“I used to love Pattaya. Now I feel like a walking ATM” – A growing sentiment from German regulars who won’t return. (Photo – Jomtien Beach, Thailand) PATTAYA, Thailand – Once a mainstay of Pattaya’s high-season tourism scene, German tourists have become a rarer sight along Beach Road, in beer gardens, and even in the city’s famously lively nightlife zones. While official statistics show a general post-pandemic recovery in foreign arrivals, anecdotal evidence and social media posts tell a different story when it comes to German travelers. Many Germans who once returned to Pattaya year after year now say they’re staying away—and they’re not shy about explaining why. “It’s not the same anymore. Prices have gone up, quality has gone down, and the charm is fading,” wrote one German user on Facebook. “Früher war Pattaya ein Paradies für uns Rentner. Heute ist alles teuer und überfüllt mit anderen Nationen,” another added. (“Pattaya used to be a paradise for us retirees. Today it’s expensive and crowded with other nationalities.”) Across forums in comment sections, longtime German visitors are voicing their disappointment and disinterest in returning. Some cite overdevelopment, others lament the erosion of Gemütlichkeit—that cozy, laid-back Thai-German rapport that once defined their holidays. But underlying many of the complaints is a hard economic truth: the euro just doesn’t go as far as it used to. Since early 2024, the euro has struggled against the Thai baht. At times hovering near 37 baht to the euro, compared to close to 45 baht just a few years ago, German pensioners and budget-conscious travelers are finding it increasingly hard to justify long trips. “Früher bekam ich für 1000 Euro fast 45.000 Baht. Jetzt sind es kaum 37.000. Das macht einen riesigen Unterschied.” (“I used to get almost 45,000 baht for 1,000 euros. Now it’s barely 37,000. That makes a huge difference.”) For many older German men who once spent several months a year in Pattaya, this exchange rate squeeze affects everything—from accommodation and healthcare to daily meals and nightlife. “No point going all the way to Thailand when I can barely afford a decent hotel and a few beers a night,” wrote another. “Ich liebe Thailand, aber nicht zu jedem Preis,” added one commenter. (“I love Thailand, but not at any price.”) Another common theme that emerges from online German-language forums and social posts is disappointment with the bar scene itself. Many say the atmosphere has become too transactional, too artificial, and—perhaps most strikingly—too cosmetic. “Ich erkenne die Mädels gar nicht mehr wieder – überall nur noch Plastikgesichter, keine Natürlichkeit, keine Seele,” wrote one disillusioned commenter. (“I don’t recognize the girls anymore – just plastic faces everywhere, no authenticity, no soul.”) Some Germans, especially older regulars, say they miss the “warm, simple fun” of previous years, replaced now by what they describe as aggressively money-focused interactions in bars and entertainment venues. “Es geht nur noch ums Geld. Du sitzt kaum hin, schon wird gefragt, ob du trinkst, bezahlst oder gleich Lady Drink willst,” another grumbled. (“It’s all about money now. You barely sit down before they ask if you’re drinking, paying, or want a lady drink right away.”) These observations may be subjective, but the frequency with which they appear suggests a deeper shift in how parts of Pattaya’s nightlife are being perceived—at least by one formerly loyal demographic. Some even mock the so-called “expert opinions” on Thai tourism with a touch of sarcasm: “Super wenn Deutsche Experten zu solchen Schlussfolgern kommen. Das braucht die ganze Welt.” (“Great when German experts come to such conclusions. That’s exactly what the world needs.”) Pattaya’s changing crowd — more Russians, Indians, and Chinese visitors are reshaping the city, making some longtime German tourists rethink their return. (Photo – Pattaya Beach, Thailand) And for some, the verdict is final. A now-popular comment simply reads: “Thailand hat fertig.” (“Thailand is finished.”) Short, bitter, and unmistakably clear, it reflects a deep disenchantment from a segment of German travelers who once saw Pattaya as their personal paradise. For decades, Thailand marketed itself as the ultimate “Sea, Sand, and Sun” destination — and for many Germans, Pattaya was the perfect place to experience it all, with a cold drink in hand and the Gulf of Thailand at their feet. But in 2025, that golden formula isn’t as unique or compelling as it once was. “Sonne und Meer gibt’s auch in Spanien oder Griechenland – und dort werde ich wenigstens nicht dauernd über’s Ohr gehauen,” wrote one user. (“There’s sun and sea in Spain or Greece too – and at least there I’m not constantly getting ripped off.”) Others point out that beaches in places like Vietnam, the Philippines, or even Albania offer similar coastal experiences — often with better value, cleaner environments, and a friendlier reception. “Why should I go all the way to Pattaya to sit on a noisy beach surrounded by jetskis and vendors?” asked one commenter. “Ich flieg lieber nach Teneriffa – Meer, Sonne, gutes Essen und keine Visa-Probleme.” (“I’d rather fly to Tenerife – sea, sun, good food, and no visa issues.”) Even further afield, destinations like Bali, Sri Lanka, and Mexico are gaining attention among German travelers who feel priced out or unwelcome in the new version of Thailand. While Thailand once dominated the tropical fantasy for winter-weary Europeans, today’s travelers have more choice, more transparency, and more expectations. A German tourist further expresses: “Ich mochte Phuket früher wirklich, aber ganz ehrlich – es ist jetzt viel zu teuer für das, was man bekommt. Alles kostet das Doppelte, und der Charme ist weg.” “I used to really like Phuket, but honestly – it’s way too expensive now for what you get. Everything costs double, and the charm is gone.” Another factor prompting many German tourists to rethink their visits to Pattaya is the noticeable demographic shift in the city’s tourist makeup. Increasingly, Pattaya is welcoming larger numbers of Russian, Indian, and Chinese visitors. While this diversification brings new energy and business, some longtime German visitors feel it has changed the atmosphere they once cherished. “Früher war man hier fast allein unter Freunden. Jetzt fühlt es sich anders an, viel lauter und hektischer,” shared one German traveler. (“It used to feel like you were almost alone among friends here. Now it feels different — much louder and more hectic.”) Unless Thailand addresses the rising costs, artificiality, and waning warmth that longtime visitors feel, Pattaya risks becoming a nostalgic memory rather than a planned return. Because now, as many Germans are discovering: “The sea is everywhere. The soul isn’t.” Or as one blunt commenter put it: “Thailand hat fertig.”