Pattaya holidays

Pattaya is also a great shopping destination, so you may want to pack light when you travel here. Options include CentralFestival Pattaya Beach, an entertainment complex with more than 300 shops as well as a cinema and bowling alley, and the Jomtien district, where you can pick up a range of items, from fresh coconuts to a pair of Thai fisherman pants.

It almost goes without saying that the city’s hedonistic nightlife is a highlight of any Pattaya holiday, with Walking Street the most popular area for entertainment. And if go-go bars, discotheques and nightclubs aren't quite your thing, you can instead seek authentic street food in the night markets around Jomtien and Naklua.

From April onwards, the temperatures increase to around 32C and it starts to get more humid as Pattaya moves towards the rainy season (generally between June and October).

And the closer you get to the rainy season, the less crowded it becomes. Heavy rainfall should be expected at certain times of the day, often in short, sharp downpours. To compensate, hotel rates tend drop, which make this a great time of year to pick up a cheap Pattaya holiday. Even better, temperatures still regularly reach 30C.

Built in the 1940s on Pratumnak Hill, the atmospheric Wat Phra Yai – also known as the Big Buddha Temple – was here long before hordes of fun-seekers flocked to the resort.

While it’s best known for its 18m-high gold effigy of a sitting Buddha overlooking the sea, there are also several Buddha statues dotted around the temple grounds. Entry is free but donations to the monks are always welcome.

Sanctuary of Truth

The brainchild of the late Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant, the Sanctuary of Truth is arguably more an elaborate sculpture-cum-museum than a temple.

Standing 105m high, the impressive structure, which is carved entirely from wood, offers incredible views over the Gulf of Thailand. The building – made without a single nail – has four wings, each influenced by Thai, Kmer, Indian and Chinese religions.

Ko Lan

Escape the bustle of the city and head out to one of Pattaya's nearby islands, Ko Lan, a tiny island famous for its white-sand beaches and resident monkeys. Surrounded by fish-filled coral reef, the island – also known as Koh Larn – has become a popular destination for snorkelling and diving.

For a lazy day flopped on the sand, Tawaen Beach has all the facilities you’ll need, as well as a wealth of beachfront bars and restaurants. Or, head south to Monkey Beach to meet its cheeky animal inhabitants. To get to Ko Lan, hire a speedboat or hop on the ferry from Bali Hai Pier.

Four Regions Floating Market

For retail therapy of a different kind, check out Pattaya's colourful Four Regions Floating Market. You’ll find more than 100 water vendors and shops hawking souvenirs, delicious Thai food and art at the floating market, which is one of the largest in Thailand.

It's open every day until late and also hosts a variety of cultural shows each afternoon. For the best experience, hire a flat-bottomed boat and cruise around the market. And don’t be shy about haggling – it’s all part of the fun.

Mini Siam

Where can you see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House all in one afternoon? Mini Siam is where.

Divided into two zones – Mini Siam and Mini Europe – the park features almost 100 miniature replicas of iconic global attractions, which also include Tower Bridge, Angkor Wat and the Temple of Heaven – all at 1:25 scale.

Alternatively, there’s Naklua, a quiet residential beach suburb north of Pattaya's main drag, which offers some great value family hotels as well as swanky beach resorts. Staying in here puts you close to the Sanctuary of Truth and Mini Siam.

For travellers on a budget

Brimming with backpacker hostels and cheap hotels, many within a stone's throw of a beach, Thailand is a dream destination for an affordable break – and Pattaya is no different. Budget travellers can usually bag a bargain around Walking Street, but these rooms can often be quite sparse or run down. Beware budget properties that rent rooms by the hour, as they can attract a rather less salubrious clientele.

For a cheap holiday to Pattaya without compromising on facilities, you can find some good value hotels in South Pattaya, which usually have a pool and on-site restaurants.

For food and drink

Pattaya is a diverse city and this is reflected in its varied cuisine, from Thai, Malaysian and Japanese to French, American and even Swedish. All can be found in Pattaya City, especially in the outer beach suburbs of Naklua and Jomtien.

For good seafood, it's worth staying around the beachfront near Naklua. Many of the restaurants here get their fish fresh from the Gulf waters. In recent years, South Pattaya has sprouted a number of top quality restaurants, with plenty catering to vegetarians and vegans.

For nightlife

Arguably one of the more colourful areas in Thailand, Pattaya’s neon-lit Walking Street is like Marmite – you’ll either love it or loathe it. Lined with venues from bars to cabaret clubs, there are dozens of budget hotels close to the strip.

Alternatively, night owls should look around the Central Pattaya Road area between the beach and downtown Pattaya City. It's within easy walking distance of Sois 7 and 8, an area renowned for lively and fun bars, English-style pubs and international nightclubs, most offering good-value cocktails and beers all night long.

For culture

Culture cravers should consider accommodation close to the beaches of Jomtien. You’ll find a mix of mid-range and upmarket hotels close to the coast, and you'll be within easy reach of one of Pattaya's most famous cultural sites, the Big Buddha Temple. Sitting cross-legged on Pratumnak Hill, the 18m-tall gold Buddha is the largest in the Chonburi province.

Alternatively, stay by the beachfront around Naklua, which is a short walk from the Sanctuary of Truth.