“I'm thinking of buying a bar in Pattaya. Talk me out of it?”
My answerShane Ruddle, 20+ years in PattayaBars are the businesses I see fail most, often because the owner is their own best customer.
People buy a bar because they like the idea of it. They don't take it seriously and aren't willing to learn how things work here. Bars are everywhere and cheap to buy, which is exactly why they have the highest turnover.
What works: entertainment, restaurants and guest houses. My own preference is service businesses, which need less capital and there's real demand for better service.
If you still want to do it, take it seriously, do your due diligence, and decide with your head, not your heart.
Up to date as of November 2026. Rules in Thailand change often, so check the current position before you act.
The full story
Starting or Buying a Business in Pattaya: You'd Better Be Serious
Thinking of starting or buying a business in Pattaya? What I've learned running seven: start vs buy, due diligence, Thai partners, work permits, and which businesses work.
ArticleRunning a Restaurant and Bar in Pattaya: What I've Learned
The owner of three Hemingways restaurant and bars on how he got started, the hardest part of the job, what keeps a venue going, and his one piece of advice before you open.
Ask Shane