Welcome to Pattaya. A city full of life with an ocean view. In this reporters opinion there is no better place to enjoy life to the fullest than in Pattaya, Thailand. We have it all here. Outstanding Golf on over 20 world class courses, the best water sports in Southeast Asia, great shopping till you drop, almost every kind of attraction that you can think of and the most vibrant nightlife to be found anywhere!
Like so many others before me I arrived in Pattaya on vacation and fell in love with the place, so much so that I have now lived here for going on 5 years. I must admit I was ready for a change when I arrived here in Pattaya. After college, graduate school and working 20 years running my own business I looked around and decided I was missing out on life. I was looking for something different, but I believe I got more than I ever dreamed of when I arrived in Pattaya. Having lived many different places in the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada I can say with certainty nothing comes close to what Pattaya has to offer.
I have seen many changes in Pattaya over the past few years, some good and some bad. Every day the city is growing and with that growth has come problems. Some might say that Pattaya is experiencing a lot of problems right now. Traffic congestion, vendor encroachment of public spaces, business operating hour restrictions and lack of zoning. To some ways of thinking problems are opportunities, a chance to change, benefit and profit. I would have to agree with that idea. We have a chance to work together to make Pattaya better. Complaining won’t accomplish anything.
An international tourist city that closes down at 2 am might not remain a tourist destination. Not to mention that the 2 am closing time represents a loss of income for the cities businesses and employees. It did not surprise me when the 2am closing time was enforced, because for years I listened to peoples comments about how this place or the other kept them awake at night with loud music. To me it seems the issue was not the closing time but the lack of zoning of entertainment venues. Why were entertainment venues unregulated and allowed to open in residential areas in the first place? Well here is one of those opportunities I was talking about. Lets get some zoning laws in place pronto and enforce them. Perhaps then the underlining issues of noise and social order will be handled, the city businesses can go back to later operating hours and prosperity will once again rein in Pattaya.
* Get ready for a traffic change this week. Pattaya Second Road is changing to one way going north from Pattaya Central Road to Pattaya North Road. I am wondering what the impact is going to be on all those quaint little Sois that run from Beach Road to Second Road. Currently many are residential but that is sure to change. I predict more commercialization on the Sois, but how the traffic will flow on those narrow streets we will just have to wait and see. Traffic bumps probably would be a good Idea for many spots to keep the speed down and I hope we see greater enforcement of traffic rules. Motorbikes going the wrong way down the street are a common sight and danger.
*Check out the Real English Breakfast at the Lobby Restaurant and Sports Bar on Soi Buakhao. Opens at 9 am.
*Penthouse Hotel, Soi Pattayaland 2 “Pattaya Funland” has opened many new single, double and triple Babylon Suites. There are really special and very affordable. Also don’t miss the new Patio Sports Bar that over looks Soi Pattayaland 2. It has 2 new pool tables, no waiting.
* Cats NightClub offers up on Saturday night a free pig or chicken roast and Sunday afternoon dig into a free buffet. All welcome.
*Pattaya Beat is a new feature, which will run in every issue of Pattaya INFO. Send you comments or announcement to pattayabeat@yahoo.com and we will put them in this column free.
*Tequila Reef Mexican Cantina Soi 7 near Beach Road has Taco Tuesdays. 25 Baht tacos and half price Margaritas.
* Abe Lincoln has been nominated as America’s Funniest President and also the ugliest. “Someone once said to Mr. Lincoln that he was two faced. His reply was, do you think that if I had another face that I would be wearing this one.”
*The Sportsman Bar & Grill Soi 13 has some of the best Happy Hour prices in town. Start at 11am and goes to 6pm. Check it out.
* Winchester Club, Soi Wat Boon, Jomtien has a brilliant free buffet every Sunday from 1pm till its finished.
*One of the nicest views in Pattaya from a restaurant can be found at the little Thai Restaurant near the Big Buddha. Most meals will set you back 30 to 40 Baht.
*Tony’s Entertainment Complex and Brew House on New Petchaburi Road in Bangkok has a Free special for the ladies. Ladies get your first glass of Tony’s Beer FREE.
Well, that it from the Pattaya Beat for this week. Send me you comments, complaints or announcements and I print them if I feel like it. Party ON Pattaya!
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