Life in Thailand: Pattaya Beach: Daytime Activities

[Top] [Outdoor Adventures] [Indoor Activities]

Pattaya Beach shoreline in the morning light

Pattaya has long reveled in its reputation as a beachside party town, attracting those individuals seeking dusk-till-dawn parties, go-go bars and general redlight district activity. Indeed, when Tiger first arrived in Thailand in 2011, many Thai people encouraged him to NOT visit Pattaya, and instead go for a more local area: "check out Huahin. Or, if you must head towards Pattaya, visit Chonburi or Jomtien instead!"

Perhaps Pattaya's infamy is well-deserved. Perhaps it is not. A tourist's experience in a place is really up to the choices said tourist makes - what to visit, where to eat, what activities to try - and these days, visitor demographics are changing (China is on the rise!), with many families also choosing Pattaya as a vacation destination. On top of this, the city has been trying to improve its image to attract "higher quality" tourists. For now, the effort appears to be slowly paying off.

Today we'll look at what activities are available around Pattaya beach during daylight hours! But first, some history and general information.

Where it all began
The small fishing village of Pattaya slowly grew in popularity and fame beginning in the 1960s, when US soldiers - supporting the Vietnam war from several bases in eastern Thailand - began regularly visiting the town during their free time.

Random side note. Tiger was at a function in rural eastern Thailand several years back for which many notable people from the local area were in attendance. Everyone smiled and was very friendly, but almost no one spoke more than a word of English. Suddenly, a very elderly gentleman appeared in front of Tiger; rather than "wai"-ing (putting the hands together and bowing slightly, a traditional form of greeting in Thailand), this man held out his hand, and with a firm handshake asked me my name and where I was from. As it turned out, this gentleman drove supply trucks in coordination with some of these American soldiers for a number of years and picked up the language in the process. It's a small world, after all!

These days, Pattaya is known more as a small resort city and is located about 145 km (90 miles) to the southeast of Bangkok (see map below). Either of two highway systems allow for a relatively smooth two-hour drive from the center of Bangkok to the town (a small airport is also located nearby for a quick flight to and from the capitol). On the weekends, traffic becomes more congested as the regular Bangkokians leave the city for the beach or other destinations in the Rayong province. At these times, Tiger and Bird would recommend taking the Bangna-Chonburi Expressway as the faster alternative to the Bangkok-Chonburi tollway.

Most of the drive from Bangkok to Pattaya is spent on the highway, which in Thailand is literally a high way: a toll route that is elevated about five stories (15m, 50ft) above ground level. Once the highway ends, fast-moving local roads make up the remainder of the journey. Traffic around the Pattaya beach area will slow to a crawl during peak hours, so Tiger and Bird recommend driving in the area in the early mornings or afternoons for a better experience.

Pattaya beach is highly developed and perhaps somewhat similar to the boardwalks found in the United States. Ocean waves crash on white sand before a shore lined with trees and a concrete walking path. Here, during the heat of the day, vendors will sell snacks and drinks, and hawkers their trinkets. After this is a frontage road, the aptly-named "Beach Road" (see photo 1, below). Opposite the beach are restaurants, bars, massage parlours, hotels, hostels, and other touristy establishments vying to attract visitors. Of most note here is Central Festival Pattaya Beach, a large, modern shopping complex that houses the Hilton Pattaya and numerous popular fashion shops and eateries.

Strolling south along the 3km Beach Road, one eventually reaches the beginning of Walking Street at its southern end (see photo 2). Traffic along this road can be an absolute nightmare, with all manner of vehicles and pedestrians causing bottlenecks even at the best of times. If driving along this road, be sure to arrive early!

Photo 1. Frontage road beside Pattaya Beach. Photo 2. The entrance to Walking Street

Outdoor Adventures
[Top] [Outdoor Adventures] [Indoor Activities]
Pattaya beach gets plenty of sun during the day, and many tourists choose to lounge around in the hot white sand. Nearby, various vendors typically set up umbrella camps and then rent out seats to those who wish to avoid the intense tropic sun. Other hawkers tout jetski rentals or massages on the beach. Although tempting, Tiger and Bird would advise against swimming in the waters of Pattaya bay. Not only are numerous watercraft zipping around this way and that right off the shoreline, but jellyfish are often present in the waters as well. This can result in a sharp stinging sensation while swimming in the warm waters that isn't all that pleasant! So there is the beach- but there is also so much more!

Powered hang glider trike flying over the bay

Tiger and Bird like to think of themselves as adventurers on some level. Travel, after all, is all about experiences! Some good, some bad (don't these turn into good stories, though?), and the diamond-in-the-rough thoroughly-sanook (fun) experience. To this end, Pattaya beach has a number of aerial activities that tourists might enjoy.

Hang Glider Trike. This is basically a tiny, two-person powered glider with a triangular fixed wing (see the header photo above for this section). The advantage of this small craft is its ability to fly low over the bay in a relatively stable manner, allowing for great photographs. Several companies and licensed individuals offer their services in this area. Book ahead for best rates. No guarantees, but for what it's worth, we've heard good things about a local pilot nicknamed "Dream"- his current website is listed here: flywithdream.com
Paramotors. A paramotor is a relatively slow-moving powered paraglider. Can be great fun to take these for an early morning flight around Pattaya beach! Again, multiple operators offer services in this area. Book ahead for best rates.
Skydiving. Not in Pattaya proper, per se, since there is no dropsite in the area. However, roundtrip transportation and skydiving opportunities are available through several operators nearby (one in Rayong, another in Chonburi). The price of ฿12,000 ($400 US) per person isn't exactly cheap, but definitely more affordable than similar options in Western countries!

Parasailing back and forth around a "mothership" (ie one large pontoon boat used for launching the parasailors)

Aquatic activities also abound. Thailand is in the tropics, after all, so getting into the water can be wonderful when the intense rays of the sun become a bit too much!

Jetski rental. Perhaps you would like to zip around the bay in a jetski? You sure can do! But also be careful here. Many legitimate organizations exist to provide jetski rentals. However, well-known scams also revolve around this type of business. Be sure to talk with your hotel to find out which jetski rental will be best for you!
Parasailing. Pattaya beach is a rather crowded area, so one typically will take off from one of the pontoon boat "motherships" floating in the bay (as seen the above photo). Note that the sport is high adrenaline - and not without its own safety risks - but remains relatively affordable at about ฿1,200 ($40 US) per 20-30 minute period. During peak hours, several dozen boats may be actively pulling parasailing tourists around the bay. Talk with your resort about finding the best operator for you.
Scuba Diving. Aquatic life, coral reefs and the wreck of the WW2-era HTMS Khram (formerly the USS LSM-469) can all be seen just outside of Pattaya bay! Please note that from our experience, the coral reefs tend to be underwhelming when compared with the Similan Islands or other similar locations. For scuba diving, Tiger and Bird strongly recommend going with a PADI-licensed operator (and consider avoiding undersea walking tours). Scuba Dawgs is a professional organization that fits the bill; visit them online at www.scubadawgspattaya.com. They offer both diving courses and ocean dives off of Pattaya, with options for both beginners and experienced divers.
Boat Charters. Want to take a catamaran out for a few hours? Go for a day of deep sea fishing on a yacht? All of these options and more are available for higher prices than the previous activities. However, if you're part of a large group and want to charter a yacht for a day of snorkeling and jet skiing, this may be just right for you! If you really want to splurge, you could also opt for a seven day cruise around Thailand's islands. For a better idea of the possibilities, you may want to peruse Pattaya Yacht Charters' suggestions, available here: pattayayachtcharters.com/our-charters

----
All of these options sound exotic and exciting, but sometimes Tiger and Bird just like to opt for the tried, true, and underrated part of vacation- actual rest and relaxation. Why not take a stroll along the waterfront? Pattaya definitely has personality (see the monster truck equipped with its own speaker array in Photo 1, below). Sure, the hawkers and tuk tuk drivers can be somewhat aggressive, but with a smile and a polite decline they leave the passerby well enough alone.

Central Festival Pattaya shopping mall, located halfway down the frontage road and just opposite the beach, provides all the comforts of a modern shopping complex that international travelers are accustomed to. If it gets too hot, stop by, grab quality international food and enjoy the air conditioning. Otherwise, sipping a coconut smoothie - or something more adult in nature - and taking in some sun on the beach or simply people watching along the street can be sanook (fun) as well!

Hike up Phratamnak hill to the Pattaya City sign. The huge Pattaya City sign at the southern end of the beach is a wonderful lookout point over Pattaya bay. If you have energy to burn, consider taking the 2km hike from the entrance to Walking Street! Otherwise, grab a taxi to the park located on the top of the hill and walk down to the sign. The hilltop park is mostly deserted - yet safe; mostly surrounding by luxury hotels - and quite lovely, reminiscent to Tiger and Bird of similar parks found in Singapore. Photo 2, above, is the view from the park while looking down the main road leading up to the hilltop. On the other side of the partially finished apartment building on the left is Pattaya bay. Photo 3, also above, shows people walking around at the base of the sign.

Pattaya beach and harbor as viewed from the "Pattaya" sign on Phratamnak hill

Finally, the view makes it all worthwhile (see the above photo). The hustle and bustle of Pattaya bay is now spread out before you! The sign has a large concrete deck in front of it that acts as a viewpoint for the bay. Whenever Tiger and Bird visit the sign, there are always a few tourists who straggle in and out, but for the most part, this place remains relatively unexplored by the general tourist population. Come here on a clear day for some magnificent shots of the bay! And be sure to take that perfect Facebook profile photo you've been looking for.

Visit Koh Larn

Popular beachside resort near Tawaen pier on the island of Koh Larn

An island retreat with many white sand beaches is just a ferry ride away from Pattaya beach! While the experience on Koh Samed is better, Koh Larn really has much to offer for those seeking a day on a tropical island. The largest beaches located near the main island piers (Tawaen, Harbour Island) are generally filled with hordes of tourists exploring the island as part of larger tour groups. However, by taking one of the songtaews (in this case, green pickup trucks that have been outfitted with benches and are used as taxis), access to some of the more secluded beaches are readily available. Tiger mentioned earlier that swimming on Pattaya beach may not be the best idea. However, swimming on Koh Larn can be quite enjoyable.

Tiger and Bird would usually go into more detail here, but for now, stay tuned! Our post on Koh Larn will be coming out next month!

How to reach Koh Larn
Walking. The South Pattaya Pier is accessed by continuing along Walking Street for about 1km while following the shoreline. Many signs indicate where the pier is located.
Driving. Parking is available nearby through the municipal parking lot. Note that this parking garage fills up FAST! Another large area at the base of the hill - about 500m from the pier - can be found by continuing along the frontage road towards the lighthouse. Here, locals collect about ฿100 ($3 US) in exchange for parking for the day.

What if it rains?
[Top] [Outdoor Adventures] [Indoor Activities]

Art in Paradise. Yikes! A real, live shark!

When it does rain, it pours. This is the tropics, after all, and weather in Thailand will fluctuate between a scheduled downpour - every. single. day. - during the rainy season to mostly sunshine - NEVER rain - at the opposite extreme during the cooler dry season. Therefore, if you're experiencing rain, you must have arrived at some point during the rainy season. Pattaya does offer some indoor activities which Tiger and Bird have enjoyed during downpours.

Indoor Activities around Pattaya beach

Art in Paradise touts itself as the "largest 3D arts museum in the world" and can be a great option for families and those who like to take photographs (see the shark "scaring" the young girl in the above photo). Various exhibits range from paintings that look as if they are coming alive to more traditional optical illusions; kids of all ages and sizes can clamber around while posing for photographs. The museum gets very busy during the afternoon, so come early for the best experience! Located 600m from the northern end of Pattaya beach. Opens at 9am and costs about ฿400 ($15 US) per person.

Thai Massage. A visit to Thailand is never complete without experiencing a Thai massage! Painful yet satisfying, the Thai massage is something of a right of passage for all tourists arriving in the country. Better yet, wait until your feet are sore and your legs are tired from walking before stopping by. For those more faint of heart, go for the foot massage instead. You won't regret it! Oh, side note: when selecting a massage parlour, make to sure to avoid dark places in alleyways. Most decent (legitimate?) massage shops will have large windows and be brightly lit in their welcome area.

Tiger and Bird always recommend "Health Land" as a reputable, well-priced option for Thai and foot massages! One branch is located about 1km from the northern end of Pattaya beach on North Pattaya Road. Call ahead! They may be fully booked.

Central Festival Pattaya. Already introduced, but to quote from above: "a large, modern shopping complex that houses the Hilton Pattaya and numerous popular fashion shops and eateries." Central is also located opposite the beach and ocean along Beach Road, so some said eateries have ocean views from their tables (including one KFC at the 5th floor of the mall). Free parking - limited to two hours - is available.

Terminal 21 Pattaya. Brand new project, slated to officially open on October 19, 2018. This developer's malls are ALWAYS worth a visit. Terminal 21 is the one place where you can visit up to 6 countries without leaving the building: the mall has a general airport theme, with each of the 6 floors is designed to match a different country. This is also the only establishment for which Tiger and Bird will recommend that you visit each and every bathroom (to check out their unique location design themes)! Can be especially sanook (fun) for families with kids. Good for shopping and eateries with decent international fare. Located 600m from the northern end of Pattaya beach. Free parking is available.

Hilton Pattaya. There are many five star resorts in the area with wonderful ambience and impeccable views of the ocean. Tiger and Bird will cover these at a later time. Along Pattaya beach, for a more romantic experience, the views and atmosphere from the Hilton Pattaya are unrivaled. From the shelter of enclosed and partially enclosed restaurants, one can observe all of Pattaya bay rain or shine.

Drift Restaurant. Food mainly consists of starters and snacks. Drinks - alcoholic and otherwise - are available, as well as a special tea set in the early afternoon. Tiger always recommends the mango smoothie! The view from here can be quite nice, and the ambience is decent as evening sets in (in the photo below, Tiger and Bird retreated here as an afternoon rainstorm approached). Prices are high relative to more local establishments, but that is to be expected.

Horizon Restaurant & Bar. 34th floor rooftop restaurant that yields wonderful panoramic views of Pattaya beach. Dress code is smart casual (no activewear or swimwear; guys need long pants with shoes). Prices are fairly high, as is normal among higher-end restaurants, with a dinner in the ฿1,500 ($50 US) range and cocktail prices at about ฿350 ($12 US). Stop by for drinks during happy hour and then stick around to enjoy the sunset to minimize costs!

The various restaurants in Hilton Pattaya provide a spectacular view of the waterfront. Just note that there is a dress code!

----
That's all for today folks! Tiger and Bird have always maintained lists of adventures and things to do for when friends and family visit Thailand, so this post was mostly just transcribing some of those writeups onto the website. We hope that you find this information helpful for your next trip out to Pattaya!

----