From budget paradise to overpriced letdown — is Pattaya losing its charm for long-time travelers? PATTAYA, Thailand – Once touted as a budget-friendly paradise, Pattaya is facing growing criticism from longtime tourists and returning visitors who say it’s just not cheap anymore. Amid rising costs, fluctuating exchange rates, and what many label as “greedy pricing,” online comment sections are buzzing with heated debate. “Not a cheap holiday anymore — especially with the dual pricing & their GREED,” one frustrated commenter wrote. Dual pricing — where foreigners are charged more than locals — has long been a sore point. Some tourists have only recently caught on. “Sorry, what do you mean by dual pricing?” asked one confused traveler, only to be met with a quick response: “Thai prices and farang prices are not always the same. They think farangs are all millionaires.” From ‘cheap Charlie’ to value-conscious traveler Not everyone agrees on what counts as “expensive.” “What?? Try buying a meal in London and Thailand. Tell me what is expensive. YOU’RE the greedy one wanting ASDA price!” “What’s wrong with ASDA price? I wish I was a millionaire like you.” For some, the falling value of foreign currencies is the bigger issue — especially for Australian travelers. “Ahhhhhhhh Australian dollar is crap now.” “Yep. Changed $100 at Bangkok airport — got 1,990 baht.” “You should’ve changed it outside the airport. In Pattaya, only use TT Currency Exchange. In Bangkok, go to the booths in Soi Arab near Soi 4 Nana.” Others argue that Thailand, like anywhere, is “as cheap or expensive as you make it.” “I love Thailand. I live like a local, always eat local food. I don’t drink alcohol…” “Most of the stuff (except ladies) is cheaper in Australia,” someone else quipped. Why some say the Pattaya dream is fading But it’s not just about prices. Some say the real decline started even before pandemic — and it’s about much more than money. “I first visited Pattaya in 2011. The exchange rate was 46 baht to the pound. Bars were busy. Restaurants were full. That’s not the case anymore.” Here’s what some believe has gone wrong: Hiked drink prices: “Inflation is everywhere, but Pattaya bars raised prices far beyond inflation.” Changing nightlife: “Gogos are now the biggest scam. Most bars? TikTok soundtracks, fake chins, dyed hair, girls on their phones, no effort.” Safety concerns: “Too many tough guys mixing weed and alcohol — violence is up, and it’s all on social media.” Loss of Thai charm: “Now we have Russian, Arab, and Indian zones. Intimidation, corruption, scams. Thai police allow it in exchange for bribes.” Chinese tourists: “They only visit Chinese-owned places — hotels, restaurants, shops. Money doesn’t even stay in Thailand.” One particularly fed-up visitor added: “It’s a bad business model. A slow but unmistakable decline.” A shift to alternatives? Not surprisingly, many are eyeing other destinations. “Vietnam — half the price!” “Cambodia here I come. Bye bye, Thailand.” “You won’t be missed,” a defender shot back. So, is Pattaya still worth it? Despite the backlash, some are quick to defend Pattaya: “It’s still cheap. It’s people like you they don’t want here. Cheap Charlies.” But that view is no longer unanimous. The new reality — inflated prices, perceived exploitation, and social decay — is harder to ignore. “Hotels, landlords, bars, nightclubs — super greedy…” “Even $50 now only gets you 990 baht.” For many, it’s not just the baht that’s lost its value — it’s the entire Pattaya experience.