Should I Visit Pattaya?
Pattaya has a reputation that precedes it — but the reality is more nuanced. Here is an honest guide to who Pattaya suits, what to do there, and what to skip.
Quick Answer
Should I visit Pattaya?
It depends on what you want. If you are looking for a beach resort, go to Koh Samui or Krabi. If you want an entertaining, high-energy city with excellent food, easy access to islands, water sports, and a buzzing nightlife scene — Pattaya delivers this at a lower price than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
What Pattaya Actually Is
Pattaya is a city of around 120,000 people (swelled by tourists and expats) on the Gulf of Thailand, 150km from Bangkok. It developed rapidly from a fishing village into a US military R&R destination in the 1960s and became a major tourist city from the 1980s onwards. The nightlife district around Walking Street is its most famous — and most internationally notorious — feature.
But Pattaya is also a city with exceptional international restaurants, a large Russian, Chinese, and European expat community, affordable shopping malls, quality hospitals, and some genuinely remarkable cultural sights — none more so than the Sanctuary of Truth, a 105-metre hand-carved teak temple being built entirely without nails.
Beaches and Islands
Skip Pattaya Beach for swimming — head to Jomtien for a cleaner stretch, or take a speedboat to Koh Larn (45 minutes, 30 THB on the ferry). Koh Larn's six beaches are far superior to the mainland coast. The islands of Koh Saak and Koh Krok are less visited and even cleaner. Snorkelling and diving day trips to reefs further out are available from the pier.
Best Area to Stay
Day Trips from Pattaya
Pattaya's location makes it a good base for several day trips: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (botanical gardens and cultural shows), the Elephant Sanctuary Pattaya for ethical elephant experiences, the Million Years Stone Park, and SOMA Art Gallery. Bangkok is an easy 2-hour bus ride for a longer day trip.