About Pattaya
Located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is a multicultural resort city. Although the city is infamous for go-go clubs and massage parlors, tourists can still find numerous family-friendly resorts, stunning beaches, delightful Thai cuisine. Other than being a major holiday destination, the city is also one of the largest medical destinations in Thailand and around 11% of the country’s medical tourists prefer Pattaya as their destination. The city offers highly skilled medical teams, affordable treatment costs, and a wide variety of treatments, such as breast augmentation surgery and cardiac bypass surgery. Some of the more popular hospitals are the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital, and Pattaya City Hospital.
Popular Parts
Pattaya has become the most-visited city in Thailand because it offers everything a tourist can ask for and the main attraction is the beaches. The most popular family-friendly beach is Wong Amat Beach, which is the cleanest beaches in Pattaya. Tourists who want to enjoy water activities such as windsurfing, swimming, and kiteboarding can come to Jomtien Beach. Those who need to get away from the crowded beaches can opt for Naklua Beach. After soaking up the sun in one of the beaches, tourists can admire the Sanctuary of Truth, a beautiful all-wood construction in Naklua. It is built with four wings dedicated to Thai, Khmer, Chinese, and Indian religious idols.
Transport
Several international flights operate to and from U-Tapao International Airport. There are also numerous domestic flights to and from many regions in Thailand. The city can also be reached by taxis, buses, and trains from Bangkok since the distance is not that far. To get around the city, tourists can choose one of the various transportation modes. Songthaews and tuk-tuks are the most popular and tourists can find them almost anywhere within the city. Taxis can be expensive, but Grab Taxi (similar to Uber) is a cheaper alternative if you need private transportation mode.
Visas
All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months. Holders of around 76 normal passports are granted visa-free entry to Thailand for up to 90 days. Citizens of China, India, and Saudi Arabia can apply for a visa on arrival in 48 Immigration checkpoints around the country.
Weather
Pattaya enjoys three distinct seasons, but the average temperature remains the same all through the year. The cool season is from November to February with an average daily temperature of 31 °C. The hot season starts in March and ends in May and the temperatures reach an average of 32 °C. The rainy season is from June to October with an average temperature of 30 °C and it will rain most days.
Additional Info
- Local Currency: Thai Baht is the official currency, and 1 USD converts to approximately 30.8 THB.
- Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost anywhere in the city. Credit cards are available in major hotels and restaurants. Tipping is not mandatory but will be appreciated.
- Local Language: Thai is the official language and many people, especially those in the tourism area, will speak English.
- Local Culture and Religion: The largest religion is Buddhism and there are also small groups of Hindus and Muslims.
- Public holidays: Chinese New Year, Makha Bucha Day, and Constitution Day are some of the most important holidays in the city.