Information about Pattaya
Where is it?
Geographically speaking, Pattaya is a city perched beside a bay on the Gulf of Thailand some 160 kilometers southeast of central Bangkok. Situated in the province of Chonburi, it is only a a little over an hour and a half drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport south of Bangkok in one of the many taxis waiting outside the airport and costs around 1500 baht plus a combined toll charge of around about 100 baht.
What?
Wherever you may travel in the world, there is nowhere like Pattaya. It may be located in Thailand, but it is not typical of Thailand. Outwardly, it may have the appearance of being European or American, but it is not. Pattaya is a confluence of cultures, both East and West, Thai and non-Thai. It would be a mistake for visitors to judge the place by its appearance and an even greater error to judge the Thai people by what they see and hear during a short holiday in the resort.
According to the latest available statistics, Pattaya / Banglamung is home to some 117,000 permanent Thai residents, probably the same number of unregistered residents and, at any one time, up to 20,000 foreign tourists. It is also home to 100,000 motor vehicles and about 300,000 motorcycles, all of which seem to be on the road at the same time.
Promoted as a world-class resort destination, the physical appearance of Pattaya is constantly changing. Over the last few years, new luxury hotels, apartment blocks and businesses have been springing up at a remarkable pace. The city’s income is derived almost exclusively from tourism and, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand figures, in 2001 the resort city received a total of 3.86 million visitors staying an average of 4.33 days and spending an average of 3,016 baht (about US$75) per person per day. This contributed a total of about 32.72 billion baht (US$815 million) to the vibrant Thai economy. In terms of the nationalities of tourist arrivals in Thailand (no figures available specifically for Pattaya), Asians from Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea take the top spots. From the West, visitors from the United Kingdom and the United States of America arrive in almost equal numbers while those from Germany and Scandinavia are the next most populous groups.
Included among these visitors are millions of ‘high-class’ tourists arriving with their friends or families for a wholesome vacation. Improving Pattaya’s international image by promoting the resort as a family destination and a ‘complete’ holiday for all has not been a waste of time. Families, couples and unattached foreign women do come here and the majority have a very enjoyable time. Many opt for accommodation in the quieter areas of Jomtien or Naklua but even those who stay in the centre of Pattaya could spend a week or more without exposure to the type of activities for which Pattaya is more famous. Even if they do interact with the bars, unlike the bar scene in other parts of the world, the meritorious Hostesses of Pattaya’s adult entertainment areas treat foreign women incredibly well and, as for children, Thai girls are crazy about them. The Hostesses will play with them, keep them amused, dote over them and generally take better care of them than professional baby-sitters. The kids have a great time.
There are also visitors, not exclusively male, who come to partake in the style of entertainment and partying at which Pattaya excels. Those who come here specifically for the nightlife find themselves with plenty to occupy their time. Once the sun sets, a full spectrum of delights awaits them, adapted to suit everyone from the shy first-timer to the guy who knows ‘Sleazy’ was not just the name of the eighth dwarf. To anyone who has never been here and seen the place for themselves, it is almost impossible to describe. With truth and logic the early casualties, the reality is that here, single foreign men are no longer the predator but the quarry, no longer the hunter but the hunted. Recounting Pattaya exploits to the uninitiated back home loses its thrill when continually met with looks of disbelief.
When?
The weather is always perfect in Thailand. Visitors used to colder climates may be forgiven for assuming that between May and November it is very hot and wet. The truth is the warm glow covering the perfect landscape is occasionally broken by gentle raindrops falling to earth like petals to enrich the fertile soil. This is called the ‘low season’ because there are fewer tourists about and business is not as active. Airfares to Thailand are usually lower, the already very affordable accommodation is plentiful, and room rates are cheaper.
From December to April, called the ‘high season’, it is pleasantly hot and dry although December can be refreshingly cool, especially around Christmas. There are many more tourist arrivals, escaping the cold in their home countries, and hotels are often heavily booked. If you plan to be here during this period, ensure that you book a room well in advance and reconfirm your booking before leaving home. Veteran travelers are aware that in every country in the world, some hotel managers have the annoying habit of double-booking or forgetting.