Hua Hin/Pattaya

[prcscct]

Michael
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We dont need two pattaya in thailand. We all like Hua Hin for the way it is.
And a little bit conservative in this point is a good way to preserve a part of the LOS for "normal" farang.[/quote]
___________________________________________________________

I moved Michael's post from "Topless Men" to here as I think it fits better concerning my reply. Michael, I know that your first language is not English and I completely understand your conservative attitude, which I share as well to a degree. I am not arguing with you or attacking you, just stating my case.

There have been times in this forum where remarks about Pattaya have been made by those who know little and who, in my opinion, need to reduce the elevation of their neck about 45 degrees to get their nose back into alignment with everyone else who is "normal".

You can live in the Pattaya area for years and years and never experience the things that most complain about and judge as so "seedy". Nothing exists here that does not exist in HH. If you look for it in both places, you'll find it. The bar areas of Pattaya continue to be reduced on a monthly basis. They now primarily exist along a portion of Beach Road, adjoining sois and Walking Street. Very similar to your area in HH, just larger, but decreasing, whereas increasing in HH per my understanding.

Everyone in the position to know about future development indicates that Pattaya is full. HH over the next 10 years is going to be the Pattaya of the last 10 years. Like it or not, it is going to happen. "Mafia"?...there is a thread about that and once again, the use of the word is incorrect, Thai gangsters, yes, in both places. Foreign Mafia...no, just pimps of the foreign girls here from countries ending in "..stan ", who can speak English and "manage" them. Why are there foreign hookers in Pattaya?....because of the Thai men, not the foreign tourists. Stand a 6' blonde, blue eyed, white skinned Russian girl in front of a Thai man and his pants will fall off by divine providence, he thinks he has died and gone to Heaven.

35 years ago HH was triple the size and population of Pattaya but due to Royal presence, HH never developed as rapidly. Your beaches are much more vast than what is here between Naklua and Jomtien, maybe 10 fold. This is why you are beginning to attract more and more tourists each year, Pattaya is "full".

You can live a very, very nice life here without being assaulted by what one may deem as "improper" and.....you can be Western or Thai to the fullest degree. Eat, drink, shop, experience ...it's all here. HH is starting to get it with the mega stores etc. One can choose, it's up to you.

However, if you think HH will remain the quaint Thai village that many seem to want, the days are numbered. Like me, think about new places, they still exist along the seaside but hurry. Pete

[Jim]

Pete, I don't know Pattaya well so won't try to argue with what you say. But there are important differences between it and HH, mainly relating to the Royal Family. HH is changing and will change, but it will always be Hua Hin, rather than "another Pattaya". And as it grows, it will attract everything associated with that development. But the attitude to the sex industry has changed throughout the country - just look at what was being done in Patong long before the tsunami accelerated the process. I agree totally with your point that you cannot stop change and that anyone wanting the Hua Hin of 10 years ago will not find it. But it is still Hua Hin and always will be.
_________________
ดวงขึ้น
จิม

[Michael]

Your are right Pete.

No one knows waht is normal and waht is not normal. Thailand is growing and Hua Hin also. I knew Pattaya well. I dont want to point my finger to somebody.
Maybe i think little to romantic. But Hua Hin is genius in Thailand.

Excuse my bad english .

Michael

[lomuamart]

It happens that I'm listening to Carabao - "Made in Thailand" - now.
For some reason, I thought that was pertinent, whether in HH or Pattaya.
_________________
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[jambo]

jim wrote

[Jim]

Tell me if I'm wrong as I haven't been back to Patong this year, but the change in the preceding 4 years was huge. Soi Bangla was throbbing, the bars at the far end of town were are full, the go-go bars were packed, the pavements at the bottom end of Soi Thavevong were so full of hawkers you could hardly get past and so on.

We used to go a lot and progressively the number of bars reduced, one of the go-go bars closed and the others were pretty much deserted, there were many fewer hawkers...and so on. The place was progressively being cleaned up. I'm told, and again tell me if I'm wrong, that this is even more so over the past year. Patong was a sleaze pit (but great great fun) but was becoming altogether more family and less sex-tourist orientated.

I love the place, but I couldn't live there. Hence the house in HH.
_________________
ดวงขึ้น
จิม

[johnnyk]

My 2 satang:
Pattaya is not "decreasing".
It is re-locating eastwards.
Most people never get outside the Beach Rd/Wanking Street areas.
New bars, bar complexes, hotels, pubs and apartments are being built and opened rapidly in the soi Buakhow area east of 2nd road.
Beach Rd is being redeveloped because the land is far too valuable to be occupied by tin-roof beer bars.
For Pattaya the future is package tour beach holidays for Asians.
Last time I looked Asian men liked a bit of sanuk, too.
They just like it to be a bit less in-your-face.

[prcscct]

I bit of history/trivia that may interest some. Pattaya has two Royal residences.

The first is occupied almost full time by the first wife of the Crowned Prince and located along the coast between Pattaya and Jomtien. She likes to shop at Foodland believe it or not. When she decides to do that, or go anywhere else for that matter, all traffic stops as her motorcade makes it's way. I've been told that if you happen to be shopping in Foodland when she arrives, you are kindly asked to stop and "stand by" until she is finished.

The second is actually the King's local palace. Located in the same area as above but about 1,000 meters north, right on a small peninsula that juts out into Pattaya bay at the south end. The Royal Cliff Hotel is located close by and that's how the hotel got it's name as it is located near the "Royal Cliff". His Majesty used to come often during his yonger days when he was sailing but alas, as Pattaya began to go mega, he stopped coming. The place is still used on weekends and holidays by members of the Royal family. Pete

[Jaime]

And does the Crown Prince have the same affection for Hua Hin that the current king & queen do? If not it could make a good deal of difference to the future of Hua Hin.
_________________
"The man who never made a mistake never did bugger all" - Old Welsh proverb

"Why limit yourself to the death of a crummy celery stalk when you can eat a giraffe?" - PWEETA