Pattaya City is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand about 170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. It ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with over five million visitors a year.

Pattaya was simply a small fishing village until it was discovered as a beach resort by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighboring Rayong province began using the area for (rest and recreation) causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis. However, modern mass tourism brought a new lease of life to Pattaya.

The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self administrating municipality governed by a Council manager government. In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, and more family focused entertainment is increasingly available. The core sex industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most renowned party destinations.

In 2005, more than 35,000 hotel rooms were available in Pattaya and have seen a large increase in family tourism. It’s especially popular with families from Europe, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Pattaya also has a large international expatriate population, especially British, German and Russian residents.

The long Beach Road is home to many luxury resort hotels, exclusive restaurants and shopping mails. There are many pubs and restaurants, entertainment venues, beer bars and street stalls.

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 water sports enthusiasts. Jomtien is essentially a residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. A wide array of water sport activities can be found, including jet skis, parasailing and small sail boat (Hobby Cat) rental. Dongtan Beach, just past the Avalon Beach Resort in Jomtien, is known as the gay beach and is busy every day of the year.

Jomtiens most visible landmark is the 56 story Pattaya Park tower, part of the Pattaya Park entertainment complex which also features a water park, roller coaster, monorail and children's activities. This may soon be overshadowed by the proposed 91 story Ocean 1 Tower with an overall height of 367 meters. Ocean 1 would be the tallest building in Thailand and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. The Jomtien district is already home to one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000 plus room, Ambassador City Jomtien.

Jomtien beach can be reached by songthaews, there is a direct route or you can change songthaews at the 2nd road intersection near walking street.

Koh Lan or (Coral Island) is a small island located 7.5 kilometers west of Pattaya. Koh Lan is accessible by speedboat and ferry. The ferry departs hourly throughout the day and is a 45 minute journey. Speedboats are more expensive and can reach the island in less than 15 minutes. Koh Lan has several beaches, which are known for their cleanliness, relaxing atmosphere, soft white sand, with crystal clear water and water sport activities.

Off Pattaya there are two small island groups; Near Islands (Koh Sak and Koh Krok) are located close to the northern shores of Pattaya, very near Koh Lan. The Far Islands (Koh Rin, Koh Man Wichai, Koh Hua Chang, and Koh Badan) are located offshore directly west of Pattaya. The islands, especially the Far Islands, are the primary scuba diving destinations in Pattaya.

To day there are many family attractions in Pattaya. The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Elephant Village, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park and Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya (world class aquarium), Alankarn cultural show, Bottle Art Museum, Mini Siam, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Sri Racha Tiger Zoo and amusement parks.

The Tourist Submarine takes customers underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. There are many boat trips from an hour to all day trips available, mostly leaving from Bali Hai Pier near walking street.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is located some 15 kilometers east of Pattaya. The 500 acre site has well maintained botanical gardens and an orchid nursery. Moreover the facility has lively cultural shows in a Thai village setting. In addition trained chimpanzees and elephants are seen at the garden. Wat Khao Phra Bat temple overlooking Pattaya Bay features a Buddha statue more than 18 meters tall.

The Sanctuary of Truth is an enormous hand caved wooden building, which is 105 meters high and 100 meters long is located at Rachvate Cape, Chon Buri Province. The sculpture and statues in this building are from ancient eastern philosophy about life relationship with universe and common goal of life towards utopia. Although the construction is still in progress, the building is open to the public. The entrance fee costs 500 Baht. The price may be high but it is worthwhile. Visitors can also rent a horse to ride around the site and do some sightseeing at the top of the hill.

In recent years many new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have opened up, which has helped in increasing the length of stay of visitors to the city. Among the shopping malls are Central Festival, Pattaya Second Road a large indoor mall anchored by a Big C, which also has a SF Cinema City branch. Hypermarkets Carrefour, Pattaya Central Road and intersection Pattaya Sukhumvit Road, Tesco Lotus, Pattaya North Road and Sukhumvit Road.

The Royal Garden Plaza, Beach Road is a three story indoor shopping mall with a Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, SF Multiplex cinema a Sizzler restaurant, Au Bon Pain, KFC, McDonald's, Auntie, Anne's Pretzels, ZEN Japanese restaurant, Swenson’s, Hagen Daz, Pizza Company, Deli de France and a large food court. The Marriott Hotel is adjacent. Further along beach road is the Mike Shopping Mall.

The Avenue, Second Road, (near the Royal Garden) features a 22 lane Bowling Alley, Au Bon Pain, Thanachart Bank, 8 Major Cineplex theatres, Boots, McDonald's, and California Wow! A major gym and fitness spa, Shenanigans Irish Pub, Iberry, Pizza Pizza, 20 Nails Spa, Starbucks, Kasikorn Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya, and a 24/7 Villa Market.

TukCom, Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya), is a 5 story large computer IT complex with a Tops supermarket in the basement. The ground floor has an assortment of restaurants, various small stalls and banks. The other floors consist of mobile phones, IT equipment and accessories.

Tops Supermarket complex on the right hand corner of second road and central road (Pattaya Klang) has a large bowling alley on the third floor and a snooker hall on the second floor along with several shops and restaurants.

On Sukhumvit Road, there is a large outlet mall next to Tesco Lotus selling discount clothing from many European and American companies. Pattaya also has many large home improvement stores including Home Mart, Home Works, Home Pro, Kenyon and True Value. The closest department store to Pattaya is Robinson's, located about 30 minutes away in Sri Racha.

There are several large night markets in different parts of the town. There are Thai markets at Soi bua kaow (South Pattaya) each Tuesday and Friday and on Naklua Road, (North Pattaya) on Mondays and Thursdays with a night market at the top of 2nd Road, close to the dolphin roundabout.

Pattaya offers every water and land based sporting activity you can think of, there are 21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya, fitness centers, spa and message, tennis courts, horse riding, bowling, fishing, sailing, scuba diving, paint ball parks, go kart racing and bunge jumping, the list is endless.

Alcazar and Tiffany's are top class cabaret venues in Pattaya featuring kathoeys (male to female transsexuals). Another important, but understated aspect of Pattaya is the international restaurants. Often run by expatriates, most offer food at prices far below those found in Bangkok, Samui or Phuket.

Pattaya is world renowned for its vibrant nightlife. The city has hundreds of beer bars, go-go bars, karaoke music halls, pubs, nightclubs and discotheques. The world famous Walking Street is the center of the Pattaya's nightlife, the most well known venues include Tony’s Marine Disco, X-Zyte, Lucifer, Hammer, Mixx and Hollywood. New clubs and bars are opening all the time.

The Hard Rock Hotel, Beach Road is famous for its foam parties and Hard Rock Cafe. The place to chill out is the new Minus 5 Ice Bar and supper club. The bar is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round.

Pattaya is 120 kilometers from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The journey by car or taxi takes less than 2 hours. Pattaya is also served through U-Tapao Airport which is 45 an minute drive from the city.

Until recently the only transport within town were private or shared songthaews and motorbike taxi. However, a public bus service begun in 2006 and a metered taxi service began in late 2007.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Large hospitals in the area include Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital, Banglamung Hospital, and Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Many foreign tourists have inexpensive dental and medical care in Pattaya.

Due to the large number of foreign residents, Pattaya boasts several expat clubs which have regular monthly or weekly meetings. Pattaya has a rotary club, international schools and an English Boarding school.

Pattaya offers a standard of hotels and accommodation for all tastes and budgets from luxury Spa Hotels and Spa Resorts, International Hotels some of the best in Thailand, Mid Range, and low cost Budget Hotels to simple accommodation costing 300-500 Baht a night.