Sea, sand and sun make Pattaya one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya offers every possible form of water sport, world class golf courses, and phenomenal nightlife.
Made popular by American servicemen after the Vietnam War, this once quiet fishing village is now the place to go for unstoppable fun and entertainment. Pattaya abounds with countless bars, clubs and cabaret theatres which cater for every taste. For something a bit slower paced, there are stunning offshore reefs and wrecks to explore, and plenty of attractions for the whole family.
Pattaya is very conveniently placed for travelling to Bangkok and the interchange centre. Customise a day trip to Ko Laan and nearby Ko Sak and Ko Krok – a magnet for scuba divers – to visit secluded beaches and coral reefs. Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin, where visibility is better, or the shipwrecks near Sattahip are highly recommended for more advanced divers ready to take up a challenge.
Immediately north of Pattaya, Naklua Beach is beautifully serene in the sunlight. Compared to its southern neighbour, Naklua doesn’t have many restaurants or expensive hotels, but it’s only a short ‘song-taew’ or baht bus ride away from Pattaya. Jomtiem Beach, the headland to the south of Pattaya, has a quiet, laidback atmosphere, and a good range of quality accommodation and dining places.