When you've had your fill of the frenetic pace of Bangkok's street markets, luxury malls and bustling walkways and crave the peace and tranquility of a beach paradise, Pattaya is the last place you should consider. If hoping from jet-ski to surf-board, partying until dawn and fountains of Mai-Tai are more your style, make a beeline to this tropical cove about 135 kilometers south of the capital.
Located in the Chonburi Province of peninsular Thailand, Pattaya rose to fame during the Vietnam War as the troops preferred furlough destination. Today, Pattaya boasts of being home to every Five Star Hotel Chain, Fast Food Franchise and entertainment option in the world.
It seems that in Thailand, most all roads lead to Pattaya, so getting there is never a problem. 2 hours from Bangkok by road, or half a day's drive from Koh Samui, an impulse trip will serve you as well as a well-planned vacation.
Once there, the abilities to haggle and experiment are your best tools to explore the Bay. Start your day with a tour through the Underwater Aquarium of this Coral Island or have breakfast with the inhabitants of the Pattaya Crocodile Farm. Stop by endless lines of street-food stalls for a quick lunch where you can sample every imaginable meat, fruit and sea-creature, grilled on a stick. Spend a lazy afternoon by the pool or slice across the surf on jet-skis hired by the hour, or strap yourself to a power boat as you Para-sail the length of the cove over Hat Jomtien, Hat Wong Phrachan, Ko Lan, Ko Sak, Ko Phai and Pattaya beaches.
But make sure you conserve your energy for the night though, because that's when
Pattaya really comes alive. Much like the Vegas strip, the city takes on an entirely different avatar after sunset. Straw hats and roller-bladers make way for throbbing strobe lights, psychedelic discotheques, live bands, casinos, fine dining and gaming arcades where the lights stay on well after the sun comes up.
Open your mind to the possibilities that Pattaya has to offer and you might just find yourself returning often to this beach resort which switches from whimsical to exotic in the span of a heartbeat.
