Advice from agony aunts sought
I live in London with my partner.
I've visited Thailand on 3 occasions. Firstly 20 years ago - the usual backpacking S.E. Asian overland route. Then the 2nd time 12 years ago as a stopover en-route to my home town Brisbane; and most recently in May for one week in the North.
I seem to prefer Chiang Mai and the north (maybe it reminds me of Brisbane somehow?). I've never been to Pattaya, and reading this forum I would like to one day give Pattaya a go, though I donтАЩt naturally gravitate towards beaches and/or hot humid weather. On my most recent trip I did not go into Bangkok.
I've found Thailand to be an ideal stopover to break up my yearly journey back home, and this is where the problem likes. When I go to Thailand try as I might I just cannot behave appropriately. On my most recent trip I took the most desperate step to travel with my moralising sister - and even that came unstuck!
I enjoy Thailand too much to discount ever returning, so please any advice will be most welcome.
I got that impression also ...
... seems that you're making a statement rather than asking for advice.
However, it seems to me also that Pattaya is not your place at all, you seem to me as if you like the cultural side of visiting countries (been and done that), unless of course I have you wrong and you like to seedy side of Thailand, then Pattaya is for you.