What to see and do in Pattaya, all the activities not to be missed!

All the main activities, festivals, places, attractions, to see and do in Pattaya, to discover or rediscover the 1st seaside resort of Thailand.

Things to see and do in Pattaya, an internationally renowned destination

Pattaya is a leading tourist city whose success is attested to by the millions of Thai and foreign visitors it receives each year.

With regard to Thai beach destinations, Pattaya is one of the oldest and most durable of all.

Located on the Gulf of Thailand150 km southeast of BangkokThis small fishing village has become a mecca for tourism and is a well-known destination for tour operators from all over the world.

It is a popular year-round destination for all kinds of travellers, from singles and couples to families and tour groups.

Its success is due to the wide range of activities, attractions and cultural experiences it offers that attract visitors of all ages.

Pattaya: festivals and celebrations

The annual calendar of events in Pattaya includes some of the most popular festivals and gatherings in the kingdom.

Recent events include the Wonderfruit festivala four-day celebration of art, music, food and sustainable development in December, and the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival that illuminates the Pattaya Bay in a dazzling fireworks display.

Enthusiastic crowds gather every year for the MAYA Music Festival December which combines Thai culture with Western dance music.

Offering a more cultural scene, the annual vegetarian festival of Pattaya is held in October, during which people refrain from eating meat and a large procession carrying statues of Chinese deities makes its way around the city.

Then there is the Wan Lai Festival or the Traditional Thai New Year (Songkran) which is celebrated in Pattaya a week later than the rest of the country, but also full of meritorious activities, processions and water fights!

For sports enthusiasts, the Pattaya Marathon held in the streets of the city in July attracts hundreds of Thai and international runners.

While the Pattaya Half Marathon in June allows participants to navigate a more scenic route along the wooded hills.

In February, the world's best women golfers gather in Pattaya for the prestigious Honda LPGA Thailand tournament.

You can find out about these events by following the agenda:
Festivals in Thailand

Things to see and do in Pattaya: attractions

As a seaside resort, Pattaya naturally offers the sun, sand and water lover a choice of beaches, but beyond that there is much, much more.

The destination has a multitude of attractions that include the historical, the modern, the cultural and the entertainment.

The Sanctuary of Truth

Visitors can spend their days visiting attractions such as the Sanctuary of TruthA 105m high temple built in precious wood in the style of the Rattanakosin period,

See our article :
The Shrine of Truth in Pattaya (Prasat Sut Ja-Tum)

the floating market of the four regions with its 100 food stalls, restaurants, souvenir shops and art galleries, and the new Siam Magic Ice where there are ice and snow themed areas to explore.

At night, a must-see is one of the city's famous cabaret shows, either Tiffany's Cabaret Show or the Cabazet Alcazar with their larger-than-life performers and fabulous sets.

Transsexuals in the Alcazar cabaret

The KAAN ShowA 90-minute extravaganza of Himmapan forest and Thai literary characters, martial arts, dance performances and sensational special effects is also highly recommended.

Venturing beyond Pattaya into the surrounding countryside there is an equally impressive array of attractions.

To name but a few,

the tropical botanical garden of Nong Nooch is renowned for its picturesque gardens and cultural spectacle;

Mimosa Pattaya The city of love offers a colourful shopping and dining environment inspired by the architecture and romance of the city of Colmar in north-eastern France;

Monsters World and Aquarium offer the chance to get close to different marine and terrestrial species;

Cartoon Network Amazon is a Cartoon Network themed water park with 25 attractions in 10 entertainment zones;

Upside Down Pattaya offers a leaning castle, an upside down house, a magic barrel, crazy bicycles, a maze. Everyone's senses go crazy.

Pattaya even has its own vineyard, one of the few in Thailand that is helping the country make a name for itself in wine growing.

From its location on the lake, Silverlake Vineyard produces a variety of red, white and rosé wines.

For an overview of the Buddhist religion and its importance in Thai society, Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) presents a giant image of Buddha 109 m high, carved into the cliff,

Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain)

while the Wat Yan Sang Wararam Woramahawihan is a temple whose designers were inspired by different architectural styles; such as Lanna, Singapore-Chinese and Thai-Chinese.

Both sites pay tribute to the deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Pattaya, an easily accessible destination

Add to that the fact that it has never been easier to get to Pattaya than it is today.

Motorway links from Bangkok take less than two hours, while U-Tapao International Airport has direct flights to the city.

You can also find flights from the Middle East, China, Macau and other Asian cities, including Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai.

See also :

How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya?

You can get an idea of the prices with different modes of transport from Bangkok to Pattaya or book your tickets with our partner 12go.asia :

For more tourist and practical information on Pattaya see :
Pattaya, the sultry seaside resort: the guide