Bangkok is home to around 15 percent of Thailand’s population and a tourist mecca, welcoming over 22 million visitors from all corners of the world in 2019. This cosmopolitan city offers a unique blend of cultural tradition and modern lifestyle, fantastic eating from long-established street food stalls to world-class international cuisines, magnificent ornate temples and intriguing history, shopping in gritty street markets, and glitzy shopping malls, efficient commuter systems, a huge Chinatown and entertainment galore. It’s a bustling city, open 24 / 7.

So, to help those living in ‘The Big Mango’, we continue the Bangkok Escape series, and our focus for this article is Pattaya.Pattaya – International Coastal Resort
Located on the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya, can trace its popularity as a coastal resort back to the late 1960s and more fully in the mid to late 1970s. Internationally recognised, Pattaya attracts visitors from across the world, which in 2019 topped nearly 10 million.

It now has the infrastructure for this volume of visitors. Let’s quickly tally off some of these, starting with water sports, including windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming or day-tripping to nearby islands, and has excellent sailing infrastructure. Cycling, go-karting, Muay Thai, skydiving, plus 20 golf courses in the greater region. Plus, family-oriented recreational facilities, including international theme parks. Add to that excellent shopping and a broad selection of Thai and international eating options, and even a superb vineyard round the list out.

Getting There and Around
Driving from Bangkok is an easy two hours thank to the Bangkok−Ban Chang or M7 Motorway to Pattaya, with spur roads branching off to coastal communities, benefiting the southern towns of Na Jomtien, Baan Amphur and Bang Saray greatly. Bus or minivan departing from various locations in Bangkok are also options.

A new high-speed rail connection is projected to occur from 2025, linking Bangkok’s two major airports — Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang with U-Tapao airport in Rayong Province, with Pattaya one of only three additional stops along this new line.

Songthaews run on established routes; however, they may not always be convenient to where you are staying. Taxis are readily available, and you can easily rent a motorbike. This link shows the main baht bus routes. And if current proposals receive approval. Pattaya may see a elevated train line linking the new Pattaya high-speed rail hub in Nong Prue to Pattaya City, with projected completion in 2026. All parts of the new infrastructure connected to the EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) and the changing face of Pattaya.Understanding ‘Pattaya’
Strictly speaking, Pattaya is Central Pattaya, North Pattaya, which includes Naklua and Wongamat and East Pattaya, which is east of Sukhumvit Road from central Pattaya. For this article, we will refer to a ‘greater Pattaya’ area focused on the coastal strip stretching some 30 km from Naklua and Wongamat in the north to Baan Amphur and Bangsaray in the south. We will not touch on East Pattaya as it’s more long term residential.

The long coastal stretch is where people are looking for their weekend getaways or more extended city escapes. And the great news is there is something for everyone along this vast coastal strip. Here’s a brief overview to help you select the locale to match your needs.

North Pattaya, covering the Naklua and Wongamat districts, attracts families, older people and those who value a more leisurely lifestyle. High-rise condo buildings and international brand hotels dominate and are mainly along the coastline. There are no large shopping centers, but cafes, bars, restaurants and general stores are available. Taxis or your own transport is needed to get around, as public transport (songthaew) routes are limited.

Central Pattaya (or Pattaya City) is the epicenter of entertainment and nightlife, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, tailors, major shopping centers, many hotels and resorts, and the famous Walking Street. With a constant hum of people and traffic, it is popular for those seeking a lively holiday or short break. The more than 3 km long Pattaya Beach and Beach Road with its pedestrian esplanade are focal points, as is Bali Hai Pier for day trips to the islands. Songthaews (local baht buses) ply this area, so getting around the strip is easy and inexpensive.

Pratumnak Hill is immediately south of Pattaya Beach and one of Pattaya’s more elite and expensive locations. Boasting sea views, a green, leafy neighborhood, no big shopping centers, excellent restaurants, gyms, massage salons, ‘soft’ entertainment, and exclusive hotels. Private Condos and Condotels are the styles of accommodation found here, and if you have your own transport, it is under 10 mins drive to Central Pattaya. The Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC), the home of sailing for many junior to experienced adult sailors, also calls Pratumnak home.

Continuing south are the beach regions of Jomtien and Na Jomtien. These very popular communities boast near 6 km of continuous beach. These two neighborhoods have a mix of condos, resorts and gated communities, with good eating options though limited nightlife. The long beachfront esplanade makes for easy beach access. Deck chairs, umbrellas and seafood restaurants are a drawcard, as are the water activities. Songthaews from Central Pattaya travel as far as Na Jomtien. However, your own transport makes getting around easier.

Baan Amphur and Bangsaray, whilst not part of the Pattaya municipality, lead on from Na Jomtien. Gated communities are popular, while tourism infrastructure has increased significantly over the last few years. Bangkokians have excellent access to this most southern section of Greater Pattaya thanks to a spur road connecting with Motorway 7. The largest marina in the Gulf of Thailand, Ocean Marina Yacht Club and Ocean Marina is found here. The Yacht Club hosts several international yachting events while the marina is the base for sailing down the coast to the islands off Rayong and beyond.

Where to Stay
Given the breadth of development all along this coastal strip, you need to choose your preferred location, based on the facilities and services you are after, and then pick your lodgings. Perhaps a guesthouse, an intimate family resort, a condo with sea views, a villa with a private pool, or a luxury resort hotel suite. You are spoilt for choice. All of the big brand hotels and resorts are present, and loads of high quality smaller operators as well.

What to do in Pattaya
Given the popularity of this international tourist destination, it’s hard to pinpoint what isn’t available. For many, simply frolicking in the water, lounging on a deck chair, savoring delicious Thai food, taking a few selfies at the seaside are significant temptations. And because of the pandemic, the beaches are less crowded and much cleaner, so take your pick.

Many family-friendly attractions include water parks, animal parks and zoos, aquariums, Columbia Pictures Aquaverse / Cartoon Network Amazone (although currently closed for Covid), Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens or perhaps ziplining, buggy riding or mini-golf.

The Sanctuary of Truth, Naklua, a massive monument of intricately carved teak, with artisans working onsite, is a must-visit, as is Wat Phra Yai, Big Buddha, an 18-meter tall golden statue atop Pratumnak Hill with beautiful views over Pattaya.Koh Larn (Coral Island), just 30 minutes by speedboat, has delightful white-sand beaches, all sorts of water sports, including underwater Sea Walking. Koh Samet offers a tranquil getaway, with tropical waters and delicious local food, great combinations for relaxing. Inhabited islands can be reached by ferry service, others by day trips or charters, leaving from Bali Hai Pier or Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Pattaya hosts many national events like Songkran in April and Loy Krathong in November, plus much more specific to Pattaya. Consider timing your break with the Top of the Gulf Regatta in April, a colorful sailing spectacle with local and international sailors competing over a week of organised ocean sailing. Or run in the annual Pattaya Marathon, which attracts thousands of people. Watch the unique Buffalo Racing Festival in Chonburi, or feel the buzz of local and international-level motorsport events. Marvel as the sky lights up with the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival held in November or celebrate at Pattaya New Year’s Countdown. This Pattaya Events Calendar will provide some additional ideas.

Property
Within a couple of hours drive from Bangkok, you can have your feet up with a cool drink by the pool. For this reason, some people choose to have a holiday home in Pattaya, with condos being the most sought after. And why not? With so many housing options in Pattaya, a weekend recharge can become a regular thing.

Some are even finding they can work from their second home in Pattaya and commute to Bangkok as needed. With 12 well established and highly regarded International Schools in Pattaya, access to education for families seeing Pattaya as a long term option have quite a choice.

Another consideration is the EEC or Eastern Economic Corridor that will see selected regions of the eastern seaboard both north and south of Pattaya continue to develop. This means further targeted infrastructure and high-tech development being added to the area. Real estate demand will continue as greater Pattaya continues to grow. Now might be the time to check it out. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Pattaya – a Great Bangkok Getaway
Just a two-hour drive from Bangkok, Pattaya is an easy city escape. With the diversity of choice from beach regions, accommodation options, entertainment, and so much more, it’s easy to see why greater Pattaya is a favored getaway destination for Bangkok residents.Read more articles about Bangkok’s gateway series: