Pattaya is a fairly large city one hundred and sixty-five kilometres south east of Bangkok. It is located on a large bay with two main beaches, Pattaya and Jomtien which are separated by a promontory. The sandy, tree lined beaches are washed by clear blue seas offering ideal bathing conditions. A variety of water sports are available as are cruises to off shore islands. Pattaya’s accommodation caters for all budgets and its eateries provide for all tastes and pockets. Those who enjoy a little holiday shopping will be delighted by the numerous opportunities shops, boutiques, markets and street vendors. Pattaya’s nightlife has something for everyone as it can be as relaxed or as lively as you wish. Pattaya has a large number of tourist attractions which will surely entertain the whole family throughout the holiday. In common with the larger resorts in Thailand, Pattaya has its share of adult entertainment.
Pattaya is a bustling city with good beaches, warm seas and excellent accommodation and cuisine. The variety of recreational activities is immense, both on land and sea, and there are many opportunities for sightseeing. Pattaya nightlife is lively and is renowned for its adult element.
A Pattaya holiday has broad appeal as there are many leisure activities for families with young children as well as cultural activities for couples.
Boasting a tropical climate that has consistent high temperatures year round, Pattaya weather falls into three main seasons; a hot and dry springtime, a wet season from June to October and dry cooler weather which lasts from November to February. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 30c at any time of the year and can reach highs of 35c during spring.
Pattaya is a popular mainland resort where many Thais take their holidays alongside overseas visitors. It is a busy city that benefits from a sandy coastline with several beaches in the vicinity. Pattaya Beach is nearest the town centre and is framed by hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and discos. It is a lively area with a vibrant nightlife. Jomtien beach lies to the south of the town and attracts many water sports enthusiasts. Here you can sail, water ski, banana boat, parasail and jet ski. To the north are a couple of quieter beaches Naklua and Wong Prachan where you can relax without being disturbed by vendors selling their gifts or services. Pattaya offers accommodation to satisfy all tastes and budgets. There are five star luxury hotels for those who enjoy being pampered and at the other end of the scale there rooms for those, such as backpackers, who have limited means. The same is true of restaurants which provide food for all, from fine dining to fast food take-aways. Being a large Taiwanese town, nightlife is fairly predictable with a large number of venues offering adult entertainment. It is possible to avoid such areas and enjoy peaceful evenings with families and friends.
Pattaya has some notable sightseeing opportunities which include the Sanctuary of Truth. This temple-like structure stands over one hundred metres tall and is covered with intricate carvings. A horse and carriage takes you through the entrance to a salt water pool where dolphins perform their tricks. The restaurant here entertains diners with Thai music and dance. Other attractions include Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Ripley’s Laser Quest, Mini Siam, Nong Nooch Garden where you can enjoy a tropical paradise with waterfall and lake. There is also a tiger zoo in the vicinity and opportunities for elephant trekking. Pattaya Water Park has exciting water flumes offering excitement for all the family and the go-kart track is ideal for young racers. These activities and much more, will keep you occupied during your Pattaya holiday.
Pattaya nightlife is as relaxed or as lively as you wish it to be with venues to suit every mood. There are many family friendly resorts where you can enjoy pleasant evenings drinking and dining under the stars.
Pattaya has numerous shops, boutiques, markets and pavement stalls. The markets offer the opportunity to haggle over prices which are usually highly inflated. Expect to pay no more than half the original asking price. Thai cotton and silk, gem stones and hand crafted jewellery, wooden carvings and Buddha figures make popular gifts and souvenirs.
Pattaya restaurants, cafes and street vendors serve a variety of food from traditional Thai dishes to international cuisine. There are even fast food outlets which include American chains. Thai food has been influenced by its neighbours China, India and Malaysia and is a delicious blend of herbs and spices. Some dishes can be very hot but on the whole Thai food is deliciously aromatic.
