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Pattaya

Posted by Shady Sun, 27 May 2007 09:06:57 GMT

Went to pattaya for a night before leaving for Koh Samed this weekend. Pattaya is what most people who tell you about Thailand are talking about when they tell you about Thailand. Most of Thailand isn't like that at al, but Pattaya and Phuket pretty much give the rest of the country a somewhat questionable reputation. It's loud, kind of skeezy, and is the nexus point for every single Creepy Old Guy in the known universe.

Truth be told, not all of Pattaya is like that. When you come in from Bangkok, it looks more or less like any other place in Thailand. As you get closer to Pattaya City proper, however, you notice an increase in three things:

• Neon Lights
• Foreigners (seriously, they're so common I didn't get stared at a single time here
• Questionably dressed females

These three things slowly increase in number until you reach the famous Walking Street. Think of it as a mini vegas strip, but with less class and taste.

The walking street is filled with foreign tourists going bar hopping, to come visit their particular go-go bar, and hundreds of Creepy Old Guys walking around with women who were, at best, old enough to be their daughters. In several cases, granddaughters was far more likely. Even the younger tourists have this kind of sleazy aura about them.

Each bar seems to have it's own house band composed of either 1)expats living the dream of being in a rock band (and sucking) or 2)Thais doing covers of english songs (and sucking). At one of the bars I visited with my friends, I had the privilege of witnessing a very white, very jewish expat living his own personal dream (apparently) of being a rapper. Yes, he rapped live with a backup band, and his partner for some duets was a real, live ladyboy. It was the sort of thing you read about in travel guides (or some tools blog) and wonder if it really happens.

On the whole, I really didn't care much for Pattaya. It was loud, expensive, and there were way too many Creepy Old Guys and Hos. The shopping isn't so bad, but everything else can take a running jump. I much preferred Koh Samet, Ayutthaya, and pretty much anywhere else I've seen to Pattaya.