Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Pattaya's reputation as the epicenter of sex tourism in Thailand is well established. While efforts have been made to attract more family-oriented tourism, it is clear that gogo bars and other establishments promoting encounters or offering, let's say, rather suggestive services, are ubiquitous—not only on the famous Walking Street. Additionally, the beaches in the south of Pattaya are far from exceptional, crowded with speedboats in the morning, which later give way to a dense forest of umbrellas and deckchairs. In short, if nightlife and its excesses are not your thing, one might say that Pattaya is not for you. Perhaps not all of Pattaya, but certainly South Pattaya. However, there is still Naklua in the north, as well as Jomtien or even Na Jomtien, which I personally prefer over Jomtien, although the strong Russian presence can also be a bit overwhelming.
But for the beautiful beaches, it is not that far to go, Koh Larn Island off the coast of Pattaya is not far and if on the weekend many Bangkokians come there in large numbers to spend the weekend, during the week, as long as you avoid the very crowded Tawaen Beach, it is really nicer than the beaches of Pattaya.
There are a few visits to do in Pattaya, like the Sanctuary of Truth, the Big Buddha on the hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien and the floating market, which is certainly quite commercial and artificial.
Russian customers have been very present in Pattaya for several years, especially in Jomtien with even the storefronts and massage parlors exclusively in Cyrillic. In South Pattaya, avoid the seaside in the evening, especially if you are with your family, as well as Walking Street at the end of the same street, the mecca of nightlife with its go-go bars and striptease, you avoid embarrassing questions from your children...
In short, you will have understood, even if Pattaya is trying to rebuild its image as a destination for family holidays in Thailand, for my part, it is not a destination that I particularly like even if I like Nakluea and Koh Larn if we choose to sleep there.
To go to Pattaya, the most convenient is the bus. From Bangkok, there are very regular ones that leave from the Ekkamai Terminal or the Mo Chit Terminal but less frequently or from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and even since March 2025 from Don Muang Airport!
From Bangkok, the bus journey takes a little over 2 hours. You can book your tickets online HERE or buy them directly at the dedicated ticket offices in the bus terminals or at the airports in Bangkok, knowing that if you buy them at the last minute, you may have to let one or two buses leave before you get a seat.
Alternatively, Pattaya has an airport, in Utapao, with direct flights from Koh Samui, Phuket or Udon Thani and even Chiang Mai, which land there as well as a few international flights. Otherwise, there are two trains per day from Bangkok.
Surprisingly, there are quite a few tuk-tuks in Pattaya. And the taximeters that circulate in Pattaya generally come from Bangkok and are very reluctant to use their meters. Motorcycle taxis are much more numerous and cheaper but less safe. There are still apps for ordering vehicles with drivers like InDRIVE or Grab and Bolt.
But the most used transport to get around Pattaya remains the songthaews also called bath buses. They generally circulate on defined routes and charge 10 THB for a short trip. The white songthaews go to Si Racha or Sattahip (and the fare is more expensive if you go to these destinations). Dark blue buses run mainly between Naklua and Jomtien.
Pattaya city also has a bus service on 3 routes designated by 3 colors, green, red and yellow. All routes start at the Big C in South Pattaya. A one-way ticket costs about 20 baht. Maps are available from drivers and at most hotels and resorts.
Renting a car in Pattaya costs from 800 to 1500 THB per day depending on the model, renting a scooter starts at 150 THB (often with a deposit of 1000 THB). Inspect your vehicle carefully and take pictures to avoid any problems later. And if some rental companies ask you to leave your passport as security, refuse, it is illegal and could cause you problems. You are supposed to have your passport with you at all times.
This festival generally takes place in the month of Several times a year
This festival generally takes place in the month of March
This festival generally takes place in the month of May
This festival generally takes place in the month of May
This festival generally takes place in the month of October
This festival generally takes place in the month of novembre
This festival generally takes place in the month of November
This festival generally takes place in the month of December
Plus d'infos sur Pattaya New Year Countdown Celebrations Festival
The best moment to come to Pattaya is from November to April and especially from December to February. September and October are the rainiest months.
We have been waiting for it for months, hoping it will happen on July 1, but it will finally be October 1, 2022, when Thailand will lift the last COVID restrictions to enter the country. From this date, it will no longer be necessary to show...