2 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
90min by taxi from Bangkok
When to go
From November to August
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days
Pattaya (Thailand)
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Romain Beuvart
Practical information on Pattaya
Reviews of Pattaya
Pattaya is the best known of the Thai beach resorts, famous for its buzzing nightlife and beaches, all less than 2hrs away from Bangkok.
My suggestion:
Could be worth visiting once, for curiosity's sake, but there's nothing special to stay on for. There are much better beaches further east. And beware of jet-ski scams.
My review
I prefer to be honest about what I think and I don't like Pattaya. The beaches are no more than OK, it's a town where you'll find more foreigners that Thais...And then there's the lewd side of things that I just don't like.
It's true that there are some things you may enjoy, if you like shopping and if you're a fan of sports vacations. Golf, sailing, parasailing, go-karting...I could go on. They're possible reasons why you should take a vacation in this area, where 'you'll find anything and everything'.
So yes, even if there is fun to be had, what you really find in Pattaya is a town that is becoming overrun by construction projects and condominiums. The small beach resort has long since gone, to be replaced by a kind of giant retirement home for thrill seeking expats. Apart from my first visit, I've only ever been back for work reasons and I never stayed longer than necessary.
All the same, I do recommend the 'Sanctuary of Truth', a temple-style construction, which is a work of art in itself; an architectural achievement that sits by the sea. So, if you like to party, are not fussy about beaches and just feel like a vacation by the sea, then there's no reason not to go there. As for me, for the reasons stated, I prefer Hua Hin.
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Romain Beuvart
Pattaya is a tourist destination visited by expats and foreigners. Located on the east coast, around 100 km from Bangkok, it's a city that doesn't seem to live up to its reputation.
My suggestion:
If you have no friends in Pattaya or haven't specifically organised a trip there, I would basically advise you to give it a miss.
My review
I stopped in Pattaya and found it disappointing. I decided to continue on my way the next day. It wasn't at all the kind of place I want to visit when traveling. The city is essentially one big amusement park for adults. Everything revolves around western-style entertainment there and consequently one of the only attractions the city has to offer is its beach.
The crocodile shows, the sex shows along Walking Street and the behavior of the locals towards tourists almost make you forget that there are other things to do in Pattaya, like climbing up to take a look at the giant Buddha for example. I wish I could tell you that the Sanctuary of Truth is worth going to see, but I didn't actually go there because I found the entrance price exorbitant.
Before you travel to Thailand, therefore, think carefully about what you want to see and under what circumstances, because in my opinion there are lots of other places that offer a more authentic experience of Thailand than Pattaya.
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jbremer57
192 travelers' photos
