The half-moon-shaped Pattaya Beach is 4 kilometers long with a road running parallel to the beach. From the mid-section to the southern end of the area, there is a vast array of restaurants, bars, department stores, souvenir stores, as well as other places of entertainment. To the north of the beach are various mini-resorts and hotels in a quieter atmosphere.

#1 Rabbit Resort

It is quite simply the most perfect hotel in all ways. The resort comprises of modern wooden chalet type accommodation with a double bedroom, and separate bathroom, walk in shower, walk in wardrobe with safe, and kitchen(tea/coffee facilities and even a hob and cooking implements) with covered balcony, each unit secluded by well tended folage, all connected by "yellow brick roads" beneath a canopy of towering coconut palms that sway in a light breeze providing cover for beautiful birds and many coloured butterflies.

#2 Le Prive Pattaya

An oasis of quietness in Pattaya but only a ten minutes walk from walking street. Tourists should make a reservation because the resort is easily fully booked by regular visitors who like to come back here. That's the best place Pattaya' s visitors have found.

#3 Royal Cliff Grand & Spa

The Hotel complex is stunning, very extensive, yet almost homely in its approach to looking after its guests. It is impossible to tire of the facilities hence the reason we return year after year. This year the staff, yet again, excelled in terms of the service levels – they catered for all our needs in a relaxed, friendly and efficient manner that ensures a fantastic holiday is guaranteed. Wonderful ambassadors for the Hotel.

#4 Sheraton Pattaya Resort

The hotel never seems full or busy. The pools are lovely, pool service is excellent, the staff clean visitor' sunglasses, bring shot glasses of fresh juice and fruit lollies along with cold towels. Rooms were really spacious, clean and had lots of nice touches, such as a DVD player, fresh fruit, robes, slippers - a pair for inside and outside.

#5 Baramie Residence

This is a great small hotel to stay at. The staff and the general manager were wonderful and very helpful. The hotel is a little off the beaten track but there is a shuttle next door at the Pinnacle Resort. Would highly recommend this hotel for those wanting to avoid the sleaze of Pattaya.

Bar Fines
Ladies working in beer bars and go-go bars can be taken out of the bar for the evening. If they agree to go with you and you wish to take her out before the bar closes, you have to pay a fee (around 300-500 Baht) known as a “bar fine”. This is to compensate the bar for the time that she is out of the bar, where she would normally be entertaining and attracting more customers. She will normally also receive a share of the bar fine.

The bar fine only entitles you to take her out of the bar. Anything else has to be negotiated between you and the lady in question. However, the bar fine system does offer the customer some protection. In the unlikely event that there is a problem you can go back to the bar the next day and the bar will be able to assist you in resolving any problems. At the very least they will be able to ID her.

Lady Drinks
You'll come across this in beer bars and à go-gos. When you buy a girl in these bars a drink, they receive a commission. Its entirely up to you if you buy them or not and you should not feel pressured to do so. However, if you like the girl buying a few lady drinks will make her look good to her employer while she is entertaining you.

Freelancers
If you prefer to meet girls outside of beer bars and go-gos, head over to the discos in Patong later in the evening (after midnight). Many of the bar girls will be freelancing there after their bar closes. Payment is sometimes discussed beforehand and other times not, however, if the girl normally works in a bar it will be expected for you to pay her for her services. (Having said this, please don't assume that every girl you meet in a disco is on the game, although in Patong is this often the case).

warning: Although enjoyable company can often be found in this manner, it is much riskier than taking a girl from a bar or go-go. You could end up being robbed and you would have no come-back if something goes wrong. If you don't know your way around its better to only take girls out of bars they are working in. This is especially important in the case of ladyboys who are often found freelancing on Bangla itself in the early hours of the morning.

Ladyboys
Phuket has quite a few ladyboys or katoeys, as they are known in Thai. Just a heads up to avoid confusion on your nights out. Love them or loathe them they can be found in Soi Crocodile just off Bangla Road. Many can be stunningly beautiful and can easily mistaken for real women. Some things to look out from a deeper voice (which can be disguised) is their height, ladyboys being males (at least genetically) are often taller than regular girls, and have larger hands and feet.

Health
Thailand has an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS. Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections in Thailand, though HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes. Always wear a condom.

Safety
Phuket is generally safe and there is very little chance of trouble finding you if you don't go looking for it. In general, if you keep your wits about you and act respectfully towards other people you will have no problems. Don't be aggressive towards people and they won't be aggressive back. You definitely don't want to get in a fight here, especially with locals. You will always lose.

You should be wary of thieves and pickpockets, however. Also, your date may have sticky fingers so keep an eye of your valuables and be sensible. This is one of the reasons why its better to barfine a girl from a bar than to pick up “freelancers”. If something happens you will be able to take your complaint up with the bar.

See also :
Things to do in Pattaya
Pattaya Nightlife
Destination Guides to Phuket
Thai Massage

Pattaya is a popular tourist resort in Thailand located about 150 km south of the capital Bangkok. Although Pattaya has become notorious as an adult playground for men, there are a few interesting attractions that can be enjoyed by couples and families.

Pattaya Elephant Village
Pattaya Elephant village is home to a few dozen elephants that are trained to do all sorts of tricks including playing football. There are daily shows held for the tourists at the village every day at 2.30pm. There is also the opportunity to do a spot of jungle trekking on elephant back which costs 500 Baht for 30 minutes for adults, 200 Baht for children.

Pattaya Mini Siam
Mini Siam is an interesting place to come to if you want to know about all the major sites and landmarks in Thailand without actually having to go to them. Mini Siam has scale replica models of all the most important features in Thailand, both natural and man made. Mini Siam is open to receive visitors from 7am until 8pm daily. Entrance costs 200 Baht for adults and 100 for kids. Mini Siam is best reached by car as it is a short drive north of Pattaya city.

Pattaya Go Kart
Pattay has a good Go karting track which is about 400 metres long and available for use by adults and kids alike. The cost for hiring a go kart to go round the track is 100 Baht for ten minutes.

Nong Nooch Garden
Nong Nooch is a giant botanical garden situated about 18km outside Pattaya city. Aside from the vast array of plant life there are also some elephants that are resident here and daily shows are put on for the benefit of tourists. The show is a real crowd drawer as in addition to the elephants there are dancers, acrobats and even Thai boxing demonstrations.

Wat Khao Prayai in Pattaya
This is a Buddhist temple located high on the hills to the south of Pattaya. In addition to the great views of Pattaya and the sea that can be had from here, there is also a 10 metre statue of Buddha facing the sea that makes for a good photo opportunity.

see also :
Pattaya Night Life
Buffalo Racing in Chonburi
Loi Kratong : The Festival of Light
Koh Samui
Koh Chang

Pattaya Night Life and bar girl, one of the most reputation in attraction of Pattaya. Come to Pattaya and enjoy nightlife with bar girl in walking street.

Walking Street
The Walking Street is the center of Pattaya's nightlife, with hundreds of bars, Go-Go clubs and dancings. Other areas are in Soi 7, Soi 8 and Soi Yamoto, in Soi Praisanie (around the post office), along Pattaya's 2nd Road and in Soi Buokhaow.

A new growing area is at the 3rd Pattaya Road, from North Pattaya Road to the South Pattaya Road as well as in Soi Chayaphoon and Soi Lengkee, both between Soi Buokaow and the 3rd Road.

Another large Beer Bar area is located in Soi 2, across BigC's Shopping Center. Pattaya Naklua has a large area with bars too. It starts at the North Pattaya Road.

Pattaya Cabarets (lady boy show)
Pattaya is famous for it's transvestite (katoey) cabaret shows. Lavish productions with amazing costumes and massive sets. A night at a cabaret show will set you back around 500 baht. These shows are well worth a visit even if it does not sound like your sort of thing. They are not at all sleazy and the whole family will be amazed.

Alcazar
78/14 Moo 9 Second Road, North Pattaya
Tel 038-428-746, Tel 038-429-212, Fax 038-424-939

Book for this one. It's often full even in the low season. They bus in hundreds of Chinese tourists everyday and the supply seems to be never ending. The cost is 500 baht for unreserved seating and 600 baht for reserved places. Many booking agents around town or book at the theatre. There are 4 shows every night, each one lasting around 1 hour 10 minutes

The production values are very high and the show is spectacular. There is no hint given that the performers are actually men, and the whole thing is played very straight.

This place is widely acknowledged as the best of type in Pattaya.

Tiffany's Show
464 Moo 9 Second Road, North Pattaya
Tel 038-421-700/3, Tel 038-429-642, Fax 421-711

Very similar to Alcazar but perhaps a little more raunchy. More silicon on display than you need to see in one life time. Tiffany's is the home of the famous Miss Tiffany Thailand contest which is broadcast on national TV in Thailand. reservations also are essential.

6 October 2007
Venue: The City Hall, Chonburi Province, Thailand




Buffalo Racing is a spectacular festival in Thailand that is unknown to most foreigners and even some Thais, because of its inadequate promotion. But it is so exciting, joyful and unique that is really worth seeing. Locally called Ngan Wing Khuai, the festival is annually held only in Chon Buri province. This year, it is held on 6 October in front of the Chon Buri City Hall, which is only an hour's drive from Bangkok or 45 minutes drive from Pattaya City.

When this festival began is uncertain, but according to records, it must have been observed for at least 70 years from the reign of King Rama VI who once saw it. The origin of the festival is as follows. In former times, buffaloes which were useful for farming were rarely found in Chon Buri. So the farmers in this province had to buy the beasts from other farmers who brought them from the Northeastern region for sale after the harvest.

In view of the high value of the beasts and their usefulness and rarity, the Chon Buri farmers competed with each other in raising buffaloes in their home province. During the buying and selling of the beasts, a kind of fun fair, featuring buffalo races, buffaloes' health contest, a contest of decorated buffaloes and a farmers' sweetheart contest, was held to coincide with the celebrations of the harvest season. These activities were observed annually until it became a tradition.



For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, +66 (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113

The Municipality of Chon Buri Province
Tel: +66 (0) 3828 5436
Fax: +66 (0) 3828 7035

For more details, please contact The Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office Region 3 on tel. +66 (0) 3842 7667 or 3842 8750