Reader Talkback Results: Is it worth coming to Pattaya now or should one wait a while?

The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…

Last week, we asked you the following:

Is it worth coming to Pattaya now or should one wait a while?

Some context around this question:

We get this question almost daily to our inboxes and it is also asked constantly on our social media channels. We want to get our reader’s opinions, especially ex-pats currently on the ground or people who have visited recently. What do YOU think?

Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. Obviously, we can’t post everyone’s opinion here so selected a variety of the most diverse opinions. As always, the opinions and statements below are the reader’s own and may not reflect those of TPN media. There have been minor edits for spelling and grammar only:

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Ray S-I truly want to visit Thailand but because of the risk of a false positive, the testing expense, and the fact that in time, all this nonsense will be dropped, I am waiting. It saddens me that the govt has not seen that they are choking the economy by still enforcing the obstacles of travel that they have implemented. In 2022, I hope to fly there but for now, waiting until travel is easier and less risky. One false-positive test can cost a traveler thousands in expenses

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Alex B-There is no question Pattaya is quieter than normal. Many locations are still closed and the streets are traffic-free. However, if you like that sort of vacation then now is indeed the time to come here.
Also, Pattaya is opening more and more businesses every day. Late last year there were very few locations open for drinking or massage. Now there are many. The locations have changed somewhat. Soi Buakhow is the center of nightlife in the evenings – Freetown is busy. The soi is busy.
There are more and more people returning from the upcountry all the time. There are still not a lot of tourists here. In some ways – this may be the best time to visit.

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Chris B–Always had great times whenever we visit Thailand 🇹🇭.. it will always be a great place to visit.

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Ram B-Pattaya will never back to the old good days. There is nothing with the covid but politics

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Reece A-Yes, these posts could be so short and simple; it great here, quieter, but still great. Why wait for the busloads of Chinese to return? It’s wonderful now.

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Marcus H-I was out last night. Brilliant fun. No issue for me. No tour buses. None of the nationalities that walk in the road. The places I went were packed. Great night

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Apolo E-I’ll wait until the Thai government scrap the Day 1 PCR testing either June or July so they can open up the nightclubs, gogo bars & soapie massages.

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Willi H-If you don’t mind the bad streets and the many construction sides no problem to come.

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Sodoff B-Very few tourists at the mo, many bar managers drinking with each other, and ex-pats that live there! It needs tourists and hopefully, they will come soon (Saudis are coming apparently)

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Rexy S-

A Pattaya experience even now for a newbie would be a life experience worth the money.
For coffin dodgers that remember 1990 and pubic hair, 20 baht beers, and two girls for 1000 baht it would be hell.
For anyone else whose been, although it will never be as “interesting” as yesteryear you will still find it hard to find anything like it.
Pattaya’s changed..yes
So has everywhere else
And not for the Better, which still makes Pattaya a good choice of holiday destination
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James S-It is way worse than it was two years ago but it’s still better than everywhere else
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Peter H-

I live here but yesterday I met up in Pattaya with an old friend from Germany.
He has been to Thailand about 10 times before and he says he’s having the best time of his life all over again. And he was also in Phuket and Samui a few weeks ago.
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Tim T-I read this morning they were actually trying to blame the lack of tourists on increased aviation costs due to the war in Ukraine. Trying to deflect from the fact they simply won’t get the numbers with test and go in place. Single people might come but not families with all the extra costs with PCR tests and accommodation.
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Herve B-Anywhere it feels like home is worth coming back to any time, especially if you have a home there already. One of my best years was spending 2020 stuck in Pattaya. I cant see how it could be worse now.
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Richard R-It’s great …come now and get the weather
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Shane M-I think it’s better now than it use to be everything open from 2nd and back it’s all in 1 area now.
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Allan C-Apparently July everything is going back to normal, but that can change by dinner time

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Didn’t get a chance to chime in? Tell us on our social media channels, in the comments below, or if you prefer your comment to be private mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com. Have a safe week and see you soon!

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Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Co-owner of TPN Media since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America, but has also lived in Dallas, Sarasota, and Portsmouth. His background is in retail sales, HR, and operations management, and has written about news and Thailand for many years. He has lived in Pattaya for over nine years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over a decade. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thepattayanews.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thepattayanews.com/contact-us/