Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PATTAYA - GLOBAL RETIREMENT HOME
Pattaya! The very name conjures up images of aged sex tourists walking seedy streets lined with scantily clad
women trying to entice them into beer bars and go-go shows.
Yet, despite the very obvious sex industry here, there's no question that Pattaya is Thailand's only truly inter-
national city after Bangkok. From its beginnings as a quiet fishing village transformed by the arrival of US ser-
vicemen on leave from the Vietnam War, to the booming metropolis it is now, Pattaya has always attracted visit-
ors from all over the world.
Russians and Chinese are a huge presence, but there's also a thriving Arab community centred around Soi 16
at the south end of Walking St. In contrast, Naklua is home to many Germans and Scandinavians.
In their wake have come increasing numbers of shops offering specialist services and goods for foreigners,
whether it's South American coffee or French cheese.
It's the presence of those amenities, as well as the climate and cheap cost of living compared to the West, that
has helped turn sleazy Pattaya into one of the world's most popular retirement havens.
Accurate figures are hard to come by, but it's likely that over 50,000 foreigners call Pattaya home now, with
many more spending part of the year here. And as the city continues to adapt to their presence, those numbers
are set to increase.
Festivals
Pattaya International Music
Festival
(
www.pattayamusicfest.com
; mid-Mar)
In mid-March, Pattaya's oceanfront esplanade is trans-
formed into an outdoor concert venue running for three days of live music. Local musi-
cians, as well as bands from across Asia, take to the stages playing everything from hip-
hop to rock.
MUSIC
Sleeping
If you're an 'alternative' Pattaya tourist (meaning you aren't a sex tourist or a package
tourist), then you can avoid staying in central Pattaya and opt instead for Naklua, Jomtien
or parts of Pattaya Neua. Even if you have no desire to visit Pattaya, you might consider
an overnight here if you're transiting to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, 110km
away, and don't want to layover in Bangkok.
RS Seaside
( 0 3823 1867;
www.rs-seaside.com
; Th Hat Jomtien; r 660-1400B; )
Opposite the beach and
popular with Thais, RS has small-ish rooms but remains a good-value spot in the
package-tour part of town. Two breakfasts are included in the room rate.
HOTEL
$
