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Pattaya

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Pattaya in a cosmopolitan city located in the heart of Thailand's coast, not far from Bangkok, which attracts several million visitors each year to its award winning beaches. Pattaya is considered as one of the top seaside resorts globally and has undergone a considerable amount of reconstruction since the tourism industry boom of the 1960s.

It should come as no surprise that Pattaya's primary industry affecting the economy is tourism, and this is precisely what makes this City ideal for a holiday. While the nightlife in Pattaya is bright, bustling and often crazy, the beaches restore the balance of soft sands, exciting water sports and relaxing atmospheres.

So why do people come to Pattaya and not to nearby Bangkok? Pattaya has always been known (since servicemen from the Vietnam War visited) as a place for relaxation and holidays. While it may be a city, there are around just 105,000 residents here, meaning that the beaches are rarely too crowded and the sights can be enjoyed without too much interruption.

Areas

While Pattaya is just a city, the area known as 'Greater Pattaya' is divided into two main sections, which are the North and the South:

Northern Pattaya

This is the part of Pattaya where everything happens and life is upbeat. Here you will experience the most striking nightlife which goes on until the early hours of the day. While this area is exciting, it's recommended that you find accommodation in the south and travel back there to sleep. Along with this, visitors to the Northern part of Pattaya can experience the Naklua and Pattaya beaches.

Southern Pattaya

This is the area of Pattaya which families are most drawn to as the focus is less on nightlife and more on basic tourism such as keeping the beaches clean and providing tourist attractions. Southern Pattaya also includes an area known as Jomtien, which is a huge draw for tourists (particularly families with young children) as it encompasses a fishing park, gym, theatre, a water park, bowling and a beautiful beach.

Weather

Pattaya is the perfect location for those looking to travel around Christmas and New Year (November to February), as this is when their 'Warm and Dry' season is at its peak. Visiting during any other time of year could see you stuck in the middle of hot and humid weather or worse; still hot, tropical thunder storms.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	80	83	85	87	86	85	85	84	84	83	81	79
C	27	28	29	31	30	29	29	29	29	28	27	26

Average Precipitation/Rain

In./CM	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
In.	0.4	1.1	1.2	2.8	7.5	6	6.2	7.4	12.6	9.1	2.3	0.4
CM	1	2.8	3	7.1	19.1	15.2	15.7	18.8	32	23.1	5.8	1

Getting There

By Plane

Pattaya's nearest airport is that of U-Tapao which is in the city of Rayong and is a 45 minute drive away. Alternatively visitors can fly to the much larger Suvarnabhumi airport some 90 minutes drive away in the City of Bangkok. Travelers can catch a bus from the airports to Pattaya, or take a taxi service.

By Train

The train services are somewhat limited around Pattaya, yet there is one daily service straight to Pattaya from Bangkok (Hualmuphong Station).

By Bus

Taking a bus is probably the most reliable way to get around this part of Thailand. There are plenty of services leaving Bangkok every day which go to Pattaya and all the neighboring towns.

Getting Around

By Car

Car rentals in Pattaya can provide the easiest way to get around this coastal City, although drivers need to be aware that the roads here are dangerous and see many accidents each year. There are five main roads, known as 'Pattaya road 1, 2 and 3', 'Thap Phraya road' and 'Thep Prasit road'. These roads give direct access to the whole city.

By Songthaew

Also known as 'Baht Buses', these little vehicles driven by Pattaya locals are a great way to get around the city. Even though the price of a journey is doubled for those who aren't native, the price is still very reasonable and this is a nice way to travel.

Food & Dining

There are so many choices for dining in Pattaya and the choices are not limited to only what you eat but also where you eat it! Sushi is available just about anywhere and there is a never-ending supply of restaurants, food carts, food courts, food markets, and even hotdog and meatball vendors that operate out of a motorcycle side-car! There are also many tuk-tuk vendors who will peddle by on bicycle to offer some wonderful Thai coffee to keep you energized as you wander through the city. If you don't like Thai food, check the menus that are placed outside of many restaurants to first see if they offer any other type of food as some will offer it and others won't. Chonburi is a popular dish made from seafood and fruit and other specialties include Spicy Papaya Salad and Spicy Sour Chopped Pork Salad.

Beaches

Pattaya Beach (Sand beach) Location: Stretches out from the center of the city with Beach Road and Walking Road both acting as boundaries. This is by far the most popular beach in Pattaya, even if it's not the cleanest. Walking Road faces right onto the beach and is lined with hotels, shops, restaurants, and pubs. As night draws close, Walking Road is filled with music and the unique nightlife of Pattaya begins! There is not much actual sand and shore so it can become crowded very quickly. While the large fines keep people from littering the water is not very clean.

Jomtien Beach (Sand beach) Location: Southern area of the city A quieter beach that is popular with families due to the amusement park that's here and the smaller crowds than the larger Pattaya Beach. This is the best beach in Pattaya to take part in any number of water activities including water skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving to name just a few. Or simply just frolic in the water under the blazing sun! The Avalon Beach Resort is also here and is popular with the gay community.

Naklua Beach (Sand beach) Location: In Naklua Bay, directly north of Pattaya This is a great beach for those who are truly looking for relaxation and to get away from the crowds that can be found at the city beaches.

Sights & Activities

Million Year Old Stone Park

This place is the perfect day out just outside Pattaya if you're looking to capture that Thai charm and see something a little unusual. Along with historical artifacts such as 200 year old Bonsai trees and million-year-old fossils, there is also a range of weird and wonderful animals like miniature ponies and albino bears (not forgetting the crocodiles).

Pattaya Water Park

This park is located in Northern Jomtien and is a great day out for a family, particularly those who have younger children. There are several slides and pools along with places to eat and spectacular views.

Nong Nooch Botanical, Tropical Garden

This is one attraction that is not to be missed, if only for the spectacular and colorful views over the park as a whole. This 600 acre plot is home to several different and unusual species of plants, cacti, flowers, shrubs and trees. The Nong Nooch Botanical garden is a great way for people in the western world to see how stark the difference is between Asian and European/American wildlife.

Underwater World Pattaya

The Underwater World aquarium is another fantastic way for families to spend a day in Pattaya. There are several special of sharks, rays, fish and turtles, all of which can be seen as visitors walk through underwater tunnels. Customers are even notified of when feeding times are so that they can plan their trip when the sea life is at its most active.