Bar fines too high, taxis too greedy, and smiles that don’t feel real — is Pattaya pricing itself out of the game? (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand — As Thailand’s premier beach city continues its post-pandemic transformation, tourists and long-term visitors are growing increasingly clear about what they want — and what’s pushing them away. Their demands aren’t complicated: cheaper bar fines, fair taxi meters, a sense of value, and above all, a little more respect. What’s driving dissatisfaction today isn’t isolated bad experiences — it’s a growing perception that Pattaya no longer offers a fair deal, either financially or culturally. Among nightlife patrons, many say costs have spiraled upward without any real improvement in service or atmosphere. Bar fines have become disproportionately expensive, often paired with inflated drink prices and added expectations for compensation that leave patrons feeling gouged. What used to be a casual night out can now easily stretch into several thousand baht — without delivering the kind of experience that used to come standard. In some establishments, a “lady drink” may cost as much as two hundred baht — even when it’s just a bottle of water. There’s a sense among some visitors that prices are no longer consistent, and instead are quoted based on how desirable or wealthy a customer appears. Rates for companionship are also often inflated arbitrarily. For some, this reflects simple opportunism. While a few accept it as part of the game, many are quietly opting out — and increasingly, heading elsewhere. This feeling of being overcharged or undervalued stretches beyond nightlife. For many, getting around Pattaya remains a daily frustration. Despite years of complaints, traditional taxis still resist using meters. As a result, most visitors have turned to ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Grab — not just for lower fares, but for basic transparency and fairness. Local drivers may blame these platforms for lost business, but many tourists view it as a self-inflicted wound — one that could be solved overnight if meters were simply switched on. Visitors say simple changes — like fair taxi fares and reasonable nightlife prices — could restore Pattaya’s reputation as a fun, affordable destination. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) First-time visitors often face these challenges from the moment they land. Airport taxis have been known to run tampered meters, quote inflated “flat rates,” or worse, switch off the meter entirely and name a “happy fare” upon arrival. The result is a poor first impression — and the lingering sense that being scammed is part of the welcome. Frustrations around transport and pricing tie into a broader feeling that Pattaya is drifting away from the kind of hospitality that built its global reputation. Long-time visitors describe a city that once felt warm and laid-back, but now seems more focused on short-term profit. Rather than building loyalty, this approach is pushing travelers toward alternatives like Vietnam or Cambodia — destinations perceived as more affordable, relaxed, and respectful of tourists’ wallets. Safety has also emerged as a quiet concern among returning visitors. While Pattaya remains, overall, a safe and enjoyable city, some tourists say nightlife has become more unpredictable. Late-night disturbances and the occasional street fight around bars and clubs have made a few travelers more cautious about staying out after dark. These incidents are still the exception, not the rule, but the perception matters — and many believe greater crowd control and police visibility could help keep the city’s fun reputation intact. Adding to the complexity is a shift in Pattaya’s tourist demographic. As more visitors now come from South Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, some veteran travelers are expressing discomfort — sometimes unfairly, sometimes tinged with prejudice. But beneath the rhetoric are genuine questions about how Pattaya can balance its traditional markets with emerging ones. Many believe that trying to cater to everyone has led to a decline in overall quality and a loss of the easygoing charm that once defined the town. It’s not too late — fair prices, honest service, and mutual respect could still bring back the Pattaya so many once loved. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) Beneath it all is a deeper disappointment. Tourists aren’t just complaining about prices — they’re mourning a perceived loss of value. Whether it’s a 400-baht T-shirt marked up for foreigners, dual pricing at attractions, or a general sense of being treated impersonally, there’s a growing feeling that Pattaya is no longer trying to offer a fair deal — just a fast one. Yet despite all this, most visitors aren’t turning their backs. They’re not calling for boycotts — they just want better terms. The suggestions are practical: bring back 90-day visa-on-arrival policies, eliminate the cumbersome digital arrival card, enforce basic consumer protections, and address scams more seriously. More than anything, tourists want to feel welcome again — not just tolerated for their spending. In the end, the message is simple: Pattaya doesn’t need to reinvent itself entirely. But if it wants to remain a destination worth returning to, it must take these voices seriously. A fairer, more respectful experience — with reasonable prices and honest dealings — might be the only thing standing between recovery and slow decline.