Thailand North - Central - South - East - West

Pattaya attracts a great deal of visitors who long for natural beauty and recreation with time limited. Pattaya has so much to offer, you will be catered by its various kinds of entertainments: theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums, and many other activities you can enjoy ceaselessly. During night time, Pattaya is painted with colorful neon lights and vibrant rhythm in restaurants, club, bars, and local markets; all of this makes Pattaya's nighttime very charming and lively.

Pattaya has undergone the rapid development that new industrial companies from other countries bound for this economically prosperous region, allowing thus the establishment of factories along with the community of expatriates working there. The government also oversees the potential benefit in the eastern region and then initiated the big projects for industry and commerce, Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut deep-sea ports are the examples. With its high development, Pattaya was bestowed its status to be a special administrative unit at the same level of Bangkok; it has its own rights, its own mayor, and its own administration.

All in all, with its affluence in economy together with its recreational activities offered, Pattaya is one of the most attractive international beach resorts where you can absorb the extraordinary experience. The best time to visit Pattaya is from November to April when the sun shines out and the weather is good. During May through October is the rainy season.

What to do in Pattaya?

You will be absolutely overwhelmed with activities offered both on land and in the sea. Energetic people can choose from tennis, go-cart, squash, badminton, bowling, jogging, bungee jumping, and motor-racing. In addition, water sports are very popular, including windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, parasailing, game fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Water sports

Windsurfing - Jomthien Beach is the premier center of windsurfing in Thailand. Everyone can try surfing because there is tuition for beginners. The Pattaya Windsurfing Club on Jomtien Beach regularly organizes competitions; October to June is the best period when the condition of water and wind are at its best.

Water Skiing - The most popular meeting points for water skiers are the northern and southern parts of Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Koh Lan.

Sailing - The most popular boats for hire are small Lasers, Prindles and Hobie Cats which can be rented by hour. Sailing is possible all year round in Pattaya. The Royal Varuna Yatch Club will give you details about sailing.

Fishing - You can enjoy a quiet afternoon fishing in local fishing parks. There are ponds and lakes well stocked with local fish where you can rent the equipments. The fishing parks charge around 80 Baht per day. If you prefer the deep-water fishing, the waters around Manwichai, Rin, and Kram Islands near Phai Islands are ideal for catching marlin, king mackerel and barracuda. Many tour operators organize fishing trips; you can contact any of them which are often found around Pattaya.

Parasailing - There are many operators around the resorts and hotels. Koh Lan offers floating platforms where flights can be made above the sea.

On Land

Motor Racing - International motor and motorcycle racing is periodically held at the Bhira International Circuit. Local races regularly take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Go-carts - You will have a great fun. There are two types of tracks: the 400-700-meter track for anyone who would like to have fun, at Pattaya go-carts Speedway in the area of Mini Siam and the1090-meter-track for professional drivers at the Bhira International Circuit.

Horse Riding - This activity is available at the Horse Sport Center at kilometer 11 on Route 36. You will ride the horse through the different terrains, mountain and jungle. Riding lessons are also offered.

Shooting - A handgun and rifle range with 19 fully equipped and air-conditioned galleries are opened daily on Pattaya 2 Road.

Different Areas in Pattaya

Located 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, less than two-hour-drive, Pattaya stretches for some 15 kilometers along the Eastern Seaboard. Pattaya can be divided in five distinctive sections, each with their own character and attractions.

Nakleua: Its meaning is "slat field", lying in the north of Pattaya. Despite the flow of industry and tourism, there is still the air of ancient village of Nakleua today. Old wooden houses and narrow streets, traditional noodle shops and working fishing boats can be seen. There are old houses over the creeks; along the streets, there are a line of small shops selling handicrafts and domestic goods, creating the rustic atmosphere and pleasant sight.

The Dolphin Roundabout: The roundabout and the beginning of the Beach Road mark the junction with North Pattaya, and you will find the dramatically changing surrounding. This area is packed with the up scale hotels and restaurants facing the beach. There is a recently built promenade leading to the South Pattaya along the shore fringed with palm trees. At the back part of Pattaya, also known as Second Road which can be reached through any alleys is teemed with more major hotels, shopping areas, bars, clubs, and a tourist office.

Pattaya Klang or Central Pattaya: This area is funkier than the northern district. The hotels are not so grand, the restaurants are smaller. Bar-beers and some go-go bars add to its vibrant nightlife around here however. Pattaya Police station and the immigration office are located here as well. This is also the shopping area with two main shopping malls, the Royal Garden Plaza and Mike's place. There are many small hotels and guesthouses which offer good accommodations and Western and Thai foods.

South Pattaya Road: This area is now known as Walking Street which is the pedestrians' only zone recently developed in Pattaya. Visitors are allowed to browse the endless of small shops selling fast tailoring services, sports goods, jewelry and souvenirs. Like the other areas, bars, seafood restaurants line along the street; several of them are built out over the ocean, offering pleasing atmosphere. South Pattaya seems to be busier and brasher than the remainder of the city. You can walk until reaching the Siam Bayshore Hotel and Arthachinda which mark the boundary of South Pattaya.

Jomtien District: The district is separated form the other sections of Pattaya by the hill rising to the back of South Pattaya. This six-kilometer-long- beach is thus relatively quiet and secluded. Jomtien beach is popular as the best site for windsurfing due to brisk and fresh breezes from the Thai Gulf, allowing the great conditions of water and wind. As the seas here are less clustered with boats than in Pattaya Bay, various kinds of water sports are really enjoyable. Sunrise and sunset view on the beach are also spectacular. Beachside hotels, bungalows, condominiums and restaurants are all available.