Thailand > Bothered by beach vendors

After sleeping in, I take a hotel towel and walk to the beach. We are immediately welcomed by deckchair renters. We settle into the chairs under a parasol with a view of the sea. Soon we are approached by women offering massages and nail treatments. We are not interested. Geert is offered one nail for free. The woman then gets upset when she is not allowed to continue. Unfortunately, there are many more vendors—selling sunglasses, maps, fried bananas, massages, food, and much more. During the four hours we spend on the beach, we are offered something over 130 times.

Thailand - The viewpoint in Pattaya

Probably because the beach is rather quiet, we seem to be the target for everyone. It begins to really irritate us. Around two o’clock we decide to have lunch on the boulevard and enjoy a cup of coffee at the sports café. Afterwards we relax by the swimming pool. Here there are no pushy vendors. We swim and read until the sun sets. Around half past eight we walk to the restaurant that had been recommended by fellow travelers. As we pass one of the booking offices, we decide to book a trip for tomorrow to the island of Ko Samet. Twice a month the restaurant serves a Thai buffet for 150 Baht. Leo and Mary are there too, eating with his brother who lives in Jomtien. The food tastes delicious. Afterwards we join our fellow travelers. Back at the hotel I try to find an ATM that actually works. According to the reception there is one 400 meters away. When I walk there, the distance turns out to be closer to a kilometer. The ATM is also “out of order.” This creates a problem for tomorrow’s island trip. Without money I go to sleep.