New Year havoc in Pattaya

[Guest shamahan]

This new year was the worst in my memory. Pattaya was O'K till the very end of December but then huge influx of various shit (especially from Russia) had happened. It had several consequences I never saw before.

1. Prices in most decent hotels jumped for the period December 28-January 3 quite drastically (in my hotel they doubled and I needed to move to much less comfortable hotel).

2. Moving around became quite difficult since many tuk-tuks switched to taxi modes.

3. The shelves of former Carrefour were semi-empty on January 1. Tops in Central was reasonably stocked by there were quite long check out lines.

4. There have been lines in such pathetic restaurants like Pan Pan and Sizzler in Central

and even more pathetic like Domicile.

Unfortunately for me this is the only time I can have meanningful vacations and Pattaya really sucks. I guess for locals it is O'K to have all shit come and go quickly  but for regular visitors it is becoming a real problem.

[Rogie]

Shamahan makes Pattaya sound a bit like Losersville-on-Sea. He seems somewhat judgmental regarding Russians and a couple of eateries. Pan Pan has its fans although I don't think it won the title of best Italian in Pattaya (see the thread of that name). As for Sizzler, I don't think I have ever eaten in one; is it a chain? if, so probably a franchise. Franchise places do a roaring trade for those in a hurry or lacking much taste. If I wanted a cheap meal I would go to a food court, assuming there was one nearby. 

 

If the town is as awful over the post-Christmas / New Year holiday period as Shamahan makes out, makes sense to stay away if you're a visitor (if you can, sorry Shamahan you couldn't).

[Guest]

There have been lines in such pathetic restaurants like Pan Pan and Sizzler in Central

and even more pathetic like Domicile.

 

 

 

 

Z909 said this editing tool isn't working properly any more.

[Guest]

Quoting other people in posts isn't working properly today.

 

1 Why visit a "pathetic" restaurant?    I'll worry when there are queues in the good restaurants.

 

2 As for the arrival of "shit", well that is a problem.   Perhaps the best option might be to find an active gay scene somewhere which hasn't become fashionable with the Russians yet.

[Guest fountainhall]

1. Prices in most decent hotels jumped for the period December 28-January 3 quite drastically

 

In many parts of the world, travelling at the peak of the peak peak season results in having to pay higher prices. That's just the way the tourist business goes. In Thailand, though, there are other factors increasing prices. Inflation is one (likely to get worse in the short term with the recent big increase in the minimum wage), but a rapid increase in the number of tourists is no doubt the main one. From 15.9 million in 2010, the numbers have jumped to around 21+ million last year. 24.5 million is now the target for 2013.

 

We should remember that in 2011, prices were lower because many tourists stayed away after hearing about the nation's floods. The year before the country was still suffering from the lingering effects of the Red Shirt protests and the April/May killings in Bangkok.

 

In 2012, there were no such concerns and this is reflected in the jump in tourist numbers. The Tourism Council  of Thailand recently described 2012 as a "golden year" for tourism and, as has been discussed on this Forum before, the big increases are coming from the 'new' markets of China (2.5 million), Russia (1 million) and India and South Korea with almost 1 million each. In an article in The Nation a few days ago, the TCT President indicated that hotel room rates will only go in one direction - up!

 

. . . the TCT has also targeted extending foreign tourists' average five-day stay in Thailand to six days and increasing their daily spending of Bt3,000 (US$100) per person to Bt5,000 (US$170).

 

According to the plan--expected in the next three years--room rates in Thailand, currently the cheapest in Asia, must be adjusted while locally made merchandise should be redesigned to attract Asian tourists.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/2012-Golden-Year-of-Thai-tourism-TCT-30196970.html

 

It's unfortunate that this particularly affects those who can only take vacations in peak seasons. But I expect the situation will only get worse in terms of pricing - unless there is another natural disaster or political protests erupt again.

[Gaybutton]

For those who dislike Pattaya, I have a solution to suggest - go somewhere else.

[Guest thaiworthy]

For those who dislike Pattaya, I have a solution to suggest - go somewhere else.

I have many friends in Pattaya, and I find prices quite reasonable and businesses comfortable and accommodating. I don't think it's fair to condemn a place for a few unfavorable circumstances. I don't blame GB for feeling that way. This is the OP's first and only post. There has been a great deal of latitude given to newbies and trolls here, even when venting negative opinions like this one and I find it counterproductive in the long run. I really don't think this guy can be happy anyplace if he has a good time up until the last 7 days over a few minor inconveniences.

[KhorTose]

For those who dislike Pattaya, I have a solution to suggest - go somewhere else.

 Just a not to bright variation of "Love it or leave it".  Unfortunately the world and reality is never that simple, or that black and white.  Be it a place or a lover, it is foolish to think that anything is perfect or made worse by criticisms.  In fact the road to perfection is to accept criticism and learn and improve as you go along.  Some people actually think they are born perfect and have absolutely no need to improve.  I would love to describe these narcisstic people in detail, but it drifts too far from the subject,

 

Thaiworthy you started out correctly, but I did not like how you ended.  This is a new poster and he deserves a better response then he got from both of you.  My suggestion to GB would be to chase people away from your own board and not do it on this one.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Thaiworthy you started out correctly, but I did not like how you ended.

Quite right. I deleted the last sentence.

[Guest]

For those who dislike Pattaya, I have a solution to suggest - go somewhere else.

I quite like visiting Pattaya.  However, in December it seemed like 50% of the Tourists were Russian, which I'm not so keen on. 

 

I presume they now also travel in large numbers to other coastal resorts which happen to have a gay scene?  Patong Beach, etc.  

 

I guess for anyone who isn't tied down to a job, then it's probably possible to visit Pattaya outside the peak New Year period.  However, for those of us who get time off in December, it would be such a waste to spend it at home.

[Gaybutton]

I presume they now also travel in large numbers to other coastal resorts which happen to have a gay scene?  Patong Beach, etc.  

 

I have no idea.  There are many more Russians and Middle Easterners coming to Pattaya than ever before, but I have never had a problem with any of them.  That's not to say others haven't had problems, but so far none of them have been any kind of problem for me at all.

 

In any case, if there is a city I dislike, then I don't go to that city.  Some complain consistently about Pattaya, and yet many of the complainers come to Pattaya and often Pattaya is the only city in Thailand they go to.  I see posts regularly - "I don't like the beach."  "I don't like the restaurants."  "I don't like the traffic."  "I don't like the baht buses." "I don't like the bars."  "I don't like the boys." "I don't like the farang."  It goes on and on - "I don't like this.  I don't like that."  And many are sure to say, "And I especially don't like Gaybutton."

 

Ok, again - for those who dislike Pattaya so much, then why come to Pattaya?  Seems like an easy decision to me - if you don't like Pattaya, go somewhere else.

[Moses]

Russia has long official vacation Jan. 1-7, whole country stops to work at that time. It is like a "golden week" in China.

 

While in past years Egypt, Morocco, Tunis were main points of destination for Russians, now they are very unpopular since Islamic movements and disorders. That why about 30 charter and regular flights from Russia landing every day in Thailand. Average prices for 10-day vacation in Egypt, Morocco, Tunis and Thailand are the same - about US $1000-1100 (flight+hotel).

 

That why so many Russians are now in Pattaya. "Next wave" will be at last decade of Jan. - it is time for student holidays in Russia. And one more "week" will be at first week of May.

 

And very short word to topic starter: do you think your "shit" smells less than "Russian shit"? Perfume? Roses?

[Rogie]

We'll have to get used to changing patterns in tourism. Maybe some of you can remember a time before the Japanese started visiting other countries en masse. There was a time 'preGap-Year' when relatively few adolescents and students took off RTW, now they are everywhere. Early retirement has been a godsend to many; these pensioners still have many years of active life ahead of them when they stop working, no longer clapped out at 65 after a lifetime down the pit or on the factory floor. The seas are full of giant cruise ships and the air is buzzing with ever bigger aeroplanes.

 

On the whole things run smoothly, but 'havoc' is often just around the corner.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Unfortunately for me this is the only time I can have meanningful vacations

In my working life, vacations could be taken at any time of the year. Sometimes I took them around Christmas, which the company loved, because everything stops and everyone else is gone, too. I would come back to work and just pick up where I left off.

 

At any other time of the year, it was discouraged. The thinking was "how does the work get done while you are away?" But they had to give it to me when I wanted it, they just didn't like it. When I got back, there were mounds of work to get done, all with top priority. It became ridiculous. They came up with cute, pithy suggestions, like "work smarter, not harder," and "work on all the projects all at the same time." None of this did anything to speed up the tasks, and it got painfully tiresome having to listen to all these nonsensical suggestions, which only made management feel better about chastising me for leaving in the first place. It was great job security for 17 years, but I disliked visiting Thailand in low season only for this reason.

 

There is some sympathy for the OP if his job is anything like mine was. I got revenge though, not for taking an ill-timed vacation, but for jury duty. I was gone for two weeks in a murder trial. They couldn't say anything. The work got done on my schedule, not theirs. All I had to say was "it is illegal to discharge anyone for reasons of jury duty," which was nearly as nonsensical as their own (vacation) suggestions had been. But the message got through, it was a dose of their own medicine.

 

Now if I could just have figured out a way to get jury duty in Thailand, I would have had it made.

[Rogie]

I got revenge though, not for taking an ill-timed vacation, but for jury duty. I was gone for two weeks in a murder trial.

You mean you weren't rejected? Does the American system really allow a defendant to reject potential jurors? Is that as daft as it seems? Sorry if I've offended anyone, it just seems daft to me, but maybe there is a good reason for it. Not attacking you TW, just what seems to me to be a barmy business.

[Bob]

Does the American system really allow a defendant to reject potential jurors? Is that as daft as it seems?

 

Probably a topic for another thread - I won't go into the detail here - but you're view of the American jury system (or the ability of the Trial Judge to dismiss a proposed juror or the ability of prosecutor and defense to both move for dismissal for "cause" and to exercise a small number of peremptory challenges) as "daft" is only because you don't know how it works.  I suspect Khun Thaiworthy was a dedicated juror that the Court, the prosecutor, and defense all found acceptable (i.e., just the kind of jury member we'd want judging us if our freedom or money was on the line). 

[Guest shamahan]

 There has been a great deal of latitude given to newbies and trolls here, even when venting negative opinions like this one and I find it counterproductive in the long run. I really don't think this guy can be happy anyplace if he has a good time up until the last 7 days over a few minor inconveniences.

Another words, you would want me to be banned here because I provided some information you do not like.

I do not appreciate your comments at all. Pattaya always was unpleasant place during the New Year but this time it was

even worse. I mentioned just only few things. It is alerady back to normal.

 And I would join HT in suggesting that GB could rather concentrate on driving posters out of his own message board rather than that mess with others. I like Pattaya. I just hate this short period of time and, as I mentioned before, cannot avoid it.

[Gaybutton]

 And I would join HT in suggesting that GB could rather concentrate on driving posters out of his own message board rather than that mess with others.

 

Messing with other boards?   If the owner of this board ever requests that I stop posting here, I will.  If the owner tells me he feels that I'm "messing" with his board,  I'll comply with whatever his wishes are,  Until then, very sorry, but I have just as much right to post my opinions and views as you do.  I'll let you guess for yourself how much I care whether you like it or not. 

 

You say, "I just hate this short period of time and, as I mentioned before, cannot avoid it."  Ok, now we all know what you hate.  Now we all know you hate Russians, hate long lines, and the rest of your hate list, along with apparently hating me too.  Congratulations.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Another words, you would want me to be banned here because I provided some information you do not like.

I do not appreciate your comments at all. Pattaya always was unpleasant place during the New Year but this time it was

even worse. I mentioned just only few things. It is alerady back to normal.

 And I would join HT in suggesting that GB could rather concentrate on driving posters out of his own message board rather than that mess with others. I like Pattaya. I just hate this short period of time and, as I mentioned before, cannot avoid it.

Quite the irascible rascal, aren't we? You have only 2 posts here and both are very angry. Where did I say I wanted you banned? Don't put words into my posts. What I did state was only an opinion. That's what happens anywhere when you start a thread. If you didn't like it or didn't want a response, why did you post? What else did you expect to hear or hope to achieve?

 

All you needed to do was step back and take a deep breath. There is no good in venting such hostility. I'm sorry if it upsets you, but that kind of attitude just doesn't go very far in Thailand. Life's too short.

 

If you want to admire Khor Tose and share in his wisdom, take heed at what he stated as the best possible advice: "Be it a place or a lover, it is foolish to think that anything is perfect . . ."

[TotallyOz]

"Now we all know you hate Russians, hate long lines, and the rest of your hate list, along with apparently hating me too.  Congratulations."

 

I don't hate you GB, I love you!  but I did think you were a Russian.  Are you American?

[Gaybutton]

I don't hate you GB, I love you!  but I did think you were a Russian.  Are you American?

 

Neither one.  Martian . . .

[KhorTose]

Neither one.  Martian . . .

I would have guessed UrAnus.

[Guest shamahan]

In 2012, there were no such concerns and this is reflected in the jump in tourist numbers. The Tourism Council  of Thailand recently described 2012 as a "golden year" for tourism and, as has been discussed on this Forum before, the big increases are coming from the 'new' markets of China (2.5 million), Russia (1 million) and India and South Korea with almost 1 million each. In an article in The Nation a few days ago, the TCT President indicated that hotel room rates will only go in one direction - up!

 

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/2012-Golden-Year-of-Thai-tourism-TCT-30196970.html

 

It's unfortunate that this particularly affects those who can only take vacations in peak seasons. But I expect the situation will only get worse in terms of pricing - unless there is another natural disaster or political protests erupt again.

You are, of course, correct in terms of general numbers. Indeed, Chinese overtaken recently Malaysians

and became number one in terms of number of tourists in Thailand. Russians are number 3. I have not seen recent numbers in Pattaya but several years ago the Russians comprised 50 percent of all tourists coming in Pattaya

(including visitors from other parts ofThailand). For those who frequents Pattaya it is quite obvious that the ratio of Russians get increased over recent years. Now, vast majority of Russians visiting Pattaya can be described by Russian word "bydlo" (you can google for translation). The same is true for other nationalities but due to shear number of Russian tourists the number of Russians in this category far exceeds anybody else.

 The small group of regular posters here apparently likes to gang up on each newbie and immediately put me in the category of Russian haters without any evidence of that. I hate "bydlo" of any nationality (including apparently some

"contributors" to this thread who definitely belong to this category).

One can argue that precisely this attitude of small group  regular posters (who mostly exchange with various platitudes) preclude other posters of joining here and make this particular message board of quite  limited value.

And "khun" Thaiworthy: I do not need your advice as to  how to post on message boards.

[Guest thaiworthy]

And "khun" Thaiworthy: I do not need your advice as to  how to post on message boards.

 

Then why are you soliciting it?

[TotallyOz]

One can argue that precisely this attitude of small group  regular posters (who mostly exchange with various platitudes) preclude other posters of joining here and make this particular message board of quite  limited value.

I agree with you and have heard this often over the years. Not just on this board but most boards. Someone coming in new is often seen as an unknown quantity and they have to participate a bit to be accepted fully. The same is true for children changing to a new school or a worker starting a new job. Initially, most people try to be friendly but very leery.

 

I can assure you shamahan, that you are welcome here and I did not find any of your posts as negative.

 

I agree with you about this time of year. The High High season is hard for me to take. I much prefer when not so many are there after the New Year but my favorite time is rainy season as there are even less tourists.