The Dark Side is Not Dark Anymore

The Dark Side is Not Dark Anymore

East Pattaya, formerly known to Pattaya residents as The Dark side, describes the part of town across the main highway 7 (Sukhumvit Road). The name " Dark " came from about ten years ago , when that side of Pattaya didn't provide any streetlightning at all, bad road conditions, and also it was notorious for the robbery's that occured there.

Today , this area of Pattaya is largely residential since it is quieter and a little removed from the packed tourist streets of beach road. This might lead you to think that as a visitor there is nothing here for you. But read on, you might be surprised. Just because it is  a little more remote prices are more reasonable than in other parts of town and there are some excellent little places that become successful on the basis of good feedback from local residents – a sure sign of quality.

We will describe some of the side roads for you and let you know what you can expect to find as you explore the darkside.

Soi Siam Country Club

is mainly residential and with some nice housing developments. If you follow it to the end it leads to Mabprachan Lake which is a large reservoir that is a good place to get a little peace and quiet from the madness of central Pattaya. Their a few little guest houses and houses for rent here and it is a great base, especially if you have your own transport. Siam Country Club Golf course also lies along this road. This well appointed golf club has two courses, one of 18 holes and one of 27, and is one of the closest places to Pattaya that you can play a round golf.

Another place of note along the road is Outback Golf Bar and Restaurant. It is a bar and restaurant that serves good food and is jointly run by an Aussie and an English guy, both golf enthusiasts who provide golf tours every day of the week!
Black Pearl 2 is a kind of a daytime go-go bar on the same road that brings a little of central Pattaya out to the suburbs.

Soi Nern Plub Wan

is another largely residential kind of street also leads up to the Lake and is something a local retail centre with a Tops Local, Tesco Lotus and a 7/eleven store.

The Beast from North East is a splendidly named bar and restaurant down this road, the name refers to North-East England in case you were wondering.
Taffy’s Bar is run by the organisers of the local darts league. On offer are Sunday Roast dinners at just 99 Baht and cheap drinks.
Paradise Bar Has food, drinks, rooms and girls who are girls and girls who are boys.

Soi Khao Noi

is another residential street with some mini-marts and a few bars and restaurants.
Soi Khao Noi Restaurant serves good food. English Curries, Fish and Chips and Pizzas all under cost less than 120 Baht and beers are also very cheap.
Nana Deli and Café serves good Western food at cheap prices. The owner also makes his own cheese which he sells retail and wholesale as well as pies, bacon and sausages.
Lots of building work going on up the top of the road with about 40 new 4 storey shop
Star Books is a decent little second-hand book shop that also serves coffee.

There are also a few beers bars down this street, notably Nobby’s, Darkness, Boom Boom Bar, Mango and Go Gress. They all open about midday and close at midnight and serve 50-70 baht beers!