Pattaya situated on the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand (140 km/100 miles southeast of Bangkok) is Thailand's most popular sun and sand destination with over one million Tha EFs and International visitors visiting it every year. The day can be spent on the beach or snorkeling, riding, water scooters, speed and jet boats etc. Try scuba diving, as most sites are just an hours boat ride away, Not too far in Pattaya Bay lies the popular Bremen wreck, a 300 foot boat sitting upright in about 25 meters of water and teeming with colorful coral fish.
At night Pattaya beach is the place to go; it is party time and the party goes on till the wee hours of the morning. Whether it is fine dining or dancing or an interesting bar the choice is endless. The most famous tourist entertainment is the transvestite shows, which are mounted on a spectacular scale.
Enjoy a bit of sightseeing. Visit Mini Siam a miniaturized town which features models of more than 80 places in Thailand including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Crocodile farm, with daily crocodile and magic shows. The Khao Khiew Zoo is an open Zoo where you can see over 50 species of Tropical birds and animals. You can even take a night Safari.
Visit the township of Si Racha for some mouth watering seafood at its seafront restaurants. Don't forget to sample its spicey chili dip, guaranteed to set you on fire!! Off the coast of Si Racha lie the ruins of King Rama V's summer Palace on a small island. On a rocky islet a little distance from the mainland is Koh Loy (floating island) with a Thai Chinese Buddhist Temple. Also interesting is the Si Racha Tiger Zoo (between Pattaya and Bang Saen) with its shows involving trainers, Bengal Tigers and crocodiles.
To sample the Thai way of life visit Bang Sean Beach on weekends or public holidays and join the locals in eating Barbeque chicken and sticky rice all washed down with coconut water or just take a ride on a banana boat. If you like elephants head for the Pattaya Elephant Village to see elephants perform tricks and play football.
On Sukhamvit Road near the entrance road to Bang Saen is the popular Nong Mon Market. Wander around and sample a wide range of local fresh produce, pick up some dried seafood, spicy steamed fish or, deep fried shrimp cakes or sticky rice baked in bamboo.
Bamboo basketware from Phanat Nikhoin is difficult to resist. For a larger variety of these hand-crafted items visit the market at Talat Chaksan behind the Municipal Market or the Promotion center for Bamboo Basketry Skills on Intha asa Road near the district office.
You can get to Pattaya in about 2 to 2 BD hours from Bangkok airport by buses run by Thai International or by Taxi. Orient Thai airlines have flights from Chang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket to U-96 Tapao airport that is a 45-minute taxi ride from Pattaya.