Situated just an hour-and-a-half away from Bangkok, Pattaya offers welcome respite from the buzz of the big city for thousands of holidaymakers every year. Although originally seen as an escape from the larger resorts it has established itself as a popular destination in its own right particularly thanks to its incredible nightlife, which is among the best in Thailand. Originally a fishing village in the 1960s, Pattaya's first class beach, city-like dining and natural surroundings make this one of the most enduring destinations in Asia.
| families will enjoy the wealth of entertainment, sports, recreation and fun on offer.... |
Temperatures typically stay high throughout the year and generally range from 21-35°C. To reach Pattaya you should fly into Bangkok from a range of UK airports - flights take around eleven hours.
Best for...
Pattaya offers all the appeal of a big city without the hustle and bustle of a larger resort...
Pattaya has something to appeal to just about every type of holidaymaker. The biggest draw for the area is undoubtedly the nightlife, and the variation it offers is reflective of Pattaya in general, as there is something for everyone from adult entertainment to fun for families. Many of the travellers to Pattaya are young partygoers, but families will enjoy the wealth of entertainment, sports, recreation and fun on offer. This is one of the most complete destinations in Thailand and with the ability to travel in and out of Bangkok to experience the city's history and culture, Pattaya has plenty to fill your day and night.
What to do...
Though there's plenty to see and do during the day in Pattaya, the real fun begins when dusk falls. The nightlife in Pattaya is internationally famous with a party atmosphere throughout the city. It has everything from pubs and restaurants to more risqué go-go bars, transsexual cabaret and more. The most popular area is Walking Street in South Pattaya, which is packed nightly and full of massage parlours, bars and eateries. In central Pattaya the action is more refined, with more emphasis on enjoying a quiet drink and something to eat. The north is also comparatively quiet, with the focus firmly on traditional Thai entertainment including the Tiffany Cabaret that features transsexuals in spectacular costumes. The gay scene is also vibrant in Pattaya, particularly around Boyz Town, which centres on gay go-go bars and meeting areas.
Despite the emphasis on night entertainment, there's plenty to do during the day too, particularly on and around the beaches. Watersports are especially popular and Pattaya offers parasailing, deep-sea diving, water-skiing and sailing. Diving is a major attraction, and water temperatures stay around 28°C throughout the year. Continuing the sporting theme, Pattaya has many extreme sports to sample including motorcycle racing and bungee jumping, while for a more relaxing pursuit you can take to one of the area's 20 golf courses.
There are a number of sightseeing opportunities in Pattaya too, though many prefer to take day trips to Bangkok to grab their dose of culture and tradition. Nevertheless, Pattaya offers several impressive temples and the Nong Enoch Village is within easy reach where you can find traditional dancers and an orchid garden. The Elephant Village offers elephant rides around its park, while more modern attractions include Underwater World, a marine aquarium, and the Museum of Bottle Art, which showcases miniature models.
Pattaya is also excellent for shopping with lots of markets and bigger malls for all tastes. Local highlights include handicrafts and gems, although you should keep your eye out for fake models.
