Pattaya
What To See And Do Here
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We wanted to take a break for a holiday in January 2009. We have not seen much of this place except with a packaged group tour earlier. And thus, this time decided to go on our own and explore the place. And we did just that.
This is a very happening seaside resort. It is probably more happening than any other seaside resort. It has everything. It has superb hotels that cater to all categories of travelers, from luxurious resorts to budget guesthouses. The hotels are all very clean and we must say excellent value for money.
The variety of restaurants and choice of food is enormous. For those who like seafood, you'll be spoilt for choice. The seafood here is probably the best we've ever tasted.
The shopping here is great but not as good as Bangkok. But you can still find good quality Thai silk, gems, jewelry, handicrafts and tailor-made clothings.
The nightlife and choice of entertainment in here is probably second to no other city in the world.
Quick Facts
- Location: 150 KM southeast of Bangkok. Jouney time form Bangkok is about 2 hours by road.
- Weather: There are 3 season here:
- November to February are the cool and dry months;
- March to May are the summer months;
- June to October are the wet and hot months.
- Industries: Tourism, manufacturing, fishing and agriculture.
- International schools: 5
- Private Hospitals: 4
Getting here by bus
The most popular way to get to here from Bangkok is via the airconditioned express busses. There are 3 bus terminals in Bangkok where you may take these busses.
- Ekamai or the Eastern Bus Terminal
- Mochit or the Northern Bus Terminal
- Southern Bus Terminal
- Frequency: every 30 minutes
- Fare: about B120 per way per person
- Operation Hours: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Duration of Journey: about 2 hours
No advance booking is allowed or necessary as the frequency of the busses is good. Both the Ekamai and the Mochit station is very convenient as it is located close to the BTS or Skytrain in Bangkok. Mochit is located close to both the BTS and the MRT or underground train service.
- By Train
- You may also try the train service from Hualampong Station in Bangkok. However it takes more than 5 hours for the journey and the train station is a little out of the city center.
- By Taxi
- Of course you may take a taxi or private limosene. The fare is about B1500 from Bangkok. We took the taxi from Bangkok on this trip and paid B1000 excluding the toll charges which came up to B130. It's faster and more comfortable, but we'd prefer the express bus.
Moving Around Pattaya
Getting around the city is easy and cheep. The minibuses and the Baht buses cost about B20 to go anywhere within the city. From Pattaya beach to Jomtien beach will cost about B40.
You may like to consider renting a motorbike which we did during our last trip there. It's really fun and we did manage to explore much within 2 days. It cost between B400 to B2000, depending on the size of the bike. Petrol is usually included for bike hire. You need to wear helmets and the headlights need to be on whenever you are riding it.
I was surprised that petty crime is pretty low in Pattaya. You can just leave your helmets on the bike and go about your business. It will be there when you return. You can't say the same thing for other cities though. Also, there are no known motorbike theft rackets there.
To rent a car may cost you a lot more. It range anywhere from B1200 onwards per day, not inclusive of petrol. Also, the traffic is quite heavy and it's not as much fun. But it's probably safer than a bike.
You may need to deposit your passport with the company or operator of the car or bike. However, I would suggest that you try to negotiate some other form of deposit instead. There usually is no proper place for them to keep your passports. But if you are confident of the safety of this very important document then go ahead.
There are also reputable car hire companies like Avis and Budget Cars there, but of course they cost a little more.
You may also like to rent bicycles for as little as B30 an hour or B120 per day. There are many beach outlets that hire them. It is quite easy to cycle around the city as it's rather flat.
History of Pattaya
Prior to the Vietnam War, Pattaya was a small rural fishing village. The only hotel there then was the Nipa Lodge. During the Vietnam War of the 1960s, Pattaya was used by the American GIs as a R and R center. The U-Tapao Airport was specially built for this purpose. Today the U-Tapao Airport, near Sattahip, is used mainly for chartered flights.
Things To Do
Pattaya does not only rely on its own charm. The city actively promotes recreational, entertainment and fun activities. It can be whatever you want it to be. You can find fun for the young and the young at heart. There are lots of things you can do, both before and after dark.
- After Dark
- Whether you come alone, with your partner or family, or with a group of friends, Pattaya has it all to keep you happy and satisfied. We like to wish you a funtastic time in Pattaya.
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