Swaying palm trees and azure seas meet buzzing nightlife in Pattaya. Welcoming people for rest and relaxation since the sixties, decades later it still hasn’t lost its allure. Traditional temples rub shoulders with glittering shopping malls. Fine dining may tempt you one night, street food the next. It’s a riotous clash of culture and indulgence, while the white sands of the beach are never far away.
BEACHES
Soar above the surf on a parasail, catch the breeze windsurfing, or power yourself on a paddleboard. Pattaya’s main beach is as action packed as the bustling alleys that lead to it. Beach bars line the sand so fresh coconuts and cocktails are always within arm’s reach. Jomtien beach to the south offers sedate sunbathing, while a day trip to Ko Larn unveils pristine sparkling waters and a chance to get up close and personal with a rainbow of mesmerising fish.
CULTURE
Stir your spirit at Wat Phra Yai, ‘The Temple of the Big Buddha’. 18 metres tall, golden, and dazzling, the statue commands attention – as do the undulating dragons flanking its steps. Descend from the temple and head south to Pattaya’s floating market, where a lazy paddle takes you past a host of crafts, food and souvenirs. At night things kick up a notch, quite literally at the Mui Thai stadium, or in the neon maze of Pattaya’s colourful clubs and bars.
FOOD
Embrace the eclectic cuisine on offer with a visit to one of Pattaya’s vibrant street markets. Authentic Thai flavours abound in the narrow lanes of Jomtien Night Market, where lanterns flutter overhead and the sound of sizzling BBQ greets you at every turn. Nibble on satay as you choose your next course, browse the souvenir stalls between each delicious bite, then finish with a theatrically made ice cream roll.