Are you dreaming of a Bangkok getaway? Feeling the need for sand between your toes? Or seeking an excellent destination for fantastic food and frivolous fun to freshen up your life? Pattaya offers all that and more.
Just two hours drive from Bangkok, this vibrant coastal city is known for its beautiful beaches, entertainment and energetic nightlife, and fabulous fresh seafood. And there are loads of activities, from water sports, theme parks, bustling markets, cultural attractions, and inspiring day trips. It's little wonder this popular destination also appeals to foreigners moving to Thailand and international tourists.
This article provides an overview of the best beaches in Pattaya, starting from the north. And as Pattyaya's beaches all face to the west, sunsets are always part of your routine.
Wong Amat Beach
Just over 1km long, Wong Amat Beach is more secluded and quieter than the nearby Pattaya Beach. People seeking a chilled, relaxed atmosphere away from noisy water-based activities, yet still with restaurants and some amenities, enjoy Wong Amat. Couples and families enjoy playing in the sand, basking in the sun or taking in a beach club vibe. Many expats living in Pattaya chose Wong Amat, as it offers an excellent range of condos to suit any budget.
Pattaya Beach
Undoubtedly, Pattaya Beach is the most popular and lively. The four-kilometre crescent-shaped beach has something for everyone. As well as sunbathing and frolicking in the ocean, people enjoy jet skiing, parasailing and the frivolous fun of banana boats. Enjoy a beach massage, haggle with vendors selling sarongs, jewellery, and T-shirts, or grab a snack or ice cream. The northern end of the beach is a little quieter. Running along the beachfront, Beach Road is alive with restaurants, bars, massage shops, beachwear stores, resorts and Central Shopping Mall.
Cosy Beach
As the name suggests, Cosy Beach is a small, quiet bay with leafy Pratamnak Hill as the backdrop. This family-friendly beach has kayaks, standup paddleboards, and low-key activities. Pratamnak has some excellent restaurants and bars with fantastic ocean views. Many expats have delightful holiday homes in this lush headland. On the southern end, the newly opened Kliff Beach Club could be a great place to retreat for those sundowner cocktails.
Dongtan Beach
Situated north of Jomtien Beach, this golden sandy beach with turquoise waters is backed with palms. It offers sunbeds, umbrellas, and a relaxed, more peaceful vibe. You can enjoy beach walking, building sandcastles, a massage, beach volleyball or some water sports. Several beachside cafes and restaurants offer excellent Thai cuisine. One part of the beach is also popular with LGBT people. The Songteaw, a public bus from central Pattaya, goes along Thepprasit Road to the beach, providing easy and inexpensive transport.
Jomtien Beach 
One of the most popular beaches in Pattaya, Jomtien, joins Dongtan Beach and runs a further six kilometres south. Fringed with palms and with bars and restaurants on the beachfront lane, it is quieter than Pattaya Beach. It is a hotspot for windsurfing, kiteboarding, catamaran sailing, or simply lolling about on sun loungers. Being accessible by Songteaw is another bonus. Jomtien also has several condos and is popular with holidaymakers and expats.
Bang Saray
Around 20 km south of central Pattaya is Bang Saray Beach, a former pirate's enclave. It remains a hideaway beside the quaint Thai fishing village of Bang Sare, with authentic Thai restaurants and a laid-back character. However, scuba diving and snorkelling are available here, including exploring the remnants of a ship sunk in WWII. If you are considering buying property in Thailand, this area offers some fantastic condos and luxury pool villas.
Koh Larn
Also called Coral Island can be reached by public ferry or a 20-minute speedboat ride from Bali Hai Pier at the end of Pattaya Beach. Koh Larn is a delightful island with plenty of lovely beaches, small villages, restaurants, bars and a range of smaller hotels and guesthouses. The waters are cleaner, and snorkelling or taking a glass bottom boat provides an insight into sea life. It feels a world away for Pattaya and is popular on weekends and holidays.
Pattaya has beckoned beach and nature lovers for decades since becoming popular in the 1970s. It has grown rapidly over the years and boasts a solid infrastructure for locals, visitors and foreigners living in Thailand.
An Investment Rich and Go-ahead Region
This eastern coastal region in which Pattaya sits as an important city is also home to the Eastern Economic Corridor or ECC. The EEC is a massive public-private initiative that provides exciting opportunities for commercial and business enterprises, particularly in the high-tech sectors. Given the investment happening in the EEC, infrastructure is also moving ahead, with a well-maintained motorway from Bangkok already in place. A new high-speed rail service is in the final planning stages, and upgrades to Utapao International Airport are already happening.
When it comes to buying property in Pattaya, contact our Lazudi team. We have an excellent range, from well-designed studios and condos with breathtaking sea views to luxury villas and houses in peaceful rural settings.
