The fame of Pattaya beach in Thailand has crossed time and space borders and it still represents the most popular attraction among tourists – especially single men – in search of sexual adventures. 

I have heard about the port of Pattaya – Laem Chabang since I was a child and my seafarer uncles were coming home after long voyages with lots of incredible stories, which were forbidden to children’s ears. At that time, I couldn’t understand how it was possible for men to choose or ‘buy’ women as if they were products on display on a market shelf and only for the price of a bread. It was something out of my world and out of my comprehension.

Many years after that, when I finally arrived in Thailand for the first time – not in Pattaya – I started to understand the idea and I could imagine the whole picture better. For sure Thailand in the years 2000 is much more different than what it used to be during the ’60 and ’70, but the essential meaning stays the same. What has changed now is surely the price for sexual encounters and the way in which the ‘girls’ are rented. Because the ‘infamous’ Pattaya beach still attracts lots of tourists – mostly single men – in search of one night stands and endless parties.

This is what I saw during a few hours walk around the city in an October afternoon. Everywhere I looked, all I could see were very young and highly attractive Thai women together with older white men – on the streets, on the beach, in the restaurants, in the mall, in the market, in the street bars. Everywhere. It was not a pleasant sight for my eyes – as a woman totally committed to one man – and, for sure, neither for my husband.

Sex and love are two beautiful things which must go hand in hand and make life more interesting and excited, but Pattaya is trying desperately to prove the contrary. Not for me. Not for us. And not for the few couples I saw there and who looked puzzled, shocked and lost. So, Pattaya is not a tropical dream destination for anybody. The beach looks tropical – because of its colour and the palm trees scattered here and there – but the water is dirty – full of garbage of all kinds – and so is the beach. It’s almost impossible to find a moment of quiet on this beach due to the huge number of vendors who are approaching from all sides, selling food or drinks …or proposing all kinds of deals …

If you are a seafarer and you reach the port of Laem Chabang, be warned! Pay a lot of extra attention when walking the streets of Pattaya as the area gets really dangerous – especially for late night goers.

During day time, a walk around the city can be pleasant, in spite of the heat and humidity. The street markets offer a wide display of products and all the prices are negotiable (down to half). The food offers are quite great and having a meal in one of the restaurants in town is a must for all visitors.

Useful information:

• A taxi ride from the port to Pattaya can last up to 40 minutes and it can cost ~ 25$;
• You can change money everywhere in town;
• There is a shuttle bus service inside the port which can be called upon.