Pattaya etiquette tips for hitting the town
Tourists should behave themselves in Walking Street
Although not to everyone’s taste, Pattaya still attracts millions holidaymakers from all over the world and so must be doing something right! Other that the European pack led firmly by the British, other nationalities are taking a foothold in Pattaya with Russian, Arabian and Indian tourist numbers rising steadily year-on-year.
All visitors in Thailand encounter some degree of discrimination, especially in the popular tourist resorts, even if this is merely good-natured and benign. Normally this will simply be that tourists pay more for cab fares, get shown to the most expensive seat at a Muay Thai or cultural show or hassled by street hawkers.
There are so many positive things to say about the Thai people that it seems churlish to bring up such insignificant negatives – especially when it is more often the supposedly ‘sophisticated’ foreigners that embarrass themselves with loutish ways – but these matters can be irritating so it is wise to take preventative action.
First of all, it is crucial to adopt a mai pen rai attitude to everyday annoyances. Get angry and you will lose face and end up looking like an idiot. This may seem ridiculous when some moron has just cut you up at traffic lights and almost ended your life, but visitors should say ‘when in Rome’ and accept it.
Top etiquette tips for Pattaya nightlife
1. Walking around the heady streets of Pattaya wearing torn shorts, no shirt and grubby sandals may make you the epitome of Bohemian chic, but will not do much to endear yourself to the locals. Most Thais spend a good deal of their hard-earned money to look sharp, and so will treat wannabe tramps with curiosity and even distain. More on etiquette.
2. If you plan to head out for the night in search of lady companionship, scrub up nicely – Indian tourists should leave their chudidar or dhotis in their hotel room, however comfortable they may be – as you certainly will be treated better and possibly pay less if you make a little effort. The same applies for washing, obviously, and mosquito spray does not count as deodorant.
3. Although tipping is not compulsory in Thailand, it has developed as a custom in popular tourist haunts such as Pattaya. Tipping is always going to become more prevalent with the Americanisation of the world and global adoption of Western standards, so you may as well get on board now. Obviously if you’ve received poor service, keep your cash to yourself. More on restaurants.
Don't go into massage parlours in huge groups
4. Staring or ogling the bum or breasts of a bar girl is definitely a taboo! Whether popping into a bar by oneself or in a large group of friends, such leering behaviour will not be appreciated. Boys will be boys but there’s no excuse for action like a pack of schoolkids. Sex workers are still people and should be afforded a little respect, and if you do the benefits will be returned.
5. Walking Street and Soi Six are best avoided if you are travelling with your wife or kids. They are not family-friendly tourist attractions are generally thought of as ‘male only’ areas. And pointing or gesturing at bar girls as you walk past – especially, god forbid, in the company of young children – will only exacerbate the issue and make the ladies feel worse.
6. Bar girls are only interested in you because of your cash – that’s a given. Perhaps if circumstances were different and you met on the other side of the world, it would be love at first sight. But this is not the case in Pattaya EVER. But similarly they should not be treated disrespectfully and customers should show their appreciation by purchasing a drink or two.
7. Just because you paid for their company does not mean that you own them. It is a business transaction which does not give you the right to grab, grope or abuse them in any way – would you do the same at a chemist or market stall?
8. If heading out on the town then avoid walking in somewhere mob-handed. Bar girls are not particularly keen about big groups and prefer to get to know people on their own or with a friend, especially if there is a language barrier. You wouldn’t bring a rugby team out on a date so perhaps leave the lads out of a night on the pull. More on go go bars.
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