PATTAYA, Thailand – As the waves of mass Chinese tourism recede, Pattaya isn’t slowing down — it’s shifting gears. With European visitors settling in for longer stays and the city’s nightlife humming steadily, Pattaya is proving it’s built for more than just busloads of group tours.
Soi 6, one of the city’s most iconic nightlife strips, remains wide open and resilient — rain or shine, low or high season. While some businesses across Thailand have struggled to adapt to the post-pandemic tourism landscape, Pattaya’s bar scene is holding firm, fueled by its enduring appeal among solo travelers, long-term European guests, and regional weekenders.
“We don’t close. Not for low season, not for the rain, not even for the economy,” said a local bar owner on Soi 6. “The regulars are here. The Europeans aren’t just visiting anymore — many are living here, and that keeps things alive.”
With fewer Chinese tour groups in town, traffic may flow a little smoother, but the cash registers are still ringing. From happy hours along Second Road to beachside beers on Soi 7, Pattaya is leaning into its identity as a 24/7, no-nonsense destination for fun.
Even as the Thai Meteorological Department forecasts days of tropical rainfall across the kingdom, including 60% thunderstorm coverage in Bangkok and heavy weather in Chonburi, Pattaya nightlife is pressing on — neon glowing through the rain.
“Chinese tours come and go,” a local expat quipped while sipping a pint at a beach bar, “but Soi 6? That’s eternal.”
