Why Pattaya will remain the nightlife centre of fun and frolic

[Pattaya One]

The pictures accompanying this piece I believe offer two cogent reasons why Pattaya and its almost unique style of nightlife will remain a viable and prosperous attraction for many years into the future.

Forget all the rubbish about Pattaya being gradually emasculated to the point where the bar/nightlife scene disappears under sixteen tons of concrete and new shopping malls. Yes, we are seeing more and more shopping centres. Pattaya has also witnessed an increase in bars as well, it’s just that in some areas they’re being shunted out because the space they occupy is worth much more than as a rental for a bar.

I happened to be wandering about the environs of south Pattaya and, apart from the very obvious increase in tourist numbers, I spotted a couple of foreign men being accompanied by local girls. Now, this is not an unusual situation in the fleshpots of Pattaya, but what made me decide to snap a couple of pictures was I think they prove that as much as things may appear to change, in reality, they stay much the same.

I have no desire to try and embarrass the people in these pictures, so if they recognise themselves and feel a little put out, I apologise in advance. It’s not these people specifically I want to single out, it’s what they represent that I’m interested in exploring.

The reason men like Pattaya. On the left the results of a high protein diet. On the right a man who can't believe his luck.

Do either of these men think the girl on their arm is ‘in love’ with their good looks, athletic physiques, or stylish dress sense? I doubt it. I would imagine, like most guys who come here eventually realise after a few close encounters with the scourge of self-delusion, the reason they have a nice young lady of willing charms on their arms is money.

Long experience has shown me that far more than most realise the nature of the beast, but are quite content to have a holiday romance or sixteen and pay what probably amounts to not a great deal when compared to the alternatives.

Where else in the world can a man who would be considered well past his prime be able to enjoy himself in much the same way as the likes of Hugh Hefner or Mick Jagger, or even Silvio Berlusconi?

©Duncan Stearn

View the full article