Only 2 hours from Bangkok, this resort city(pattaya) caters to every whim. Lazy afternoons on the beach, go-karting, paintballing, golf, and full steam ahead nightlife are just a few of the entertainments provided.
Pattaya is the wonderful place for holiday fun and provides it with the utmost convenience. A tiny fishing village only twenty-odd years ago, it has swiftly developed into an extraordinary vacation spot catering to the holiday maker’s every whim. Pattaya has it all: tranquil beaches, lavish resorts, luscious seafood and a gamut of sporting and leisure activities – all less than two hours from Bangkok’s concrete jungle.
Traveling to and around Pattaya
Pattaya is just 140 kilometres east of Bangkok. The town can be accessed by road and railway. Starting from Bangkok, tourists have a number of options in terms of a road trip such expressway, motorway and elevated highway. A trip by bus can take from the Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok takes merely 2 hours to get to the first beach of Pattaya.
Traveling around Pattaya is easy. Motorbike taxi and pickup truck converted bus (locally known as Song-Taew) can be seen everywhere. The beachside road is one-way street that connects North Pattaya, Middle Pattaya and South Pattaya – the last one is a walking street at night. Additionally, you can also drive along its inner city road to Jomtien beach.
On Land
Pattaya town offers a range of museums, indoor and outdoor shopping, countless golf courses, and even a world class go-karting track. Fifteen minutes out of town is “Nong Nooch”, a gorgeous orchid-studded botanical garden that features cultural performances of music, dance and martial arts. Not far off is the Elephant Kraal, where elephants show off their skills as foresters, footballers, and most impressively, as warriors – re-enacting Siam’s ancient battles.
At Sea
Though Pattaya’s 4 kilometer beach is unspectacular, it’s a short boat ride to one of several lush islands just off the bay. Koral Island, or "Koh Lann" is a popular spot for waterskiing, sailing, scuba diving, boat tours of the coral reefs and deep sea fishing. Want something more sedate? Head out a bit further to Bamboo island and deepen your tan on a quiet white sand beach.
Nightlife
At night, Pattaya becomes a neon hive of activity. Though notorious for the “naughty nightlife” along the beach strip, there is a wide variety of cabaret-style entertainment for the more sophisticated visitor. The Alcazar Show is probably the most famous of these. For detailed listings, pick up the Pattaya Mail weekly newspaper.
Beaches in Pattaya
North Pattaya: nostalgic serenity
North Pattaya or Pattaya Neau is the most peaceful beach among the three main beaches in town. Mass tourism originated on this beach before it spread to north and south Pattaya. Many hotels that were established three decades ago can still be seen lining this brown sandy beach, proving its longevity and popularity. The beach starts from the Dolphin roundabout in front of Dusit Resort. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent along this shady beach while restaurants, bars and convenient stores are just walking distance.
Middle Pattaya: The beach of fun
Just a little bit south of North Pattaya passing the golden mermaid and dolphin statues is Middle Pattaya, the beach of fun. This is the most popular and, certainly, lively beach in Pattaya. This is the area where shopping malls, boutique shops, bars, restaurants and coffee shops are crammed along a busy beachside road. There are more beach chairs, umbrellas and tourists in Middle Pattaya than other beaches. During the day, the area is enthusiastic with beachgoers frolicking on the beach or enjoying several kinds of water sports activities such as jet skiing, banana boat, paragliding and parasailing. At night, the street is illuminated with pubs, bars and restaurants. Middle Pattaya may not be the most favourite place in Pattaya but it is usually the place ones choose not to be missed.
South Pattaya:
South Pattaya is located next to Middle Pattaya. The area may not have an attractive beach like North or Middle Pattaya. People seem to come here for a different reason. Looking more energetic at night, it draws many fun-loving tourists who stroll this 500 metre lane looking for a fun time after dark. Numerous shops, restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs line the streets. Thus, it is the place for adults only.
Jomtien Beach - The most famous beach in Pataya
Situated 3 kilometers southward of the downtown, Jomtien is a spin-off from Pattaya. This 6 kilometre long beach may bear some resemblance to Pattaya beach in terms of beach activities. However, it has an ambience of isolation. Thanks to its distance from Pattaya.
The beach is suitable for swimming as plenty of water sports activities are available. Accommodations on this beach are relatively cheap and there are enough restaurants to serve diners.
Off the street to Jomtien Beach is another beach named Dong Tan. It has a more relaxing atmosphere than its neighbouring beaches due to its no-car parking policy. Indeed, cars are allowed to pass and park on this beach only before 10 am and after 5 pm. The beach is shady with pine trees and beach umbrellas. Therefore, this is the place where you will see beachgoers joyfully basking in the sun.
Koh Lan (Lan Island) -7 km. from Pattaya
Pattaya is the wonderful place for holiday fun and provides it with the utmost convenience. A tiny fishing village only twenty-odd years ago, it has swiftly developed into an extraordinary vacation spot catering to the holiday maker’s every whim. Pattaya has it all: tranquil beaches, lavish resorts, luscious seafood and a gamut of sporting and leisure activities – all less than two hours from Bangkok’s concrete jungle.
Traveling to and around Pattaya
Pattaya is just 140 kilometres east of Bangkok. The town can be accessed by road and railway. Starting from Bangkok, tourists have a number of options in terms of a road trip such expressway, motorway and elevated highway. A trip by bus can take from the Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok takes merely 2 hours to get to the first beach of Pattaya.
Traveling around Pattaya is easy. Motorbike taxi and pickup truck converted bus (locally known as Song-Taew) can be seen everywhere. The beachside road is one-way street that connects North Pattaya, Middle Pattaya and South Pattaya – the last one is a walking street at night. Additionally, you can also drive along its inner city road to Jomtien beach.
On Land
Pattaya town offers a range of museums, indoor and outdoor shopping, countless golf courses, and even a world class go-karting track. Fifteen minutes out of town is “Nong Nooch”, a gorgeous orchid-studded botanical garden that features cultural performances of music, dance and martial arts. Not far off is the Elephant Kraal, where elephants show off their skills as foresters, footballers, and most impressively, as warriors – re-enacting Siam’s ancient battles.
At Sea
Though Pattaya’s 4 kilometer beach is unspectacular, it’s a short boat ride to one of several lush islands just off the bay. Koral Island, or "Koh Lann" is a popular spot for waterskiing, sailing, scuba diving, boat tours of the coral reefs and deep sea fishing. Want something more sedate? Head out a bit further to Bamboo island and deepen your tan on a quiet white sand beach.
Nightlife
At night, Pattaya becomes a neon hive of activity. Though notorious for the “naughty nightlife” along the beach strip, there is a wide variety of cabaret-style entertainment for the more sophisticated visitor. The Alcazar Show is probably the most famous of these. For detailed listings, pick up the Pattaya Mail weekly newspaper.
Beaches in Pattaya
North Pattaya: nostalgic serenity
North Pattaya or Pattaya Neau is the most peaceful beach among the three main beaches in town. Mass tourism originated on this beach before it spread to north and south Pattaya. Many hotels that were established three decades ago can still be seen lining this brown sandy beach, proving its longevity and popularity. The beach starts from the Dolphin roundabout in front of Dusit Resort. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent along this shady beach while restaurants, bars and convenient stores are just walking distance.
Middle Pattaya: The beach of fun
Just a little bit south of North Pattaya passing the golden mermaid and dolphin statues is Middle Pattaya, the beach of fun. This is the most popular and, certainly, lively beach in Pattaya. This is the area where shopping malls, boutique shops, bars, restaurants and coffee shops are crammed along a busy beachside road. There are more beach chairs, umbrellas and tourists in Middle Pattaya than other beaches. During the day, the area is enthusiastic with beachgoers frolicking on the beach or enjoying several kinds of water sports activities such as jet skiing, banana boat, paragliding and parasailing. At night, the street is illuminated with pubs, bars and restaurants. Middle Pattaya may not be the most favourite place in Pattaya but it is usually the place ones choose not to be missed.
South Pattaya:
South Pattaya is located next to Middle Pattaya. The area may not have an attractive beach like North or Middle Pattaya. People seem to come here for a different reason. Looking more energetic at night, it draws many fun-loving tourists who stroll this 500 metre lane looking for a fun time after dark. Numerous shops, restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs line the streets. Thus, it is the place for adults only.
Jomtien Beach - The most famous beach in Pataya
Situated 3 kilometers southward of the downtown, Jomtien is a spin-off from Pattaya. This 6 kilometre long beach may bear some resemblance to Pattaya beach in terms of beach activities. However, it has an ambience of isolation. Thanks to its distance from Pattaya.
The beach is suitable for swimming as plenty of water sports activities are available. Accommodations on this beach are relatively cheap and there are enough restaurants to serve diners.
Off the street to Jomtien Beach is another beach named Dong Tan. It has a more relaxing atmosphere than its neighbouring beaches due to its no-car parking policy. Indeed, cars are allowed to pass and park on this beach only before 10 am and after 5 pm. The beach is shady with pine trees and beach umbrellas. Therefore, this is the place where you will see beachgoers joyfully basking in the sun.
Koh Lan (Lan Island) -7 km. from Pattaya
Pattaya has a number of islands in its vicinity of which Koh Lan is the largest. The island is somewhat an extension of the mainland activities, featuring water sports such as diving snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing and para-sending. A key attraction is boats sailing around the island for sightseeing purposes. Some of the boats have glass bottoms enabling passengers to see coral and marine life at the bottom of the sea. The island has a number of beaches, the main beach hosting a number of excellent seafood restaurants selling dishes made from freshly caught seafood. The area also features deep sea fishing boats around Koh Lan neighbours, Koh Krok and Koh Sak.
Beaches in Koh Lan
Haad Ta Waen is the longest and most popular beach of Koh Lan. Located in the northwest of the island, this 750-metre-long beach has clear waters and white fine sand. The beach, which is popular among Asian tourists, is lined with colourful beach chairs, shops and restaurants.
Located in the west of Koh Lan is Haad Tian. This scenic beach in the cove stretches 500 metres long and features some coral reefs. It is as popular as Haad Ta Waen with loads of sport activities and restaurants on the offer.
Another beach near Haad Ta Waen is Haad Sungwal. It is a small beach, only around 150 metres long. Without any shops or restaurant in the area, the beach is quieter than Haad Ta Waen and good for sunbathing.
For those who prefer basking in the sun in peace, Haad Samae and Haad Ta Yai may serve your purpose. The first beach, which is only 10 minute walk from Haad Tian, is relatively quiet with shops and restaurants dotting the area. Nestling on the northern tip of the island, the latter beach has fewer beach goers and only one beachside restaurant.
Details: Koh Lan is 45 minutes from Pattaya beach by boat or 20 minutes by long-tail boat. Most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the foodshops and stalls along these beaches. Facing Hat Thong Lang are coral ranges. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving. Hat Samae is located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island.
How to get there: Ferries leave South Pattaya Pier daily from 10:00 to 18.30, the one-way fare being 20 Baht. The return ferry leaves Koh Lan Na Ban Beach at 12:00 and 14:00.
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