Sawatdee Pattaya.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a popular resort city on the Gulf of Thailand. Pattaya is Thailand's sleaziest resort but trying to improve its image, with limited success.

Once a sleepy fishing town, it boomed as an R&R spot during the Vietnam War and has been a sex tourism destination ever since. The beach is dirty and lackluster (by Thailand's high standards) and rampant overdevelopment has long since destroyed any natural charms it once had.


Today, Pattaya beach – the legacy these soldiers left behind – is a palm-fringed, party-town catering to every taste, interest and preference. It lies 147 km southeast of Bangkok – about two hours by road – and spans a 15 km stretch along the eastern coast of The Gulf of Thailand.

Well renowned for its girly-bars, go-go joints, and nightclubs, Pattaya attracts over a million pleasure-seeking tourists every year. Shopping in Pattaya is as cheap (if not cheaper) than shopping in Bangkok. And the accommodation – price range & quality – is comparable with anywhere in the country.In light of such beginnings though, it's hardly surprising that Pattaya suffers from an image problem. Reports in the international media have long overemphasised the sex-related negative sides of the city and these reports, fueled by the local media, have blown things out of proportion.

Prostitution is practiced and perverts coming to Pattaya has made sensational international coverage. But in recent years the local authorities have made considerable efforts to clean up Pattaya, even though that has generally meant adding more family-oriented attractions rather than doing away with the sex. Not that Pattaya is all about sex. As well as being Thailand’s busiest beach resort, Pattaya is one of Thailand’s main dive centres. The waters around Pattaya tend to be on the murky side, to say the least, but the islands offshore are cleaner and offer a rich variety of marine life and coral. There are also two wrecks which experienced divers can explore: The Bremen, a 300-foot boat, lies upright in 25 metres of water off the Thai navy town of Sattahip, while the freighter Hardeep rests in 30 metres of water between two islands off Samae San.

Nightlife

Pattaya's nightlife is most definitely "NOT" for the faint of heart. After dark, Pattaya caters almost exclusively to men. Walking Street is generally recognised as the heart of Pattaya but isn't the only area of the town which has a vibrant nightlife. Jomtien, Naklua, Beach Road and the two roads that run parellel to Beach Road – 2nd Road and 3rd Road, also host a variety of clubs, restaurants, and bars. The most popular discos in the town are the Marine Disco on Walking Street, Xzyte on Pattaya 3rd Road, Star Dice in Naklua, and Hollywood in South Pattaya. Pattaya also has attractions that are unique to this part of the world – Tiffany's Show & ALCAZAR are two Katoey (Lady Boy) Cabarets .

Bangkok to Pattaya

The easiest and most popular way to reach Pattaya from Bangkok is by bus. A comfortable air-conditioned coach departs Ekamai Bus Station on Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road every 30 minutes, running from 5 am until 10 pm. The one-way fare is 90 Baht. From Morchit Bus Station there are departures every 30 minutes from 5 am until 7 pm with a one-way fare of 97 Baht. Taxi's charge between 800 Baht and 1000 Baht.

Map Pattaya