Once iconic, now optional — many Pattaya veterans say Walking Street is no longer worth the hype. PATTAYA, Thailand – Once the beating heart of Pattaya nightlife, Walking Street is starting to lose its grip on long-stayers and seasoned tourists. While still a magnet for first-time visitors dazzled by neon lights and ear-splitting bass, many say the scene has changed—and not for the better. “Europeans in Pattaya don’t need Walking Street to enjoy life—too loud, too pricey, too much Bollywood,” said one frequent visitor. It’s a sentiment that echoes across online forums and barstool conversations, especially among older expats who remember a very different era. “Twenty years ago, I spent every night in Walking Street. It was a fantastic place,” recalled one nostalgic expat. “Elephants walking up and down the street all night, great beer bars, and agogos with beautiful young girls without tattoos or silicone who didn’t think they were supermodels. Nowadays, I never go.” Many now gravitate toward more laid-back, affordable zones like Soi Buakhao, Tree Town, and the Metro complex—areas that still offer the classic Pattaya vibe without the overhyped chaos. “Metro, Tree Town, and Buakhao are better,” said one expat. “Certainly the closest you’ll get to what Walking Street once was.” As Pattaya expands and diversifies, some say it’s time to stop treating Walking Street as a must-see. You may not need to go there at all—unless, of course, you’re still chasing the ghosts of the past.