Top things to do in Pattaya, Thailand

Do you know what Pattaya says? ‘Good boys go to heaven, bad boys come to Pattaya‘. Pattaya is that infamous. I know what you are wondering. Is there even anything else in Pattaya worth seeing?

And if you are not asking this question, then perhaps you are not acquainted with the tainted image of the city for its flashy and roaring world-famous walking street. I will explain that in detail too.

But before that, let me tell you there are a lot of things to do in Pattaya. Like many other Thai cities, it has also been developed to be a centre point of tourist attraction, meant for everyone. The only question is what? And with so many options, how do you know what is worth it?

If a visit to Thailand is on your mind, Pattaya is a great option to include in your travel itinerary. It is around 150km from Bangkok, and you can catch a bus, a minivan or take a cab (from the airport directly as well) to Pattaya.

Pattaya is located on the coast and has 3 islands adjacent to the coastline. It is a city well connected by roadways and waterways with most of the nearby towns and cities.

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You can take a bus from the eastern terminal, Ekkamai Bus station in Bangkok to Pattaya which will cost you around 120฿ and 2.30 hours to reach. A van can cost you around 200 ฿. Buses are frequent and leave almost every hour till midnight.

A taxi will cost you around 1500฿. You can also book your tickets in advance on Bookaway.com or 12go.asia.com. Pattaya also has an international airport but with limited connectivity.

If you are a family or a large group, it is advisable and simply convenient to have your own vehicle. You can always rent a car and self-drive but I will not recommend it since it can be extremely tiring to deal with the traffic and directions in the city.

Hiring a private taxi is more convenient and will cost you between 2000-2500฿ per day. A standard cost to hire a two-wheeler is 300฿ per day which is a great option for budget travellers.

If you don’t want either, public buses, tuk-tuk, songthaew, and cabs are also available. Use the Grab app (Uber of Thailand) to book cabs in Pattaya. Another great way to go around in most cities in Thailand is a Songthaew.

These are tuk-tuk type minibus with a hop-on-hop-off system which is very affordable. Just tell the driver about your destinations once you see a songthaew and they will let you if they are going in the same direction.

Pattaya is predominantly ‘infamous’ for its sex industry. Therefore, Pattaya is often termed ‘sin city’. The major hub for this is the ‘walking street’ which is the largest district area for nightclubs, Go-Go bars, restaurants, pubs and strip clubs.

Pattaya got extremely famous after the movie release of ‘Hangover2’ and since then has been the go-to place for bachelor parties. The sex industry in the area is usually catered to by the local ladyboys (Kathoey) and some of the influx of immigrants from the neighbouring region of Isan looking for employment and better pay. The local authorities impose almost no restrictions here.

However, the circulation of drugs can still get one in a LOT of trouble, even if caught in possession. Most of these places are frequented by tourists only and rarely by locals.

GOGO Bars are simply a far raunchier version of typical bars. They usually include a centre stage, where sexual stunts or women perform sporty activities with their private parts to entertain a group of people seated as an audience.

It is often not performed in an erotic approach but rather can be termed as borderline freakish. It is total adult entertainment and is completely prohibited for underage individuals.

Surprisingly, there is a lot more to do in Pattaya that people do not know. Pattaya is one of the biggest cities in Thailand and is the home to many local residents, international workspaces and entertainment centres. Here are some of the best rated attractions which you can enjoy:

You may have come across the vivid images of floating markets of Thailand. While most of them evolve naturally with an air of chaos, there are some that are built to perfection. The floating market of Pattaya is one of the best in Thailand. It is huge in size and extremely beautiful.

The market is built on raised platforms with canals flowing around and underneath. You will find shops lined up on one side and corridors open on the other side to the view of canals. Corridors are connected with bridges or wooden platforms.

Eat a meal at one of the canal-side restaurants or take a boat ride on the waters. It will take around 2-3 hours to explore the whole place. Best time to go is early evening.

Floating Market Pattaya Timings: Sat-Sun 9.00 am – 8.00 pm

Floating Market Pattaya Entry ticket: 200฿ per person

Book Tickets Online: Pattaya Floating Market

Both Pattaya and Jomtien are the two major beaches in Pattaya and are located on opposite sides of the city. While Pattaya is more popular, mainstream and filled with tourists, Jomtien can be just slightly quieter. If you haven’t already been to some of the popular beaches of Thailand, take some time and relax here.

The beaches also offer some of the cheapest water sports and adventure activities you can ever find. Do some research and check out the prices with a few service providers to get the best bargain. Carry your own towels.

If you are tight on time or you are in Thailand but not planning to go south, consider this. The islands on the east coast are unarguably as beautiful as the ones in the south. If you are expecting coral islands with white sand beaches with transparent turquoise blue water, it is what you will get.

In fact, they are usually far less crowded as well. Koh Larn is the largest island on the coast of Pattaya. Water sports are one of the main attractions of Koh Larn and prices are at par as in Pattaya. You can either take a day trip or stay a few nights at the island at one of the resorts.

You can take a ferry from Bali Hai pier in Pattaya and costs 30฿ one way per person. Check the timing for the last ferry beforehand if you are planning to return by end of the day. You can rent a two-wheeler to go around the island.

Book Tour Online: Koh Larn (Coral Island) Full Day Speedboat or Yacht Tour from Pattaya with Lunch

The Sanctuary of truth is an extraordinary building, a hybrid of a temple, and a castle with its design inspired by the Ayutthaya period and Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. The temple was built by the eccentric Thai business tycoon Lek Vriyiaphan who also commissioned the Ancient City and Erawan Museum in Bangkok.

The building has been in construction for more than 20 years and it will take many more to complete. You can also undertake a tour of the temple in languages like English, Chinese and Russian. Other activities that can be enjoyed here are ATV touring, Elephant ride, traditional shows, boating, Martial arts performance, and Dolphin show that occurs twice a day – 11.30 and 15.30.

Sanctuary of Truth Timings: Sun-Sat, 8.00 to 17.00

Sanctuary of Truth Ticket price: 500฿ per person

Book Tickets Online: Sanctuary of Truth

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Nong Nooch is one of the finest gardens of Thailand, and let me tell you there are many in Thailand otherwise. The garden covers a total area of 2.4 sq. km. and is subdivided into many sections by theme. The theme comes from many cultures around the world, imitating some famous masterpieces. You can guess a few from their names – 17^th century French Gardens, the Stonehenge, European Renaissance gardens etc.

Some of them are based on the types of plants displayed like bonsai, topiary, cactus, succulents and orchids that contains hundreds of species of plant samples. The Thai cultural hall hosts many cultural activities like Muay Thai, Thai traditional dance and ancient drum performances (timings: 9.45, 10:30, 15:00, 15:45)

Nong Nooch Gardens Timings: Sun-Sat, 8.00 am to 18.00pm

Nong Nooch Gardens Ticket price: 100/50฿ (Adults/Children) for visiting only the garden; 300/150฿ for both visiting the garden and shows.

Book Tickets Online: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

In case you do want to visit and island, but fairly untouched and with very few tourists around, you can consider taking a day trip to Koh Phai. Known as the ‘Bamboo island’ Koh Phai is the largest in the series of surrounding islands and is at a distance of around 21km from the shore of Pattaya.

The island is under the protection of the Royal Thai Navy, hence one cannot stay at the island overnight; nor are any stay options available.

However, one can still indulge in water activities like snorkelling and diving here. There are no ferry routes to Koh Phai, so you will either have to take a private speed boat from Pattaya or buy one of the all-inclusive day trips to Koh Phai and sometimes to nearby islands.

Book Tour Online: Pattaya Island Hopping (Koh Pai + Koh Rin + Koh Ped)

As surprising it is to hear about a vineyard in Thailand, it is even more surprising to see in made in Italian style. Even the surroundings seem to be of fair resemblance to the vineyards of the Tuscany countryside. The fountains, classical statues, the windmill and the flower gardens add to the charm. The wine produced in the vineyard is unique to the area and produces red, wine and rose wines.

You can easily spend half a day or a lazy afternoon enjoying the rural countryside of Thailand with a view of far-off blue-coloured hills. The place offers food and an option of wine tasting along with its most renowned grape-juice. You can buy some local wines at a much-discounted factory price.

There is no entry ticket to the vineyard, but you can take one of the two packages where they will give you a tour of some parts of the vineyard.

Silver Vineyard ticket prices:

Package 1 – Vineyard and grape juice plant 100 baht/adult
Includes one free bottle of grape juice

Package 2 – Vineyard, grape juice plant, winery and wine tasting 250 baht/adult
Includes one free bottle of grape juice and 2 glasses of wine

Silver Vineyard Timings: 9.00-18:00 Mon-Fri; 8.30-18.30 Sat-Sun

Wat Yansangwaram is an enormous temple complex spanning 145 acres. This complex is home to buildings from many different architectural styles, beautifully manicured gardens and a large lake. The complex makes a very peaceful place to relax and enjoy a slow day. You can find buildings built in Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai and Swiss styles.

The first building Viharn Sien is a Chinese temple-museum housing a precious collection of Chinese artefacts. The temple was built in 1976 to celebrate the Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Yanasangworn. He was the leader of the Thai Monastic Order at the time.

It is now dedicated in honour of the late King Bhumibol (Rama IX). Wat Yansangwararam is often attractive to tourists for the meditation classes it offers. They take place daily and one can choose from a variety of courses, as suitable for them.

Wat Yansangwararam Timings: 8.00-17.00, every day of the week

Wat Yansangwararam Ticket price: 50 ฿ for both Adults and Children

The Kaan show is one of the most popular live entertainment show comprising of acrobats, martial arts and animatronic. The show creates a number of illusions, 4D projections and sound effects to create a mesmerizing experience of a mythical land. The story talks about a man named ‘Kaan’ who dreads reading books.

While in the library, the librarian hands him a book with his name on it. As he opens the book, it takes him to a magical land where all ancient literature has come to life. Kaan has to find his way home.

While the show of the highest-rated and most entertaining one, I personally do not support the use of elephants. The treatment of animals is a grey area yet, and the practice still continues in Thailand.

Kaan Show Timings: Show starts every day at 19:00. Show duration is 75 minutes.

Kaan Show Ticket price:  The price ranges between 1500-3000 ฿ or more depending upon the seat. However, you can get a much cheaper deal on travel aggregators.

Book Tickets Online: KAAN Show Admission Ticket

Although you can find Cabaret shows in several cities, they are something to look forward to while in Thailand. Most cabarets in Thailand are performed by the transvestites, extremely skilled at showmanship.  Cultures around the world inspire these performances. They divide it into sub-performances with names like Flowers of China, Hello Vietnam, Persian Dance and Fabulous Russia.

And believe it from the photos or not, there isn’t even a single woman in the performers. Nevertheless, they do create an atmosphere so lively, enchanting and frivolous that it is will stay long in your memories. You can also take a photo with them after the show outside the halls for a price.

Alcaraz Cabaret Show Timings: Show starts every day at 18:30, 20:00 and 21:30. Show duration is 70 minutes.

Alcaraz Cabaret Show Ticket Price: The price ranges between 500-700 ฿ or more depending upon the seat. However, you can get a much cheaper deal on travel aggregators.

Book Tickets Online: Alcazar Cabaret Pattaya

The Big Buddha or Wat Phra Yai is the seat of a large Buddha statue along with a viewpoint. The statues sit on top of Pratamnak Hill giving it a raised platform. The temple consists of a large Buddha statue which is around 18 meters high. There are 7 smaller statues around the temple complex. Several statues and paintings tell stories from Chinese tales and legends.

A wall with 24 paintings shows 24 stories of gratitude. The complex also has a park and a restaurant in it. The top platform gives a wide panoramic view of Pattaya bay. The view includes Pattaya and Jomtien beach, Pattaya tower and a distant view of Koh Larn. A late evening just before sunset will be a great time to visit.

Big Buddha Timings: Open every day from 7:00 to 22:00.

Big Buddha Ticket Price: Entrance is Free

Art in Paradise is a chain of museums across Thailand and South East Asia. It is present in most of the major cities in Thailand like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. So chances are you have already been to one. Nevertheless, the museum is a congregation of paintings and props in a way that 2D paintings come alive and look like 3D.

The rest is upon your imagination. You can make poses and create a story with actions while choosing to take photographs as you like. It is a rather fun place to be at least once.

Art in Paradise Timings: Open every day from 9:00 to 21:00.

Art in Paradise Ticket price: 400/150฿ for Adults/Children of foreign nationality.

Book Tickets Online: Art in Paradise Pattaya

Koh Sak is another popular island closest to the coast of Pattaya. It is considerably small in size with just one beach and no hotels. The island has been a popular spot with celebrities and royalty. It has been visited by Neil Armstrong, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran, former Presidents of the United States and the late King of Thailand.

You can easily cover the whole island on food and have a meal at the local restaurants. The islands are great for water sports, snorkelling especially for beginners since the water are clear and shallow.

There are no ferries to the island and you can only take a speed boat from the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. Also since there is no fixed dock on the island you may have to paddle a little to reach on the shore.

Pattaya still has a lot more to offer. Some of the other notable places to visit in Pattaya are Ramayana Water Park, The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Mini Siam Pattaya, Underwater World Pattaya, Cartoon Amazone Pattaya, Teddy Bear Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or not, Frost Magical Ice of Siam and so much more.

All of these places completely revolve around tourism are probably not be very budget-friendly. However, some of them are great for families and kids to spend a whole day.

Pattaya has great hotels and stay options. Depending on your budget, you can book for a hostel for as cheap as 300฿ per night. A comfortable Airbnb will start from 700฿, a mid-budget hotel from 1200฿ and a luxury resort from 4000฿ per night.

To use public transport, it is advisable to stay in the heart of the city which has great connectivity. If you are looking to stay for an extended period of time, you can break your stay in Pattaya and head over to the nearby islands (Keep reading) for a day or two.

If you are looking for hostels, you can head over to hostelworld.com. Otherwise, agoda.com offers fantastic deal not just in Thailand but in all of southeast Asia.

Here are some stay options in Pattaya that you may like:

Hostel: Jomtien Hostel, Livit70’s, Nonze Hostel

Beachside: LK Emerald Beach, U Jomtien Pattaya, Movenpick Residence

Pattaya also has many tourist attraction which showcases animals. I will admit I do not have in-depth knowledge about the background and how they treat animals. But be careful while buying tickets and funding such activities.

Some animals have been held captive, trained brutally to entertain in shows. While others breed in captivity as part of the zoo and are raised better. Tiger park, Srichara Tiger Zoo, Pattaya Elephant Village, Pattaya Sheep farm and Pattaya Dolphin world are some of the places. Use your wisdom and travel sustainably.