With all the press recently on underage boys being hired in Pattaya, newspapers around the globe seem to be focused on Pattaya. The majority of them readily say that Pattaya is only known for its sex trade. I have had tons of people ask me about the news of late and ask is sex is really that avaialble in Pattaya and that the city is built of the sex industry. I gave them my opinion. What is yours? Is there more to Pattaya than sex? If so, what is it? Where is it?

I often wondered this myself and actually posed somewhat of the same question on an earlier thread. IMO, if there were no sex industry in Thailand, then Pattaya probably would not be so popular with many tourists. I think much of Pattaya's appeal is because of three factors:

 

1. It has the best infrastructure for prostitution of any city in the world (even BKK), and for gays, probably more gay venues than any city in the world.

 

2. It is a beach community that is close to BKK and the airport and as such it will always be popular for short jaunts even without a sex industry.

 

3. Because of #2, it offers the cheapest Thai beach destination for package tourists and package tour operators.

 

Just my two cents worth.

 

Pete

 

That very question was recently addressed in another thread. Rather than repeat what was already said, click the following to see that thread:

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2109

 

2. It is a beach community that is close to BKK and the airport and as such it will always be popular for short jaunts even without a sex industry.

 

3. Because of #2, it offers the cheapest Thai beach destination for package tourists and package tour operators.

 

I agree with what you have to say. But, I just don't get a beach community. The beach is nasty and I would never go in the water. I have seen the results of boys who have done this and it is not a pretty sight. Am I overreaching on this? I have taken 2 boys to the Pattaya Bangkok Hospital for rashes and they said straight out, don't do in the ocean in Jomptien. How can this be a draw to anyone who wants a beach? Is it just the sand?

 

Now, I love to go to the beach in Jomptien. But, I go for the fun of the massages, vendors, food and atmospher and not anything to do with the water.

That very question was recently addressed in another thread. Rather than repeat what was already said, click the following to see that thread:

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2109

 

Thanks Gaybutton. I appreciate it. I have read the thread. I just wonder with all the recent press if those of you in Pattaya are getting the same questions those of us overseas get. Are your e-mails from friends not into the Thailand scene questioning? family? etc?

 

I spoke to many in the last week and the questions are coming more and more than I ever remember. Even with the Jon Benet psycho on the news. The new string of stories are directly related to Thailand but in specific they all mention Pattaya as the haven for this activity.

they all mention Pattaya as the haven for this activity.

 

There's a simple solution for that. Tell 'em you live in Bangkok.

Hi Guys,

I took my first overseas trip in my life to Thailand in Febuary 2007. Sex was the initial draw card I must admit. However I landed at BKK and was there for 4 days. My first reaction was I wanted to come home. I perservered and spent 10 days in Pattaya. Coming from a very beachy(if there is such a word) area I must say I don't consider what Pattaya has should be called a beach; however I spent a couple of days at Jomtein and took in all that was happening around me. As for Pattaya proper I was able to go Bungy Jumping, Scuba Diving, Para Sailing, and also be apart of the local area. I funny enough spent a lot of my time at a bar playing a board game with a barmaid(not man). The thing I liked most about Pattaya was that I was relaxed and could do what ever I wished once I got over my initial apprehension. I was also able to experience the annoiance of being robbed. I suppose my point is, you get what you want and are prepared to experience. If you want a beach come to Sydney, if you want glamour go to New York if you want to relax and be yourself then go to Pattaya.

As an aside I am now booking my next(2nd) hloday to Pattaya

Michael

P>S would like to meet up with a few of the guys that run and post on this to say thanks