Pattaya is a great holiday hotspot for all; those who are seeking fun and adventure and those who are looking for a quiet tropical getaway. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy this exciting city even more.
Pattaya Culture
Lying around 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, on the Gulf of Siam is the beautiful metropolis of Pattaya. In the early 1960’s, this city was a sleepy little fishing village and its only claim to fame was that in the 13th century, it had been a resting place for the battle forces of King Narai when he ousted the Burmese invaders. However during the Vietnam War, Pattaya was discovered by American GI’s as the perfect place to have some fun and has not looked back since.
Within twenty years, Pattaya has been transformed into an international resort and is often referred to as the 'Thai Riviera'. In this exciting city “East meets West” with visitors flocking here for all over the world. Pattaya is probably the most cosmopolitan city in Thailand after Bangkok. Colorful and lively, Pattaya has a distinctly unusual culture. And while it remains a traditionally Thai, it has incorporated many western influences, thus, making it a great place to holiday in. Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and pronounced as "Patti-yah" not "Patt-eye-yah", this city offers a wealth of cultural diversity mixing Thai culture with Chinese, Indian, Malay, Vietnamese, American and Australian influences.
Easily accessible from Bangkok (an approximately 2 hour drive), Pattaya is not just a tourist haven. Many people from the city (Bangkok) often come over the weekend to Pattaya, to chill out and relax. In addition to having nearly every water-based sport imaginable, Pattaya also has great golfing, excellent restaurants, good entertainment, and countless other leisure pursuits. The bottom line here is that in this city, nobody gets bored.
Weather in Pattaya
With near perfect weather throughout the year, Pattaya is the perfect place to have some fun in the sun. Pattaya has a tropical climate that is warm and sunny from November to February. From March to May, the weather is hot and humid, while from June to October, it is hot and rainy, as it is monsoon season. It is especially important to remain hydrated when visiting Pattaya, as you sweat a lot and can become dehydrated easily. It is also important to wear plenty of sun block when roaming the streets as one can burn rather quickly. At night the temperature cools down with the sea breeze, making it pleasant and extremely enjoyable.
What to Wear in Pattaya
As Pattaya has a warm and tropical climate, it is important to wear loose fitting cotton clothes that lets the skin breathe easily. T-shits and jeans are the perfect choice to roam the city streets in. However, shorts are another great optional clothing item. But when visiting temples and other places of religious importance, it is necessary to dress appropriately. No jeans, sleeveless clothing or shorts are allowed. So carry some more functional clothing as well.
Deciding what to wear in Pattaya also depends on the kind of holiday you want to enjoy. Make sure you bring plenty of bathing suits if you want to spend time on the beach. If you’re more inclined to enjoying the nightlife, pack a couple of more exciting outfits to wear. Loose cotton shirts, slip dresses and casual clothing is the best way to dress, when visiting Pattaya.
Shopping in Pattaya
As a leading tourist destination, Pattaya is a flooded with department stores, shopping centers, street shops and stalls. Most shopping is done on Pattaya 2 Road, Beach Road, and the area between Central and South Pattaya. A shopper's paradise, this city offers many traditional Thai products, like handicrafts, antiques, Thai silk, gems and jewelry, bronze and wood-crafts, as well as ready made and tailored garments. Inexpensive and full of variety, Pattaya has a great many bargains. But when shopping in street markets and stalls, it is important that you learn to haggle. Bargaining is very important as you can pay up to two to three times more than the actual worth of the item. For most places, except major departmental stores, bargaining is the accepted norm.
There are also plenty of original and fake of designer watches, purses & luggage on sale. So it is important to shop cautiously and use common sense, if a designer item is being sold very cheap, then you can safely assume it’s fake.
Shopping in Pattaya is everywhere, on the beaches, in small lanes, during the day and at night. There are literally thousands of shops to shop from. So where does one shop? Well, there is a daily market on ‘Walking Street’, in South Pattaya. Theprasit market open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6.00pm to 10.00pm is another great place for bargain shopping. The Night Square is situated next to Tiffany’s Cabaret and is open daily from 6pm to midnight. Naklua Market and Central Pattaya Market are also inexpensive shopping zones. The Royal Gardens and Central Festival are two big shopping malls located in Central Pattaya and North Pattaya respectively. Shopping here is expensive as compared to the market shops. Then there is Mike’s Shopping Mall in Central Pattaya and Friendship mall, both of which are big departmental stores that sell everything at reasonable rates. Lotus Tesco and Big C are two of the major supermarkets in the city.
Travel around Pattaya
Traveling in Pattaya is not hard as it is a small city. Getting around by a "Song Taew" or Baht bus is the most convenient and cheap way to travel. These buses constantly ply the Beach Road and Pattaya 2 Road. Fares are around 5to10 baht per person, per trip. Taking a Motorcycle taxi is another choice of cheap transportation. They can be found at all important places like markets, in front of a Soi or alley, at bus terminals, and next to government offices. The fare depends on the distance. Those who wish to be independent can rent out a motorcycle, jeep or car, per day or per hour. Rental shops can be commonly found on the streets of Pattaya; however an international driver’s license is required.
Most Thai people tend to be friendly and often provide directions and help. There are also plenty of brochures and maps available with the hotel reception that can help you get around. Some great places to visit include; Mini Siam, the Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm, Suan Nong Nooch, Wat Yansangwararam, Pattaya Elephant Village, Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.
Health Services in Pattaya
It is important not to drink tap water in Pattaya as the water is not safe. Drink only mineral water. Also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and avoid eating from any food stalls that look unappealing. There are three main hospitals in Pattaya. The Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, located on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya City, the Pattaya International Hospital at Soi 4, Pattaya 2nd Road, Pattaya City and the Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic.
Dining Out in Pattaya
Dining out is great in Pattaya especially for those who enjoy seafood. A wide variety of fish, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, oysters, squids, and mussels is easily available. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, bars and grills, and food stalls that line the beach front, which offer virtually any cuisine ranging from Asian to Russian. Additionally, there are also plenty of fast food franchises and local food joints that sell a unique taste of Thailand. So whether its Thai cuisine you enjoy, or if you have a more adventuresome palette, Pattaya has it all. Baan Thai on Central Road has excellent Thai food and good wine, but is a bit expensive. Larn Thong at the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel is world famous for its authentic Thai cuisine. And Bruno's on Soi 0, by Pattaya Bowl offers great continental meals.
Pattaya Nightlife
Most of Pattaya’s Beach Road is one long entertainment strip. But it is in South Pattaya that most of the night life happens. Bars, pubs, discos, cabaret shows, go-go bars, night clubs etc. are all mostly concentrated in the southern part of the city. Also located here is Tony’s Entertainment Complex, one of the biggest entertainment venues in town. Pattaya 2 Road and Soi Post Office in North Pattaya also are among the more colorful places. Cabaret is very popular in Pattaya, with the shows preformed being world famous. Alcazar, Simon and Tiffany Show are the most famous shows to go see.
Pattaya Business
Most of Pattaya’s business is in tourism, with the city being a premier tourist resort. Retailing, renting equipment and gear, transportation rental are just some of the many occupations that most Thai’s people are involved in. Many people also earn their living by renting out mall guest houses or setting up local food joints. The hotel industry supports many families in Pattaya. Fishing is another common business venture for most Pattaya natives, who spend a lot of time in the water.
