Pattaya (Bangkok)

Advantages: Weather, nightlife, hustle and bustle, shopping, people
Disadvantages: sex-industry

...and he is settled in Pattaya with a Thai wife (no, it's not THAT sort of relationship, it's the real thing. And she's 40, not 20) :P So I've been out to visit him twice, spending about 6 weeks in total there, with a further two and a half weeks coming this summer. And I love Pattaya. It really is the Las Vegas of Thailand, it's buzzing, but it's still so cultural, so different to England, that you could just sit in an open bar-beer for a whole day ...
...for a minute. Pattaya is a city about 2 hours by minibus south of Bangkok. It is a vibrant coastal city with a thriving nightlife and is a typical tourist area. It is divided into certain sections - Naklua, where a lot of the residences are (inc my grandad's) and you'll find less shops, and more restaurants (Thais rarely eat in the house - it's so cheap to eat out) and some of the Thai markets, which are a good experience. The main centre, which ... Read review

Advantages: exotic country, warm sea
Disadvantages: so far

...park literally on departure from Pattaya in north. Is open from 7:00 to 22.00. Very much has liked. Farms with aligators. Show of the elephants. Show with tigers. It is?a little bit(some) them, they offer standard shows - animal, circus performances, photo with animals on a spin, in to graze etc.r. Islands. Swim in Pattaya not pleasant - many people and rather dirty water. The true judges leave or to dive from boats with an aqualung, or on one ...
...sand and the cleanest sea. Water warm, even hot. In the conclusion I shall say that. In the first moment Thailand surprises you with an abundance of exotic. Buddhist temples, palace, crocodiles, elephants etc. the Warm sea. But most of all it was pleasant to me in park Mini Siam. Look there copy of a Cathedral Vasilia Blazennogo, which is in Moscow, I have tested melancholy on a far Native land. And I at once would like to return. ... Read review

Advantages: Good weather all year round
Disadvantages: Travel Brochures do not give a good representation of Pattaya

I arrived in Pattaya in August 04 to start a diving internship to become a PADI instructor. As part of the package my accomodation was included so I was staying in Jomtiem which is just outside the main centre of Pattaya. As a 26 year old female I was at first a bit daunted by Pattaya. I had read reviews and already new about it's reputation for being the sex capital of Thailand but many reviews had stated that it was only in specific areas. Once ...
...street and side street in Pattaya you are shouted at by the bar girls to try and get you to come and drink in their bar. In the majority of bars, the girls are working thereare literally for sale. Having said that I did not feel threatened or unsafe, it just took a little bit of getting used to. As well as the bars there are the gogo bars which are open to all, and any stories you have heard about the shows that you can see in these bars are probably ... Read review

Advantages: Everything is so cheap, people are great, superb weather all year round!
Disadvantages: Annoying prostitutes

...tourist you might associate with Pattaya - in other words, I'm not a 70 year old man wearing socks and sandals, travelling to Thailand for nothing but sex. Its a great value holiday destination and fun for all the family. Why fork out such ridiculous sums of money on Spanish package holidays and then be ripped off even more when you get there with food and drink when Thailand (and Pattaya in particular) is cheap to get to and very cheap to live ...
...what you call them?). Alternatively, Pattaya Park is the huge outdoor water park and small theme park. For just a pound or two, you can spend all day in the park, using the various pools and flumes that it has to offer. Its also right on the beach, just in case you want a change. Beach Road and Walking Street in Pattaya is the place to be of a night-time. Whether you are wanting to pick up a girl or do some shopping, there is nowhere better to be. ... Read review

Advantages: friendly people, warm, cheap
Disadvantages: 13 hour flight

...hour trip from Bangkok to Pattaya costs between £10-20. Not a bad deal at all! Hotel: We stayed at the Cholchan Pattaya Resort. It is a beautiful hotel with lovely grounds, pool and very generous rooms. Our room was HUGE and all for a very reasonable rate. We seldom ate in the hotel, preferring to dine at small resturants around the resort and in the center of Pattaya. We found the food EXCELLENT! Just remember, if you think the food may not be ...
...bannanas! Cost- Approx. £7.50 Pattaya itself is a combination of Thai and Western influences. We enjoyed walking along the walk on the edge of the gulf and just relaxing. During the day, you can shop at a wide variety of outdoor markets and in door shops. The prices are great! Some places are: *Baby So Soft Puppet Dolls, High Quality & Hand Crafted Original Dolls *Buck-A-Gram American Indian Style Jewelry Great Prices *Good Luck Shop in Windy Plaza ... Read review