“All of the Above” — Empty bars, high prices, and open cannabis leave tourists and expats saying Pattaya’s decline was inevitable. PATTAYA, Thailand – For decades, Pattaya thrived on a reputation as Southeast Asia’s no-limits playground — a magnet for foreign tourists and long-term visitors chasing sunshine, nightlife, and a sense of freedom. But those who’ve stayed long enough, or returned after time away, are starting to say it out loud: Pattaya may have hit the point of ‘No Return’. “I’ve never seen Pattaya this quiet,” says a retired expat from the UK who’s been living in the city for 14 years. “This isn’t just low season. It’s a ghost town compared to what it used to be.” The reasons behind Pattaya’s slow unraveling are layered — economic, cultural, and self-inflicted. Many expats and repeat visitors now say the city has changed, and not for the better. A growing number are quietly leaving or planning not to come back. “Maybe the prices are too high, maybe people aren’t as friendly anymore, maybe it’s become too commercial and full of undesirable visitors,” wrote one user on a popular expat forum. “All of the above,” another replied. The collapse of the Chinese tour market has left a noticeable vacuum, but the deeper issue seems to be Pattaya’s identity crisis. The city’s ongoing attempt to “clean up” its image and pivot toward a more family-friendly demographic has run headfirst into the enduring reality of what its entertainment zones are — and always have been. “The idea of turning Pattaya into a wholesome family beach town is absurd,” said an expat bar owner near Soi Buakhao. “All the sois are geared toward sex, and now cannabis is everywhere too. You can’t walk or sit anywhere without smelling weed. Why is there no proper zoning for either?” While marijuana is now technically legal in Thailand, the lack of clear enforcement or designated areas has led to concerns about the city’s deteriorating atmosphere. “It feels lawless,” said one tourist. “You see families walking past stoned teenagers. Who’s this place even for anymore?” Economic strain adds another layer. The strength of the baht has undercut many foreign currencies, while local inflation has driven up the cost of everything from drinks to rent. “Drop the baht,” one commenter quipped. “It’s already down,” came the bitter reply. Still, many long-timers feel abandoned by both local leadership and the media. “There are plenty of reasons for Pattaya’s decline, and no easy solutions,” wrote a German expat. “But both local and international media are also to blame — always focusing on negative news, rarely offering any encouraging reasons to visit. The damage is done.” With fewer tourists, dwindling nightlife crowds, and a thinning expat community, the sentiment is clear: Pattaya is not what it used to be — and it may never be again. “It’s not the women or their smiles anymore,” one old-timer said. “It’s the prices, the attitude, and the sense that whatever Pattaya was… it’s gone.”