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.

Pattaya, the enchanting beach resort of Thailand that holds immense tourist attraction is one of the hot spots for travelers all over the globe. The white sand, the pristine blue water as well as the amazing sea beaches entice many to spend their vacations or weekends here. Cut out for individuals who enjoy water sports Pattaya offers a gamut of sporting activities such as adventurous sports live water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing and water scooter. Since Pattaya is just not known for its sprawling beaches but for its nightlife, food and wildlife many accommodation in Pattaya have mushroomed offering numerous choices to the tourists. Pattaya Accommodation enlists luxurious hotels, and budget hotels that cater to every traveler.If you would prefer the luxury hotels of Pattaya you could avail accommodations such as Pattaya Marriions such as Pattaya Marriott Resort and spa. Located in the center of the Pattaya city, it is one of the best luxury hotels of Pattaya offering you modern amenities. Crown Pattaya Beach Hotel, located a few meters from the beach and all the major shopping centers is an average hotel that offers comfort and good services.

If you would prefer to spend your vacation in charming individual accommodations in Pattaya you can easily avail the services of Rabbit Resort. It is a charming traditional Thai style resort with individual homes having private lovely gardens, hand carved wooden balcony, antique furniture and butterflies and colorful birds all around. If you prefer a budget hotel you can go to see lodging in The Champ Hotel Pattaya, a boutique resort hotel located in a secluded area and amidst natural scenery in the Pattaya city.

This was the first scheduled international flight to arrive at U-Tapao since the airport was used to alleviate the crisis during the closure of the Bangkok airports last year. Since then the airport has been totally renovated and upgraded to international standards.

At 00.10 am Pattaya's deputy mayor, Mr. Weerawat Kakai, and his team of officials were on hand to give a special welcome to the 300 Korean tourists, who were treated to a special Thai classical dancing show arranged by Mr. Kumpol Tunsatja of the Nongnooch Tropical Garden.


Mr. Niti Kongkrut from the Pattaya office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that Thailand's tourism industry had been through a very difficult time, especially since protesters closed the two main airport in Bangkok, during which time the U-tapao management had performed beyond the call of duty to facilitate the departure and arrival of thousands of tourists. He said that this first flight from Korea brought a new ray of hope, especially to Pattaya and its tourist industry.


However, the Koreans were given a stark reminder of the current crisis as each had their temperature measured as a test for swine flu, but happily everyone was given the completely clear, and the smiles on their faces returned as they received their very special warm welcome -- Pattaya style!

On 15th June 2009 many Pattaya political figures and officials joined the crowds in a concerted clean-up campaign to reduce the spread of Swine Flu and restore confidence in the city.

It was the first day of the big clean up for Government offices, private companies, business buildings, shops, restaurants and bars throughout the city.

Mr. Sehnee Jitkasem, the Chonburi governor, Mr. Warut Jirasetsiri, the Chonburi public health doctor, Mr. Ittipol Kunpluem, Pattaya city mayor, and many other officials donned their boots and with brushes in hand performed synchronized scrubbing of Walking Street and the roads nearby. As an extra bonus to the PR operation, the Grammy Entertainment Company provided 2 of their recording artists to front the clean up.

Mr. Sehnee said that to preclude the influenza A (H1N1) virus from spreading any further, everyone had to co-operate and endeavour to keep their environment clean.

Government officials, for their part,'ll be keeping their eyes on schools, crowded locations and other environments where the virus could be spread more easily.

Chonburi government officials offered words of advice on how individuals able to take proper concern of themselves. They recommend that anyone who develops a fever or the symptoms of flu should stay home, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, eat great food and wear a face mask.

Meanwhile, Mr. Suphan Sithamma of the Public Health Ministry announced that a letter was to be sent to provincial health and hospital officials ordering them not to speak directly to the media or the public about the Swine Flu in their districts. All information concerning the number of cases and details about the patients must now be sent directly to the health authorities in Bangkok for further dissemination to the media and public, effectively imposing a gagging order. The move is intended to prevent public anxiety over the spread of the virus which has now infected 201 persons in Thailand. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged everyone to remain calm, and to remember that the virus has a very low fatality rate.

Pattaya is only the most famous of the beaches in Chonburi province. Its wild hedonism contrasts with the more sedate atmosphere of a number of different seaside resorts e.g. Bangsaen, and the island of Ko Si Chang, which attract primarily Thai vacationers. Beaches near to Pattaya, such as Jomtien and Naklua, are cleaner and more conducive to enjoyment of water sports, while still allowing easy access to the nightlife, entertainment, golf courses, dive shops and numerous other attractions of Pattaya Beach.