Pattaya

Pattaya is a popular place for both Thais and foreigners because the city has everything tourists need. A couple of hours drive from Bangkok brings you to Pattaya, a virtual paradise for those looking for a great vacation away from the stress of everyday life. Pattaya tourism brings you beachside fun coupled with entertainment of all sorts, great shopping deals and some really lip-smacking food. You really couldn’t ask for more.

Pattaya has two other beaches as well – Jomtien and Naklua. Both of these are characterised by the more serene atmosphere compared to the noisier Pattaya beaches. These are in fact better for families who want to enjoy the seaside and stay away from the beach hopping crowds.

A Pattaya tour would be incomplete without a visit to the Walking Street, which has a definite adult vibe about it with its bars and loud music. However, Pattaya tourism is all this and much more. There are a number of activities here for families with children as well, so a vacation to Pattaya can indeed be a whole lot of fun for everyone.

What to see in Pattaya

1. Walking Street

The Walking Street Pattaya is one of the top 10 attractions in Pattaya. It can also be referred to as one of the reasons why bachelors and couples are attracted to the city. The Bangkok Pattaya Walking Street nightlife attracts thousands of tourists and is not suitable for families. The place is closed for traffic from 6 PM to 2 AM, and there are many street performers, food vendors, bars, and restaurants that keep the people engaged throughout the night.

2. Nong Nooch Garden

Nong Nooch Garden is one of the top Pattaya tourist attractions in the city. Designed like a beautiful theme park, the gardens can easily take up an entire day to see entirely. There are individually themed gardens such as a Stonehenge replica, a 17th century French garden and even a European renaissance garden.

A sight for sore eyes, the greenery around you will feel like a balm for your tired soul. Beautifully manicured gardens, orchid nurseries and gardens with succulent plants are some of the features of Nong Nooch making it one of the best places to see in Pattaya.

3. Jomtien Beach

One of the Pattaya attractions for couples, the Jomtien beach Pattaya is a 6km long beach, away from the hustle bustle of the city. One can enjoy some of the best water activities on the beach like jet skiing, surfing, parasailing, etc. It is also a Pattaya attraction for families because of the various activities that the place has to offer for all age groups. One can visit the place just to relax and sunbathe also. One must not forget to carry and an extra pair of clothes along with some sunscreen lotions and sunglasses.

4. Wat Phra Khao Yai (Big Buddha)

The Big Buddha is one of the top 10 Pattaya tourist’s attractions because of the 18m high statue of Buddha that rests on the Pratumnak Hill, which is towards the south of Pattaya. To visit the place, one has to climb steep stairs, but upon reaching the summit, they surely won’t regret the journey due to the beautiful views of Pattaya that one gets to see from the apex of the hill.

5. Four Regions Floating Market

The Four Regions Floating Market is one of the places to visit in Pattaya as it is the first and the only floating market in Pattaya. As the name suggests, the market is divided into four sections- North, North East, Central, and South. Each region represents their own culture, and therefore, one gets to buy a variety of authentic Thai products like souvenirs, handicraft materials, etc. from this market. Apart from this, the reason why it is one of the Pattaya Thailand tourists’ attractions is that it offers some of the best street Thai cuisines which one can enjoy with their loved ones.

What to eat in Pattaya

A Pattaya visitor’s guide must be referred to in order to know about the different cuisines of Thailand. The food of Thailand is famous for its spices. In fact, many tourists like to take the curry recipes or some authentic spices of Thailand with them in order to give their acquaintances as a gift. Some of the best food items of Thailand are Spicy Shrimp Soup, Spicy Green Papaya Salad, Fried Basil and Pork, and so on.

Shopping in Pattaya

There are huge shopping malls, open air markets, sidewalk stalls, and a bazaar - in short, every opportunity to shop for whatever you crave, from budget-priced bargains to high-end goods. From the sprawling Royal Garden Plaza to the enchanting Pattaya Floating Market, consisting of boats on the water where you'll find bargains on clothes, jewellery, and handicrafts, there is something for everyone here.

How to reach Pattaya

Plane

The nearest international airport to Pattaya is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, about 75 miles away. The Airport Pattaya Bus 389 offers air-conditioned bus service to downtown Pattaya for about ฿120. Bell Travel Service is another option to get from the airport to a downtown location, with the fare costing ฿269 per person.

Train

The State Railway of Thailand operates daily train service (Eastern Line) between Hualamphong Station in Bangkok and Pattaya. The train is an inexpensive option and stops at the Pattaya Railway Station in the Bang Lamung District.

Car

Pattaya lies about 62 miles southeast of Bangkok and connects through the Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway (Hwy 7) to Bangkok's Outer Ring Road. The Bang Na-Trat Highway (Hwy 34) connects Pattaya to Bang Na and Chonburi.

Bus

Pattaya's main bus terminal is located on Pattaya Nuea Road. Intercity bus service is available to many locations in the northeast part of the country.