Pattaya is one of the cities in Thailand. It is undoubtedly one of the topmost places that people visit whenever they are visiting the Land of Smiles. So, if you are in this Southeast Asian country, you may be wondering what Pattaya is like in Thailand.
Pattaya is one of the strategically located cities in Thailand as it is considered a leading hub of entertainment, nightlife, and tourism in the country. Although this city is quite popular because of its high rate of sex tourism, it is worthwhile to note that there is much more to Pattaya. Therefore, don’t hesitate to visit the city.
In this post, we will shed more light on what Pattaya is like in Thailand.
Geography of Pattaya
Let’s get started by explaining the geography of Pattaya. As noted by Trip.com, Travelsafe-abroad.com, and other sites, Pattaya is situated on the Eastern Gulf coast of Thailand. This awesome resort city is located about 150 km southeast of Bangkok, which is the capital city of Thailand.
The city is often regarded as the Hawaii of the East because of the many beaches, great sunshine, and delicious seafood associated with it. The coastline of Pattaya is filled with crystal clear water that numerous tourists like to visit for sunbathing, waterskiing, diving, and so on.
It is noteworthy that the city has a tropical climate like other places in Thailand. So, it boasts of having dry and hot seasons. Besides, a good amount of rainfall in Pattaya at different periods during the year. You should note that Pattaya has several beaches, but most of these beaches are not in great condition. Some are dirty whereas others are filled with vendors that make it difficult for tourists to enjoy them. Nevertheless, there is still a handful of wonderful beaches to visit in the city.
Economy of Pattaya
According to Wikipedia, Pattaya is a leading economic center in Thailand. It is believed to be the center of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand; hence, it receives lots of investments. Through EEC, over 45 billion USD have been invested in various infrastructure projects in Pattaya. The projects include high-speed railways, airports, auto-routes, and deep-sea ports.
Also, other investments are championing the economic boom of Pattaya. With the other investments, there will likely be a significant increase in the number of theaters, cultural markets, conference halls, waterparks, Thai boxing gyms, ice domes, and lots more in Pattaya.
Tourism contributes greatly to the economy of Pattaya as the city receives millions of guests every year, especially before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistically, Pattaya got more than 239 billion Thai baht from about 14 million international visitors in 2018. This means that Pattaya got over 70% of its total income in 2018 from tourism. However, there are plans underway to lower the reliance of the city on tourism in the coming years.
Districts in Pattaya
Simply put, Pattaya is divided into 5 different districts. As claimed by Wikitravel.org, the 5 districts of the city are:
- North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) – this area is adjacent to the northern side of Pattaya Beach. The district also reaches inland around the south and north of North Pattaya Road.
- South Pattaya (Pattaya Tai) – this district is adjacent to the southern side of Pattaya beach. It also reaches the south and north of South Pattaya Road. Pattaya Walking Street and Pattayaland are found in South Pattaya.
- Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang) – this part is adjacent to the middle of Pattaya Beach and goes inland in the south and north of Central Pattaya Road.
- Naklua – this is the location of the popular attraction called the Sanctuary of Truth. It is a small sub-district that receives lots of visitors.
- Buddha Hill (Pratumnak Hill) – this section is located between Jomtien and South Pattaya.
Sometimes, Jomtien is considered the sixth district of Pattaya.
Sex tourism in Pattaya
Pattaya is quite notorious as the home of sex tourism in Thailand. You can find sex workers in many places around the city. As a consequence of this, many people visit the area to explore sex tourism. These sex workers in this city come in different forms and charge varying amounts from their clients.
However, you must note that sex tourism is illegal in Pattaya. So, if you don’t want to run into any problems with law enforcement agents, you should avoid sex workers when visiting the city of Pattaya.
Transportation in and around Pattaya
There are numerous ways to get to Pattaya from anywhere around the world. Basically, U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is the airport developed to serve the needs of people in and around Pattaya. This small airport takes care of domestic flights from and to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, and many other areas in the country. Also, you can come to Pattaya from Macau, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and a few other locations in Asia.
However, you should remember that Pattaya is only around 150 km away from Bangkok. Hence, many prefer to fly to Bangkok and move to the resort city of Pattaya from the capital city. As a result of this, the majority of the international visitors to Pattaya will land in Bangkok via Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.
From Bangkok, you can access Pattaya through an array of means including:
- Bus – North Pattaya Bus Terminal, Provincial Bus Terminal, Suvarnabhumi Airport buses, passenger vans, etc.
- Taxi
- Train – Pattaya Train Station or Pattaya Tai Train Station
When you are finally in Pattaya, you can easily and quickly get around the city through:
- Songthaew
- Local buses
- Motorcycle taxis
- Taxis
- Cars
- Bicycles
- Motorcycles and scooters
- Quads
Best places to stay in Pattaya
So, if you are coming to Pattaya, you will likely want to stay in a great place. Fortunately, this resort city has several lovely and safe neighborhoods that you can live in during your short or long stay. According to Bestlocationhotels.com, the best neighborhoods to stay in Pattaya are:
- Beach Road
Beach Road is undoubtedly the choicest area to stay in the whole city. It has numerous locals and tourists; therefore, you can never struggle to find amazing people around you. In addition, the area is safer than other locations in the city. The neighborhood boasts of having great hotels and rented apartments for interested individuals.
Notably, Beach Road also has great nightlife and lots of beaches. When in the area, you should consider visiting Pattaya Beach, the Anek Kuson Sala (an art gallery), and Walking Street. Paintball parks, bowling alleys, shooting ranges, theatres, cinemas, golf courses, shopping malls, video game centers, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, skate parks, music venues, etc. are found in the neighborhood.
- Jomtien
Jomtien is another astonishing place you can stay when you are in Pattaya. Jomtien Beach, which is found in this area, is a calm beach for people that want to enjoy a good time around a beach in Pattaya. You can take part in windsurfing, swimming, and other watersports in this neighborhood. Although Jomtien is not far from the lively areas of Pattaya, it provides the serenity that you need to live peacefully.
In addition to enjoying the beach, Jomtien also has world-class schools, waterparks, botanical gardens, and many other attractions. Similarly, you can find loads of luxury and budget-friendly hotels in this neighborhood.
Attractions in Pattaya
Since tourism offers billions of Thai Baht to Pattaya every year, it is not surprising that the city features numerous attractions that international visitors can go to. As noted by Theculturetrip.com, a few of the best attractions to visit in the city of Pattaya are:
- The Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is a magnificent wooden Buddhist temple that receives lots of visitors daily. This landmark is made of a Thai architectural masterpiece and often serves as a place for cultural shows, Thai boxing, elephant rides, and lots more.
- Four Regions Floating Market
Four Regions Floating Market is a unique market located in the resort city of Pattaya. In this market, you can find fishermen, farmers, traders, and other market people floating on water and sending their wares to interested buyers. A few of the things you can find in this floating market include flowers, vegetables, spices, and fruits. Handicrafts can also be bought at Four Regions Floating Market.
- Walking Street
When it comes to nightlife in Pattaya, Walking Street is the place to visit. In this area, you will find tons of nightclubs, bars, etc. that partygoers can go to. From 6 pm to the next day, DJs, live bands, and others will make the area lively.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Cultural Village
This tropical garden is a 2.4-square-km park that is known to be the home of numerous tropical plants. Notably, the park is divided into different themed areas such as the 17th-century French garden and the Stonehenge garden.
Other popular attractions include:
- Big Buddha Hill
- Silverlake Vineyards
- Pattaya Park Tower
- Mini Siam
- Underwater World Pattaya
- Jomtien Beach
Conclusion
Pattaya is a great place in Thailand, and lots of individuals visit the city to enjoy its astonishing attractions.