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Pattaya Holiday Guide

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A Holiday in Pattaya
Located on the eastern shores of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya has long been one of the favourites for visitors to the country. From its early days as an escape for American soldiers serving in Vietnam, its popularity has grown to the point that nearly five million visitors come here every year. Although it’s still a place overflowing with massage parlours, go-go clubs and beer bars, it now also boasts a selection of international resort hotels and is making an attempt at becoming a more family-friendly destination.

Flights to Pattaya
Pattaya’s nearest airfield is the U-Tapao Airport at Sattahip, where flights arrive from Koh Samui and Phuket – and also Siam Reap, in Cambodia. For most visitors, however, arrival will likely be at the Bangkok International Airport, with shuttles and taxis providing transfer on to Pattaya.

Travel by train is possible from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong rail station – with the journey taking around 5 hours. Buses depart quite frequently from the city’s Eastern Bus Terminal, with the trip taking 2-3 hours depending on how heavy the traffic is. To get around Pattaya, most tourists depend on minibuses, called songtaews in Thai, which run constantly along a number of city routes. Motorcycle taxis cover the areas not serviced by minibus routes. No conventional taxi service is on offer.

Sightseeing in Pattaya
As you’d expect, the beach is a major attraction for many, with the largest numbers of visitors flocking to Pattaya Bay or to Jomtien Beach farther south. There’s also a temple complex on a hill high above the town’s southern end, known Wat Khao Prayai, where a 10-metre high golden Buddha image is the highlight – and where you can enjoy amazing views from the peak.

Generally, Pattaya doesn’t have the concentration of temples and historical attractions that you’ll find in other parts of the country, but it does offer up some interesting attractions as the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, Mini Siam and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
By night, Pattaya comes alive, and there’s no shortage of things to do. The resort has long been known for its sex scene, and it’s hard to miss the beer bars, massage parlours and go-go clubs. You can also readily find more reputable venues to enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down; enjoy seafood straight out of the Gulf of Thailand or enjoy live music. Many discos and karaoke bars are scattered around the town. Cabaret shows are particularly popular, featuring elaborately dressed and stunning transvestites (katoeys in Thai), who sing, dance and perform skits and comedy routines.

The food on offer in Pattaya tends to cater to western preferences, and the Thai food on offer typically is without the fiery heat that’s loved by Thais and feared by foreigners. If you’re keen to try something local and typically Thai, order tom yum kung, a hot and sour prawn soup; or you might want to try one of the Thai curries – available in red, yellow and green, and with varying degrees of spiciness.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
The shopping in Pattaya is great, with large shopping malls offering a good selection of specialty shops, including designer boutiques. There are also many shops around the city that specialize in custom tailoring, Thai jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs. Be on guard for fake goods - but at the same time, don’t shy away from excellent values in silk and cotton clothing.

Daytrips
There are a number of exciting daytrips available from Pattaya. Bangkok is a short drive away and offers the chance to see some of Thailand’s finest example of historic and cultural buildings, as well as a range of other sights. There are also many local tour operators who organise day tours from Pattaya. These include elephant trekking tours and trips to local villages and remote islands.

One of the most popular daytrips is to Koh Samet, which is otherwise known as Paradise Island. Its name says it all and if you are looking for quiet beaches, authentic Thai restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to head. While Pattaya is great fun and lively, it is also nice to escape the crowds for a day.

Must-see attractions
You won’t find the historic temples or cultural edifices in Pattaya that you will in other destinations in Thailand, but there is still a lot to keep you occupied. Away from the late-night bars and clubs, Pattaya offers a range of attractions which will suit both adults and children.

One of the main draws to Pattaya is its beaches. These are busy spots which are brimming with water sports and other attractions. There are many beach front bars and restaurants serving up cocktails and freshly caught seafood as well as offering a chilled out atmosphere for those recovering from the night before.

If you are feeling more active, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Pattaya Elephant Camp are popular attractions allowing you to get up close to some of Thailand’s most beloved animals. You should not miss a trip to Mini Siam, where you will find scaled-down versions of some of Thailand’s best loved sights. The models here may not be the real thing, but a visit here allows you to see some of the most popular attractions throughout Thailand without going anywhere.

Best time to go
Pattaya, like the majority of Thailand, experiences three distinct seasons: cool, hot and rainy. However, due to its location towards the top of the Gulf of Thailand, the climate is a lot more temperate the whole year round than many other coastal locations with the average annual temperature 29ºC.

The cool season, from October through February, is the best time to visit. Humidity levels are not nearly as high as at other times and evenings are much cooler. However, this is also the peak season for tourists so be sure to book your hotel in advance.

Rainy day suggestions
As Pattaya is essentially a beach destination, there is not much to occupy visitors on rainy days. When the rain is particularly heavy, invest in a good book or head to your favourite bar or restaurant to wait out the storm.

If you would rather be more active, Ripley’s Believe it or Not can be found on the third floor of Royal Garden Plaza Building in Central Pattaya. It boasts a fascinating collection of weird and wonderful exhibits with highlights including the Haunted Museum, the Infinity Maze and the Motion Master.

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