Five Reasons I Choose to Live in Pattaya, Thailand

Most people throw a big net over Thailand’s entire eastern seaboard and call it “Pattaya” because it is the biggest city on the coast and has a tawdry reputation everyone likes to talk about. East coasters like me used to bristle when someone said, “Oh, you live in Pattaya?” “I don’t live in Pattaya,” I’d say. “I live in Jomtien Beach.” But times have changed. Now, no matter which of the nooks, crannies, or beaches of this sprawling seaside city we call home, we smile and are happy to proclaim, “Yes, I do live in Pat-ta-ya!”

I choose to live in salty old Pattaya for many reasons, but here are my top five.

1. Pattaya Has a Delightfully Diverse Expat Population

Jomtien Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere with stunning sunsets, perfect for those seeking a quieter side of Pattaya.|©Bart Walters

I’ve been to many popular expat locations and was disappointed to find a bunch of American escapees like me. Perhaps I’m an oddball, but sitting around with a bunch of other old American dudes chuntering on about the good old days is not my idea of “golden years.”

Pattaya has an expat population estimated at around 180,000. Less than 10% are from North America. There are twice as many expats from the UK. If I open “Contacts” on my phone, I count people from 10 countries before I get to the “Bs.” My best friend here is from Norway. My neighbors are German, Russian, Australian, Swiss, Irish, French, Japanese, and Thai.

I meet people from all walks of life. I wrote for a local magazine whose editor was a former celebrity hairdresser in London. My friend from Austria used to be a real estate mogul, and now he is an actor in Thai movies. One weekend, I attended a fundraising event for a children’s charity in Pattaya. I met an old English guy and was in a conversation for 20 minutes before I realized it was Jimmy Page, guitar god from the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. He’s got a place in Pattaya.

Prospective expats should always remember: the palm trees and sunsets are nice, but it’s the people that make a place special.

2. Pattaya Solved My “City or Beach” Conundrum

An aerial view of Pattaya showcases the city’s stunning coastline and vibrant skyline. |©Michael Cullen

One annoying problem I brought with me from the U.S. was a “habitat conundrum.” I think we’ve all experienced this sensation in some measure. I lived in a nice-sized city an hour from a pristine beach on the east coast of Florida. I loved the beach so much I moved there. Three months later, I was bored. I moved back to the city only to miss the sound of the waves. I repeated this silly circuit in Thailand. I moved back and forth from Bangkok to Phuket twice.

Then I discovered Pattaya. Contrary to myth and legend, Pattaya is a real city, not just a tourist trap. Restaurants, pubs, theaters, live music venues, shopping malls, gyms—we even have our own international airport. I don’t need to go anywhere; I have everything I need right here in my city by the sea.

If I want to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand from a five-star rooftop restaurant, I can. If I want to sit on the beach, sipping something from a coconut and watch that same sunset melting into the sea, I can do that too.

During my time here, Pattaya has gone from a trashy tourist town to a vibrant seaside city with more lifestyle and entertainment choices than ever before. I finally found the perfect mix of city and beach.

3. Pattaya is the Only Place I’ve Lived in Thailand That Has Gotten Better

Pattaya's transformation into a vibrant seaside city keeps surprising longtime residents. |©Michael Cullen

Places change just like people do. I went back to where I used to live in Phuket and was heartbroken. It's still nice, but the authentic charm has lost out to foreign influence. The people living in my old neighborhood now think it’s great, but they don’t know what it was like before.

My Bangkok years were some of the best in my life, but now it serves as my getaway for long weekends when everyone is coming to the beach. I can stand the population density and frenetic vibe for about 48 hours; then I’m ready to come back to my kinder, gentler groove in Pattaya.

I don’t think I’ll ever be old enough to live in Chiang Mai, and until they do something about the air quality in the “burning season,” it isn’t going to improve up there.

To be honest, I never thought I’d be a Pattaya guy. Memories of my first visit are of a nasty beach, a grotesque brand of tourism, and lots of drunks.

Between then and now, Pattaya has been like the proverbial resilient lotus emerging from the mud. The beaches are cleaner and more accessible. It’s easier to get around. We’ve got more shopping choices. We’ve got more entertainment choices. We’re attracting a better breed of tourists. Pattaya has morphed into a real city, and it keeps getting better.

At least once a week, I shake my head and whisper, “This is Pattaya?”

4. Pattaya is Close to Bangkok and Getting Closer

A cold drink at sunset on Jomtien Beach—a perfect way to end the day in Pattaya.|©Bart Walters

In 2010, Motorway 7 opened, connecting Bangkok to Pattaya, and the travel time was cut by more than half. It was like Bangkok threw a rope around the beach and pulled it three hours closer. Once the Chonburi Coast became the closest beach, weekenders and holidaymakers began streaming out of Bangkok to get their toes in the sand and munch seafood on the beach. Pattaya became “cool” again.

Domestic tourism saved Pattaya from starvation during the pandemic and has been instrumental in changing the city’s reputation. What’s more, domestic tourists support more upscale dining and entertainment venues than package-tour types, so we’ve got a wider range of places to go and things to do, thanks to Bangkokians.

In the next three years, a high-speed rail link will reduce travel time to 30 minutes. Someone could literally live in Bangkok and commute to Pattaya, or vice versa. When that happens, Pattaya will just be considered “Bangkok Beach.” I could go shopping in Bangkok in the morning, have lunch, and then watch the sunset from Jomtien Beach later the same evening.

For a real estate investor, it is the ultimate infrastructure play. Property values in Pattaya will be dragged up to match those in Bangkok. Doomsayers here are forecasting, “Pattaya will just be part of Bangkok in ten years.” “Yes,” I say. “The best part!”

5. Pattaya is the Easiest Place in Asia for an Old Bachelor to Live

When my granddaughter asked, “Grandpa, is there someone there to help you if you need it?” I chuckled. “I’ve got a whole team looking out for me, Princess, don’t worry!” I said.

If we start with the staff at my condo, the maintenance guy is named Kompan, and I’ve known him for 14 years. He waters my plants, changes lights, and repairs just about anything I hand him that’s broken. Every year, I give him a new hat for Christmas. (He doesn’t know it, but he’s a Raiders fan). Our manager is named Meaw, and I’ve known her for the same amount of time. She’s helped me do everything from finding a plumber to evicting a tenant. (She gets a bottle of red wine during the holidays).

Wan, the friendly vegetable vendor with the best smile, |©Bart Walters

If I take a morning walk, I’ll need to decide which coffee shop I’m stopping at—“Arty’s” on Jomtien Beach or “King of Coffee” on Pratumnak Hill. Either way, I never order; I just sit down, and they know what I want. After getting my coffee, I’ll inevitably pass by the Thai donut lady at Rompho Market. She’ll see me and say, “Want to be fat today?” all the while plucking my traditional order of five of the greasy little treats and putting them in a plastic bag. It’s an inside joke with us going back a decade.

I’ve got an egg guy, a mango man, a chicken lady, and my veggie vendor named Wan, who has the best smile ever! I’ve known most of them for over ten years, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Five Star Health Massage: The go-to spot for a rejuvenating Thai massage in Pattaya.|©Bart Walters

Life’s pretty good here in Thailand, but sometimes I find myself in desperate need of some “self-care.” A typical “me day” will always include a trip to Five Star Health Massage, where one of three Cambodian bone crushers is ready to put me through two hours of genuine Thai massage. (If you’ve never experienced it, Thai massage is like assisted yoga). I’ve known the sisters from Five Star for a decade too. They know exactly where I hurt, and they’ll always let me know if I’m getting fat. I leave there the consistency of a boneless chicken.

I have relationships with doctors and dentists I’ve had for years. I’ve got a realtor named Joy, who has been putting tenants in my rental units year after year. The Thai people I’ve met in Pattaya and have known for years make it the easiest place for a grateful old bachelor to live.

I feel like I’m part of the village, and they look out for me. I have become a proud Pattayan.