Pattaya

Ladyboys in Pattaya

Pattaya Beach

Getting long term visas to stay in Thailand is a complicated process and a bit of a headache. Well, we had to get our three months tourist visa this week, and for that we had to leave the country. There are many visa run companies here that are happy to help you with the whole affair. We had a choice of leaving from Bangkok to Cambodia, or from Bangkok to Laos. Because we haven't had a chance to see anything but Bangkok so far (and Krabi and Tonsai, but that was last year, before we came to live here) I thought it would be a good idea to check out the nearest beach town: Pattaya. The idea was to prospect and see if that was a suitable place to take friends and family when they come visit in Bangkok.

Turns out it's not, really. Pattaya is big and busy, and it's the sex tourism capital of Thailand.

Pattaya Gogo Bars

Everywhere you can find gogo bars, pole dancing bars and very lightly dressed lady boys looking for a good time. There are also countless odd couples - old men with cute Thai girls. It's insane, and it would be ok to take friends and family there really, but might as well push another hour or two and take them to Koh Samet or Koh Chang. Thai islands, that's the stuff!

We did have a good time there, there was some relaxing on the beach and a few nice beers in the sun. But I wouldn't recommend Pattaya, it's not for everyone...

Walking Jomtien beach