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Updated:
Welcome to Pattaya
 We wish you a Happy New Year!
Watch this page regularly for the latest news!
Emergency Decree
 
Click into picture for original size Extended
On November 26th 2021, the Thai cabinet extended the state of emergency nationwide by two months until the end of January 2022, ostensibly to deal with the local Covid 19 situation.
The extionsion was proposed by the National Security Council (NSC).
The NSC functions as the operations unit of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and is supervised by Thailand's Prime Minister, Dictator, Songwriter and the man of many words Prayut Chan-o-cha.
This is the 15th extension of the special law.
The government insistes that the extension is necessary to facilitate the swift and integrated implementation of measures to control Covid-19 for the sake of public safety.
This special law was enacted March 26th, 2020, and gives Prayut Chan-o-cha wide-ranging powers, including a ban on large gatherings to prevent anti-government protests.
Click into picture for original size In whom do you trust?
Thomson Reuters Foundation: Jails in Thailand force prisoners to make fishing nets under threat of violence
Thai Department of Corrections: The Department of Corrections urged the public not to believe the Reuters’ forced labour story and denied any violations of human rights. "Coercion and beating inmates to work is not the guidelines of the Department of Correction"
Prachatai English: Company to revoke job contract with prisons accused of using forced labour
Corruption still widespread in Thailand
Transparency International: Thailand Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking for 2021 dropped to number 110 out of 180 nations from 104 in 2020
Thai government is trying to pass a law to control the press
Prachatai English: Draft NGO law could be used to suppress civil society, says Amnesty
Khaosod English: Cabinet Approves Draft Law on Media Ethics
UCA News: Thai government seeks to further muzzle media
Thai Enquirer: Police raid homes of multiple reporters
Reuters: Cracks in Thai PM's chaotic coalition as major party expels lawmakers
John F. Kennedy:
A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
Thailand
 New driving rules
New Driving Under Influence (DUI) rules are coming:
Thailand
 Hotel treatens customer after complain
Thai PBS World: A Thai customer has been threatened with a 3 million Baht lawsuit by a hotel in Khao Yai, in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, after she complained about the hotel on a travel agency website and gave it a low rating following her stay there last year.
The Thaiger: Khao Yai hotel threatening 3 million baht lawsuit for bad review named
The Phuket News: Resort vows to sue guest for B3mn over bad review
Thailand
 The hub of tourism fees
The Thai government is pushing ahead with a controversial proposal to levy a 300 Baht tourism fee on all international visitors arriving in Thailand.
Thai Enquirer: Thai government pushes ahead with international tourist tax, 300 baht per visitor begins in April.
 Obviously, the government desperately needs money. Whatever for ....
Holidays in Thailand?
No panic please!
Click into picture for original size Omicron is the weakest variant of the Covid 19 viruses
Preliminary data suggest that people who contract the Omicron variant of coronavirus are between 50% and 70% less likely to need hospitalization than people with the Delta strain, the U.K. Department of Health and Human Services announced December 23rd, 2021.
On the other hand, Omicron is so contagious that it will likely lead to more hospitalizations, and the unvaccinated still have to worry, the health experts said.
More on that:
South China Morning Post: 2 doses of Sinopharm vaccine offers weak protection against new strain, finds study
Healthcaredive by Industrydive: Moderna vaccine weaker against omicron, but third shot boosts protection
Thai PBS World: Several factors make Thais vulnerable to Omicron variant infection
 For additional information about viruses in Thailand please click here!
Thailand's Covid crisis
 The system doesn't work
Living with this virus for about three years and Thailand's system still cannot get it right!
Thai Enquirer: Our writer got Covid, here is what she experienced
Additional Holidays
Click into picture for original size Additional public holidays for 2022
In a bid to boost travel and the ailing economy, the Thai government has announced four additional public holidays on November 4th, 2021, to give civil servants and bank employees four more long weekends.
The cabinet also approved December 28th, King Taksin Memorial Day, as an extra national holiday for eight eastern provinces -- Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
These are the additional holidays
Mike Baird's Cartoon
 >Click in the image to watch more of Mike Baird's great cartoons
FYI:
December 4th, 2022
Pattaya Mail: Pattaya's SHA Plus certified restaurants allowed to sell alcohol effective immediately from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 23:00!
December 19th, 2021
Bangkok Herald: Pattaya’s nightlife reopens, proving bar closure order a farce
December 28th, 2022
Pattaya Mail: Pattaya's graveyard shift ends as 2022 beckons
December 29th, 2022
Pattaya Mail: Pattaya drops its "Neo" title for 2022
Affordable & Tasty Foods 2022
 Click in the image to read our recommendations
Event Calendar
Click into picture for original size Bed Race 2022 CANCELLED
Usually on the last Sunday in January
Click into picture for original size Chinese New Year 2022
Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival
February 1st, 2022 Celebrations will take place between January 21st and February 20th, 2022 
Click into picture for original size Burapa Bike Week 2022 CANCELLED
February 13th - February 15th, 2022
 
Click into picture for original size Pattaya Jazz Festival
The Amari Pattaya Jazz Festival is shedled for February 11th - February 13th, 2022.
(Amary also tells it will hapen from February 4th - February 16th, 2022, TiT)
Click into picture for original size Valentine's Day 2022
February 14th, 2022
Click into picture for original size Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2022
March 17th, 2022
Click into picture for original size Pattaya Marathon 2022
Sometime in mid-July 2022
All information is subject to change without notice
Words of the Chairman
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Pattaya Mayor talks about the future of Walking Street
Pattaya Mayor rules out Walking Street bulldozing but anticipates enormous changes
Pattaya Mayor apologizes and explains the problem with the long “under-construction” sidewalks on Central and South Pattaya Roads
Additional information about the late Godfather of Chonburi and his family
Jomtien
 During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
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Anti-aging food and more
Peine, a nice and inexpensive Café, restaurant and bakery is located in Soi Chaiyaphroek.
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Don't believe every bullshit people tell you about healthy food
All my life I only have eaten food I liked - including burgers and fries, chocolate and soft drinks - and I have not changed my behaviour in the last few years here in Thailand.
My beloved wife has been vegan all her life. Neither of us ever consumed alcoholic beverages, not out of conviction, but because we just didn't like them. She died 20 years ago. RIP.
Many of my friends in Switzerland were "healthy eaters" too. They have all already visited the happy hunting grounds. I outlived them all, despite my "unhealthy" lifestyle.
So much for healthy eating.
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Closed shops
Jomtien offers the same bleak picture as Pattaya. Many shops had to close because of the pandemic. The shophouses are empty and looking for new tenants.
Naklua
During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
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Well-known German restaurant had to close
After serving excellent German food on Naklua Road, the "Fat Aunt" had to close her Thai-style restaurant. The landlord needs the area for a new project!
The Restaurant was well-known for its Leber and its Schnitzel, all with Bratkartoffeln and a large and fresh salad for 80 Baht.
We hope for a comeback of the Fat Aunt somewhere and sometime!
We will keep you up-to-date.
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A new start after 30 years
After receiving her guests for 30 years, Fat Aunt had to close her restaurant. But the restless woman is not giving up so easily.
Only a good 100 metres from her old workplace, but across the street, she has opened a new restaurant. The menu has remained the same and the surprisingly reasonable prices have not changed either.
Fat Aunt's new restaurant is located on Naklua Road, a few meters from the entrance to Soi 16/2.
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Chinese Food Market opened
The Pattaya Chinese Food Market announced last month opened its doors a few days ago on Naklua Road opposite the Aiyara Palace Hotel.
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New Nightclub
The new Grande Centre Point Hotel on Naklua Road will offer night owls a new nightclub called Space Pattaya.
Pattaya
During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
Click into picture for original size
Shop closed
Marks & Spencer has closed its store on the ground floor of CentralFestival.
Some of Marks & Spencer's line of products are now sold in the Central Mall in the same building and sometimes also at a temporary booth.
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Burger outlet closed
A&W closed its restaurant at Terminal21.
Pattaya does not seem to be a happy place for A&W. The burger provider had to close its store on the corner of Beach Road and Soi Post Office many years ago. Its successor was Pizza Hut.
In the meantime, Pizza Hut has also left Beach Road. The restaurant has been unused for months and can be rented.
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Love is in the air
Preparations are already underway at Pattaya Beach for Valentine's Day on February 14th.
Apparently, the LED installation was so successful last year that the city administration has decided to expand the attraction even further.
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Comeback
The 7-eleven minimarket on the corner of Pattaya Beach Road and Soi Pattayaland reopened a few days ago.
The popular shop was closed for several months and neighbours wondered if it would ever reopen.
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Night Bazaar open during the day
Almost all shops at Pattaya's world-famous Night Bazaar are open again. Despite its name, the market is also open during the day.
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For rent
The Happiness Corner Bar in Soi 7 is available for rent.
If you are interested pleade call 081 614 7737 or 061 878 2941.
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Made In Thailad property for rent
The property where the Made in Thailand Bar Complex was located is now available for rent.
Please call 084-669 2916 if interested.
Soi 7 Panorama
 Not all bars in Soi7 are closed - but most are. Click into picture for its original size.
Soi Buakhao
During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
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Ladies wanted
Apparently Service Girls are already in short supply, at least in Soi Buakhao's Tree Town, where some bars are already desperately looking for new beauties ....
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New Classroom
Lek's Classroom, well-known and once very popular on Pattaya Second Road, opened It's new "Education Center" in Soi Buakhao.
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New Dre's
The successor to Dre's popular bar in Soi Buakhao is Dre's Food and Drink in Soi Lengkee. Soi Lengkee is the continuation of Soi Diamond and connects Soi Buakhao and with Pattaya Third Road.
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Traveller's Rest
Traveller's Rest is known as Soi Lengkee's #1 Sports Bar.
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Soi Chaiyapoon
Since our last visit to Soi Chaiyapoon, not only have several bars and shops closed, but a surprising number of new bars have also seen the light of day. Here are a few of them.
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New Street Café
A new street café has opened in Tree Town, in front of the Beer Hub restaurant.
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New Café
Queen Café has opened in Soi LK Metro.
Despite the name, the sexy ladies also serve some spirits!
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New Soi Buakhao Market
For a few weeks now, the former Soi Buakhao weekly market has been back in its original location, but it now occupies only about half of the space.
Unlike in the past, the market is not only active on Tuesday and Friday. It is now open every day of the week from 06:00 to 21:00.
The bothes are all lined up as if the design came from a general.
You won't find the chaos and charm of the old market.
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New on Soi LK Metro
In Soi LK Metro, between Craft Cottage and Champagne A Go-Go, a new club called Pure will open as soon as circumstances allow.
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The unreal became reality
For many months, the illuminated sign of the new bar in Soi LK Metro remained covered with a cloth.
But suddenly, a few days ago, when hardly anyone believed it, the bar shone in all its glory.
Now it delights women and men alike.
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Name changed
The lovely restaurant that opened last month under the name Wok Express (we reported on it) has since been given a new name. It is now called Baan Num Tran. A pool table has also been added.
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High Class
In Soi Chaiyaponn, a new high-class bar is being built in the premises of a former "Rent a Boy" club.
For a while, the venue was very popular with "lonely" barmaids.
We will keep you up-to-date.
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For sale
Piss Stop, also known as Jolly Bar, is one of the few shops currently for sale in Soi Buakhao.
If you are interested in taking over the business, please call 065 414 8646.
Soi Buakhao and some of its side streets are currently experiencing a small boom.
Outside this area, however, the former paradise still ekes out a shadowy existence.
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For rent
The Den Bar & Guesthouse, at the southern end of Soi Buakhao, opposite Marin Place Hotel, is available for rent.
Please call 086-159 2982 if interested.
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Farang Bar for sale
The Farang Bar on Soi Lengkee is available for sale.
Please call 089-633 8572 if interested.
Soi 6
During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
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Hot Shots
Hot Shots opened in the last days of 2021 in the premises of the former Jungle Bar.
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Love Missile
The former Perry Bar has got new management and a new name, Love Missile. The construction of the new bar was announced in a big way in August 2021, but after that it was completely silent, but last December we suddenly saw several construction workers trying to turn an existing bar around.
The bar will open soon. It is located between Mod's Bar and 'O' Bar.
You can't miss it!
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Buy an A Go-Go Bar!
Love 66, an A Go-Go Bar in Soi 6, can be taken over including the building.
If you are interested, please contact the owner directly on 081 620 3908.
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On the block
Good Fellas, a well-known Bar in Soi 6, can be taken over.
If you are interested, please call 085 105 4296.
Walking Street
During the Covid 19 pandemic, only PattayaSweethearts reports on the A Go-Go and Disco scene in Pattaya!
Click into picture for original size
Walking Street 60 years ago
On December 24th and 25th, 2021, Pattaya, which still claims to be a world-class seaside resort, celebrated its 60th birthday with concerts and fireworks.
On Pattaya's beach promenade, the city administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed how they had imagined the now world-famous Walking Street of the former fishing village 60 years ago.
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Lonely man
In Pattaya's famous Walking Street, Ronald McDonald sits all alone in his partially cleared-out burger outlet at the entrance to Soho Square.
According to neighbours, it is unlikely that the shop will reopen.
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Soho Square
According to a poster on the site, the landlord of Soho Square has apparently seized all the buildings on the site and their contents by court order.
Mike Baird's Cartoon
 Click in the image to watch more of Mike Baird's great cartoons
The Fun starts here
The Queen
 Improved reality
 Eggman
 Medicine ....
 Super dog
 We welcome dogs
 Recycled mask
 Best excercise?
 Old Pussy
 It wasn't that
 Do you know?
 Mike Baird is not only Thailand's #1 cartoonman, he is also an acclaimed artist!
Click in the image to enjoy some of his work!
Amazing Switzerland
Spa in Switzerland
 Mike Baird presents:
Pattaya Tourist Guides
These Tourist Guides were designed by Pattaya's #1 Cartoonist Mike Baird.Please click on the images above to see more and larger copies of his work.
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