Pattaya – Thailand’s Playground
For tourists visiting Thailand, there are many things to do in Pattaya from sightseeing tours, nightlife, shopping and other activities. Although the beaches may not be as pretty as some other parts of Thailand, they bustle with activity and are great places for people watching. If you are a fan of water sports, there is no better place than one of the beaches to try your hand at something new. The facilities are excellent and prices more affordable than you will find elsewhere in the world.  Pattaya
nightlife is well known
throughout the world, for its go-go bars, discos, massage parlours and ‘friendly’ girls. Soi 13 to 16 in the South is where you will find the most action that is oriented towards tourists. At night, this stretch is closed to traffic and becomes the infamous
Walking Street
where raunchy and rowdy behaviour is perfectly acceptable. The girls on the street are so approachable that they will soon make any traces of shyness vanish. Whether you want to visit the street for sightseeing or take a more active interest in what is on offer, it should be on your list of ‘been there, done that’. Besides this, there are also transvestite shows that provide a bit of glitz and glamour. The cabaret shows at Tiffany’s and Alcazar are a part of most tourist itineraries.
Besides the nightlife, this fun city has many attractions for tourists who are interested in learning and experiencing the culture of Thailand. There are tourist attractions to suit almost any traveller’s interest. These include beaches, temples, gardens, an elephant village, a crocodile farm, theme parks, museums and botanical gardens. For travellers with children, there are many fun, family oriented options. You can get acquainted with the religion and culture of Thailand by visiting one of the Buddhist temples in and around the city. The most popular ones are Wat Chai Mongkon and Wat Phra Yai (also known as Buddha Hill temple). Tour operators offer several sightseeing tours which take you through the best of what the city and its surrounding areas have to offer. Some attractions can be covered with half day tours, while others that are located further away are usually full day trips. Options for half day tours include Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, Elephant Village, Crocodile Farm, submarine tour and Underwater World. Other places of interest such as visits to islands such as Koh Larn or Koh Samet and the Sriracha Tiger Zoo will take a full day.  Besides activities, attractions and culture, this resort also has its fair share of
shopping malls and market stalls.
While there may be more variety for high end shopping in Bangkok and better local crafts in other places such as Chiang Mai, you will still find Pattaya Shopping satisfying whether you are looking for designer wear or souvenirs from the stalls along the beach front.
A main factor that makes this place such a common destination on the itineraries of most tourists visiting Thailand is its proximity to Bangkok. When you look at the map of Thailand to try to figure out how to get to Pattaya you will realize how close the two cities are. It is just a two hour drive from Bangkok, if you hire a car from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Buses leave at half hour intervals from Sukhumvit Soi 63 and there are also some long distance buses from the Eastern Bus Terminal, Ekamai. Another option is to take a flight from Suvarnabhumi to U-Tapao airport in Sattahip, then a 45 minute taxi drive into Pattaya. While Pattaya has much to offer, it really depends on what you want to do while on vacation. Even if you primarily want to spend your time playing golf or scuba diving, or have a relaxing time at a seaside resort, there are many attractions on the side such as tours, entertainment and shopping that can make your holiday a memorable one. Pattaya is relatively easy to get around. All you need when you reach the city is a Pattaya map in hand, and you will be ready to explore the city’s beaches, attractions and entertainment. You will be assured of a relaxed holiday of sun, sand, and sights like no other destination can offer.
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