Pattaya

Hotels In:

• Khon Kaen
• Ayuthaya
• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Hua Hin
• Ko Pha Ngan
• Ko Samui
• Krabi
• Lampang
• Loei
• Pattaya
• Phuket
• Sukhothai
• Surin

Pattaya, Thailand is the ultimate adult playground. What started as an R&R capital for American troops during the Vietnam war has evolved into a red-light beach town with hundreds of go-go clubs, beer bars, massage parlors, and almost every other form of naughty nightlife you could imagine. Pattaya is a red-light district masquerading as a city. It is one of the largest sex scene locations in the world, attracting over 5 million of Thailand's 11 million tourists on an average year. Outside of the sex scene, there is little reason to visit Pattaya. The beaches are fair to observe from the street while sipping on a Starbucks coffee, and add to the scenery of the area. But, you wouldn't really want to go swimming or plan a real beach holiday here. The sheer amount of prostitution that takes place here is amazing. The entire length of Pattaya Beach Road caters exclusively to sex, and that trend continues blocks inland. It seems that anywhere you walk, it is almost impossible to escape the endless rows of bars with attractive, young women trying to catch your eye.

Pattaya supports a list of international resorts, restaurants, and pubs. The accommodations are fairly inexpensive compared to Bangkok, and it is an easy city to get around. There is a large expat community which lives in Pattaya, and brings with it a selection of foreigner owned establishments. Known for being one of the most corrupt places in Thailand, Pattaya is a place where there is always somewhere to party. Laws are intended to be broken for a small fee, and almost everything can be had for a price.

Getting Around

The safest and easiest way to get around the beach side area of Pattaya is via the minibuses (songtao). Often referred to as "baht buses," these covered pickup trucks circle around regular routes day and night. You will see these blue trucks cruising around and picking and dropping off people as they pass. Simply wave one down and hop in the back. Most of them simply cruise around the loop (down Pattaya Beach Road, and circling back on Pattaya Second Road) running people up and down the beach. Some trucks will take you to neighboring areas such as Jomtien for a little more. There are also numerous places to rent cars and motorcycles, but be aware that most of the roads in Pattaya are populated by drunk and reckless foreign drivers.

  Favorite Nighlife in the Area

  Favorite Events in the Area

Thailand Travel Guide Thailand blends the exotic with modern convenience: Bangkok is a gleaming city with a robust traditional cuisine and a culture of devout Buddhism, while the ancient city of Chiang Mai is spa central. When you're done lapping all that up, move on to cloudy mountains or lounge around on the pearlescent sand of those famous beaches.