Travel to Pattaya

Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is one of the countrys most popular tourist cities, seeing around five million visitors per year. The city is home to some 95 per cent inhabitants, a figure which does not include expatriates or those living here while still registered in their hometowns elsewhere in Thailand. Pattaya unfortunately tends to attract European and North American sex tourists; however, its girly-bar culture comprises exclusively a small part of its appeal and regular holidaymakers able to enjoy a vacationhere without being affected by this somewhat seedy but well-contained aspect of the city.Transportation to Pattaya

Pattaya can be reached easily from Bangkok by both public and private transportation means, with air-conditioned buses from both Bangkoks northern and eastern terminals providing one of the most popular choices.

Visitors booked on package holidays and arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport from foreign countries will invariably be met by a hotel shuttle to transfer them to Pattaya. Thosewho arent being met can opt to take a taxi direct to the city, with the journey taking less than 2 hours. Alternatively, visitors wanting to transfer from Koh Samui, Phuket or Siem Reap might do so via air, with flights landing at U-Tapao Airport, which is just 20kms from the centre of Pattaya.

Once in Pattaya, youll find the ubiquitous songtaew buses are one of the best ways of getting around; different choices include regular taxis or motorbike taxis. Car hire is accessible in the city, for those who prefer to make their own way around.

What to see

Pattaya wont offer you the ornate temples and historic buildings that youll find in cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but it will offer you fascinating nature-based attractions such as Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Pattaya Elephant and themed manmade attractions such as Village Ripleys Believe It or Not and Mini Siam. After youve exhausted the themed centres, theres almost always the beautiful Gulf scenery offered at the beach to enjoy.
Daytrips

Local tour operators offer a number of trips that can be taken from Pattaya, some lasting just a half-day and others a full day, starting early morning and returning you to your hotel/guesthouse by early evening. Elephant trekking is highly popular with visitors, as are half-day trips to Nong Nooch Village. For a full day out, take the trip to Paradise Island, better known as Koh Samet, where stunning tropical views are on offer.
Activities and leisure

Pattaya offers an extensive list of outdoor and leisure activities, with the beach being the main setting for many of the most popular. Local companies provide completely the equipment, skills and knowledge to facilitate your participation in scuba diving, jet-skiing, parasailing and kayaking. If waters not your thing, then dry activities such as mountain biking, go-karting, shooting, archery and bungee jumping are all available. Keep fit fans will find fully-equipped gymnasiums at several of the citys big hotels.
Safety issues

Thailand has relatively low levels of petty crime; however, Pattaya may be suffers more significantly than other cities due to the level of vice found here. Unless you are entering into that environment, you shouldnt have any problems and should be able to avoid being a victim of the exploits of petty criminals. Vice, of course, encourages organised crime and this again is present in Pattaya, but can equally be avoided by not fraternising with obviously unsavoury or questionable characters.