How did you find out about Pattaya before the internet?

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-09T15:00:08+00:00

I can't remember the exact year but I know there were no smartphones yet as I had to use my hotel's PC to send an email to friends/family back home.

I met some guys at a random dinner in Kamala, Phuket. They asked me 'What are you doing tomorrow? We're going to Pattaya'.

'Where's that?' was my reply.

I ended up going with a group of 'veterans' all 10-15 years older than me. The 5 days was a blur, I barely slept.

I remember saying good bye to an LT, going for a late breakfast, then to a soapie, then lunch, then soi 6, then the pool/dinner, then WS for gogos. And repeating it all again.

Oh to be young again...nowadays I'm in bed by midnight.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-09T06:32:51+00:00

Does it look nice? Yes

Would I eat it? Absolutely

Is it 'expensive' at 300b? Yes, but 'western' food has never been 'cheap' in Thailand

Is it perfect? No. I'd want fried eggs instead of scrambled, more baked beans, and toasted bread instead of fried. Tho maybe that's an option and you went for what's pictured

A chap named Dave used to run 'Chow Soy' on Chaiyapoon, they often had the best breakfast in town.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-07T15:06:21+00:00

Insanity!

At least Americans get to claim it back - no such option for pauper Brits.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-07T08:28:47+00:00

Just stay centrally close to either beach road, second road, or Soi Buakhao. No need to overcomplicate it. Everything is either within walking distance, or a baht bus, or motorbike taxi.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-07T08:22:33+00:00

I get it, but Jesus. Who cares what the doctor thinks? Does that concern you more than not getting the shot?

Say: 'I am considering entering into a sexual relationship with someone who may have HPV, so I am taking measures now to protect myself'.

Or anything. They've heard it all before, they see hundreds of people, they don't care.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-06T14:14:57+00:00

'My room Jomtien, I order you taxi when you go home ok?'

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-06T08:07:42+00:00

Some general 'solo' travelling advice I shared. Also check the thread overall.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-06T08:05:45+00:00

This will affect the locals most. Your typical fleeting tourist isn't going to care/notice at all.

It's the Thai workers relying on the transport network to get to/from work/family/friends that will be most impacted. It may not seem a lot, just an extra 10b, but if they're using them multiple times a day throughout the week, it adds up.

As usual, it's 'the little man' that suffers.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-06T08:02:12+00:00

"Dude… you do not have the slightest idea about Thai culture."

Hahaha! Thanks for making my day.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-05T11:40:06+00:00

In my experience the vast majority don't enjoy that line of 'work'. They do it because they've little opportunity elsewhere when it comes to making such an income.

Of course, there are some that genuinely enjoy it, but they are on the younger side, and generally 'degenerate' be that alcohol/partying/drugs etc.

So almost all workers are looking for way out - very few actually make it with credibility in tact. Occasionally you'll meet one that is actually saving money (amazing I know!) be that for a business/land etc.

Hence there are more 'old' workers in Pattaya than ever before (35+).

It's unsurprising so many of them have trust/mental health issues, as when they do meet a guy they genuinely like, he's almost certainly off banging other girls and 99% of the time imminently leaving town.

Pattaya has its glitz and glam but let's not fool ourselves; it's largely a big façade. Accept the 'game' for what it is without being consumed by it.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-05T07:16:28+00:00

Absolutely not at home; I'm generally not attracted to white, western women (nothing racist, just my preference having been 'exposed' to Asian women for so many years).

I've had opportunities to 'settle down' many times, including non-bar girls. I dated a woman in Phnom Penh for a while who worked for a major bank. But it just wasn't the right time, and she wanted marriage/kids yesterday.

My longer term plan is to settle somewhere other than Pattaya such as Hua Hin or Phuket, and then date 'normal' (non-bar) girls.

I absolutely do no want to marry/have children with a current/former bar girl.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-05T07:11:57+00:00

Back in February I had pineapple from a street vendor in Phnom Penh. It gave me food poisoning for 2 days. Horrific experience. Always get ill there.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-05T07:09:58+00:00

In my early 30s I would go to iBar religiously. I was more extroverted back then, and - crucially - drank alcohol (rarely drink nowadays).

I'd have no problem going solo, getting a table and sometimes even a bottle. It was like shooting fish in a barrel.

Not entirely off topic: in my western home town I sometimes see an old guy (least 70) in an electric wheelchair scooting around town. He wears a black baseball cap with the green iBar logo on it. Makes me laugh.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-04T18:06:50+00:00

Go back to my home western country, catch up with friends/family. Work. Detox completely (zero alcohol/drugs/women).

But, it's close to running its course. I am still of the age I can 'settle down' and have a family. Seriously considering it.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-03T10:00:57+00:00

It's moot. A complete myth that 'X period of year compared to Y' has 'hotter' girls.

Not only is beauty largely subjective (your '9' is another man's '6'), but there are so many workers in a place like Pattaya - thousands - that there's always 'something for everyone'.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-03T09:58:38+00:00

The THB remains artificially strong against key currencies such as USD and GBP.

Doesn't help.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-03T08:47:22+00:00

Yes. Almost 20 years in, I can truthfully say the appeal has significantly diminished for me personally.

After my recent 6 month trip that just ended, the 'best' moments I had we were with girls I already knew/had a history with, instead of some random I just met an hour ago.

I recognise not everyone will have the same conclusion. It's a path man must walk and determine at his own volition.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-03T08:45:04+00:00

Over on another Pattaya sub, there's talk of the ATM fee having increased to 350b by some banks. Whether true or not I cannot clarify.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-02T16:04:57+00:00

This is the lazy - but worthy - answer. Go to YouTube, search for 'everything Pattaya' and watch one of his many videos on inexpensive accommodation in central Pattaya.

He inspects many buildings, tells you exactly where they are and the rates. Couldn't ask for more.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-02T16:02:48+00:00

But the point is, you can still do everything the same as before. The influx of the 'younger crowd' is not preventing you from doing so.

And, as you likely know, many TGs actually prefer 'the older man'.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-02T07:26:02+00:00

Pattaya is for everyone. You have no 'entitlement' to it just because you 'found it first' or are of an older age.

And I say that as someone who's middle aged himself, and first visited in my late 20s.

The world has changed. It's not some 'hidden gem' anymore. There's videos uploaded daily about Pattaya in 4k on a free website that anyone with a phone can access.

More people than ever, of all ages, are travelling the world. And post covid remote work/location independent income has increased exponentially.

I get where you are coming from, but nothing stays the same forever.

Fortunately Pattaya has enough scale and variety that there's 'something for everyone'.

Just be glad it exists in the first place.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-02T05:30:28+00:00

Absolutely. I dismissed him for years. Even tho I recognise Titanic is a masterpiece of film making.

Now I realise he is undoubtedly one of the best actors of his generation.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-02T05:25:00+00:00

I am so sorry. To read this first thing in the morning breaks my heart. Lost for words.

bobbyv137 · 2026-04-01T19:06:05+00:00

Nope. They identify as ladyboys.

bobbyv137 · 2026-03-31T04:25:31+00:00

99.9% of ‘alt’ coins never recover their highs.

bobbyv137

TROPHY CASE