Pattaya (พัทยา)

Pattaya (พัทยา) is a popular resort on the North Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand, 150 km south-east of Bangkok. In the Western conception Pattaya is most famous for its go-go and beer bars but besides the women on offer, the place has recently upgraded itself to be one of the best family locations in Thailand. Even though Pattaya hasn’t completely lost its ‘seedy’ side, it now attracts a huge amount of local Thai, North Asian and South Asian tourists who are just there with their families for a fun time. The local authorities-in-charge have, over the past few years, certainly improved the quality of the beaches but some of them are still lackluster (by Thailand's high standards) and rampant over-development has long since destroyed some of the natural charms it once had, but its plethora of hotels and guest houses and convenient location with quick and easy access from the capital make it a popular weekend getaway. Catering for over 5 million tourists yearly, Pattaya is also able to offer an excellent range of eating choices and a wide variety of things to do and see. and its population is a colorful potpourri of mixed nationalities from near and far.