What is Pattaya beach city in Thailand and what are the nearby attractions?

The name Pattaya may have come from the ocean breezes that blow in from the Gulf of Siam, or the name of a Thai general that once camped with his army on the shore to protect the Kingdom from invaders.

Whatever the story behind the name, Pattaya has become one of Thailand’s top resort destinations, and now attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors every year to experience its soothing coastal scenery, global cuisine, shopping, watersports, and top class accommodation.

Walking Street, Soi Buakhao, Soi 6, Soi 7 and Soi 8 are some of the Pattaya Nightlife hotspots for night life and party lovers.

The walking street in Pattaya is the loudest, busiest, most audacious non-stop party location of Thailand. Stretching over one kilometre from the Beach Road to the Bali Hai Plaza, the Pattaya walking street embodies the fun, the madness, and the excitement synonymous with Thailand’s nightlife scene.

Almost every building along the Pattaya walking street is a living light show of luminescence and neon, with nightclubs, beer-bars, restaurants, go-go bars and countless street performers. The Pattaya walking street offers far too many sights to experience in just one visit; it is the iconic attraction of Pattaya and cannot be missed.To kick the night off, you could visit some of the iconic bars of the street. Enjoy a drink at Abbe’s Bar, one of the most fun and friendly drinking spots down the strip. Lit with reddish-pink neon light and decorated with a quirky array of flags, football shirts and photos of the bars decorated past, accompanied with loud music and well-priced drinks, this is a great location to start your night of fun and revelry.

For a more heart-racing way to kick-start your evening, visit the Pattaya Beer Garden, where exhibition Muay Thai contests are put on to get the crowds excited, cheap beer, well-priced food and rock-pop music complete the recipe for this bustling location. If you’re feeling hungry that certainly won’t last for long down the Pattaya walking street, With an incredible range of dining options suiting every taste and any budget.

Different restaurants usually focus on a specific cuisine, ranging from traditional Thai cuisine to every international flavor you can think of. Try the La Notte Pub and Restaurant, a chic European jazz bar and restaurant. La Notte is known for its premium location overlooking the sea and great value for top quality ingredients. Pattaya walking street is definitely one of the main attractions in Pattaya and truly represents the heart of the vibrant, unique seaside city. For a long night of fun, excitement and debauchery, this is the one must-see location.

Beaches nearby the Pattaya beach include the Jomtien Beach, Dongtan Beach, Cosy Beach and Phratamnak Beach.

Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach offers something a little different to many of the beaches in and around Pattaya. Unlike its rowdier northern neighbor, the 6km stretch of pristine sand and appealing sea shore is the perfect location for a lazy day at the beach. For those seeking something a little bit more ‘high-octane’ the area also offers attractions for the fans of culture and excitement.

Truly a location for those who enjoy a spot of peace and tranquility, Jomtien beach offers an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Pattaya. With Palm trees lining the entire length of the beachfront giving much needed shade, and numerous beachside bars and restaurants for those seeking a lunch-time break or afternoon drink. This is the place to go for a spot of ‘R&R’. Alternatively, for those seeking a more adventurous beach experience, a range of watersports can be found along the beachfront with activities including Kite surfing, parasailing, windsurfing and Jet Ski hire. Alternatively, these individuals can seek out of the many attractions surrounding the Jomtien beachfront including world-renown botanical gardens, exciting water parks and miraculous cultural sites.

Why not visit ‘Buddha Mountain’ a 130-metre high golden Buddha carved into the face of a mountain. View one of the many iconic cabaret shows that Pattaya is famed for. Alternatively, take the family out to Pattaya Park for the day, with Water Park, rollercoasters and 240-metre high observation tower. Jomtien Beach is certainly renowned for its relaxed, tranquil atmosphere and is perfect for anyone looking to chill out with the sea breeze through their hair and warm tide tickling their toes. However, Jomtien offers far more than this, with great dining options and a bounty of surrounding attractions, there is something to suit everybody’s tastes.

Golfing in Pattaya Thailand and nearby Golf Courses.

Pattaya is rapidly becoming a prime location for avid golfers in Thailand, the affordable prices, all-year-round sunny weather and exceptional golf courses are drawing amateurs and veterans worldwide to come and play at Pattaya. Everyone seems to agree, golf in Pattaya is match for anywhere else in the world at a fraction of the cost. The choice of course in Pattaya has become incredibly varied in recent years as professional course designers and ex-professional golfers have flocked to the shores of Pattaya to leave their stamp on the golfing scene.

With over 20 high quality courses to choose from, each with its own unique style, charm and challenge. One of the most famous courses here on Pattaya is at the Bangpra Golf Club. This is the second oldest golf course in Thailand and harks back to a simpler time. This course is no breeze, however, with hilly terrain and huge, ancient trees resulting in a challenging course. The traditional European décor and colonial-style club completes the traditional atmosphere. This course is particularly famous due to the monkeys who live around holes 6 and 7 who take a little too much fun in ‘entertaining’ the golfers.

For a more modern golfing experience, try the Siam Waterside course, a championship quality, 5-star course featuring gently sloping terrain and large lakes for golfers to overcome. Known for its appeal to the strategic golfer, this course requires a real dedication to precision, and rewards golfers with an incredibly satisfying experience. The 17th hole is particularly memorable, a 600-yard par-5 where long-hitters can cut across a dogleg left over a huge lake of water to reach the green in 2 or 3 shots. For those seeking a less intensive golfing experience, Pattaya suits players of all skill levels with simpler, shorter courses and driving ranges scattered around Chonburi province. Pattaya is certainly a place to go for golfing, and it continues to grow with more exceptional championship quality courses being built created.

Shopping Malls and Markets in and nearby Pattaya and Jomtien.

Pattaya is second only to Bangkok for shopping and a great place to pick up bargains whilst on holiday in Thailand. Anyone seeking some retail therapy will surely be pleased with the offerings in Pattaya. The city’s impressive range of shopping opportunities includes street markets, plush malls and completely unique, boutique shopping experiences. In Pattaya, you can expect to find great deals on a wide variety of goods, from top clothing brands to electronics and just about everything in between.

Pattaya’s many retail outlets are considered by many visitors to be an exciting attraction in themselves, as well as an opportunity for relaxed retail therapy. Many many malls offer unique and different atmosphere with special shows, rides, museums and other forms of entertainment added to entertain visitors. For a truly unique and unmissable retail experience, visit the ‘land of love’ Mimosa and get a taste of Europe in the heart of Thailand. This one-of-a-kind shopping centre stands out amongst all others for its extensive combination of entertainment and shopping options. The streets of Mimosa are lined with cute, boutique retail outlets designed with Franco-German town architecture, and each building is individually painted in different vibrant colors that come alive in the sunlight.

Mimosa also puts on a cabaret performance that cannot be seen anywhere else. For a more familiar shopping experience, visit one of Pattaya’s many shopping malls selling top clothing brands, cosmetics, DVD’s, souvenirs and much more. If you’re looking to experience Thai-style shopping, visit any of the top marketplaces around Pattaya, these traditional marketplaces offer anything you can imagine and let you get a taste of Thai culture and history whilst getting your ‘retail fix’ The opportunities and options for shopping in Pattaya are truly without limit, and there is something for everyone. Even if Pattaya does not match the size of Bangkok, the unique retail experiences on offer here, and the incredibly wide range of products on sale make for an unforgettable shopping trip.