The complete guide to discover Pattaya, the activities and places to see, its nightlife, transport, as well as other useful information to prepare your trip.
Pattaya is a famous seaside resort located in the province of Chonburi, it is a family destination, but also a high place of sex tourism in the country.
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Description
Pattaya is the first seaside resort from ThailandIt is located just 147 km from Bangkok.
It has more than 100,000 inhabitants and welcomes several million tourists from all over the world every year.
In addition, there are many Thais coming from the capital to have fun at the weekend and others coming mainly from the north-east of the country, Issan, to work.
Pattaya Centre
And the resort can accommodate its many visitors, with over 2,000 hotels and 136,000 rooms (in 2015).
Pattaya districts: the centre, Jomtien and Naklua
The city consists of three main districts: Jomtien in the south, Pattaya centre and Naklua to the north.
Neighbourhoods of Pattaya
Jomtien
Jomtien is the quietest and most family-friendly part of the town, and also has cleaner beaches.
The area offers many activities, from water sports and diving to nature walks and shopping.
Pattaya centre
The active centre of Pattaya is mainly made up of two parallel avenues, the Beach Road and the Second Road (see map below), which are connected by perpendicular lanes (lane = oneself in Thai, pronounced "soille").
There is the city part, with the bus station, the markets and the red-light district with its gogo bars, massage parlours and numerous hotels and restaurants.
Naklua
Naklua is a very quiet residential part of Pattaya, yet it is home to some of the most iconic monuments, such as the sanctuary of truth and many attractions.
Jomtien Tower in Pattaya
A city dedicated to tourism, nightlife and prostitution
The city of Pattaya is largely occupied by people from other parts of the country, attracted by the income from tourism.
There is no shortage of work in the tourist industry: hotels, restaurants, massage parlours, various businesses or, above all, what gives the city its sulphurous reputation, in prostitution.
Pattaya mainly attracts tourists who come to discover the crazy nightlife and the gogos bars.
History of Pattaya
American soldiers, during the Vietnam war, discovered this pretty bay with its 4 km long beach in 1960.
There was only a small fishing village and the US soldiers will motivate the construction of bungalows and small restaurants.
With the Vietnam War over and the military gone, tourism developed slowly until 1980 when it experienced a vertiginous expansion.
Russian, Indian and Chinese tourists have been arriving en masse since the 2000s.
Today, Pattaya is the most visited city in Thailand, after Bangkok.
Sunset on the beach
Climate in Pattaya
The temperature is constant throughout the year and is between 28 and 35 degrees, only the humidity level varies.
The rainy season is from July to October, but has nothing to do with the Indian monsoon, usually just a big storm in the late afternoon.
The sea water has a temperature of between 27 and 30 degrees.
See the weather and climate in Thailand
and
When to go to Thailand?
Pattaya's Walking Street by day
Things to see and do in Pattaya
See also : Is Pattaya worth visiting in 2023?
Beach Road
Beach road in 2004
Beach road is a road dotted with shops, restaurants and shopping centres running along the sea for over 4 km.
Then Beach Road stops and gives way to Walking Street, which is the street of the go-go barsThere are a few shops, bars and restaurants that are open during the day.
Sports
There are several golf courses and a large number of well-maintained courses within 30 minutes of the city centre.
The city has many gyms, badminton courts, bowling alleys and several Thai boxing schools.
The Sanctuary of Truth ( ปราสาทสัจธรรม )
The Sanctuary of Truth
It is a temple of religious synthesis located at "soi 12" on Pattaya-Naklua Road.
The sanctuary of truth The building is decorated in Burmese, Cambodian, Indian and Thai styles.
See our article : The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya
The Siracha Tiger Zoo
It is located 25 km from the city and features many shows with tigers and crocodiles.
Show
See their website: tigerzoo.com
Update: Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Thailand closes permanently
Jomtien Park (better known as Pattaya Park)
It is an amusement park, originally a large water park.
It is located at the foot of a 157 m high tower with a revolving restaurant.
There are many attractions, the most perilous of which is the cable car from the ground to the summit, from which you can descend on a cable, attached by a simple harness.
The complex was bought by Russian interests in 2001.
Nong Nooch Garden
A magnificent space with a wide variety of plants: bonsai, tropical palms, orchids...
It is advisable to hire a bicycle to discover all the different theme gardens in the park.
Alcazar and Tiffany's
These are famous cabarets located in Pattaya featuring transvestites, singers and dancers.
Transsexuals at the Alcazar cabaret, Tiffany's
Underwater World ( อันเดอร์วอเตอร์ เวิลด์ )
It is a giant aquarium where visitors walk through a 105 m long glass tunnel presenting all the species of tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, presented in the reconstruction of their natural environment.
Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm
The Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm is a park located about 15 minutes from Pattaya, with old stones, some wild animals and a crocodile farm.
You can feed these friendly lizards and watch shows.
Central Festival
The Central Festival is a huge luxury shopping mall, said to be the largest in Asia, with the Hilton Hotel located there.
Guided tours and other paid activities in Pattaya
Nightlife in Pattaya
The city has many restaurants and nightclubs.
Pattaya is most famous for its beer bars or gogo bar and "bar girls" who accompany tourists and expatriates "for a fee".
The Walking Street comes alive at nightfall, girl bar, show, loud music and prostitution.
But times are changing and the current government wants to put an end to the Pattaya's sulphurous reputation.
See our article: The end of prostitution in Pattaya soon?
The police raid it, close down some bars, massage parlours, shows, but it's such a big money-making business, it's surprising they'd stop it altogether.
Pattaya by night
Walking Street in the evening
Video : Pattaya by night
Events and festivals in Pattaya
Since 1991, there has been a women's tennis tournament of the WTA professional circuit, thePattaya Open.
Since 2006, it has taken place in February.
In March, the Pattaya International Music Festival presents a week-long series of exhibitions by Thai and international bands of different musical styles.
The party of Songkran takes place during the week of the Buddhist New Year in April.
The Pattaya carnivalA more recent tradition is the June Festival, which includes a float parade, concerts, water sports and fireworks.
Since 2009, an annual event has been held in mid-August international fireworks festival.
The Honda PTT LPGA Thailandis a women's golf competition, held annually since 2007 at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.
See also :
Important dates for public holidays in Thailand
Find a hotel in Pattaya
You'll have no trouble finding hotel accommodation, but if you're coming between November and February, Thailand's peak season, it's best to book in advance.
You will find the best hotel deals in Pattaya with Booking.com
Transport to Pattaya
To find out the price of long-haul flights to Pattaya see Skyscanner.
You can get an idea of the price of transport or book your tickets with 12go.asia :
The journey from Bangkok to Pattaya is about 150 km, depending on the vehicles you choose it will take 2 to 3 hours, a little more if you decide to go by train.
From Bangkok :
By bus
From Bangkok East Bus Station (Ekkamai) There is a bus about every half hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (same in the opposite direction).
Tel Ekkamai: 023912504.
From Bangkok North Bus Station (Mochit) There is a bus about every half hour from 6am to 7pm (same in the opposite direction).
Tel Mochit: 029362852
By train
From Hualamphong Station in Bangkok A train leaves in the morning at 7.10am and arrives in Pattaya at 10.45am (approx. 30 B).
Return train Pattaya-Bangkok from the station beyond Sukhumvit Road, at Pattaya Klang to Siam Country Club Road, departing at 2.50 pm, arriving in Bangkok at 6.35 pm.
Although the journey is a little longer than by bus, the train journey has a certain charm.
By taxi
Many taxis in Bangkok will take you there for a fee of 1000-1500 baht for about a 2 hour ride.
By minibus
All travel agencies offer a minibus service.
See also :
Transport in Thailand, getting around in the land of smiles.
Maps of Pattaya
Detailed map of Pattaya city
A handy large map with lots of details to help you find your way around the city.
Cards by Mike Braid
Here are some maps made by Mike Baird, a cartoonist based in Pattaya.
Its sites www.amuzingthaicartoons.com and www.pattayabarguide.com are worth a visit.
Pattaya hotel maps
Pattaya restaurant map
Map of Bars
Map of bars and restaurants outside the centre of Pattaya
See also :
Good plans and useful addresses in Pattaya
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