 Plenty of sand, sun and fun turn Pattaya into one of the top destinations for guests to Thailand. Pattaya, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, was a little fishing village till the early 1960's when it was occupied by American soldiers and sailors looking for break and relaxation during leave from serving in Vietnam. And since then the village have turned into a cosmopolitan city devoted to the excitement, pleasure and adventure.
It is rather easy to get there from Bangkok by air conditioned bus. Pattaya caters all possible kinds of water sports, abundant and reasonably priced golf courses, as well as those designed by the most well-known names in the game, and exciting nightlife.
Pattaya made an effort to become more family-friendly, and accordingly tried to shade some of the bustling behavior that led to somewhat ambiguous reputation. But anyway you will find an abundance of clubs and cabarets which will meet all tastes. Pattaya is the perfect place for those looking for wild entertainment. It has lively bars, loud discos and noisy nightclubs. Tourists looking for secluded and pristine beaches and a relaxed atmosphere should try some other place.
Hotels and rentals of all prices have about 12,000 rooms offered, and though Pattaya is not the cheapest beach resort in the area, it is reasonably priced if compared to related beach destinations. And the place is unrivaled in the diversity of services and activities provided.
Many scuba enthusiasts from all over the world come here, as there lots of well equipped and reasonably priced dive shops. Though there are other, better, dive places in Thailand, Pattaya is the most suitable for Bangkok and is the starting point for tours to Ko Laan, and the close islands of Ko Sak and Ko Krok. You may also head for more remote Ko Man Wichai or Ko Rin, where visibility is better, or to the shipwrecks near Sattahip, if you are looking for more challenging experience.
Naklua beach, just north of Pattaya, is rather serene and pristine. There is no as many restaurants or costly resort hotels, nor the vivid nightlife, but that is available at Pattaya beach, which is located in the close proximity. The same concerns Jomtien beach, which is calmer and less crowded but boasts great quality lodgings and dining facilities.
Pattaya beach invites you to enjoy its variety and vigor of the nightlife!
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