Find Your Way Around Pattaya's Main Tourist Areas
Compared with what the former fishing village of Pattaya must have been like in the early 1960s, Pattaya in the 21st century - including the areas of Naklua in the North and Jomtien, beyond the "Big Buddha" ("Pratamnak") hill, in its own bay in the South, has developed into a bustling beach resort and effectively one of Thailand's biggest cities.
To find your way around Pattaya, is fairly simple, even for first-time visitors. Pattaya's main hotel, residential and entertainment areas are embedded between the coastline of Pattaya and Jomtien in the West and Sukhumvit Road (highway to Bangkok) in the East. The area east of Sukhumvit Road is also known as the "Dark Side".
Three main roads ("sai" in Thai) cut through Pattaya's city centre in north-south direction:
- Pattaya Beach Road (including Walking Street),
- Pattaya 2nd Road/Sai Song ("song" = two, second), and
- Pattaya 3rd Road/Sai Saam ("saam" = three, third).
Pattaya 2nd Road changes its name to Pattaya-Naklua Road at the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya, and Pratamnak Road in the South. Pratamnak Road also merges into Thappraya Road, both which roads are the main connections between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach.
Three main roads ("sai") cut through Pattaya's city centre in east-west direction, all the way from Pattaya Beach Road to Sukhumvit Road:
- North Pattaya Road/Pattaya Nua ("nua" = north)
- Central Pattaya Road/Pattaya Klang ("klang" = central) and
- South Pattaya Road/Pattaya Tai ("tai" = south).
These main arterial roads are linked by either numbered side-streets ("soi" in Thai) or such which have been given names of relevant buildings or hotels. Other Soi's are known both by names and numbers. The main road connecting Pattaya and Jomtien is Thappraya Road. Map of Pattaya
Naklua & North Pattaya
Naklua, situated north of Pattaya, is still very much the old fishing village, with traditional wooden houses and of minor touristic significance except for its famous weekend market.
There is no notable beach in Naklua, and only a few hotels and guest houses can be found there.
What many tourists wrongly denote as Naklua, is actually just the northern part of Pattaya along Pattaya-Naklua Road (northern extension of Pattaya 2nd road, north of the Dolphin Roundabout), which has more and more extended, and actually merges with Naklua.
North Pattaya has developed into Funtown's "Little Germany" - with mostly German and Austrian restaurants, dozens of open-air and shophouse bars, one or two A-Gogo bars, and various little shops and tourism-related businesses along Pattaya-Naklua Road.
North Pattaya has its own Wongamat Beach which is more quiet than Pattaya's main beach and a good alternative for those who enjoy sunbathing in a more relaxed atmosphere.
(The northern parts of the area between Central Pattaya/Pattaya Klang and North Pattaya Road, just south of the Dolphin Roundabout, are generally also referred to as "North Pattaya". To mark the "official" line between the merging areas of Naklua, North and Central Pattaya depends more on interpretation than on visible limits.)
South & Central Pattaya
South and Central Pattaya areas, with an abundance of hotels and guesthouses of all standards, shopping malls, markets, restaurants, tailor shops, entertainment venues, bars etc. are the main centre of tourism, shopping and nightlife in Pattaya.
Due to the large number of motorboats and the traffic noise of Beach Road in the back, Pattaya's main beach may not be really inviting for those who enjoy sunbathing and swimming in a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. A walk along the promenade, however, is always a great waste to pass some time - or just sit on a bench, watch the bustling life on Beach Road pass by and enjoy one of Pattaya's famous sunsets.
During the day and early evening hours, South Pattaya is all about shopping. Along Beach Road you will find literally hundreds of little shops and stalls offering souvenirs, clothes or whatever you can dream of, and unless you're in a shopping mall where fixed prices apply, it's always possible (and recommended) to bargain and make a good deal.
Shopping In Pattaya Restaurants In Pattaya
After sunset South Pattaya, with its world-famous Walking Street, turns into Funtown at its best, with fancy lights and music everywhere, and fun-seeking night owls all over the place.
Entertainment venues include traditional-style international pubs, live music venues, open-air bar complexes, "beer bars", AGoGo's, discos, karaokes, and whatever fastidious revellers and party animals may expect from a place that describes itself as "the extreme city".
If you're not into "extreme" nightclubbing or prefer more laid-back evening fun, Pattaya's bustling nightlife districts might well be a bit too crowded and noisy for you. Don't worry, though, there are enough quiet and peaceful spots around town that offer hassle-free entertainment, where you can sip your drink and chat with friends in a decent relaxed atmosphere.
Pattaya Nightlife Pattaya Beer Bars Pattaya Gogo Bars Bar Girls Ladyboys Gay Scene
Soi Buakhao Area
Soi Buakhao, located between Pattaya Second and Third Road, is a long and narrow, busy "soi" that links Pattaya Klang and Pattaya Tai Road in a vertical direction. Though actually just a part of South/Central Pattaya, Soi Buakhao is worth an extra note as Pattaya's "Little Britain".
The Soi Buakhao area (together with Soi LK Metro, Soi Diana, Soi Lengkee, Soi Chayapoon and others) is packed with mainly British bars, pubs and restaurants, a large number of guesthouses and an ever-increasing number of Gogo bars (especially on Soi LK Metro.) Little surprisingly, Soi Buakhao has become extremely popular especially with British tourists and residents.
Soi Buakao is also home to a popular street market held every Tuesday and Friday at the South Pattaya Road end.
Jomtien Beach
Most tourist brochures describe Jomtien - with its six-kilometres-long stretch of sandy beach, as a kind of Pattaya's little brother, with a bit less of everything that might be "too much" in Pattaya: less nightlife, less noise, less traffic etc. And in a way, this description is true.
Although Jomtien Beach, which has become popular especially with family vacationers and Thai tourists from Bangkok, doesn't really resemble what tourists might expect from a tropical beach, Jomtien offers a much more relaxed environment for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying various beach activities, than Pattaya's crowded main beach. The atmosphere at Jomtien is indeed less "touristy" and the nightlife much more relaxed and laid-back. But somehow this approach doesn't really do justice to Jomtien which has become a tourist destination in its own right by now.
It may not have been until the late 1980s that the first hotels were erected along Jomtien Beach, while back in the 1970s only, Jomtien could basically only be reached by a boat-trip around the "Big Buddha" hill. However, this era seems like lightyears ago now.
Jomtien Beach in the 21st century has become not only a tourist destination in its own right, but also one of Pattaya's most favourite residential areas with its own fairly developed bar scene ...
Jomtien Beach Tourist Guide
The "Dark Side"
For obscure reasons, the city areas east of Sukhumvit Road - including Soi Siam Country Club, Soi Khao Noi (Soi Boonsampan), Soi Neunplabwaan, Soi Khao Talo etc. - are also known as the "Dark Side." Except for a couple of tourist attractions and golf courses, the "Dark Side" has little on offer for tourists, and most holidaymakers may never cross the line of Sukhumvit Road that separates the Dark Side from Pattaya's more "touristy" city areas close to the beach. The Dark Side, however, has become one of Pattaya's most popular residential areas for Funtown's ever- growing expatriate community in recent years, and is home to possibly hundreds of residential "villages," guesthouses and apartment complexes. As more and more expats have moved over to the Dark Side, an ever-increasing number of bars, including some popular short-time bars, has also opened in the area. As venues on the Dark Side cater mainly to the local expat community, prices for drinks and food are usually also cheaper here than in Pattaya's main tourist areas. While you should rent a motorcycle when staying here, the Dark Side may be a good alternative for long-term tourists who prefer a quieter, slightly cheaper and less "touristy" environment.
Compared with what the former fishing village of Pattaya must have been like in the early 1960s, Pattaya in the 21st century - including the areas of Naklua in the North and Jomtien, beyond the "Big Buddha" ("Pratamnak") hill, in its own bay in the South, has developed into a bustling beach resort and effectively one of Thailand's biggest cities.
To find your way around Pattaya, is fairly simple, even for first-time visitors. Pattaya's main hotel, residential and entertainment areas are embedded between the coastline of Pattaya and Jomtien in the West and Sukhumvit Road (highway to Bangkok) in the East. The area east of Sukhumvit Road is also known as the "Dark Side".
Three main roads ("sai" in Thai) cut through Pattaya's city centre in north-south direction:
- Pattaya Beach Road (including Walking Street),
- Pattaya 2nd Road/Sai Song ("song" = two, second), and
- Pattaya 3rd Road/Sai Saam ("saam" = three, third).
Pattaya 2nd Road changes its name to Pattaya-Naklua Road at the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya, and Pratamnak Road in the South. Pratamnak Road also merges into Thappraya Road, both which roads are the main connections between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach.
Three main roads ("sai") cut through Pattaya's city centre in east-west direction, all the way from Pattaya Beach Road to Sukhumvit Road:
- North Pattaya Road/Pattaya Nua ("nua" = north)
- Central Pattaya Road/Pattaya Klang ("klang" = central) and
- South Pattaya Road/Pattaya Tai ("tai" = south).
These main arterial roads are linked by either numbered side-streets ("soi" in Thai) or such which have been given names of relevant buildings or hotels. Other Soi's are known both by names and numbers. The main road connecting Pattaya and Jomtien is Thappraya Road. Map of Pattaya
Naklua & North Pattaya
Naklua, situated north of Pattaya, is still very much the old fishing village, with traditional wooden houses and of minor touristic significance except for its famous weekend market.
There is no notable beach in Naklua, and only a few hotels and guest houses can be found there.
What many tourists wrongly denote as Naklua, is actually just the northern part of Pattaya along Pattaya-Naklua Road (northern extension of Pattaya 2nd road, north of the Dolphin Roundabout), which has more and more extended, and actually merges with Naklua.
North Pattaya has developed into Funtown's "Little Germany" - with mostly German and Austrian restaurants, dozens of open-air and shophouse bars, one or two A-Gogo bars, and various little shops and tourism-related businesses along Pattaya-Naklua Road.
North Pattaya has its own Wongamat Beach which is more quiet than Pattaya's main beach and a good alternative for those who enjoy sunbathing in a more relaxed atmosphere.
(The northern parts of the area between Central Pattaya/Pattaya Klang and North Pattaya Road, just south of the Dolphin Roundabout, are generally also referred to as "North Pattaya". To mark the "official" line between the merging areas of Naklua, North and Central Pattaya depends more on interpretation than on visible limits.)
South & Central Pattaya
South and Central Pattaya areas, with an abundance of hotels and guesthouses of all standards, shopping malls, markets, restaurants, tailor shops, entertainment venues, bars etc. are the main centre of tourism, shopping and nightlife in Pattaya.
Due to the large number of motorboats and the traffic noise of Beach Road in the back, Pattaya's main beach may not be really inviting for those who enjoy sunbathing and swimming in a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. A walk along the promenade, however, is always a great waste to pass some time - or just sit on a bench, watch the bustling life on Beach Road pass by and enjoy one of Pattaya's famous sunsets.
During the day and early evening hours, South Pattaya is all about shopping. Along Beach Road you will find literally hundreds of little shops and stalls offering souvenirs, clothes or whatever you can dream of, and unless you're in a shopping mall where fixed prices apply, it's always possible (and recommended) to bargain and make a good deal.
Shopping In Pattaya Restaurants In Pattaya
After sunset South Pattaya, with its world-famous Walking Street, turns into Funtown at its best, with fancy lights and music everywhere, and fun-seeking night owls all over the place.
Entertainment venues include traditional-style international pubs, live music venues, open-air bar complexes, "beer bars", AGoGo's, discos, karaokes, and whatever fastidious revellers and party animals may expect from a place that describes itself as "the extreme city".
If you're not into "extreme" nightclubbing or prefer more laid-back evening fun, Pattaya's bustling nightlife districts might well be a bit too crowded and noisy for you. Don't worry, though, there are enough quiet and peaceful spots around town that offer hassle-free entertainment, where you can sip your drink and chat with friends in a decent relaxed atmosphere.
Pattaya Nightlife Pattaya Beer Bars Pattaya Gogo Bars Bar Girls Ladyboys Gay Scene
Soi Buakhao Area
Soi Buakhao, located between Pattaya Second and Third Road, is a long and narrow, busy "soi" that links Pattaya Klang and Pattaya Tai Road in a vertical direction. Though actually just a part of South/Central Pattaya, Soi Buakhao is worth an extra note as Pattaya's "Little Britain".
The Soi Buakhao area (together with Soi LK Metro, Soi Diana, Soi Lengkee, Soi Chayapoon and others) is packed with mainly British bars, pubs and restaurants, a large number of guesthouses and an ever-increasing number of Gogo bars (especially on Soi LK Metro.) Little surprisingly, Soi Buakhao has become extremely popular especially with British tourists and residents.
Soi Buakao is also home to a popular street market held every Tuesday and Friday at the South Pattaya Road end.
Jomtien Beach
Most tourist brochures describe Jomtien - with its six-kilometres-long stretch of sandy beach, as a kind of Pattaya's little brother, with a bit less of everything that might be "too much" in Pattaya: less nightlife, less noise, less traffic etc. And in a way, this description is true.
Although Jomtien Beach, which has become popular especially with family vacationers and Thai tourists from Bangkok, doesn't really resemble what tourists might expect from a tropical beach, Jomtien offers a much more relaxed environment for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying various beach activities, than Pattaya's crowded main beach. The atmosphere at Jomtien is indeed less "touristy" and the nightlife much more relaxed and laid-back. But somehow this approach doesn't really do justice to Jomtien which has become a tourist destination in its own right by now.
It may not have been until the late 1980s that the first hotels were erected along Jomtien Beach, while back in the 1970s only, Jomtien could basically only be reached by a boat-trip around the "Big Buddha" hill. However, this era seems like lightyears ago now.
Jomtien Beach in the 21st century has become not only a tourist destination in its own right, but also one of Pattaya's most favourite residential areas with its own fairly developed bar scene ...
Jomtien Beach Tourist Guide
The "Dark Side"
For obscure reasons, the city areas east of Sukhumvit Road - including Soi Siam Country Club, Soi Khao Noi (Soi Boonsampan), Soi Neunplabwaan, Soi Khao Talo etc. - are also known as the "Dark Side." Except for a couple of tourist attractions and golf courses, the "Dark Side" has little on offer for tourists, and most holidaymakers may never cross the line of Sukhumvit Road that separates the Dark Side from Pattaya's more "touristy" city areas close to the beach. The Dark Side, however, has become one of Pattaya's most popular residential areas for Funtown's ever- growing expatriate community in recent years, and is home to possibly hundreds of residential "villages," guesthouses and apartment complexes. As more and more expats have moved over to the Dark Side, an ever-increasing number of bars, including some popular short-time bars, has also opened in the area. As venues on the Dark Side cater mainly to the local expat community, prices for drinks and food are usually also cheaper here than in Pattaya's main tourist areas. While you should rent a motorcycle when staying here, the Dark Side may be a good alternative for long-term tourists who prefer a quieter, slightly cheaper and less "touristy" environment.
Pattaya Tourist Guide: From Fishing Village to "Funtown"
Pattaya Facts Climate Brief History of Pattaya: From Fishing Village To Funtown
Find Your Way Around Pattaya Naklua South Pattaya Jomtien Beach Map of Pattaya
Pattaya Activities, Attractions & Things To Do Tourism & Lifestyle Cost of Living In Pattaya
Pattaya Facts: Basic Introduction to Pattaya
Pattaya (or mueang Pattaya as the city is known in Thai language) is located in Chonburi province, approx. 140 kilometers south-east of Bangkok at the East coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Just a 90-minutes drive from Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport and the capital's city centre, Pattaya attracts millions of Thai and foreign tourists from all over the world every year.
Thailand's East coast comprises the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat, and has developed into one of Thailand's most favourite holiday regions for Thai tourists from Bangkok and foreign tourists alike. Dozens of beach resorts and tropical islands (e.g. Koh Chang, Koh Samet) line the coast between Bangkok and the Cambodian border in the South.
Pattaya, which had originally been a sleepy fishing village until the 1950s, has become the most popular tourist destination at Thailand's "Riviera" and attracts around five million visitors every year (5.8 million in 2008, Source: Tourism of Thailand).
As a result of two decades of ongoing development since the 1960s, Pattaya gained city status in 1978 and now is a self governing municipal area, with its own mayor and city administration.
Pattaya municipality covers a total area of more than 200km², roughly 50km² of land and 150km² of sea and islands, including the popular tour destination Koh Larn, aka Coral Island.
Pattaya has a coastline totalling 15 kilometres length - including Pattaya's main beach, Naklua's beaches and the northern parts of Jomtien Beach, which partly belongs to Sattahip municipality.
The predominant religion is Buddhism (80%), followed by Islam (16%) and 2% Christians.
Pattaya's total population approximates 100,000 registered inhabitants (104,318 in 2007), with a slight majority of females. However, this deceiving figure contains only permanent Thai residents who have been officially registered as citizens of Pattaya City, but excludes the large number of people, mainly from the north-eastern provinces (Isaan), who live and work in the city but remain registered in their hometowns and have thus not been accounted for in official statistics.
In reality, Pattaya's total population is considerably higher. Especially if all expats (i.e. foreigners who permanently live here) and long-term tourists (some of whom spend six months or so a year here) were added to this figure, the real number could easily approximate 300,000 to 500,000.
Most locals - shop vendors, waitresses, bar girls, hotel employees etc. - speak some English or, let's rather say, a kind of pigeon English which is usually good enough for everyday conversation.
Most signboards around town, as well as menus in restaurants, are also written both in Thai and English, sometimes even in German or (increasingly) Russian, so there's no need to worry either if you're not a native English speaker and your knowledge of English is only very basic.
TIP: If you should plan on staying a bit longer, or even settle down and retire in Pattaya, why not learn some basic Thai - even if just for fun or to chat with the girls? Thai Language
Pattaya Climate, Weather and Seasons
Pattaya's tropical climate can traditionally be subdivided into three major seasons:
As you can see: annual average temperatures during the day do not change significantly in Pattaya, with average highs roughly between 30 and 33°C and lows between 22 and 27°C.
It is the humidity that frequently climbs up to more than 90% in the rainy season, not so much a change of temperatures, which often makes the "real feel" temperature much higher than it really is. Therefore, "cool" - in the dry and sunny winter months, roughly from November to January - is just a relative term that can't be compared to North European standards. Even in the early winter morning hours, with a fresh breeze from the Gulf of Thailand, temperatures hardly ever sink below 20°C which - for Thai standards - can still feel uncomfortably "cool." As the humidity is rather low in these "winter months", this is also the favourite holiday season for most Western tourists, and the peak of Pattaya's traditional "high season."
Please note that - due to global climate change - these traditional seasons have become far less predictable than just a decade ago. In recent years - with less rainfall than usual - the city's main water reservoirs, which feed Pattaya's pipes, have nearly dried several times. Whereas this often causes severe water shortages around town, all larger hotels have their own water tanks, so that water supply is guaranteed even in relatively dry years.
Pattaya Facts Climate Brief History of Pattaya: From Fishing Village To Funtown
Find Your Way Around Pattaya Naklua South Pattaya Jomtien Beach Map of Pattaya
Pattaya Activities, Attractions & Things To Do Tourism & Lifestyle Cost of Living In Pattaya
Pattaya Facts: Basic Introduction to Pattaya
Pattaya (or mueang Pattaya as the city is known in Thai language) is located in Chonburi province, approx. 140 kilometers south-east of Bangkok at the East coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Just a 90-minutes drive from Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport and the capital's city centre, Pattaya attracts millions of Thai and foreign tourists from all over the world every year.
Thailand's East coast comprises the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat, and has developed into one of Thailand's most favourite holiday regions for Thai tourists from Bangkok and foreign tourists alike. Dozens of beach resorts and tropical islands (e.g. Koh Chang, Koh Samet) line the coast between Bangkok and the Cambodian border in the South.
Pattaya, which had originally been a sleepy fishing village until the 1950s, has become the most popular tourist destination at Thailand's "Riviera" and attracts around five million visitors every year (5.8 million in 2008, Source: Tourism of Thailand).
As a result of two decades of ongoing development since the 1960s, Pattaya gained city status in 1978 and now is a self governing municipal area, with its own mayor and city administration.
Pattaya municipality covers a total area of more than 200km², roughly 50km² of land and 150km² of sea and islands, including the popular tour destination Koh Larn, aka Coral Island.
Pattaya has a coastline totalling 15 kilometres length - including Pattaya's main beach, Naklua's beaches and the northern parts of Jomtien Beach, which partly belongs to Sattahip municipality.
The predominant religion is Buddhism (80%), followed by Islam (16%) and 2% Christians.
Pattaya's total population approximates 100,000 registered inhabitants (104,318 in 2007), with a slight majority of females. However, this deceiving figure contains only permanent Thai residents who have been officially registered as citizens of Pattaya City, but excludes the large number of people, mainly from the north-eastern provinces (Isaan), who live and work in the city but remain registered in their hometowns and have thus not been accounted for in official statistics.
In reality, Pattaya's total population is considerably higher. Especially if all expats (i.e. foreigners who permanently live here) and long-term tourists (some of whom spend six months or so a year here) were added to this figure, the real number could easily approximate 300,000 to 500,000.
Most locals - shop vendors, waitresses, bar girls, hotel employees etc. - speak some English or, let's rather say, a kind of pigeon English which is usually good enough for everyday conversation.
Most signboards around town, as well as menus in restaurants, are also written both in Thai and English, sometimes even in German or (increasingly) Russian, so there's no need to worry either if you're not a native English speaker and your knowledge of English is only very basic.
TIP: If you should plan on staying a bit longer, or even settle down and retire in Pattaya, why not learn some basic Thai - even if just for fun or to chat with the girls? Thai Language
Pattaya Climate, Weather and Seasons
Pattaya's tropical climate can traditionally be subdivided into three major seasons:
As you can see: annual average temperatures during the day do not change significantly in Pattaya, with average highs roughly between 30 and 33°C and lows between 22 and 27°C.
It is the humidity that frequently climbs up to more than 90% in the rainy season, not so much a change of temperatures, which often makes the "real feel" temperature much higher than it really is. Therefore, "cool" - in the dry and sunny winter months, roughly from November to January - is just a relative term that can't be compared to North European standards. Even in the early winter morning hours, with a fresh breeze from the Gulf of Thailand, temperatures hardly ever sink below 20°C which - for Thai standards - can still feel uncomfortably "cool." As the humidity is rather low in these "winter months", this is also the favourite holiday season for most Western tourists, and the peak of Pattaya's traditional "high season."
Please note that - due to global climate change - these traditional seasons have become far less predictable than just a decade ago. In recent years - with less rainfall than usual - the city's main water reservoirs, which feed Pattaya's pipes, have nearly dried several times. Whereas this often causes severe water shortages around town, all larger hotels have their own water tanks, so that water supply is guaranteed even in relatively dry years.
|
|
|
|
November - February "cool season" |
29-31°C 22-24°C |
"cool" and dry |
|
March - May "hot season" |
31-33°C 25-27°C |
hot and humid |
|
June - October "rainy season" |
30-31°C 24-26°C (average maximum & minimum) |
hot, humid and rainy (with most rainfall in September/October and slightly more moderate temperatures than in the summer months) |
During the 1970s and 80s, Pattaya (which gained city status in 1978) attracted not only an ever- increasing number of foreign visitors, but also more and more Thai entrepreneurs, who started up tourism-oriented businesses to cater for the needs of the wealthy Farang visitors and those of an ever-growing Thai population. As the infrastructure of the old fishing village rapidly developed with the ever-increasing number of tourists, fishermen's huts along the beach were gradually replaced by resort hotels, retail stores and, last but not least, dozens and (later) hundreds of bars.
The most predominant and typical group among those "entrepreneurs" were the 100,000's of bar girls from rural Isaan, who rolled into Pattaya over the decades and all shared the same dream of leaving poverty on the rice farms behind in exchange for a "better life" (sic) in boomtown Pattaya where they would sell their sexual services in the local bars and GoGo clubs.
Apart from hefty environmental and social side-effects (e.g. traffic problems, crime, drugs abuse, pollution, to name but a few) that went hand in hand with the unstoppable growth of this formerly tranquil fishing village, Pattaya City also suffered from a huge image loss before it was even given the chance of building a more "respectable" reputation.
Due to negative stories in the international media ('Sex sells!'), Pattaya became known worldwide as the "Sex capital of Asia" and was perceived as exclusively catering to foreign sex tourists and all sorts of criminals and perverts. This one-sided focus on Pattaya's "dirty" sex image which had initially launched Pattaya's boom and laid the foundation for its ongoing growth as beach resort of world standard, however, overshadowed all the other great facets of Pattaya.
Pattaya - as we know it today - isn't only about sex, and can no longer be reduced to its bustling nightlife and sex industry (although "adult entertainment" still plays a major role in ensuring cash flow to the city and, last but not least, to the home villages of Pattaya's lovely bar girls). But, well into the 21st century, Pattaya is so much more than that.
Since the 1990s finally, not only has the medial approach to Pattaya become more balanced and fair, but also has the profile of tourists changed. Pattaya has continuously managed to attract an ever-increasing number of recreation seekers from all walks of life and from all over the globe, and has become a true melting pot of cultures and lifestyles, most obviously reflected in the variety of national cuisines available all over town. From year to year, an growing number of families, young and older couples, can now be seen among the more "traditional" single male (sex) tourists who, despite these demographic changes, quite apparently still enjoy the charms of "sin city."
Due to the low cost of living, Pattaya's tropical climate, an exotic "easy" lifestyle, and a booming property market, Pattaya has also emerged as a favourite "home away from home" for thousands of expats of all age groups and foreign retirees who still feel young at heart.
The most predominant and typical group among those "entrepreneurs" were the 100,000's of bar girls from rural Isaan, who rolled into Pattaya over the decades and all shared the same dream of leaving poverty on the rice farms behind in exchange for a "better life" (sic) in boomtown Pattaya where they would sell their sexual services in the local bars and GoGo clubs.
Apart from hefty environmental and social side-effects (e.g. traffic problems, crime, drugs abuse, pollution, to name but a few) that went hand in hand with the unstoppable growth of this formerly tranquil fishing village, Pattaya City also suffered from a huge image loss before it was even given the chance of building a more "respectable" reputation.
Due to negative stories in the international media ('Sex sells!'), Pattaya became known worldwide as the "Sex capital of Asia" and was perceived as exclusively catering to foreign sex tourists and all sorts of criminals and perverts. This one-sided focus on Pattaya's "dirty" sex image which had initially launched Pattaya's boom and laid the foundation for its ongoing growth as beach resort of world standard, however, overshadowed all the other great facets of Pattaya.
Pattaya - as we know it today - isn't only about sex, and can no longer be reduced to its bustling nightlife and sex industry (although "adult entertainment" still plays a major role in ensuring cash flow to the city and, last but not least, to the home villages of Pattaya's lovely bar girls). But, well into the 21st century, Pattaya is so much more than that.
Since the 1990s finally, not only has the medial approach to Pattaya become more balanced and fair, but also has the profile of tourists changed. Pattaya has continuously managed to attract an ever-increasing number of recreation seekers from all walks of life and from all over the globe, and has become a true melting pot of cultures and lifestyles, most obviously reflected in the variety of national cuisines available all over town. From year to year, an growing number of families, young and older couples, can now be seen among the more "traditional" single male (sex) tourists who, despite these demographic changes, quite apparently still enjoy the charms of "sin city."
Due to the low cost of living, Pattaya's tropical climate, an exotic "easy" lifestyle, and a booming property market, Pattaya has also emerged as a favourite "home away from home" for thousands of expats of all age groups and foreign retirees who still feel young at heart.
Pattaya Today: Activities, Attractions, Fun Things To Do
To cut an endless story short - there is probably nothing you will not find in Pattaya. No matter if you travel on your own, come here as a couple or a family, or no matter what you are looking for, Pattaya's simply got it all!
To be honest with all future visitors, who have been misguided by euphemistic brochures, neither Pattaya nor Jomtien Beach are among the best beaches in Thailand and can't compare to those of Phuket, Koh Samui and the nearby tropical islands of Koh Samet or Koh Chang. Although the water quality has improved in recent years, it's anything but "crystal-clear".
Another downside of Pattaya's beaches are the hundreds of noisy motorboats, "water scooters" etc. and legions of impertinent beach vendors, who offer all sorts of useless stuff on the formerly picturesque beaches of the early 1960s.
Sad but true: Both Pattaya and Jomtien beach in no way resemble what tourists might expect of an exotic stretch of sand in a tropical environment; period. Although they are still great places for lazy sunbathing, it's primarily all about water activities here.
Regardless of whether you're into Scuba Diving, Windsurfing, Parasailing, Jet- and Water-Skiing, Snorkelling, Water Scooter or Banana Boat riding, Deep Sea Fishing, or a memorable daytrip to Koh Larn (an island just a few kilometres offshore where you can find idyllic white sand beaches and truly crystal-clear water): you only have to choose!
Golf enthusiasts will love Pattaya! Some of Thailand's finest golf courses can be found right in the vicinity of Pattaya - with additional driving ranges right within city limits. (For a complete listing of golf courses in the Pattaya area, and along the Eastern seaboard, please visit our special Golf In Pattaya page.)
Other land activities, besides shopping on local markets or in Pattaya's shopping malls, include: Tennis, squash, bowling, minigolf, jogging along Pattaya's beachfront, Bungee Jumping, Go Kart or motorbike racing, day-trips to local tourist attractions and theme parks (e.g. Elephant Village, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Sri Racha Tiger Zoo and "Mini Siam") an adventurous day with your family at Pattaya Park and - last but not least - the "obligatory" sightseeing tour to the nearby capital Bangkok with its amazing temples and palaces.
Half a dozen professionally-equipped fitness centres, gyms, and Muay Thai Boxing schools offer their services to those interested in fitness and martial arts. Even a Pattaya Marathon is held on a yearly basis, usually in July!
On top of that, Pattaya and Jomtien, with an immense variety of cuisines from different countries and continents, and an abundance of international restaurants of all standards, from simple Thai- style soup kitchens to fine dining gourmet temples, are a great place for dining out!
Finally, if you're in Pattaya mainly for its notorious nightlife and "adult entertainment" - well, look no further, you'll probably have the time of your life here ...
Restaurants In Pattaya Tourist Attractions In Pattaya Activities & Sports Shopping In Pattaya Pattaya Nightlife How To Get To Pattaya Get Around In Pattaya
Pattaya Photo Gallery Pattaya Videos
Tourism & Lifestyle in Pattaya
According to figures published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya welcomes about five million visitors every year (5.8 million in 2008.) Most foreign tourists (1.7 million, 2006) come from South-East Asia or East Asian countries (e.g. Malaysia, China, South Korea, Taiwan etc.) and usually stay here for short periods only.
For decades the British and the Germans, followed by US-Americans, other mainland Europeans and Scandinavians, have been the predominant groups of Western visitors to Pattaya.
Many of them have later settled down in Pattaya - either to start their own business or only enjoy retirement. These expats have also had a significant influence on the development and shaping of local culture and lifestyle in Pattaya as we know it today.
Since the breakdown of communism in the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, more visitors, particularly from Russia, visit Pattaya every year. Cyrillic letters can be spotted on an increasing number of signboards and restaurant menus around town. Moreover, there is also a growing number of tourists from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.
Due to the influx of so many different national cultures, Pattaya has become one of the country's most westernized and cosmopolitan cities second-next only to Bangkok. Here in Pattaya, "East meets West" in a peaceful "clash of cultures", different religions and lifestyles.
This means you might no longer encounter the so-called "real" or "traditional" Thailand in Pattaya - also because Thai culture itself is rapidly transforming, and ancient Thai values increasingly mix with foreign influences (which degrades the postcard image of a "genuine Siam" to a mere tourist guide myth). To be honest, Pattaya may not be the "real" Thailand; instead, you will experience the truly cosmopolitan flair of Asia's possibly most exciting beach resort.
Best evidence are the thousands of international restaurants that serve literally every cuisine from all corners of the globe; Pattaya's large shopping malls and international supermarkets that cater to the everyday needs of Pattaya's ever-growing expat community and offer nearly everything you get in your local supermarket back home.
But despite being so "westernized", you can still encounter traditional Thai lifestyle and culture in modern Pattaya - typical markets and food stalls, Buddhist temples with monks in orange robes, the ubiquitous melodic sound of Thai language, and deliciously spicy Thai food.
In other words, Pattaya is a melting pot of cultures "Thai-style".
Cost of Holidays and Living in Pattaya: Rough Price Guide
Given the well-developed infrastructure Thailand offers - especially in comparison with Cambodia or Laos (roads, transportation, hospitals, restaurants etc.) Thailand - including Pattaya - is still one of the cheapest destinations worldwide. (One may argue that Pattaya is not as cheap as it used to be back in the 1980s or so. But to be fair, prices here are still reasonable - especially by contrast with Phuket and given the "quality of life" you get. "Best value for money" so-to-say.)
If you don't drink excessively or become unduly excited about Pattaya's female charms, expect to spend roughly between 1,000-2,000 Baht per day (possibly less?) If you're a heavy boozer and need a human cuddly toy in your bed every night, expect to spend at least 3,000-4,000 Baht per day (the sky is the limit!)
Of course, it also makes a huge difference whether you buy your beer from 7-Eleven and drink in your room, and have a noodle soup at a street-side stall, or need a full English breakfast and an imported steak every day before getting assholed in a GoGo bar or nightclub. Hence, the basic price list below is just a rough guide to how much you may have to spend in Pattaya. For more details on how much money you'll need as a tourist in Funtown, please check our special pages.
Rooms (guesthouses): ~300-800 Baht (per day)
Thai Food: 30-200 Baht per meal (~100 Baht)
International Food: 100-400 Baht per meal (~200 Baht)
Taxi (Baht-Bus): starting from 10 Baht/person (on fixed routes)
Motorbike Rental: ~200 Baht per day
Deckchair: ~30 Baht
Beer (in bars, pubs etc.): ~40-90 Baht/bottle (~70 Baht)
Imported Liquors: ~ 70-130 Baht/glass (~100 Baht)
Soft Drinks, Juice, Coffee etc.: ~20-70 Baht
"Bar Fine" (beer bars): ~300 Baht (per night or "session")
"Bar Fine" (GoGo bars): ~500-700 Baht (per night or "session")
Ladies: +/- 1,000 Baht (per night. The sky is the limit, especially with GoGo girls!)
To cut an endless story short - there is probably nothing you will not find in Pattaya. No matter if you travel on your own, come here as a couple or a family, or no matter what you are looking for, Pattaya's simply got it all!
To be honest with all future visitors, who have been misguided by euphemistic brochures, neither Pattaya nor Jomtien Beach are among the best beaches in Thailand and can't compare to those of Phuket, Koh Samui and the nearby tropical islands of Koh Samet or Koh Chang. Although the water quality has improved in recent years, it's anything but "crystal-clear".
Another downside of Pattaya's beaches are the hundreds of noisy motorboats, "water scooters" etc. and legions of impertinent beach vendors, who offer all sorts of useless stuff on the formerly picturesque beaches of the early 1960s.
Sad but true: Both Pattaya and Jomtien beach in no way resemble what tourists might expect of an exotic stretch of sand in a tropical environment; period. Although they are still great places for lazy sunbathing, it's primarily all about water activities here.
Regardless of whether you're into Scuba Diving, Windsurfing, Parasailing, Jet- and Water-Skiing, Snorkelling, Water Scooter or Banana Boat riding, Deep Sea Fishing, or a memorable daytrip to Koh Larn (an island just a few kilometres offshore where you can find idyllic white sand beaches and truly crystal-clear water): you only have to choose!
Golf enthusiasts will love Pattaya! Some of Thailand's finest golf courses can be found right in the vicinity of Pattaya - with additional driving ranges right within city limits. (For a complete listing of golf courses in the Pattaya area, and along the Eastern seaboard, please visit our special Golf In Pattaya page.)
Other land activities, besides shopping on local markets or in Pattaya's shopping malls, include: Tennis, squash, bowling, minigolf, jogging along Pattaya's beachfront, Bungee Jumping, Go Kart or motorbike racing, day-trips to local tourist attractions and theme parks (e.g. Elephant Village, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Sri Racha Tiger Zoo and "Mini Siam") an adventurous day with your family at Pattaya Park and - last but not least - the "obligatory" sightseeing tour to the nearby capital Bangkok with its amazing temples and palaces.
Half a dozen professionally-equipped fitness centres, gyms, and Muay Thai Boxing schools offer their services to those interested in fitness and martial arts. Even a Pattaya Marathon is held on a yearly basis, usually in July!
On top of that, Pattaya and Jomtien, with an immense variety of cuisines from different countries and continents, and an abundance of international restaurants of all standards, from simple Thai- style soup kitchens to fine dining gourmet temples, are a great place for dining out!
Finally, if you're in Pattaya mainly for its notorious nightlife and "adult entertainment" - well, look no further, you'll probably have the time of your life here ...
Restaurants In Pattaya Tourist Attractions In Pattaya Activities & Sports Shopping In Pattaya Pattaya Nightlife How To Get To Pattaya Get Around In Pattaya
Pattaya Photo Gallery Pattaya Videos
Tourism & Lifestyle in Pattaya
According to figures published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya welcomes about five million visitors every year (5.8 million in 2008.) Most foreign tourists (1.7 million, 2006) come from South-East Asia or East Asian countries (e.g. Malaysia, China, South Korea, Taiwan etc.) and usually stay here for short periods only.
For decades the British and the Germans, followed by US-Americans, other mainland Europeans and Scandinavians, have been the predominant groups of Western visitors to Pattaya.
Many of them have later settled down in Pattaya - either to start their own business or only enjoy retirement. These expats have also had a significant influence on the development and shaping of local culture and lifestyle in Pattaya as we know it today.
Since the breakdown of communism in the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, more visitors, particularly from Russia, visit Pattaya every year. Cyrillic letters can be spotted on an increasing number of signboards and restaurant menus around town. Moreover, there is also a growing number of tourists from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.
Due to the influx of so many different national cultures, Pattaya has become one of the country's most westernized and cosmopolitan cities second-next only to Bangkok. Here in Pattaya, "East meets West" in a peaceful "clash of cultures", different religions and lifestyles.
This means you might no longer encounter the so-called "real" or "traditional" Thailand in Pattaya - also because Thai culture itself is rapidly transforming, and ancient Thai values increasingly mix with foreign influences (which degrades the postcard image of a "genuine Siam" to a mere tourist guide myth). To be honest, Pattaya may not be the "real" Thailand; instead, you will experience the truly cosmopolitan flair of Asia's possibly most exciting beach resort.
Best evidence are the thousands of international restaurants that serve literally every cuisine from all corners of the globe; Pattaya's large shopping malls and international supermarkets that cater to the everyday needs of Pattaya's ever-growing expat community and offer nearly everything you get in your local supermarket back home.
But despite being so "westernized", you can still encounter traditional Thai lifestyle and culture in modern Pattaya - typical markets and food stalls, Buddhist temples with monks in orange robes, the ubiquitous melodic sound of Thai language, and deliciously spicy Thai food.
In other words, Pattaya is a melting pot of cultures "Thai-style".
Cost of Holidays and Living in Pattaya: Rough Price Guide
Given the well-developed infrastructure Thailand offers - especially in comparison with Cambodia or Laos (roads, transportation, hospitals, restaurants etc.) Thailand - including Pattaya - is still one of the cheapest destinations worldwide. (One may argue that Pattaya is not as cheap as it used to be back in the 1980s or so. But to be fair, prices here are still reasonable - especially by contrast with Phuket and given the "quality of life" you get. "Best value for money" so-to-say.)
If you don't drink excessively or become unduly excited about Pattaya's female charms, expect to spend roughly between 1,000-2,000 Baht per day (possibly less?) If you're a heavy boozer and need a human cuddly toy in your bed every night, expect to spend at least 3,000-4,000 Baht per day (the sky is the limit!)
Of course, it also makes a huge difference whether you buy your beer from 7-Eleven and drink in your room, and have a noodle soup at a street-side stall, or need a full English breakfast and an imported steak every day before getting assholed in a GoGo bar or nightclub. Hence, the basic price list below is just a rough guide to how much you may have to spend in Pattaya. For more details on how much money you'll need as a tourist in Funtown, please check our special pages.
Rooms (guesthouses): ~300-800 Baht (per day)
Thai Food: 30-200 Baht per meal (~100 Baht)
International Food: 100-400 Baht per meal (~200 Baht)
Taxi (Baht-Bus): starting from 10 Baht/person (on fixed routes)
Motorbike Rental: ~200 Baht per day
Deckchair: ~30 Baht
Beer (in bars, pubs etc.): ~40-90 Baht/bottle (~70 Baht)
Imported Liquors: ~ 70-130 Baht/glass (~100 Baht)
Soft Drinks, Juice, Coffee etc.: ~20-70 Baht
"Bar Fine" (beer bars): ~300 Baht (per night or "session")
"Bar Fine" (GoGo bars): ~500-700 Baht (per night or "session")
Ladies: +/- 1,000 Baht (per night. The sky is the limit, especially with GoGo girls!)
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Pattaya History: From Fishing Village to "Sin City" ...
Since its "discovery" in the early 1960s, Pattaya has not just become one of the Kingdom's most important centres of tourism, but a big bustling boomtown and melting pot of various cultures. So what was the engine of that rapid development from a small unknown fishing village to "Funtown" as we know it today? The "official" legend, handed down in different versions, goes as follows ...
Pattaya's name originally derives from Phraya Tak, a Siamese general who later became famous as King Taksin the Great. In the late 18th century (1767) when the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya was under attack by the Burmese, Phraya Tak's (King Taksin's) army fought a memorable battle in the area of what later became known as Pattaya.
The area where Phraya Tak/King Taksin and his army defeated an opponent army, soon became known as Thap Phraya ("Army of the Phraya") which was later converted to Ph(r)attaya and then simplified to Pattaya - the literal meaning of which is the "wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season".
For the next two centuries, after leaving its first footprint on the map of history, Pattaya remained a virtually unknown, sleepy fishing village - embedded in a wide, crescent-shaped bay with sandy beaches and, at that time, crystal-clear waters.
Then it was, once again, a war that forced Pattaya to make its next move - this time the Vietnam war, during which thousands of US soldiers were stationed in Thailand. Old Pictures of Pattaya
No records are held, but legend has it that on April 29, 1961 (according to other sources it was a day in June 1959) the very first group of US military servicemen, who were stationed at Sattahip's nearby U-Tapao military airport and urgently needed "rest & recreation", rushed into the unknown fishing village and, literally, evoked an avalanche.
The area that Pattaya covered in the late 1950s/early 1960s wasn't any larger than what's known as South Pattaya today but, quite apparently, the American GIs enjoyed their stay so much that the word soon spread and more and more US soldiers visited the wide idyllic Pattaya bay.
The effects of this "US invasion" could have easily been predicted ... Not only did the first shops, hotels and restaurants open to offer their services to meet the demand of the unexpected Farang visitors but, most importantly, the first Pattaya-typical "beer bars" - which offer a little more than just beer and liquors. Very soon thousands of Thai girls, mainly from the poor North-Eastern part of the country, rolled into Pattaya to meet another unsatisfied (and rather sexual) demand of the "wealthy" and sex-starved American pioneers in the Wild East! Pattaya-Funtown was born!
What was Pattaya like in those early days? Other than some old pictures of Pattaya posted on the Internet, unfortunately there's not much information available. An email contact of mine, who was on R&R in Thailand during the early 1970s, recalls Bangkok "as being a sexual Disneyland; a totally bizarre 'vacation' taken from an even more totally bizarre place, Vietnam. Bangkok was very urban," my contact recalls, "crowded and dirty, with strange smells and women anxious for $$." He adds: "There was nothing especially memorable about the Pattaya area; just a smaller, cleaner, less urban Bangkok." In other words, just a somewhat more relaxed and less developed but equally "bizarre sexual Disneyland" as Bangkok was in those early days of tourism ...
Since its "discovery" in the early 1960s, Pattaya has not just become one of the Kingdom's most important centres of tourism, but a big bustling boomtown and melting pot of various cultures. So what was the engine of that rapid development from a small unknown fishing village to "Funtown" as we know it today? The "official" legend, handed down in different versions, goes as follows ...
Pattaya's name originally derives from Phraya Tak, a Siamese general who later became famous as King Taksin the Great. In the late 18th century (1767) when the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya was under attack by the Burmese, Phraya Tak's (King Taksin's) army fought a memorable battle in the area of what later became known as Pattaya.
The area where Phraya Tak/King Taksin and his army defeated an opponent army, soon became known as Thap Phraya ("Army of the Phraya") which was later converted to Ph(r)attaya and then simplified to Pattaya - the literal meaning of which is the "wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season".
For the next two centuries, after leaving its first footprint on the map of history, Pattaya remained a virtually unknown, sleepy fishing village - embedded in a wide, crescent-shaped bay with sandy beaches and, at that time, crystal-clear waters.
Then it was, once again, a war that forced Pattaya to make its next move - this time the Vietnam war, during which thousands of US soldiers were stationed in Thailand. Old Pictures of Pattaya
No records are held, but legend has it that on April 29, 1961 (according to other sources it was a day in June 1959) the very first group of US military servicemen, who were stationed at Sattahip's nearby U-Tapao military airport and urgently needed "rest & recreation", rushed into the unknown fishing village and, literally, evoked an avalanche.
The area that Pattaya covered in the late 1950s/early 1960s wasn't any larger than what's known as South Pattaya today but, quite apparently, the American GIs enjoyed their stay so much that the word soon spread and more and more US soldiers visited the wide idyllic Pattaya bay.
The effects of this "US invasion" could have easily been predicted ... Not only did the first shops, hotels and restaurants open to offer their services to meet the demand of the unexpected Farang visitors but, most importantly, the first Pattaya-typical "beer bars" - which offer a little more than just beer and liquors. Very soon thousands of Thai girls, mainly from the poor North-Eastern part of the country, rolled into Pattaya to meet another unsatisfied (and rather sexual) demand of the "wealthy" and sex-starved American pioneers in the Wild East! Pattaya-Funtown was born!
What was Pattaya like in those early days? Other than some old pictures of Pattaya posted on the Internet, unfortunately there's not much information available. An email contact of mine, who was on R&R in Thailand during the early 1970s, recalls Bangkok "as being a sexual Disneyland; a totally bizarre 'vacation' taken from an even more totally bizarre place, Vietnam. Bangkok was very urban," my contact recalls, "crowded and dirty, with strange smells and women anxious for $$." He adds: "There was nothing especially memorable about the Pattaya area; just a smaller, cleaner, less urban Bangkok." In other words, just a somewhat more relaxed and less developed but equally "bizarre sexual Disneyland" as Bangkok was in those early days of tourism ...
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