Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya is one of the most famous cities in Thailand. Known for its bright lights, racy nightlife, and sandy beaches, the city convenient seaside option for travelers in Bangkok. The trip takes three hours at most, less if you hire a car. Pattaya is divided into sections, each with a very different character.

The center part of Pattaya is jam-packed. Any numbers of water sports are available here. Jet skis, windsurfing, and banana boat rides are favorites. Because there are so many hotels nearby, this beach is really crowded with tourist and hawkers. The nightlife is famously racy, with hundreds of go-go bars and massage shops jamming the narrow lanes off the beach’s main road. Walking Street is the center for such places. Traffic is not allowed on the street in the evenings.

Jomtien Beach is a little quieter. Those seeking a quiet beach experience should head here. This beach is south of Pattaya City and boasts most of the water sports available in Pattaya itself. A few good dive shops have reportedly sprung up near Jomtien.

Naklua Beach is the quietest and cleanest of the bunch. Located north of Pattaya, this place is perfect for a day of sun and relaxation with little bother from anyone.

There are at least a dozen golf courses within range of Pattaya, so those seeking to try Thailand’s fairly good links should have their golfing addiction satisfied.

Elephant rides are available at a place outside the city that rescues elephants that were used for labor or as tourist traps. Despite the fact that most elephant ride places are tourist traps themselves; this one is actually kind of interesting. Before a trek, the guide sometimes demonstrates how the elephant has been trained and the tricks used to control such a large animal.

Pattaya is seafood central in Thailand. Along Walking Street, some of the best and freshest seafood is on display. You simply pick what you want, sometimes while it is still alive, and sit watching Pattaya Bay while it is prepared.

Pattaya’s markets are good. You might say the whole place is one big market. Stalls selling t-shirts and bootlegged DVDs are all around the city, as are several larger markets. Thepprasit Market is the best, while Market Pattaya is an interesting one, offering a glimpse of what it might have been like before the go-go bars showed up and turned Pattaya up side down.

While Pattaya might be known for its nightlife, the city also has some quieter beaches and plenty of sports. Of course, many people simply come to enjoy the seafood, which is at its best in Pattaya.