Its been a good few years since I've been out.  Other than the reported 500+ weed shops what other changes have there been?

They're still working on "improving" beach road. 

Prices gone up.  Attitudes down.

Compared to years ago, it seems "draft beer" would be a hard item to find.

In the past, it seemed every person holding a sign was promoting a cheap draft beer price. Not many places serve it.

Pattaya gets worse every year for many reasons. It's hardly like being in Thailand anymore, more like money hungry Vegas minus the casinos.

Christmas has now become a big deal here, the girls even expect a Christmas gift, in a Buddhist country. Some girls will even tell you to fuck off if you like a different football team. The total westernization of Pattaya is a reality and getting more so every year.

The old Pattaya dominated by Thai owned businesses, Thai easy going attitudes, Buddhist ways, low prices, is dead and buried forever. 

I know this won't be a popular opinion especially by the guys that have been coming to Thailand less than 10 years. They don't know a Pattaya that was devoid of western holidays, was full of genuine smiles whether you rang the bell or not, no Youtube, no western attitudes, and where the only other Farang you'd see 90% of the time was another customer. The new guys want a place that is just like home, but with girls. 

Construction on 2nd Road:

Starts and stops weekly or depending on if there is a Thai Holiday with expected Thai travelers in town.

Guess I'm lucky I never saw the old Pattaya. Fucking love this place and it's absolutely nothing like home. Oh, and I have never gotten in trouble from not giving Christmas gifts

3 minutes ago, Thomaz73 said:

Guess I'm lucky I never saw the old Pattaya. Fucking love this place and it's absolutely nothing like home. Oh, and I have never gotten in trouble from not giving Christmas gifts

I agree....

I started in 2012 and the changes to me are so subtle they are not worth bitching about really.

Think about where you lived before.  There are usually small changes everywhere.

Also, when I TG ask me for Christmas gifts, I just respond, I did not know they were Christian, I thought they were Buddhist.  555

This always perplexes them. 

Then I tell them Christmas is a religious holiday and it is improper to disrespect my religion and ask for gifts if you are not a Christian.  555

Seems a lot fewer farang now, particularly from the UK.

And a lot more Indians, middle East & Russians.

I know some farang expats here who are concerned about the tax changes. They're considering having just over 6 months p.a. travelling around Asia.

But the basics here haven’t changed: reasonable cost of living, great people, good food etc. A great place to chill

 

 

Chaiyapoon celebrated its 100,000th pothole.