the road to Naklua.
Have fun
Ruud
Nice story, Ruud, rightly a nice personal advertisement for Pattaya, where I myself have been living for more than 10 years.
@Ton and Hannie: with thailandblog.nl you already have great anticipation for your holiday in Pattaya, there is so much to read about it.
Whether you come with or without children, you will enjoy three months of enjoyment with all the holiday options that this excellent seaside resort has to offer. Crime? Yes, that happens, but where not?
Wishing you lots of fun in advance!
I still want to give some urgent advice. Don't wear gold jewellery,
Like necklaces or bracelets. That is requesting the gods. Hold your handbag in front of your body.
Cor.
That's totally right, Cor, especially if you're sitting (on the back) of a moped or walking in a street without a sidewalk. If it does happen, the thieves will be far away before you even realize it's happened.
If possible, I recommend not carrying a handbag at all, especially at night.
Actually, these are normal precautions, which do not only apply to Pattaya!
@ Cor, it has nothing to do with this blog, but I still want to say that it was great this afternoon! We will definitely do it again this month! Too bad your Belgian friend wasn't allowed to go to Germany-Netherlands, haha. You are doing well. Regards, Marco
correct cor and I have already overwritten there. Has happened to us before. But that happens all over the world. In the Netherlands too. A good warning, though. We haven't worn gold or other blinkie blinkie for years. True what Gringo says.
Same warning last read in the newspaper, I believe that Knokke was in Belgium, the ladies were warned not to go out with jewelry, the robbers would follow them to the house and rob them there, and then we are talking about Belgium, 3 hours drive from Amsterdam instead of about 12 hours flying.
@ Cor, I think the nice thing about Pattaya is that you can walk around with an exclusive Swiss watch. Copy they think automatically, hahaha.
I walk around with such an exclusive clock, but the Thai are not crazy and I am regularly approached about my clock. Because the Thai do see the difference between fake and, as they call it, original. The Nep bells are much thicker. Wear it a lot at home now, but certain areas I don't wear it anymore.
@ Eltoro57. I'm not talking about Cartier, Breitling, Rolex or Omega
These are the brands the Thai know, but don't let a Thai know
brand Audemars Piquet, because then it goes crazy and thinks
what the hell is that crazy farang talking about in buddha name?
Yesterday you indicated that you didn't like Pattaya and that
the safety was not your thing. Then find it great that you
dare to walk around with an expensive watch…..
I never mentioned that I will come to Pattaya again, I write “the last time I was there” and that is almost two years ago. I now live in the Isaan and I like it there. I used to come on holiday in Pattaya every year for about 8 years and have seen the decline. That others have a different opinion on this is their right, but so am I. Just thought the piece was a bit exaggerated pro Pattaya, hence my reaction.
When I lived in the Pattaya area for years and my house was broken into,
I also thought this is not so safe here. After they got my gold chain off my neck
zipped away, still no problem. When they made an attempt to do that for the second time I was so alert that I saw it coming. The robber has bad memories of it. He got an elbow from me right in
the countenance. At least a broken nose and me a scratch on the neck.
I don't wear gold anymore. Another example. Here in the night the cast iron
manhole covers stolen from the road. If you happen to drive over it in the evening, it's the end
story.
Electricity cables are stolen when no one is home.
I thought, that was never the case in Holland. This has been happening in our country lately.
Chain tractors in The Hague. Railway cables stolen.
We have to learn to live with it though.
Everyone pay attention as best you can and don't trust anyone.
Cor.
Cornelis You're right man I can do some of those people. They steal copper. lightning conductors and cables of the track. I have already spoken to them about it, but they did not speak Dutch. So it stopped for me. And the police think so too. It's nice here in NL. And now stop Peter. R with it too' Salute Kees