Pattaya Hotels
Pattaya Travel Guide

Pattaya attracts a great deal of visitors who long for natural beauty and recreation with time limited. Pattaya has so much to offer, you will be catered by its various kinds of entertainments: theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums, and many other activities you can enjoy ceaselessly. During night time, Pattaya is painted with colorful neon lights and vibrant rhythm in restaurants, club, bars, and local markets; all of this makes Pattaya's nighttime very charming and lively.

Pattaya has undergone the rapid development that new industrial companies from other countries bound for this economically prosperous region, allowing thus the establishment of factories along with the community of expatriates working there. The government also oversees the potential benefit in the eastern region and then initiated the big projects for industry and commerce, Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut deep-sea ports are the examples. With its high development, Pattaya was bestowed its status to be a special administrative unit at the same level of Bangkok; it has its own rights, its own mayor, and its own administration.

All in all, with its affluence in economy together with its recreational activities offered, Pattaya is one of the most attractive international beach resorts where you can absorb the extraordinary experience. The best time to visit Pattaya is from November to April when the sun shines out and the weather is good. During May through October is the rainy season.

Brief History

Previously a sleepy small fishing village in Chonburi Province, Pattaya was transformed into the largest beach resort as well as commercial center of the eastern region of Thailand. Its reputation seemed to appear firstly in the 13th century when the battle forces of the Great King Narai had rested here during his campaign to compel the Burmese invaders.

Then came the Vietnam War in 1959, trucks loaded with American GI's arrived in the village of Pattaya on leave from their base at Nakorn Ratchasima. At the beginning, they just rented some houses along the southern end of the beach. With their satisfaction with the natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere of Pattaya village, by words of mouth, the name Pattaya spread out among American marines. A new group of marines kept arriving periodically, and the village geared up to cater to their every need. Pattaya was then a new pleasant retreat for them and later, for locals and others visitors. This can be called the beginning of Pattaya as a "Tourist Center".

Different Areas in Pattaya

Located 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, less than two-hour-drive, Pattaya stretches for some 15 kilometers along the Eastern Seaboard. Pattaya can be divided in five distinctive sections, each with their own character and attractions.

Nakleua: Its meaning is "slat field", lying in the north of Pattaya. Despite the flow of industry and tourism, there is still the air of ancient village of Nakleua today. Old wooden houses and narrow streets, traditional noodle shops and working fishing boats can be seen. There are old houses over the creeks; along the streets, there are a line of small shops selling handicrafts and domestic goods, creating the rustic atmosphere and pleasant sight.

The Dolphin Roundabout: The roundabout and the beginning of the Beach Road mark the junction with North Pattaya, and you will find the dramatically changing surrounding. This area is packed with the up scale hotels and restaurants facing the beach. There is a recently built promenade leading to the South Pattaya along the shore fringed with palm trees. At the back part of Pattaya, also known as Second Road which can be reached through any alleys is teemed with more major hotels, shopping areas, bars, clubs, and a tourist office.

Pattaya Klang or Central Pattaya: This area is funkier than the northern district. The hotels are not so grand, the restaurants are smaller. Bar-beers and some go-go bars add to its vibrant nightlife around here however. Pattaya Police station and the immigration office are located here as well. This is also the shopping area with two main shopping malls, the Royal Garden Plaza and Mike's place. There are many small hotels and guesthouses which offer good accommodations and Western and Thai foods.

South Pattaya Road: This area is now known as Walking Street which is the pedestrians' only zone recently developed in Pattaya. Visitors are allowed to browse the endless of small shops selling fast tailoring services, sports goods, jewelry and souvenirs. Like the other areas, bars, seafood restaurants line along the street; several of them are built out over the ocean, offering pleasing atmosphere. South Pattaya seems to be busier and brasher than the remainder of the city. You can walk until reaching the Siam Bayshore Hotel and Arthachinda which mark the boundary of South Pattaya.

Jomtien district: The district is separated form the other sections of Pattaya by the hill rising to the back of South Pattaya. This six-kilometer-long- beach is thus relatively quiet and secluded. Jomtien beach is popular as the best site for windsurfing due to brisk and fresh breezes from the Thai Gulf, allowing the great conditions of water and wind. As the seas here are less clustered with boats than in Pattaya Bay, various kinds of water sports are really enjoyable. Sunrise and sunset view on the beach are also spectacular. Beachside hotels, bungalows, condominiums and restaurants are all available.