Jomtien - my very rough guide

[davidge]

I recently stayed at View Talay 7 in Jomtien for 18 days.

I'd tried to find out as much as I could before going, including on this forum, but found it quite difficult to find out very much.

 

I thought I'd post a few details of what I found out during my visit. It won't be any use to those who know Jomtien but, hopefully, may be of some use to a few others.

 

I'm sure any BM's who know Jomtien better than me will correct any mistakes I make :-)

 

I've tried to mark some places on Google Maps and have posted below. Apologies that they're a bit messy, I'm not very good at this stuff!

 

 

Travelling between Jomtien and Pattaya:

 

The blue line on the maps shows the baht bus route. 10 baht as usual. A few times I hired one to get back to Jomtien (from Royal, from Soi LK Metro, from Pattaya Tai) and they agreed to150 baht each time. It would be more if you were going to one of Jomtien's higher numbered Sois.

 

I only went up as far as Soi 10 so I'm not sure how far they go before turning around.

 

Going from Jomtien I never had to wait very long before a baht bus came along. It usually took about 15 minutes to get to the lights at the junction between Pattaya Tai and Second Road. Saturday night was slower - up to 30 minutes. Every one I caught went straight on at the junction up Second Road.

 

To get to Jomtien from Pattaya the baht buses line up outside the school at the junction of Tai and Second. I've put a blue blob on the first map. They won't go until full. It is a bit like 'sardines' as they insist on 6 either side and at least 2 standing at the back! They usually filled up quickly but I occasionally had to wait up to 15 minutes.

 

I went into Pattaya twice most days and didn't find it too bad. I guess about 90 minutes a day travelling on average. I expect it would be slower in high season so I'm not sure I would want to do it then.

 

I never use motorbike taxis so can't comment on their cost.

 

 

 

Index to map:

1. VT7

2. Bondi

3. O-la-la

4. Simon's Fish & Chips

5. Immigration

6. Soi 6 - massages

7. Rhompo Market and Bars

8. Pig & Whistle

9. Jomtien Complex

10. The Continental Bakery

11. Food Mart. Bus Station. massage.

12. VT1

13. VT2

14. Pastrami on Rye

 

 

Bars:

 

There is a large group of bars at Rhompo. I went there twice. There is a food, clothes, general goods market next door. Mixed lot of girls and some katoeys. A number of places to eat.

If you are going there from Pattaya the easiest way is probably to stay on the baht bus until the bottom of Soi 7 then walk along the Soi and cross the road at the top.

 

Soi 7 itself has a lot of bars so you can stop for a drink or two on your way.

Soi Whitehouse is the dead-end Soi next along from Soi 7. Quite a few bars here also. hotel Danmark is on the right at the bottom if you want some Scandinavian food.

 

There are a few bars in the earlier Sois as well which I didn't explore that much.

 

There are a couple of quite popular bars on Thappraya Road close to VT7. Country Road is just the beach side of VT7 and has a number of pool tables. The infamous No. 1 A-Go-Go is directly opposite. Country Club is a bit further from the beach on the opposite side to VT7. It has a live band, seemed busy a lot of the time and charged more for drinks. Rumours is directly opposite Country Club and is quieter. I stopped going there when they cheated me on my check bin.

 

Jomtien Complex is a mainly gay bar area with restaurants. I didn't get upstairs (I'm pretty sure there is an upstairs?) so am not sure what that's like.

 

Massage:

 

There are at least 3 massage shops on Soi 6. The first two have a number of katoeys, Yellow House seemed to be only girls. There are also 3 or 4 massage shops on Thappraya near VT7 and down the side Soi opposite. A couple are gay, a couple seem genuine 'no extras' places. There is also a massage place next to the big Foodmart and bus station. I didn't try it but there's a thread on here somewhere ( is it

Rose Apple?).

 

Shopping:

 

As I mentioned the large FoodMart, it is 24 hour and has a very wide selection of European food etc. Not cheap! Obviously, there are 7-11's and smaller supermarkets everywhere. 3 on the bit of Thappraya by VT7 alone. There is also a Kodak shop on the same side as VT7 closer to the beach. They did a laminated copy of my passport for me and printed some pics from my phone and my boarding pass.

 

Restaurants:

 

Lots and lots of restaurants all over the place. Many expensive, many not.

I've marked those mentioned in my Trip Report

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/273814-back-to-the-future/

 

And those I reviewed or were mentioned in Nixonsbest breakfast thread

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/130612-nixonsbest-and-worst-breakfasts/

 

I also did individual reviews of some of them.

 

Other:

 

It's a very pleasant walk along Dongtan Beach (turn right as Thappraya reaches the beach) especially late afternoon. The road is closed to traffic during the day but watch out for motorbikes and bicycles. Lots of chairs to hire with free wi-fi advertised and drink sellers. I never got around to using them.

 

There was construction in the other direction all the way along to Soi 6 so I couldn't walk along next to the beach there. Lots and lots of chairs all the way along the beach to about Soi 8.

 

The buses go from next to the large FoodMart. I think it's only to the airport?

 

Finally, I've marked Immigration on Soi 5 in case anyone's not sure where it is. Shuts for lunch at 12. Very useful office next door for photos, copies and information.

 

If I think of anything else I'll add it. Please feel free to ask anything, or correct anything I've got wrong. :-)

 

Edit: thought of something already! Nearly always much cooler in Jomtien than Pattaya especially in the evening. I got off the baht bus coming back from Pattaya at night and could actually walk around without sweating! The breeze starts to pick up late afternoon most days and makes a huge difference. I could also cross the roads without taking my life in my hands.

[Mick Pattaya]

This is a good write up on Jomtien, for expected reasons Pattaya Central finds precedence on this board. Learned a fair few things from this.

 

Going by your map, if I happen to stay at VT 1 or 2 then I am able to board a baht bus right from my doorstep?

[mixxer]

should be useful for a lot of bm's , especially the newbies or those not familiar with jomtien

[davidge]

This is a good write up on Jomtien, for expected reasons Pattaya Central finds precedence on this board. Learned a fair few things from this.

 

Going by your map, if I happen to stay at VT 1 or 2 then I am able to board a baht bus right from my doorstep?

Only saw them from the baht bus. Yes, it stops right outside the entrance but it looked like a fair trek from there to the actual buildings?

To go into Pattaya you would also have to cross the dual carriageway which is fairly busy at this point ( for Jomtien).

[willswing134]

Thanks for the write up.  I have often travelled  between VT6 in Pattaya and Jomtien for windsurfing.  I normally rent a scooter and I think it was taking me around 30 minutes between the two.  I really haven't explored Jomtien itself that much, so I will give a few of these places a try. 

Have you tried the seafood at The View Beach Bar and Restaurant in Jomtien?  Great restaurant in a great location.

[davidge]

Thanks for the write up.  I have often travelled  between VT6 in Pattaya and Jomtien for windsurfing.  I normally rent a scooter and I think it was taking me around 30 minutes between the two.  I really haven't explored Jomtien itself that much, so I will give a few of these places a try. 

Have you tried the seafood at The View Beach Bar and Restaurant in Jomtien?  Great restaurant in a great location.

No. I didn't go nearly that far down the beach. I was intending to stay on the baht bus to see how far they went but, as with many things, didn't get around to it. I don't think they'd go anywhere close to The View anyway so it would mean hiring one.

In any case, I don't eat seafood :-)

[Mick Pattaya]

I think you should move this to Barstool Banter for more viewership, a lot many people ask about Jomtien in that section.

[davidge]

If a Mod wants to copy it there, or is happy for me to post it there as well, then fine.

 

I think this is the correct place really, but have no worries about copying/moving it.

 

As I always have my settings to 'View New Content' I am usually unaware of which section a thread is in. I simply get to see all new threads as they are posted.

 

I never actually click on 'Barstool Banter' or any other section as a starting point. :-)

 

 

Edit: maybe I can just put a post there linking to this thread. I'll think about it and see if a Mod says anything.

Edited July 20, 2015 by davidge

[LRanger]

Jomtien is good if you have a mixed group holiday.  Meaning with wife/kids, family etc.  Ones that are unlikely to appreciate the subtleties of of venues such as Windmill, Babydolls or Ibar/Insomnia.

 

We have typically always stayed at Nirvana Boutique as it has a very reasonably priced 2-bedroom apartment up top. The small hotel/guesthouses on Dongtan Beach are quite ok too.  Lazy beach days where one can slip over to Soi 6-Jomtien for a full service massage. I think thai wifey has finally figured out that one..from her spies at her massage shop on Soi 5.

 

Lots of cheap good food for falang and the old ladies sitting along the beach make the best somtum - so thai female happy bout that.

 

And after 10pm - head in to Pattaya for the other stuff.

 

Sois 3-5 is an interesting area.  Some girls live in this area. Its a bit grungy but worth exporing.  Cheap guesthouse rooms too.

 

 

A few lazy hours crashed in a deckchair at Jomtien beach - perfekt.

 

But - if you are a solid central pattaya person, warning, Jomtien will give you the shits....do not stay there or risk whining like a stuck pig.

[Davie Duke]

I am not a Jomtien guy, but thanks for your useful contribution.

[philkrenshaw]

I never really went down there because I didn't have the info to make it easy or give me ideas of where to go..

This is great. Thank you.

I'd like to see added a few more things like the Pattaya Tower, water park, aquarium, etc.

 

I hope this thread gets pinned, maybe in the Newbie section, for future reference of everyone.

[willswing134]

The aquarium is a fun afternoon activity, if you dive they'll let you go in the main tank, pretty cheap as I recall.  Give the Dolphin show a miss though it is much further out of town and the place was a wreck when I visited, actually I'd be surprised if the place hasn't already been shut down due to poor care of the animals.

[Laid Back Larry]

Davidge,

 

This is an excellent contribution, providing a lot of practical information. It takes quite an effort do share it all on the Forum so we rightly so should thank you for that.

 

I have several times (3) stayed at the Pattaya Park - 345 Jomtien Beach, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20150 Thailand.

 

Quite frankly, I personally dont like it, it is run down, too big, has no interior decoration to please the eye, a cement building full of people, the food is so-so, the waterpark and the amusement park equipment seems run down and downright dangerous to go on, but friends of my family seem to preffer it as we go with kids.

 

Henceforth, their choice may be wellintended.

 

However. the surrounding area was always interesting to me, a market place, stalls where you can eat great thai street food and bars and restaurants. I enjoy the area and can certainly recommend Jomtien (Beach) to any family.

 

I shall consider staying in Jomtien even if I go in my own, there are enough retaurants, bars and ladies to enjoy.

 

For a 60 year old but slim and handsome gentleman like me - there may be more of an opportunity for a weekend GF experience in Jomtien than the Hardcore Walking Street.

 

I'll take a Girl with a twinkle in her eye over the pros at WS any night!

 

You only need to know your pussy eating techniques and you'll get whatever sex you like regardless of where you found the girl.

 

Peace

Edited July 21, 2015 by Laid Back Larry

[davidge]

Thanks for the comments.

The forum was a godsend to me over the past 15 months when I was thinking of finally getting back to Pattaya.

I wanted to give a little back if possible.

 

Re. Waterpark

If you look at the bottom left corner of the first map you'll see the start of Thappraya 12 Soi. The park is at the bottom of that (I think).

Not on baht bus route so you'll need to hire one.

I did actually walk along Dongtan as far as it on the beach side a couple of times.

 

Larry: there were enough nice ladies in the bars I visited to keep you happy, I'm sure.

Edited July 21, 2015 by davidge

[striderman]

useful but u have pastrami on rye (14) the wrong side of the traffic lights at theprasit rd

[davidge]

useful but u have pastrami on rye (14) the wrong side of the traffic lights at theprasit rd

Thanks.

Just rough positions as I can't really draw numbers small enough to be very accurate :-)

Never actually got to Pastrami, only passed on baht bus.

[adammike]

Never really considered a jomtien before the beach sounds good,how would you rate it compared to hua hin? I tried Cha am this year a few days resting was fine but it was a bit boring really,hua hin was ok but busy at night and it was very windy on the beach .

[striderman]

Thanks.

Just rough positions as I can't really draw numbers small enough to be very accurate :-)

Never actually got to Pastrami, only passed on baht bus.

[davidge]

How many times did I see that view? :-)

 

Missing it already!

Home for 3 days and I'm looking at Christmas flights, just in case.

[Laid Back Larry]

Thanks for the comments.

The forum was a godsend to me over the past 15 months when I was thinking if finally getting back to Pattaya.

I wanted to give a little back if possible.

 

Larry: there were enough nice ladies in the bars I visited to keep you happy, I'm sure.

 

I think so

Edited July 21, 2015 by Laid Back Larry

[dave9132]

Thx for the guide.

 

Can you do a bar map of Jomtien as well?

[Mick Pattaya]

An odd question maybe, what about stray soi dogs? I like to walk around a bit but always wary of the dogs. Are they many in numbers & trouble causing? 

[davidge]

Thx for the guide.

 

Can you do a bar map of Jomtien as well?

I've mentioned what I saw as the main bar areas: Rhompo, Soi 7, Soi Whithouse. Along with the few on Thappraya (including the infamous go-go) and gay ones in Jomtien Complex. I also said there are some on Sois 1-5 as well.

 

Other than the ones I named on Thappraya, I couldn't tell you the names of any of the ones in Rhompo etc I had a drink at, sorry!

 

TBH I didn't spend many nights in Jomtien as I was getting to know the different areas of Pattaya again.

[davidge]

An odd question maybe, what about stray soi dogs? I like to walk around a bit but always wary of the dogs. Are they many in numbers & trouble causing?

 

I can't say I noticed many, other than the first night when one started barking at me as I approached Rhompo.

There were some along the beach but they were never a problem.

 

I did have to avoid a fair bit of dog mess when I walked the beach path from Soi 10 to Soi 6!

[striderman]

An odd question maybe, what about stray soi dogs? I like to walk around a bit but always wary of the dogs. Are they many in numbers & trouble causing? 

they will almost always fall for the fake stone routine..............bend down and pretend to pick one up and they nearly always leg it. worked when confronted with 2  of 3 dogs 1 time but not crazy eyes* here in naklua......

 

 

point blank range full power glass coke bottle stopped the bastard or i was (chewed) toast.

but like i said most times the fake stone pick up works

 

* the outlaw josey wales

Edited July 21, 2015 by striderman