Pattaya first started seeing development in the 1960s and has since blossomed into an active and lively resort town. Those looking to be out and about day or night will enjoy the bustling city center, while families with young children and those in need of a little R & R will find that the quiet southern suburbs meet their needs perfectly.
Location
Pattaya sits relatively close to Bangkok in terms of location, and as such has become the biggest resort town in relation to the capital’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, with transfers taking about an hour-and-a-half. Pattaya’s U-Tapao International Airport is even closer – just a 45 minute drive, or 30 minutes to the city center – and is open for international charters and domestic flights from Phuket and Koh Samui. Accordingly, you can easily reach the capital as well as various resort islands on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand from Pattaya.
Beach Vacations
Pattaya beaches offer a little something for everyone; including options for both lounging by the seaside as well as for more active ways to spend the day. In addition, because the entire coast faces west, the incredible tropical sunsets can be admired from just about anywhere.
Sights
Although Pattaya is as yet a relatively young city when compared to various other parts of Thailand, there are many interesting and worthwhile places to visit. One of these is the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. Winner of many prestigious international awards in horticulture and floristry, the garden has been listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's largest private collection of plants. In addition, you might want to try the Sanctuary of Truth – considered one of the highest wooden buildings in the world, or Khao Chi Chan Mountain, where the magnificent cliff facet displays the outline of a sitting Sukhothai-Lanna Buddha inlaid with gold leaf.
Entertainment
One of the greatest things about Pattaya is its variety of entertainment options, where, come nightfall, the city turns into one big open-air shopping mall. And while Walking Street is a great center for entertainment in Pattaya, the city’s nightlife extends far beyond the well-lit pathways of the famous night-time shopping district. Clubs, bars, restaurants with live music, and discos can be found at almost every corner, where tourists are invited to try their hand, and their feet, at Muay Thai (Thai boxing). Likewise, world famous transvestite shows Tiffany’s and Alcazar, as well as various other adult-only shows, will no doubt keep you talking for days, maybe even weeks! But, there are also many options for families, such as the Underwater World oceanarium, Pattaya Dolphin World featuring pink dolphins, Mini Siam park of miniatures, the Khao Kheo open zoo, and so much more.
Active Leisure
Pattaya offers a variety of activities that will get your mojo going. Check this out: zip lining your way through the jungle, four-wheeling the Thai terrain, going on jeep safaris, as well as the traditional snorkeling, diving, fishing, and travels by sea. But that’s not all. Grab a racket and start swinging in the tennis courts, get hopping in various fitness centers, go golfing, pick up a bow and arrow and give archery a shot, go horseback riding, and so much more.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping and entertainment centers in Pattaya, the most popular of which is Central Festival. Located between Second and Beach streets, it is great for big name brands. You can also find a great number of souvenir shops and shopping malls supplying all manner of things in the center: Family Mart and 7-Eleven are good for small daily purchases, and can be found on nearly every other street corner; while bigger purchases can be made at Big C and Tesco Lotus.
Please note:
not all streets in Pattaya have sidewalks. Foreigners should use extreme caution when going anywhere on foot in Pattaya and Thailand in general. Motorists, and specifically motorcyclists, tend not to follow the rules of the road.
