Pattaya

About Pattaya

Pattaya grew from a quiet fishing village into one of Thailand's busiest seaside resorts in only a few decades, and it still runs at full speed. The city curves around a bay on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, about two hours by road from Bangkok, with beach roads, high-rise hotels and the neon of Walking Street at its southern end.

There is far more here than nightlife, though. A colossal hand-carved wooden temple rises on the shore at the Sanctuary of Truth, a golden Buddha sits on the hill between Pattaya and Jomtien, and the lush Nong Nooch garden lies a short drive south. Boats leave all day for the clearer water and beaches of Koh Larn, and the long sweep of Jomtien Beach offers a calmer, more local mood.

Families, couples and groups of friends all find their own Pattaya. Mornings suit island trips and temple visits, afternoons the floating market and gardens, and evenings the sunset from Pratumnak Hill, a cabaret show or a seafood dinner by the water.