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The beach town Pattaya is one of the most westernised places in Thailand. It also has a rather up-front sex industry in many areas. Authorities has in latter years made efforts to "clean up", without notable success.
But you can choose to avoid the sleazier parts. Pattaya offers plenty of alternatives. World class golf courses are available and scuba diving is popular. Pattaya is also a centre for seafood.
If you want to party you have come to the right place. Prices are low and you will find everything from modern disco's, traditional pubs and hip clubs to open beer-bars and strip joints (go-go bars). People from all walks of life and of all ages are represented by those who frequents the Pattaya nightlife and party crowds.
In the last couple of years, Pattaya has taken over somewhat from Bangkok in the night life sector. Bangkok has become more expensive, whereas Pattaya remains cheap.
There is a plethora of restaurants and all corners of the world are represented. Remember that in Thailand many good restaurants are situated in the larger hotels, and very nice buffet's at low prices are common. Many restaurants have specials on certain days, check the Pattaya Mail and the widely available free tourist maps, brochures and magasines on offer.
Activities includes go-cart (also for younger children), windsurfing, waterski and waterjet, parasailing, tennis, bowling and riding.
There are many hotels
and resorts in and around town. Many conventions and fairs are held here,
in addition to the many tourists who visits every year. The city is rarely
fully booked, even if you sometimes may have to be content with something
else than your first choice if you arrive in the middle of the high season
without a booking.
A standard room (TV, minibar, roomservice, aircon, frequently swimming pool)
in a centrally located hotel costs from around 700 Baht per night. More luxurious
alternatives are still inexpensive compared to the west.
Jomtien and north Naklua are more quiet than Pattaya. If you want a holiday with easy access to western food and all conveniences at hand then Pattaya may be the place for you.
There are several good hospitals in town where the staff is used to dealing with foreigners.
When the new main airport
south of Bangkok opens up the travel time to Pattaya will be short. Today,
it takes about 2 - 3 hours from Don Muang International airport with a taxi
of minivan. A taxi should cost no more than 2.000 Baht, and if you bargain
the amount down to 1.200 - 1.500 Baht you have done well. A tollway fee of
about 120 Baht comes extra.
You can also travel by bus. The airport bus will bet you downtown, buses to
Pattaya leaves from the southern busstation at Ekamai. The BTS skytrain has
a stop here.
Buses to Pattaya departs from many other cities, check at your local busstation,
and try to get a direct route. Changing buses in Bangkok means you have to
get from the northern terminal to Ekamai yourself.