I’m looking at a handful of jobs that are on the horizon in Thailand. More specifically, inland from Pattaya.
I’m guessing Pattaya is a shithole but what’s the rest of that part of the country/coast like? I’ve never been to Thailand and it will (potentially) involve moving the family out there with me.
I’ve just google imaged Pattaya. Any responses that assume I am a single man living in Pattaya would also be welcome.
I shall ask my boss in the morning who lives there married to a Thai for 19 years or so
I lived in Pattaya for 6 months when I was younger. I wouldn’t stay there with my family.
The areas around it are generally either farms, golf courses or lads that have tried to set up businesses like waterparks etc on a budget. This is going back 15 to 20 years now so might all be different.
Never been to Pattaya as I’ve heard it’s full of sad men, women and men becoming women.
Much prefer the north of Thailand. Bangkok’s cool though.
My daughter loved Thailand (she was 10 when we took her last time).
Originally posted by @TheCholulaKid
I’m looking at a handful of jobs that are on the horizon in Thailand. More specifically, inland from Pattaya.
I’m guessing Pattaya is a shithole but what’s the rest of that part of the country/coast like? I’ve never been to Thailand and it will (potentially) involve moving the family out there with me.
Any responses that are serious would be welcome (specifically to suitably of young children living in Thailand). ** But I am also bracing myself for ping pong balls, trannies etc.**
Think you’ll be ok ToCK. … it doesn’t appear that ‘Half Man, Half Mustelid’ is around today
…not sure about Lord D tho’ 
Originally posted by @TheCholulaKid
I’m looking at a handful of jobs that are on the horizon in Thailand. More specifically, inland from Pattaya.
I’m guessing Pattaya is a shithole but what’s the rest of that part of the country/coast like? I’ve never been to Thailand and it will (potentially) involve moving the family out there with me.
Any responses that are serious would be welcome (specifically to suitably of young children living in Thailand). But I am also bracing myself for ping pong balls, trannies etc.
TCK Just spoke with my boss who lives there and he reckons it is a nice place to live obvioulsy you have the seedy side of town and the better more afluent side where the families and such like live.
Ta.
Probably regret this… but any tips/must see/do for Bangkok (2days/3 nights) and 10 days in Koh Samui (that do not involve pingpongs). I like architecture and pretty places rather than any interesting shows.
Will post tour advice later when bored at work.
Best recommendation I can give 're ex pat life there is to find the Stickman Blogs on the internet. Been going years and tells it as it is. Life has become less easy there since the coup and he points a lot of that stuff out.
(As well as how to live in Pattaya)
A lot of reading but really worth it.
Will find link later
https://www.stickmanbangkok.com/weekly-column/2017/
Here you go. Like I said I get to Thailan d once or twice a year for the past 10 or so, in groups from Ex Wife Kids & my Mom to work conferences to Stag Weekends. Always found this useful to read up on the changes.
After the Coup, there was a huge crackdown on the local “mafia” a lot of the Night Market stalls on Patpong were alleged money laundering outlets for the very illegal drug dens and “rave” type clubs (that visitors NEVER get to find). As such there were a lot of changes, suddenly stalls were shut down etc. It also impacted (for the better) the normal night life scene - less tolerance of Sex Tourists for a start, and a lot of raids on bars and jail terms for Under Age girls.
There ARE security issues, they have been mainly around Central World Plaza area in Bangkok - going back some 10 years hand grenades at NYE and the bombing of the shrine. FCO advice is worth following but seems settled at the moment. A lot of Stickmans gripes are based on the “No-Visa” culture of ex pats there and the regular Visa Run crews.
One thing I do know, most middle aged men dream of retiring and running a Bar in Thailand. They all lose everything. It is the unseen side that gets them, lets call them permits and sponsorship.
Pattaya has been a “home” for Russian Mafia for many years now. It is a big City and the Bar Street is a relatively small part of it. There was a spate of “turf wars” and Russians "jumping out of stairwells. Only ever been on a day time trip there and saw nothing to make me want to stay into the evening. But it does have a good ex pat scene.
And there is a decent sized Saints fan base in Thailand - they have a FB page and no I can’t read any of it!
Try and stay in a hotel on Sukhumvit if you can - it has access to the Skytrain and you can get around the City REALLY quickly. There are LOTS of $30 a night 3 and 4* hotels in town but you will find that Thais like VERY VERY hard beds!
Must do’s
MBK Centre - National Stadium - 6 floors of shopping Warehouse (ladies) and Export / XL for Men are outlet stores (check they aren’t seconds) but stuff is real and cheaper than knock offs. The foodcourt on the top floor is a must for lunch 
Platinum Mall/Pratunam - Platinum is about 1,000 tiny little shops with lots of local designers not a lot for 6 foot blokes but is Mrs D_P’s favourite Mall on the planet - NO Global Brands at all. Pratunam is a maze of old style Thailand retail - Bayoke Tower and Indra Regent Mall - you can spend a very hot day here and come away with a ton of polyester Lacost and Kevin Cleen but we love the place. One BIG point though - you cannot try anything on, so take a Tape Measure! Things like “accessories” that you would buy in Claires in Uk for 5 quid you can buy a suitcase full for 5 quid!
The BEST trip? You can do it yourselves, but take a Map with you from hotel reception
Take the Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station on Silom line. Exit the station there is a Jetty where you can catch River Ferries but go to the Long Tail Boat desks - HAGGLE and book an hour long Canal Trip in a Long Tail (NOT the slow shit things) - when you get off the river a woman “floating market” comes out with expensiver shit to sell you - just buy LOAVES OF BREAD and beer. The Trip goes through the canals - you can pay more to the driver and extend the trip to visit the Royal Barges and the Snake Farm.
The Highlight on the Canals is stopping by one of the Temples and you use the Bread to Feed the Fish - It is insane (link below).
When you exit the Canals, get your driver to stop at Wat Arun - climb it, take pictures sweat a lot. Then get the driver to drop you at Chang Pier. (It is all street food) and walk to the Grand Palace. (Note check the opening hours before you go - think it shuts about 13:00)
Go see the Emerald Buddha and the Temple then carry on to the Grand Palace, have an iced coffee. By now you will likely be exhausted BUT if you have the energy, Wat Po is next door and is a beautiful Temple and also is home to the finest Massage School in Thailand (proper one not dodgy).
Nearby to this area you have Kaosan Road - back packer heaven but honestly not note worthy unless you really are a Di Caprio freak.
That is a very long hot morning but you will see the Temples and the best Architecture. We normally take a Tuk Tuk from here to MBK for a late lunch.
You can book up for “Tours” but you get picked up from your hotel, stuck in traffic, change buses, go to about 5 Temples or the “Floating Market” and taken to a Jewellery Factory…
Most Tourists will get pressured by touts or drivers to go to these places - they get a fee for taking you there - it is interesting but they are designed for ripping tourists off.
Night Time - DON’T fall into the Taxi Driver takes you for Seafood trap. You can eat anywhere. Ditto why go to expensive “Posh” Cocktail Bars - it’s Bangkok ffs.
Nana Plaza is the oldest and most famous “GoGo” area - it has Bar Beers downstairs and you will find as many female tourists as sold old men enjoying the vibe. Tbh the only GoGo bar that has been consistent and “entertaining” has been Angel Witch - the owner is German and his (Ex) Lady Boy wife is a big time choreographer so they put on a decent (and not ping pong) “show” - and yes I let my Kids go there and took my Mum!
The Ping Pong stuff is found across town at Patpong - there is a night market and the main drag. Again, like Nana a high number of LadyBoy bars. Heading down to Patpong you will pass a few of Bazza’s least favourite streets
The BEST GoGo / Nightlife are for us is Soi Cowboy - close to Asok Skytrain station. we awre heading there for NYE and always have a laugh. You can do the GoGo bit but also eat - Old Dutch Pub does cracking food, and also at the entrance there are two cracking bars - Country Road is one of them which host Thai Cover Bands mostly playing decent Stadium Rock/Heavy Metal classics.
Feeding Fish we do it every time we go to Thailand
Oh and DRESS CODE WARNING!
To visit ANY Temple/Palace, Men & Women MUST wear shorts/dress BELOW the knees, and women MUST have their shoulders covered (ie normal Tee Shirt) - Also, some temples refuse you entrance if you are not wearing socks. When you go into a Temple & sit on the floor to see the murals etc do NOT point your feet towards Buddha!!
The City is safe BUT Pickpockets exist everywhere - usually small kids - Cargo Shorts are so easy to lose a wallet/phone from. Buy a cheap wallet take ONLY what you need for the day (and take some Photo ID) and leave everything else in the hotel safe. Mrs D_P always takes a Thai Purse that goes round her neck. I ALWAYS wear shorts with Zip up pockets. I travelled a LOT and was always careful but even I have had phone & Wallet nicked in country
Oh and IF anyone in your group smokes, you HAVE to take your own ashtray with you when outdoors. Police enjoy nothing more than fining you 30 quid for dropping cigarette ash or Butts on the floor. And if you don’t have photo ID it’s a trip to the hotel and a bigger fine.
Another great shopping area is China Town Sampheng Street off Yaowarat Street - it’s a two mile long hell of everything - probably better for when you have more time and experience 
Good stuff Phil! I concur with the Royal barges (well worth a visit), the skytrain for getting around (air con bliss) and MBK for shopping. The reclining buddha is worth checking out (can’t remember what wat this was at).
My daughter also loved the Purr cat café off of Sukhumvit.
Last time we went we stayed at the Rembrandt Hotel on Sukhumvit which was lush (great pool to escape from the heat and ridiculously cheap) but there is a huge choice.
You’ll have a great time. Eat at the places where all the locals are. Drink lots of beer.
I would go again at the drop of a hat.
Emerald Budha is at Grand Palace.
Reclining is Wat Po. as I recall.
Just note you can do the Canal Trip as a package but not as much fun as having a long tail boat to yourself!
The whole James Bond chase thingy 
The BEST restaurant in town is Cabbages & Condoms. Stunning location and food & all for charity.
Cannot recommend it enough and eat the BLUE Dim Sum starter. It’s near As ok Google them. Bill Gates foundation donated $500k to their rehab programmes for HIC prevention & victims of the sex trade/ people smuggling.
And yes I took my Mum & kids there it is a special place for dinner
Link below - they opened a branch in UK not so long ago we’re heading here for our NYE Dinner on way back from Cambodia
http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/
Been there too!
Spoilt for choice for food in Bangkok. As long as you like it spicy.
@goatboy & @dubai_phil thanks that will keep us busy in Bangkok! My partner last went in early 90s and remembers the Cabbage and Condoms place as it was next door to a friend’s flat. Booked into a hotel near Lumpini park and near a metro station. I cannot wait! Although I am not that great with spicy and we are also vegan now so we will see how that goes.
Should be ok with the dairy but there is fish sauce in everything!
Tell me about it! Our favourite thai place here has just had to be binned as everything had fish sauce in it. Although they made a pad thai the other day without it for me (tasted much better). We may have to be less picky when on our travels.