There is under 18 and then there is the under-18 look. Pattaya specializes in the latter, if not the former. I have seen underage kids, on the beach, and on the main road. They did clean the beach up as it was a mindfuck to see a 7 year old on an old man's lap asking him to fuck him. I had an 8 year old try to pick me up on the main drag- to go to my bungalow for sex. I was so shocked I couldn't get away fast enough. I went to a bar in Sunnee Plaza and saw a heavy set man around 70 making out with a kid around nine years old. That was 2 years ago and it got me to leave Pattaya a day early.
I found one guy with any muscle on him, and he was a dud in bed. So, my experience with Pattaya declined from the late 80s and early 90s when I really liked the place.
If it is better now, well, please send me a ticket. I'll join you right away!
Airfares to Thailand are so much higher now I doubt that I will go back.