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peterpan · 01-11-2009, 04:58 AM

Penniless in 'the sleaziest place on earth'

By STEVE McKENNA - Sun-Herald Last updated 09:08 30/10/2009

NIGHT LIFE: The sleaziest place on earth? Take a walk in Pattaya.

The lure of the beach can be particularly strong when you've spent the past four days inhaling car fumes and being pestered by every tuk-tuk driver under Bangkok's steaming hot sun.
So when I discover there's a popular seaside resort just two hours south of the Thai capital, I pack my bags and begin to envisage a tropical paradise full of hammocks and pina coladas.
Pattaya, says the brochure I'm reading, has "luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent shopping, reasonable prices and loads of tourist attractions".
The same spiel also reveals that although the town once had a reputation for prostitution, it has now transformed itself into a family resort and attracts about five million visitors every year.
Unfortunately, from the moment I step on to the town's main strip, I know this place isn't for me.
There is a beach but it's not particularly pretty and the seaside promenade of this old fishing town is full of Thai girls walking hand-in-hand with grotesquely overweight foreign men old enough to be their grandfathers.
My heart sinks further when I go to my hotel.
Although it's a neat little number just off the main strip, when it comes to paying for my room I discover that my Visa card is missing.
Initially I feel I was probably pick-pocketed on the bus.
Then it dawns on me that I must have left it in an ATM in Bangkok.
I had been in a rush that morning and unlike Australia, Thai machines cough up the cash and receipt – then they give you back your card.
Having just $10 to my name, I start to panic. So I ring my mum. She promises to sort something out for me, somehow.
To take my mind off things, I go for a walk but within five minutes it's clear that I'm stuck in possibly the sleaziest place on earth.
Neon lights advertising girls, sex and more girls flash incessantly.
Petite girls in mock school uniforms are holding up boards promoting "two for one cocktails" and "free sex shows".
A Muay Thai boxing match is taking place in one of the scores of noisy go-go bars that litter the main precinct. The two combatants are kicking and punching each other in the head, while topless dancers cavort on nearby poles.
Below the stage, beer-bellied men – mostly from the US and Europe – are yelling excitedly while sinking cheap Beer Chang and draping their arms around the slight shoulders of their young "girlfriends".
After an hour observing Pattaya's "entertainment", I trudge back to my hotel room.
A few hours later, I'm awoken by a bleeping text message.
It's from my saviour. "I've wired some cash out to you – be good," Mum says.
At dawn, I head to the exchange office, show my passport and almost bite the poor woman's hand off as she gives me the notes.
I hail a taxi to the bus stop and ride back to Bangkok, breathing a monumental sigh of relief.

Pattaya gets some,more publicity, not everyone believes the "family destination" bullshit.

the dogcatcher · 01-11-2009, 05:07 AM

A fuckwit on walking street with no money. Nothing new here then.

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

The same spiel also reveals that although the town once had a reputation for prostitution, it has now transformed itself into a family resort and attracts about five million visitors every year.

That would be illegal in most countries to even suggest that Pattaya is a family friendly resort, so where did she get this imaginary brochure from?

peterpan · 01-11-2009, 05:18 AM

Last week I stayed at my mates place on the hill, it overlooks one of the nicest houses I have ever seen, I would hazard a guess at upward of 30 mill Bt.
I can't take a meaningful photo of it because its surrounded by a 3 meter high wall and seems to have cameras everywhere, despite this its been burgled a few times.

I wonder why would anyone build such a beautiful house in one of the saddest, sleaze pits in the world ?

NokTang · 04-11-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

Last week I stayed at my mates place on the hill, it overlooks one of the nicest houses I have ever seen, I would hazard a guess at upward of 30 mill Bt.
I can't take a meaningful photo of it because its surrounded by a 3 meter high wall and seems to have cameras everywhere, despite this its been burgled a few times.

I wonder why would anyone build such a beautiful house in one of the saddest, sleaze pits in the world ?

Rumor has it, one of the nice houses near Pattaya Park and the new View Talay building is owned by the royal family, a princess I believe. Not sure if this where you refer? I think it is or was for sale.

As someone suggested...living here has been great but I'd never consider it for a vacation again. I'm even at the point of discouraging the few friends I have from coming. Too many drunks and bars nowadays.

watterinja · 04-11-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

I wonder why would anyone build such a beautiful house in one of the saddest, sleaze pits in the world ?

The financier's wife is an ex prostitute?

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 05:22 AM

So I just googled this luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent shopping, reasonable prices and loads of tourist attractions, the only article in google that has those words in that order apart from hers is From ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia!
Pattaya - ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia!

So then I put family resort into the mix and yes the same site comes out on top with this Jomtien is a popular spot for family vacationers and watersports enthusiasts, so she done her research from a whore mongers encyclopedia?

kingwilly · 02-11-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

So I just googled this luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent shopping, reasonable prices and loads of tourist attractions, the only article in google that has those words in that order apart from hers is From ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia!
Pattaya - ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia!

So then I put family resort into the mix and yes the same site comes out on top with this Jomtien is a popular spot for family vacationers and watersports enthusiasts, so she done her research from a whore mongers encyclopedia?

The ultimate monger encyclopedia.

We have 182 total articles.

not much

they dont even have a single page on Indonesia or Jakarta....

klongmaster · 01-11-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

By STEVE McKENNA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

where did she get this imaginary brochure from?

Last time I looked 'Steve' was a man...
However, when I read this on Stuff.NZ I thought 'what a load of bollocks'

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

boards promoting "two for one cocktails" and "free sex shows"

I've never seen this advertised in Pattaya, although DD and others could well correct me on this...

peterpan · 01-11-2009, 05:24 AM

Sorry, should have posted a link.
Penniless in 'the sleaziest place on earth' | Stuff.co.nz

I am told, It is marketed as a family destination in NZ & Aust, showing pictures of the happy family playing on the beach at the Bustling

Kids entertainment park at the foot of the big tower.
I dunno what its called, but it was so empty last week after we brought the tickets they returned our money because no customers so wouldn't start the rides up for two kids,

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 05:26 AM

^Pattaya Park?

peterpan · 01-11-2009, 05:30 AM

yea, that's the one, what a dirty unkemp dump that it

klongmaster · 01-11-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpan

Sorry, should have posted a link.

PP: I wasn't having a chip at you...

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 05:37 AM

Would this be Steve McKenne?

I'm a travel writer, so, basically, I get to travel around quite a lot and work at the same time, which suits me right now

It's July 2009 as I write this and I'm halfway into my trip around Latin America. Been to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia so far - and it's been amazing; next, I'm heading into Peru, Ecaudor, Columbia, Venezuela, then into Central America, afterwards and am hoping it's just as good. Hopefully I'll get to meet up with some of you nice chicas latinas!

I spent most of my life in England, then stayed for almost 18 months in Australia, mainly in Sydney, which is a great city. Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, USA and Canada were also part of a memorable first round the world adventure, in which I experienced so much, too much to mention here. I was based in Europe again for 2007/08 and travelled all round it (apart from Russia and a handful of tiny places). I finished 2008 by visiting India, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia - SE Asia is amazing. But I've come to learn that you can do almost anything in life if you put your mind to it - whatever the many negative people you come across seem to say. I don't want to trot round the world forever and some day, eventually, it would nice to be settled (and maybe even be married and have kids!) but for now, while work allows me to do it, I like doing this....

MySpace - Steve - 29 - Male - London, UK - myspace.com/stevemckenna1978

If it is it's an old piece he wrote and he is English.

mordred · 01-11-2009, 05:54 AM

So that's how he explained to Mum he lost all his money. How could he be a travel writer and know nothing about Pattaya?

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 05:57 AM

I think he is probably using a tiny little bit of literary license

peterpan · 01-11-2009, 06:00 AM

yea that explains it , He's a pom so he's well used to laying on the bull shit

sabang · 01-11-2009, 06:13 AM

Pattaya is a nice place to live but I wouldn't want to visit there.

dirtydog · 01-11-2009, 06:14 AM

it seems he was in Thailand in 2005 or 2006, probably took him a while to make the story suitable for sale

navynine · 01-11-2009, 06:37 AM

If he travels as much as he say's, ONE credit card and no cash???And then the only one he can call is mommy!!!what a dud.

01-11-2009, 04:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
peterpan Limp member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,057	Is Pattaya the sleaziest place on earth? Penniless in 'the sleaziest place on earth' By STEVE McKENNA - Sun-Herald Last updated 09:08 30/10/2009 NIGHT LIFE: The sleaziest place on earth? Take a walk in Pattaya. The lure of the beach can be particularly strong when you've spent the past four days inhaling car fumes and being pestered by every tuk-tuk driver under Bangkok's steaming hot sun. So when I discover there's a popular seaside resort just two hours south of the Thai capital, I pack my bags and begin to envisage a tropical paradise full of hammocks and pina coladas. Pattaya, says the brochure I'm reading, has "luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent shopping, reasonable prices and loads of tourist attractions". The same spiel also reveals that although the town once had a reputation for prostitution, it has now transformed itself into a family resort and attracts about five million visitors every year. Unfortunately, from the moment I step on to the town's main strip, I know this place isn't for me. There is a beach but it's not particularly pretty and the seaside promenade of this old fishing town is full of Thai girls walking hand-in-hand with grotesquely overweight foreign men old enough to be their grandfathers. My heart sinks further when I go to my hotel. Although it's a neat little number just off the main strip, when it comes to paying for my room I discover that my Visa card is missing. Initially I feel I was probably pick-pocketed on the bus. Then it dawns on me that I must have left it in an ATM in Bangkok. I had been in a rush that morning and unlike Australia, Thai machines cough up the cash and receipt – then they give you back your card. Having just $10 to my name, I start to panic. So I ring my mum. She promises to sort something out for me, somehow. To take my mind off things, I go for a walk but within five minutes it's clear that I'm stuck in possibly the sleaziest place on earth. Neon lights advertising girls, sex and more girls flash incessantly. Petite girls in mock school uniforms are holding up boards promoting "two for one cocktails" and "free sex shows". A Muay Thai boxing match is taking place in one of the scores of noisy go-go bars that litter the main precinct. The two combatants are kicking and punching each other in the head, while topless dancers cavort on nearby poles. Below the stage, beer-bellied men – mostly from the US and Europe – are yelling excitedly while sinking cheap Beer Chang and draping their arms around the slight shoulders of their young "girlfriends". After an hour observing Pattaya's "entertainment", I trudge back to my hotel room. A few hours later, I'm awoken by a bleeping text message. It's from my saviour. "I've wired some cash out to you – be good," Mum says. At dawn, I head to the exchange office, show my passport and almost bite the poor woman's hand off as she gives me the notes. I hail a taxi to the bus stop and ride back to Bangkok, breathing a monumental sigh of relief. Pattaya gets some,more publicity, not everyone believes the "family destination" bullshit.

01-11-2009, 05:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 11:21 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,400	So I just googled this luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent shopping, reasonable prices and loads of tourist attractions, the only article in google that has those words in that order apart from hers is From ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia! Pattaya - ISOC Wiki, the ultimate monger encyclopedia! So then I put family resort into the mix and yes the same site comes out on top with this Jomtien is a popular spot for family* vacationers and watersports enthusiasts, so she done her research from a whore mongers encyclopedia? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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01-11-2009, 05:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
the dogcatcher Thailand Expat Last Online: Today 03:59 PM Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,078	A fuckwit on walking street with no money. Nothing new here then.

01-11-2009, 05:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
peterpan Limp member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,057	Last week I stayed at my mates place on the hill, it overlooks one of the nicest houses I have ever seen, I would hazard a guess at upward of 30 mill Bt. I can't take a meaningful photo of it because its surrounded by a 3 meter high wall and seems to have cameras everywhere, despite this its been burgled a few times. I wonder why would anyone build such a beautiful house in one of the saddest, sleaze pits in the world ?

01-11-2009, 05:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
peterpan Limp member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,057	Sorry, should have posted a link. Penniless in 'the sleaziest place on earth' \| Stuff.co.nz I am told, It is marketed as a family destination in NZ & Aust, showing pictures of the happy family playing on the beach at the Bustling Kids entertainment park at the foot of the big tower. I dunno what its called, but it was so empty last week after we brought the tickets they returned our money because no customers so wouldn't start the rides up for two kids,

01-11-2009, 05:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 11:21 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,400	^Pattaya Park?

01-11-2009, 05:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
peterpan Limp member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,057	yea, that's the one, what a dirty unkemp dump that it

01-11-2009, 05:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 11:21 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,400	Would this be Steve McKenne? I'm a travel writer, so, basically, I get to travel around quite a lot and work at the same time, which suits me right now It's July 2009 as I write this and I'm halfway into my trip around Latin America. Been to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia so far - and it's been amazing; next, I'm heading into Peru, Ecaudor, Columbia, Venezuela, then into Central America, afterwards and am hoping it's just as good. Hopefully I'll get to meet up with some of you nice chicas latinas! I spent most of my life in England, then stayed for almost 18 months in Australia, mainly in Sydney, which is a great city. Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, USA and Canada were also part of a memorable first round the world adventure, in which I experienced so much, too much to mention here. I was based in Europe again for 2007/08 and travelled all round it (apart from Russia and a handful of tiny places). I finished 2008 by visiting India, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia - SE Asia is amazing. But I've come to learn that you can do almost anything in life if you put your mind to it - whatever the many negative people you come across seem to say. I don't want to trot round the world forever and some day, eventually, it would nice to be settled (and maybe even be married and have kids!) but for now, while work allows me to do it, I like doing this.... MySpace - Steve - 29 - Male - London, UK - myspace.com/stevemckenna1978 If it is it's an old piece he wrote and he is English.

01-11-2009, 05:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
mordred Ranong Last Online: Today 08:07 AM Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United States Posts: 361	So that's how he explained to Mum he lost all his money. How could he be a travel writer and know nothing about Pattaya?

01-11-2009, 05:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 11:21 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,400	I think he is probably using a tiny little bit of literary license

01-11-2009, 06:00 AM	#17 (permalink)
peterpan Limp member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pleasantville Posts: 6,057	yea that explains it , He's a pom so he's well used to laying on the bull shit

01-11-2009, 06:13 AM	#18 (permalink)
sabang Watching the Wheels Last Online: Today 03:50 PM Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: where the streets have no name Posts: 11,576	Pattaya is a nice place to live but I wouldn't want to visit there.

01-11-2009, 06:14 AM	#19 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 11:21 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,400	it seems he was in Thailand in 2005 or 2006, probably took him a while to make the story suitable for sale

01-11-2009, 06:37 AM	#20 (permalink)
navynine Krabi Last Online: Today 02:35 AM Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chanthaburi Posts: 62	If he travels as much as he say's, ONE credit card and no cash???And then the only one he can call is mommy!!!what a dud.

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