Rewatching White Lotus Season Three, I was thinking about my short time in Thailand during 2024. There were so many mixed emotions packed into four days. The humidity, the food, the lush green sights… it was overall great. However, I couldn’t shake something…a word of caution. I also couldn’t shake the idea that there are other places I should check out in future.
A word of Caution
If you search for Pattaya, Thailand, you’ll see that it is a big port city south of Bangkok. There’s a heavy tourist presence and plenty of places to eat at, see, and experience. Peel away a layer you’ll validate what Wikipedia alludes: The Sex Capital of the World. Even though I support consensual sex work, I felt sad being in Pattaya. I hope when I become a pensioner that I’m still married and traveling as a couple. The number of bald white westerners was a significant demographic. This took away from the whole experience. I also think in future I’d be better served in Bangkok proper or Phuket.
Highlights:
Playing Rugby against the Pattaya Panthers was good fun, more so for the third half pub social. I think they have my favorite team logo: A Pink Panther in stiletto heals on a stripper pole. Good guys generally. https://pattayapanthers.com
The hotel was quite nice. There are varying levels of hotels there and the Hilton made for a very comfortable stay. The rooftop restaurant made a great steak. LINK to Hilton Site
Boat trip to Coral Island made for a family style dinner on the beach with fresh juices and a lot of vitamin D… a great way to get out of the throws of people to a restful stop (though you should have some decent sea legs, the waves the boats transit are quite rough). https://www.kohlarn.com
The Professional Aspect
My position at the time was to coordinate healthcare in foreign countries. If you need healthcare, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, though fee for service, was one of the better hospitals to go to for urgent and emergency care.
Won't you be my gaybor? 
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