PATTAYA
Area: Thailand


Location:
On the E coast of the Bight of Bangkok off the Gulf of Thailand. 95 miles SE of Bangkok and its international airport.

Telephone code from UK:
66 38

Position:
On a wide, W-facing bay, with virtually flat land stretching over 10 miles inland.

Description:
A lively town that has no real function other than that of a playground within easy reach of Bangkok, Pattaya's principal claim to fame is a nightlife like no other. The town has a raucous character, which abates only for a few hours after breakfast, after which it steadily gathers pace until late evening, when the whole place pulsates, driven by a very buoyant sex industry. The long Beach Road is linked to a parallel road by numerous lanes where neon signs flash provocative names of bars and massage parlours; if that doesn't grab your attention, there is usually a crowd of young girls calling out for your attention. The N end of the resort is less explicit, but the only real escape is within the grounds of the hotels. Street hassles and safety are not a major problem, but the general environment is not conducive to relaxed, leisurely wanderings. Pattaya is sold as a beach resort, but if you're looking for a beach holiday, you might be better off choosing the considerably more attractive options in the S of Thailand.

Suitability:
Most visitors are middle-aged-plus Western males, travelling alone or in small organised tour groups. Some younger lads also make their way to the town to play the field and participate in beer-and-boy's-own "fun". Any couples and families tend to spend a large part of their time in the sheltered environment of their hotels.

Accommodation:
Mainly large hotels ranging from simple, neat establishments to upmarket choices; basic guesthouses also available. Impromptu couples are much in evidence, particularly at the smaller and lower-grade properties. The better options for a beach holiday tend to be at the periphery of the resort and beyond.

Shopping:
Several large, modern shopping centres and department stores. Numerous small, open-sided local shops offer local souvenirs and fake designer goods; some handicraft stalls. Grocers and convenience stores, many staying open late into the night. Numerous custom tailors produce cheap, fast, custom-made articles. Buying gems, antiques and other high-value goods should be avoided except by genuine experts, since scams abound.

Beach:
The main resort beach is a long, reasonably pleasant affair of coarse sand backed by a tree-lined promenade, but it does not fit the image of a cliched tropical beach. Loads of deck chairs, loungers and shabby sunshades run the full length, which is shared by some hawkers' stalls and water-sports operators. The water itself is murky and polluted and primarily the domain of locals who don't know of better things. Wong Amat Beach to the N is cleaner and less commercialised; Jomtien Beach, just to the S of the resort, is a long, sandy stretch, slightly better than the resort's main offering.

Entertainments:
Daytime: a surprisingly large and varied range of activities, including most water sports, go-karting, paint-ball games, game fishing, horse riding, golf, tennis, fitness centres, bowling, an elephant village, national parks and a zoo. Nightlife: everything imaginable _ and much that isn't. Even the more mundane options for an evening out often come heavily laced with seedier elements. A surprising number of bars and restaurants have private air-conditioned rooms for massage purposes. Those seeking more traditional live music and cultural shows are best sticking to hotel-based entertainments.

Eating:
Street stalls and local eateries, international fast-food restaurants and several fine dining choices that are based mainly in hotels. Prices tend to be on the expensive side compared with elsewhere in Thailand although a good meal shouldn't break the bank. Seafood is a speciality at the S end of Beach Road.

Public-transport:
Motorised rickshaws (tuk-tuks) are available, but the principal form of transport is the share-taxi, a converted pick-up truck with bench seats and a canvas roof on the back. Trips within town for a nominal fee; for trips outside this area, prices rise rapidly and should be agreed beforehand. It is always a good idea to establish whether you want to charter the vehicle or not. Various bus stations for destinations farther afield; a railway runs along the coast a little way inland.

Local-excursions:
Short trips to various local sites, principally the elephant village. Diving trips or visits to appealing off-shore islands.