Pattaya is one of Thailand most liveliest resorts, located only a 2 hour drive from Bangkok, this resort can be easily combined with Koh Samet, Koh Chang or Bangkok offering a perfect Thailand multi-centre holiday. Simply click the link below and tell us what you are looking for and one of our Pattaya specialists will contact you.Click for More Details »
Pattaya Holiday Information
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Nightlife in Pattaya
Pattaya's nightlife is legendary, but it is certainly not for the fainthearted. There are streets full of girlie bars and more formal establishments, catering for both men and women. Pattaya's nightlife, though, is not just based around sex and sleaze, with a string of bars and cafés offering tamer evenings. Many families choose just to spend their evenings with a meal at their hotels.
Girls, shows, bar games....and competing stereos all combine to raise the blood pressure...in one huge party zone from Soi 13 to Soi 16 in South Pattaya. Closed to traffic during the evening the area becomes the famous Walking Street, where go-go's, discos, massage parlours and dozens of bar-beers compete with each other for your immediate attention. Stroll here for maximum exposure along the main street and adjoining small sois.
Central Pattaya - from Soi 7/8 to the Beach road is slightly less hectic but still packed with masses of bar beers, restaurants and bars. While in in North Pattaya (Sois 2 - 6 along Pattaya 2nd Road) it's full-on total mayhem with over 50+ bars and go-gos vying to satisfy everyone's favourite fantasy with names like Classroom A Go-Go (ponytails, white socks, short gymslips) Lipstick A Go-Go (tequila shots, Jacuzzi room) and Tahitian Queen (thigh boots, good 'ol rock & roll.)
If all this is just too much, you can take time out and sample some traditional entertainment at pubs like Kilkenny's Irish Pub, Hopf Brew House -a three storey pub with atrium, live music and euro-beer. Try Shenanigans for live music every night and a weekend carvery and Hard Rock Cafe - part of the rather groovy Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya Live bands and foam party on Saturdays.
Eating out
Most of the better hotels boast their own restaurants where a range of international cuisines are available. Many holidaymakers also choose to sample the local cuisine - the most interesting places to try this is at the street food stalls that are found around the main beach area. Here fresh seafood and various Thai treats are cooked in front of your eyes. There are more formal restaurants dotted around the resort where Thai food is also available.
There are numerous places to try the local seafood in Pattaya, but few are as good as Aloha (Pattaya Road 2). Here you can savour the fresh catch of the day or some juicy local lobster served how you like it. A good place to head for a romantic night out or just a more special meal than those offered at the street stalls.
A newer venue that is a must see is the Mantra restaraunt at Amari Orchid - quite an expensive option in Pattaya but a truly wonderful eating experience with a vast amount of choice in a wonderful setting. Since it opened it has been the talk of the town and should be considered as a special holiday treat. THG recommended.
Beaches in Pattaya
The main beach of Hat Pattaya curves around the Bay of Pattaya. Along its sandy sweep are myriad things to see and do for holidaymakers with souvenir stalls, food stands, bars and a choice of watersports. Hat Jomtien just to the south is a relatively quieter option, while Hat Naklua to the north is the most family-friendly beach.
Pattaya Beach - In terms of activity, the northern end is typically more sedate, while the central and southern parts are much livelier, day or night. Beach Road is lined with sand and sea to one side, and bars, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops to the other. Inland, parallel Second Road is full of noodle bars, crowded beer bars, souvenir shops, hotels and guest houses.
Over the past few years this area has undergone a major clean-up, with the water here now the clearest it has been for many years. From here boats take visitors to offshore islands or on fishing or diving excursions, and a host of watersports are offered. The beautification process has been just as zealous onshore. While still the stage for a lot of wild nightlife, improving infrastructure, great transport facilities and a crackdown on crime have done wonders for the city's atmosphere.
One of the best ways to enjoy Pattaya is to get comfortable in a beach chair under the shade of an umbrella (all for hire), and wait for the food vendors to come around with freshly steamed shrimp or crispy, deep-fried crabs. Even better, spoil yourself with a traditional Thai massage right there on the beach. But then, the beauty of Pattaya is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
Jomtien Area - with its straight beach and few moored boats, Jomtien is a popular place for water sport enthusiasts, with jetskiing, paragliding, wind surfing and more activities available. And there are offbeat sights and activities to enjoy too: the Pattaya Park Tower with revolving restaurant and panoramic views, paintball and the glitzy cultural show Alangkarn.
Jomtien is at its busiest and most built-up where Thap Phraya Road meets the northern end of the beach. Budget guesthouses, luxury hotels and condominiums loom above low-rise restaurants, cafés, beer bars and shops, all of which flank the inland side of Beach Road. Many thin 'sois'(lanes) run off it, the places for eating and entertainment along these catering mostly to guests in nearby hotels. The further south you go, the less hotels, tourists and commerce there is. The southern stretch of beach known as Jomtien-Sattahip Beach and, with its upmarket marina and many beachfront resorts, feels remote but is easily accessible from Sukhumvit Road.
Shopping in Pattaya
Surprisingly good shopping in Pattaya features trendy boutiques and funky shops. Shop for silk, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellry and souvenirs. Step out along Pattaya Beach Road to bargain for for fake watches, silk and just about everything else. Air-conditioned shopping malls to beat the heat, can be found at Royal Garden Plaza (upscale) Central Shopping Centre (mid range) Mikes Shopping Mall, Modern City (bargain basement) Lotus, Tesco and Big C (hypermarkets). Made in Thailand - Handicrafts (souvenirs) can be found the market near the Central Pattaya Road Intersection.
