"Pattaya Beach" Pattaya by earthflyer

Pattaya
Located just 145 km southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya can be visited on a day trip from the capital, although most visitors are so enchanted by the variety of things to do and see that even a week's stay doesn't seem long enough.

Colorful and alive with activity, Pattaya is unrivaled as a beach resort. It is in a class of its own, offering more attractions in greater profusion than any other single destination in Southeast Asia. Day and night, it presents an ever changing kaleidoscope of fun and thrills.

Facing a wide bay and a long majestic sweep of beach, Pattaya has been groomed over more than three decades for the international visitor, and today, it boasts the unique distinction of a beach resort with city status. Where most other resorts rely simply on their natural surroundings, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything in an exhaustive mix of facilities.

Pattaya can be whatever you want it to be. Such is its variety that it is ideal for all kinds of visitors. While there is plenty to keep the children happily occupied, there is also everything for the sports enthusiast, for couples of all ages seeking rest and relaxation, and for those who are simply looking for good times in the sun. After dark Pattaya really comes alive and the city takes on a party atmosphere which lasts until the early hours.

Pattaya's main attractions are its beaches. Pattaya Beach is situated along the central city in close proximity to shopping, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches.

Most sections of the beach are covered by rented deckchairs run by local beverage vendors during daylight hours so finding an available spot of sand is rather difficult and also unadvisable due to the poor condition (dog faeces etc.) of the beach. Visitors are advised to avoid the beach after dark. Although the Beach Road itself is busy and brightly lit, some criminal elements find the unlit beach useful as a cover for their activities. The local police have started to target this area in various ongoing clampdowns.

Pattaya

Jomtien Beach - Pattaya
Jomtien Beach is divided from the main part of Pattaya by Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city. In contrast to Pattaya Beach, Jomtien is a popular spot for family vacationers and watersports enthusiasts. Jomtien is essentially a residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. A wide array of watersport activities can be found, including jet-skis, para-sailing and scuba diving. Dongtan beach, in Jomtien, is known as the gay beach, and is busy every day of the year.