DWB

Try not to.

I had to throw down with one of them before and it was only because all the others watching knew who I was (I had shot most of them), that they didn't gang jump me.

Also best to avoid areas where the freelancers lurk in shadows, like along the beach at night, because those are the crack heads who will try to rob you. I carry pepper spray for these types should it be needed. But best is to do your best to avoid any violent or potentially violent situation, because they will usually gang jump your ass and break bottles over your head in the process. They (Thais) turn into violent baboons really fast.

You're in, sire.

Thailand is a love it or hate it place. Most people who come as a tourist LOVE it and want to live here. Many people who live here, love it. And most places you can live and visit without a bother in the world. But when things go south, they go really south, and things tend to happen the most in places like Pattaya, where the entire city is pretty much mob ruled. Lots of violence happens there. Phuket and Koh Samui are getting up there though.

Having said all of that, you can come to some places that are 100% chill and you'll never have a problem. It can be a paradise. It's just the biggest tourist / party zones who seem to have the problems. And it's not just the locals, it's the foreigners too.

Andrew used to say Pattaya is where the worst of the west meets the worst of the east. And that's 100% true. However, Pattaya is not a fair judge of how all of Thailand is. It is known as "the extreme city" and that is exactly what it is. Even the current Mayor, his dad is Thailand's biggest mafia king pin, so you can pretty much expect everything that comes with that. It's a free-for-all. Which is both good and bad at the same time.

Unless your a pornographer, pedophile, party maniac, wanker, hooligan, drunk, Russian, or a whore monger extreme, there is really no reason to ever come to Pattaya. It's the arm pit of Thailand.