good crowds!

[Moose]

I have talked to 2 different people who spent xmas and newyear in patong ,1 a many time los veteran and he was surprised with the large crowds there this year over christmas ,definetly the crowded he has seen it for many years, lot of bars 3 or 4 deep at times. Good to see the bar owners making a quid..makes up for those long nights during low season.

 

[Sumsie]

I thought the opposite , although the beach and Bangla were crowded a lot of it was families with kids. Found the side Soi's not nearly as busy as last year , guess there is a different "type" of tourist visiting now.

Certain nights bars were busy but did not think Soi Eric was anywhere near as "full" as previous visits.

 

[Canary]

Agree with Faulty.. Town felt maddeningly busy.. but Bars didnt seem to see the impact as much.. Of course there was the peak week over Christmas and New Year.. But not feeling the numbers that were visible on the streets.

 

[Bren]

well there ya go ..then again he was in patong with his girlfriend probaly clouded his judgement..

 

[joliee]

Soi Croc and Bangla front bars were busy - otherwise agree with Faulty - things quietened down a lot mid-Jan.

 

[le_rogers@rocketmail.com]

I agree Phuket or Patong has been very busy, Bangla full of families and couples but the bars has been more slow than normal. IMHO.

 

[georgemaddenbarcelona]

Dont get me wrong guys, but I have heard that Patong has become more of a family, couple destination that is why I have been going to Pattaya for last 2 years.

What I have read here possibly confirms this belief. I have also been reading in another thread that it has become quite expensive. Is it becoming a 'boutique' type destination catering for the family rather than a chap like me who wants to have a few weeks of debauchery with hot tgs/lbs and to escape my real life??

 

[morris994]

There are more upscale developments for sure. Was at Joe's South (Joe's Downstairs in Kata) last night. 295 baht for drinks. Really nicely done. Not a place for debauchery. Was also told there is a huge 6 star japanese hotel going in in Kata. Some of the things i heard were really top end. So that is more and more the trend. but doubt the lady scene will get totally shut down.

 

[michellemoniquexx]

It's all true Nero! I came here for exactly the same things you mention and it's all gone!

Bars close at 10PM. No girls. Beer (When available) is 300Baht a bottle and you have to drink it out of a brown paper bag! I got the tailors to make me a black shirt with a little white collar and walk along Bangla with a bible preaching the Gospel according to St Dodger of Kamala: "Though shalt not shake your hips in a 'Get-Jiggy-With-It' kinda way!" All the ladyboys are sat on street corners, no makeup, living in cardboard boxes, shaking their heads and saying "Where did it all go wrong!"..........in Thai obviously.

Nope! Enough is enough. I'm off to Malaysia, far, far better there. Infact, I hope nobody else comes here ever again, especially single blokes with loadsamoney!

 

[=(emoislove)=]

sheesh,
that,s terrible denver. i really feel for you.
maybe id better cancel my april trip then
5555555555555555
Notttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

 

[caitlin]

My conclusion is that Phuket offers excellent value in the low season. I tried getting a hotel in Phuket for the first week in Feb ( a late booking) but could not find anywhere decent. However, the low season prices can be as low as 50% of the high season price. Maybe the low season will also be busier?

Pattaya seems to reflect what is happening in Phuket. Hotels pretty full, but bars quieter than previous years. Families and couples (Koreans/Japs/Eastern Europe) are the new influx there.

 

[mynameismud]

Apart from dodgy money-laundering Russians, why would these families go to Pattaya? Why?! Am I missing something?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I wondered the same thing.. Seeing old females wandering around..

I mean, I know what there is that appeals.. But its dirty, rough, etc etc.. Whats the appeal for them ??

 

[R Nino]

Sitting on bangla just watching people go by, "normal" tourists and couples far out numbered guys with girls. Even past 2am, it wasn't the parade of guys and girls/ladyboys like it was even last year. Something has changed in patong for sure.

 

[ilovejustinbieber(:]

And how will that effect the money flow ?? Will Phuket do better without them ??

Also if less punters will that mean less top flight girls ?? Will it lower the quality ?? Will the punter migration snowball ??

Patts is the obvious winner if that does happen.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I thought that was obvious - it's cheaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Abayomi]

I'd say less stunners than previous years. Really none to even take notice of this year. Most bars seem slower. Looks like the old nightlife in general is taking a hit. Meanwhile the more punter-free places like Seduction are packed with couples and big farang women (they scare me). So I guess some winners and some losers.

 

[Angel Heart]

But its not cheaper than places less touristified...

Looking at my wallet sure didnt feel any cheaper to me..

 

[Tom N]

But the people I mentioned are known as ''non-spenders'', whereas you enjoy yourself in the gogo bars etc.

They are new to tourism, so will go to tourist areas. The accommodation in Pattaya is cheaper than any other tourist areas in LOS that I can think of, and it is 90 minutes from the airport by road.

As for the place being dirty,polluted etc. - that does not seem to bother them. Think back 20 years (when these visitors were teenagers) and the reports on the news that I remember about the Eastern block was food shoreforum.xxxes etc. With a background like that, they are probably pleased to able to take any sort of holiday - their parenets never did.

 

[felixeatsmeowmix]

My last trip to Patong was in December 2005 and I had a wow of a time but my girl is in Patts. I think the shear size of the mongering in Patts is the draw card for me. Plus I have stayed at the Sandy Spring Hotel in Patts now 3 times and I have got to know the concierge really well who can organise anything for you if you get my drift!!

However saying this I really miss the long hot days sunbaking on the beautiful Patong Beach.

Both places have there 'charms'.