Your holiday treat in Pattaya

For many years Pattaya has been one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Southeast Asia. Starting out as a quiet, relatively unknown beach, Pattaya became the holiday spot choice for those seeking exciting nightlife. Nowadays, families, too, enjoy the wonderfully warm climate and the sweeping sandy beach with all its available water sports. Excellent holiday accommodation, cheap restaurants and shopping complete the attraction.

What to do in Pattaya

Pattaya’s main attraction is its magnificent sandy beaches which curve around the bay and all are within easy reach wherever you book your holiday villa or apartment.

The beach at Hat Iomtien is comparatively quiet while to the north Hat Klua beach is the most family friendly. All manner of water sports are available. For the more energetic, windsurfing and water skiing are popular choices. Parasailing offers a thrill you won’t easily forget while jet skiing, sailing and banana boat rides have their own attraction. Those wanting to explore the ocean floor will enjoy snorkelling but for a closer look scuba diving cannot be beaten. Specialist diving companies offer trips to the best local dive sites and have PADI-accredited instructors for those wishing to learn to dive.

Refreshments and souvenirs are available throughout the day from the many food stands, bars and stalls that line the beach. For your evening entertainment, Pattaya’s restaurants offer a variety of dishes with seafood, including lobster, at very affordable prices. Of course, you can create your own Thai food adventure by shopping the markets and getting creative in the kitchen of your holiday home.

Those seeking bars and nightclubs will be spoilt for choice while those seeking the quiet comfort of a massage do not have far to look. The ceremony and explosive violence of traditional Thai boxing is also on show daily.

Places to visit

You can’t leave Thailand without becoming acquainted with elephants. Take in an elephant show or try a ride at Pattaya’s Elephant Village. The majestic giants will enthral you. If you prefer to stay by the sea, a trip to the off shore island of Ko Sak, Ko Krok or Ko Larn will be a nice break from Pattaya and the beautiful warm clear waters are ideal for a little snorkelling.

Visitors may prefer to book holiday accommodation and stay in Pattaya but Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is but a day trip away. An early morning boat ride along the Chao Phraya will take through the famous floating markets with flowers, fruit and trinkets for everyone. The city is also home to magnificent Buddhist temples such as the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) with its 70 metres high tower, Wat Pho (the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok) with its famed Reclining Buddha, and Wat Traimit which boats the Golden Buddha, claimed to be the world’s largest solid gold statue. You will be amazed by their intricacy and beauty. None, however, is more splendid than the Royal Gran Palace with its Emerald Buddha. But remember, Bangkok can be uncomfortably hot and its traffic is congest and chaotic.

Pattaya’s weather

Pattaya is warm all year round. The highest temperatures occur from April onwards when you can expect temperatures in the 35?C range. You can also expect tropical showers and rains during the summer. It is probably best to visit Pattaya between November and April when temperatures are around 30?C and there are likely to be only a few showers, even then though your need your holiday home to have air conditioning.

Getting to and around Pattaya

Pattaya is best accessed by bus or private rental car from Bangkok which is 120 kms away. Overseas visitors fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Internation and travel on from there. It is best to leave plenty of time for the airport formalities as clearing Thai immigration whether entering or leaving the country, can take some time.

Once your reach your holiday rental in Pattaya, it is easy to get around either on foot or in taxies. Tuks tuks and songthaews are everywhere for those who want to do as the locals do.