Pattaya

Pattaya (พัทยา) is a seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok. Pattaya is mostly famous for its go-go and beer bars, but local authorities have made some efforts to provide more family-friendly attractions and activities. Although the sex industry is still going strong and sex tourism remains the key money earner for Pattaya, the resort also attracts local families and holidaymakers from around the world. If you are going to be offended by the sight of fat old men hand in hand with young Thai women, then Pattaya is probably not the place for you.

Efforts by local authorities over the past few years have improved the quality of the beaches, but they are still lacklustre by Thailand's standards, and overdevelopment has long since destroyed some of the natural charms the area once had. However, the plethora of hotels and guest houses, and easy access from the capital and airport, make it a popular weekend getaway. Catering for over five million annual visitors, Pattaya is also able to offer an excellent range of eating options and a wide variety of things to do. Its population is a colourful mix of nationalities and ethnicities from near and far. On weekends and holidays, Pattaya Beach is crowded with domestic visitors, many of them day-trippers, from Bangkok and surroundings, since it's a 2-hour drive from the nation's capital. On these occasions, the daytime might not be so comfortable for some foreign tourists, but at night, everything goes as usual.

Pattaya occupies most of the coastline of Bang Lamung District (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). This article only deals with Pattaya proper, which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach and Pattaya Beach, plus the Buddha Hill headland (which is immediately south of Pattaya Beach). Jomtien is covered in a separate article, and contains Jomtien Beach and the areas east of it, including Dongtan Beach. The beaches of Jomtien are much broader and generally in a better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented than at Pattaya Beach.

Pattaya's downtown area is easy to get around. Running north-south, a few hundred metres apart, are Beach Rd (Thanon Hat Pattaya, sometimes also referred to as First Rd) which borders the main beach (Hat Pattaya), Pattaya Second Rd and Pattaya Third Rd (with the smaller but busy Soi Buakhao in between), and the main Sukhumvit Road coastal highway. Beach Rd is one-way (southbound), likewise Second Rd (northbound) -- this is the main circuit of the songthaews that cruise downtown.

These are connected by the three major east-west aligned roads: North Pattaya Rd (Thanon Pattaya Nua), Central Pattaya Rd (Thanon Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya Rd (Thanon Pattaya Tai). North Pattaya Rd is a dual carriageway and carries the highest volume of traffic to and from Sukhumvit Rd.

Also connecting Beach Rd and Second Ro are a large number of smaller streets or "sois". The main sois are numbered from 1 to 16, from north to south. Sois 1-6 are between north Pattaya Rd and central Pattaya Rd; sois 7-13 are between Central Pattaya Rd and South Pattaya Rd (including the "Pattayaland" sois, immediately north of south Pattaya Rd); sois 14-16 are south of south Pattaya Rd. Most of these east-west sois are (in theory at least) one-way.

Beach Rd, Second Rd, and north Pattaya Rd (plus Naklua Rd to the north) all meet at the Dolphin Roundabout landmark. Heavy traffic and frequent accidents here have resulted in a semi-permanent diversion being set up which, at peak times, prevents vehicles (except motorcycles) from continuing around this roundabout any further than the north Pattaya Rd exit, pending the installation of traffic lights some time in 2006.

Second Rd south of South Pattaya Rd becomes Pratamnak Rd, which shares a junction with both the southern end of Third Rd and the northern end of the main road to Jomtien, Tappraya Rd.

Beach Rd south of south Pattaya Rd is closed to vehicles in the evenings (18:00-02:00) and is called Walking Street; it's the main tourist area, both for nightlife and shopping. Other major tourism areas include the section of Second Rd between sois 1-4, and the sois immediately north of south Pattaya Rd.

At the south end of Walking Street is the New Pier, usually called Bali Hai Pier (sometimes "Pattaya Pier" or "South Pier"). The Old Pier, close to the junction of Beach Rd and south Pattaya Rd, is still shown on most maps but was dismantled and removed at the beginning of 2006.

Pattaya's coastal side is divided longitudinally into five contiguous sub-districts (or six, if also including Jomtien). Each one is named after the section of beach or headland at its seaboard.

In the middle are the three Pattaya Bay sub-districts, which share the main baht bus route (so most places are within 5 minutes/10 baht of most other places, at any hour) and have much else in common, and hence in combination make up the main quasi-downtown zone:

• North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) - not the northernmost part of Pattaya (as Naklua lies further north), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the northern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of North Pattaya Rd. Does not include Naklua.
• South Pattaya (Pattaya Tai) - not the southernmost part of Pattaya (as the Buddha Hill headland, and then Jomtien, lie further south), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the southern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of South Pattaya Rd. Includes Pattayaland and Walking Street. Does not include Buddha Hill or Jomtien.
• Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang) - not the dead centre of Pattaya, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the middle of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of Central Pattaya Rd. Some maps/guides disregard the central Pattaya convention, and instead extend north Pattaya and south Pattaya to meet each other along central Pattaya Rd; sometimes, Beach Rd is described with a similar division, and the respective halves given "North Beach Rd" and "South Beach Rd" monikers.

Flanking the Pattaya Beach sub-districts are:

• Naklua - immediately north of north Pattaya, and with quick, frequent, and inexpensive transport to and from the rest of Pattaya; Naklua is popular with visitors whose native language is German. In terms of tourism-related locations, it's the smallest and least significant sub-district, the main attractions being the beaches (which are quieter than Pattaya Beach) and the Sanctuary of Truth.
• Buddha Hill - named after the Buddha Hill landmark and sandwiched between south Pattaya (to the north) and Jomtien (to the south); to the east, south Pattaya and Jomtien meet directly.

In practice, exactly where each sub-district ends and the next begins is a very grey area as none of the boundaries lie along major roads, and none of the many readily available tourist maps attempts to define boundaries at this level; nevertheless they do provide a handy rough guide to approximate latitude. Further inland, the sub-district names are used less, and locality/road names take precedence - for example, an address might state "Sukhumvit, Naklua" which is useful in that it makes it clear the location is to the north of the Sukhumvit/North Pattaya Road intersection, however exactly the same place would not normally be described simply as being "in Naklua" as that would give the misleading impression of it being in the main beachside/tourism area further west.

East Pattaya also known as Darkside is to the east of Sukhumvit Rd and the railway line. It is mostly a residential area with few hotels. It has bars, clubs, golf courses and restaurants serving the needs of locals but some Pattaya tourist attractions like the crocodile farm and elephant village are located there, too.

North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) - not the northernmost part of Pattaya (as Naklua lies further north), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the northern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of North Pattaya Rd. Does not include Naklua.

South Pattaya (Pattaya Tai) - not the southernmost part of Pattaya (as the Buddha Hill headland, and then Jomtien, lie further south), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the southern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of South Pattaya Rd. Includes Pattayaland and Walking Street. Does not include Buddha Hill or Jomtien.

Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang) - not the dead centre of Pattaya, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the middle of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of Central Pattaya Rd. Some maps/guides disregard the central Pattaya convention, and instead extend north Pattaya and south Pattaya to meet each other along central Pattaya Rd; sometimes, Beach Rd is described with a similar division, and the respective halves given "North Beach Rd" and "South Beach Rd" monikers.

Naklua - immediately north of north Pattaya, and with quick, frequent, and inexpensive transport to and from the rest of Pattaya; Naklua is popular with visitors whose native language is German. In terms of tourism-related locations, it's the smallest and least significant sub-district, the main attractions being the beaches (which are quieter than Pattaya Beach) and the Sanctuary of Truth.

Buddha Hill - named after the Buddha Hill landmark and sandwiched between south Pattaya (to the north) and Jomtien (to the south); to the east, south Pattaya and Jomtien meet directly.

Pattaya's name was originally "Thap Phraya", meaning Army of the Phraya - commemorating the surrender of Nai Klom's army to that of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin the Great), without a fight. Thap Phraya became Phatthaya (the name of the north-easterly wind at the beginning of the rainy season), and then Phatthaya (the true phonetic spelling).

American GIs serving in Thailand and Vietnam made Pattaya the most popular R & R destination and eventually a world-famous tourist magnet. From its beginning in 1959 with a small private bungalow where American officers on leave took turns to come and rest, this sleepy village by the sea has grown and changed dramatically into one of the world's tourism hot spots. The opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport (to the east of Bangkok, alongside the expressway to Pattaya) has made visiting easier than ever.

Pattaya is popular not only as a beach resort and for its entertainment, night life and shopping, but also for the broad selection of pastimes it caters for, from golf and horseback riding to bungee jumping, karting and shooting - not to mention a wide variety of watersports such as scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and a whole lot more. Pattaya is also very popular as a conference, convention and seminar venue, and the grapevine hosts rumours of future developments of varying degrees of plausibility, such as a horse racing track, casinos, and a tram system.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Information Office is just outside the centre, exactly 1 km south of the junction of Second Rd and South Pattaya Rd. Proceed along Pratamnak Rd, continue straight up the hill, and where the road bears sharp right part way up, turn sharp left into the small side soi. Worth a visit if you're in Pattaya for an extended period and want to browse for fresh ideas for new things to do/see. Open daily, 08:30-16:30, tel. +66 38 428750 / 8990 / 7667 or use the TAT freephone number: dial 1672 or e-mail: [mailto:tatchon@tat.or.th]

• Amuzing Thai Cartoons. For 20 years Pattaya has been the home of Michael Baird, a talented English cartoonist who has published several books containing hundreds of funny observational cartoons of expats, locals and tourists staying in this colourful city. His books can be found in most books shops in town.
• The city-produced "Official Map of Pattaya" is available at Pattaya City Hall, and may also be available from the Pattaya Police, the Tourist Police and the Immigration Police.

Amuzing Thai Cartoons. For 20 years Pattaya has been the home of Michael Baird, a talented English cartoonist who has published several books containing hundreds of funny observational cartoons of expats, locals and tourists staying in this colourful city. His books can be found in most books shops in town.

Many attractions marketed as being in Pattaya are actually located in Jomtien, Sattahip and Si Racha.

• The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, Chaiyaphonwithi Rd (15 minute drive from central Pattaya, +66 38 249347(-9). 08:30-18:30. Features an exotic zoo and crocodiles, fire-swallowing and magic shows, as well as the garden and stone park. Its grounds are landscaped with flowering and rock gardens. Hundreds of crocodiles as well as some rare animals, including albino bears and horses, are kept. There are crocodile shows, magic performances and animal shows 7 times a day from 09:00-17:00. 300 baht/adults, 150 baht/children.
• Pattaya Elephant Village, 54/1 Moo 2, Tambon Nong Prue, +66 38 249145(-7). This elephant camp focuses on the daily lives of elephants and their keepers and also offers stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants, elephants-at-work in the jungle, elephants playing football, and a grand war elephants parade. The shows are held daily at 14:30 and last one hour. A one-hour elephant ride is available from 08:00-17:30 for 900 baht/person and rafting/trekking for three-hours is available from 10:00-15:30 at 1,800 baht/person. 500 baht.

The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, Chaiyaphonwithi Rd (15 minute drive from central Pattaya, +66 38 249347(-9). 08:30-18:30. Features an exotic zoo and crocodiles, fire-swallowing and magic shows, as well as the garden and stone park. Its grounds are landscaped with flowering and rock gardens. Hundreds of crocodiles as well as some rare animals, including albino bears and horses, are kept. There are crocodile shows, magic performances and animal shows 7 times a day from 09:00-17:00. 300 baht/adults, 150 baht/children.

Pattaya Elephant Village, 54/1 Moo 2, Tambon Nong Prue, +66 38 249145(-7). This elephant camp focuses on the daily lives of elephants and their keepers and also offers stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants, elephants-at-work in the jungle, elephants playing football, and a grand war elephants parade. The shows are held daily at 14:30 and last one hour. A one-hour elephant ride is available from 08:00-17:30 for 900 baht/person and rafting/trekking for three-hours is available from 10:00-15:30 at 1,800 baht/person. 500 baht.

The 3 km long Pattaya Beach. runs alongside the city. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. The street south of Beach Rd, Walking St, comes alive with rock music as the night sets in. People throng the street to experience the night life, which is unique in all respects. There are hundreds of beer bars, go-go bars, discothèques around the area. Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, in open arenas in some of the beer bars adds to the carnival atmosphere.

Jomtien Beach, more popular with families, is in the southern part of the urban area, and separated from Pattaya Bay by Buddha hill. Jomtien, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, is calmer and more serene compared with Pattaya. Jomtien is also popular for its amusement park and tower, to keep children entertained. The 1 km long, Wong Phrachan Beach, at the north end of Pattaya Beach is a favourite among swimmers.

There are acres of sand jam-packed with deck chairs (recliners) and umbrellas (usually with an "in-house" supply of drinks), serviced by an army of laid-back but tenacious hawkers offering anything and everything from food (especially seafood, fruit, ice cream) to massage, manicure/pedicure, tattoos, lottery tickets, newspapers, herbs, flowers, gems, perfumes, sunglasses, CDs, watches, lighters, clothes, toys, souvenirs, handicrafts and so on. Eventually you buy a pair of very dark sunglasses and just pretend to be asleep.

Pattaya Beach is almost 3 km long and bordered by Beach Rd. Due to its central location and proximity to several hundred hotels, and because it's a relatively narrow strip of sand, it's crowded at the best of times (and even more so at high tide). Hefty fines for littering help keep the sand neat and tidy, however the sea is not so clean.

The north end of Pattaya Bay is occupied by Wong Amat Beach., which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.

Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach., to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach. and then Palm Beach. further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.

Wong Phra Chan Beach. This small tranquil 1 kilometre beach is on the north side of Pattaya Bay. The serene atmosphere here is attractive to those longing for a complete rest and privacy.

The 3 km long Pattaya Beach. runs alongside the city. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. The street south of Beach Rd, Walking St, comes alive with rock music as the night sets in. People throng the street to experience the night life, which is unique in all respects. There are hundreds of beer bars, go-go bars, discothèques around the area. Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, in open arenas in some of the beer bars adds to the carnival atmosphere.

The north end of Pattaya Bay is occupied by Wong Amat Beach., which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.

Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach., to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach. and then Palm Beach. further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.

Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach., to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach. and then Palm Beach. further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.

Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach., to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach. and then Palm Beach. further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.

Wong Phra Chan Beach. This small tranquil 1 kilometre beach is on the north side of Pattaya Bay. The serene atmosphere here is attractive to those longing for a complete rest and privacy.

• Teddy Bear Museum, 436/49 Moo 9 Soi 1, Beach Road (Corner of Beach Road and Soi 1, +66 38 411285. 09:00-20:30. 300-500 baht.

Teddy Bear Museum, 436/49 Moo 9 Soi 1, Beach Road (Corner of Beach Road and Soi 1, +66 38 411285. 09:00-20:30. 300-500 baht.

• Ban Sukhawadee, 219 Moo 2, Sukhumvit Rd, +66 38 223536(-9). M-F 08:30–18:00, Sa-Su, hols 08:00-18:00. This is the residence of Dr. Panya Chotithewan. Visitors can enter the house to pay respect to the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, to see the spacious conference room and the roof. 300 baht/adults, 50 baht/children.
• Buddha Hill. Buddha Hill is one of the highest points in Pattaya. At the summit is the biggest Buddha statue in Pattaya, and nearby is a beautiful Chinese-style sacred area dedicated to Confucius and Lao-zi. The next hill, just across Phra Tam Nak Rd, has the best Pattaya Bay coastline viewpoint and is also worth a visit, especially for sunsets. The locals come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regarded as the founding father of the modern Thai navy.
• Chaloemphrakiat Park. A park at the foot of Khao Pattaya. With an area of 6 acres, the park was dedicated to commemorate His Majesty the King's sixtieth birthday on 5 Dec 1988. The gardens of the park boast a wide variety of flowering plants and offer a scenic view of Pattaya. There are also multi-purpose grounds and winding trails for walking or jogging and standard exercise facilities. It is not at all obvious how to access the gardens of the park from the summit, and those from overseas should ask a local for guidance.
• Sanctuary of Truth, 206/2 Moo 5, Soi 12, Naklua Rd, +66 38 367229(-30). 09:00-18:00 daily. This huge ancient-style wooden temple is by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, north Pattaya. The entrance is at Soi 12, Na Kluea Rd. The Sanctuary of Truth was first begun in 1981 by Mr. Lek Wiriyaphan, the founder of the Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province. With exquisite an unique architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth. It is an unfinished project, but worth a visit even now. 500 baht.

Ban Sukhawadee, 219 Moo 2, Sukhumvit Rd, +66 38 223536(-9). M-F 08:30–18:00, Sa-Su, hols 08:00-18:00. This is the residence of Dr. Panya Chotithewan. Visitors can enter the house to pay respect to the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, to see the spacious conference room and the roof. 300 baht/adults, 50 baht/children.

Buddha Hill. Buddha Hill is one of the highest points in Pattaya. At the summit is the biggest Buddha statue in Pattaya, and nearby is a beautiful Chinese-style sacred area dedicated to Confucius and Lao-zi. The next hill, just across Phra Tam Nak Rd, has the best Pattaya Bay coastline viewpoint and is also worth a visit, especially for sunsets. The locals come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regarded as the founding father of the modern Thai navy.

Chaloemphrakiat Park. A park at the foot of Khao Pattaya. With an area of 6 acres, the park was dedicated to commemorate His Majesty the King's sixtieth birthday on 5 Dec 1988. The gardens of the park boast a wide variety of flowering plants and offer a scenic view of Pattaya. There are also multi-purpose grounds and winding trails for walking or jogging and standard exercise facilities. It is not at all obvious how to access the gardens of the park from the summit, and those from overseas should ask a local for guidance.

Sanctuary of Truth, 206/2 Moo 5, Soi 12, Naklua Rd, +66 38 367229(-30). 09:00-18:00 daily. This huge ancient-style wooden temple is by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, north Pattaya. The entrance is at Soi 12, Na Kluea Rd. The Sanctuary of Truth was first begun in 1981 by Mr. Lek Wiriyaphan, the founder of the Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province. With exquisite an unique architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth. It is an unfinished project, but worth a visit even now. 500 baht.

• Mini Siam, +66 38 421628. 07:00-22:00 daily. Mini Siam features miniature replicas of iconic structures from Thailand and all over the world. It is one of the most famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called "mini-world". 250 baht/adults, 120 baht/children.
• Siriphon Orchid Farm, 235/14 Moo 5, Noen Phlap Wan Rd (turn left for 800 m from Sukhumvit Rd, diagonally across the Pattaya Klang intersection, +66 38 429013. Inside the farm are various kinds of orchids to be admired and purchased such as Pompadua, Vanda, Golden Shower, and Cattleya.

Mini Siam, +66 38 421628. 07:00-22:00 daily. Mini Siam features miniature replicas of iconic structures from Thailand and all over the world. It is one of the most famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called "mini-world". 250 baht/adults, 120 baht/children.

Siriphon Orchid Farm, 235/14 Moo 5, Noen Phlap Wan Rd (turn left for 800 m from Sukhumvit Rd, diagonally across the Pattaya Klang intersection, +66 38 429013. Inside the farm are various kinds of orchids to be admired and purchased such as Pompadua, Vanda, Golden Shower, and Cattleya.

Pattaya's main beaches are popular and busy places for activities. Some of these include banana-boat rides, jet-skiing, water-skiing, para-sailing, windsurfing, and the like; anyone who just wants to enjoy a simple swim or a good splash around with a Frisbee or rented inner tube will always find themselves with plenty of company as well.

Pattaya is well known for its katoey cabaret (aka ladyboy or transvestite) shows. Two of the best known (expect busloads of Asian tourists) are:

• Alcazar Cabaret, Pattaya 2 Rd (across from Soi 5, +66 38 410225(-7). Showtime 18:30, 20:00, 21:30. Directly after the show the performers come outside for a few minutes photo session. 40 baht per photo with each performer of your choice or 200 baht for an instant Polaroid photo taken by their own photographer. 600-800 baht. A VIP seat closer to the front costs 200 baht extra.
• Tiffany's Show, Pattaya 2 Rd, +66 38 421700(-5). Showtime 18:00, 19:30, 21:00. Tiffany's is a family-friendly ladyboy cabaret show. The 19:30 show is generally deemed to be the best of the night. After the show there the ladyboys would gather outside available for photos sessions with interested audience. However, be aware that taking photos with the ladyboy means you are obligated to give the ladyboy tips as much as 40 baht to 100 baht depending on the rank of the ladyboy (front row ladyboys are more costly to take photos with than the back rows). Some ladyboys offers free photos session though. In May Tiffany's Show hosts the annual Miss Tiffany's Universe Pageant beauty queen competition, for contestants born as men. If you've got testosterone left over, visit the shooting range in the basement! Contact Tiffany's directly for a complimentary pick-up from your hotel. 500, 700, 800 baht.

NB: Some roadside local travel agents offers significantly cheaper ticket prices for the above shows, including for VIP seats. They also provide tickets for other things like sex shows.

Alcazar Cabaret, Pattaya 2 Rd (across from Soi 5, +66 38 410225(-7). Showtime 18:30, 20:00, 21:30. Directly after the show the performers come outside for a few minutes photo session. 40 baht per photo with each performer of your choice or 200 baht for an instant Polaroid photo taken by their own photographer. 600-800 baht. A VIP seat closer to the front costs 200 baht extra.

Tiffany's Show, Pattaya 2 Rd, +66 38 421700(-5). Showtime 18:00, 19:30, 21:00. Tiffany's is a family-friendly ladyboy cabaret show. The 19:30 show is generally deemed to be the best of the night. After the show there the ladyboys would gather outside available for photos sessions with interested audience. However, be aware that taking photos with the ladyboy means you are obligated to give the ladyboy tips as much as 40 baht to 100 baht depending on the rank of the ladyboy (front row ladyboys are more costly to take photos with than the back rows). Some ladyboys offers free photos session though. In May Tiffany's Show hosts the annual Miss Tiffany's Universe Pageant beauty queen competition, for contestants born as men. If you've got testosterone left over, visit the shooting range in the basement! Contact Tiffany's directly for a complimentary pick-up from your hotel. 500, 700, 800 baht.

Cinemas in Thailand tend to be severely air conditioned - bring a long sleeve shirt, or jacket, or both! Otherwise, the four large mall cinemas in Pattaya are mostly up to Western standards. Some (but by no means all) Thai-language films are subtitled in English (check the billing at the theatre) and some films will have both subtitled and non-subtitled showings. Visitors must stand up during the national anthem.

• Major Cineplex, The Avenue (second road across from Soi 13. Shows similar movies to the SFX cinema in Central Festival but is about 20 baht cheaper. Regular ticket for 120 baht (80 baht on Wednesdays).
• SFX Cinema, Central Pattaya Beach. Multiplex with 10 theatres on the 6th floor of the Central Festival shopping complex. Regular ticket for 140 baht (120 baht on Wednesdays), larger seat 20 baht more, fancy sofa seat at the very back, 500 baht. One theatre has first class seats for 600 baht (including popcorn and a soft drink).
• SF Cinema City, inside Central Marina Mall, +66 38 361500. This cinema has six theatres with ticket prices around 90 baht, slightly more at weekends; this has increasingly been showing Thai-soundtrack-only films (including dubbed versions of foreign films and no-English-subtitle releases of Thai films).

Major Cineplex, The Avenue (second road across from Soi 13. Shows similar movies to the SFX cinema in Central Festival but is about 20 baht cheaper. Regular ticket for 120 baht (80 baht on Wednesdays).

SFX Cinema, Central Pattaya Beach. Multiplex with 10 theatres on the 6th floor of the Central Festival shopping complex. Regular ticket for 140 baht (120 baht on Wednesdays), larger seat 20 baht more, fancy sofa seat at the very back, 500 baht. One theatre has first class seats for 600 baht (including popcorn and a soft drink).

SF Cinema City, inside Central Marina Mall, +66 38 361500. This cinema has six theatres with ticket prices around 90 baht, slightly more at weekends; this has increasingly been showing Thai-soundtrack-only films (including dubbed versions of foreign films and no-English-subtitle releases of Thai films).

As with most coastal towns in Thailand, Pattaya is a good place for diving. The diving is done mostly on the near islands, Ko Larn, Ko Sak, Ko Krok. Once in a while the dive centres go out to the far islands, Ko Rin and Koh Wichai.

The diving off Pattaya is also known for its numerous wrecks: the HTMS Kut, HTMS Kram, the Bremen, and the Harddeep.

• DA scuba, 437/17 Moo 9, Soi 6/Beach Rd, +66 38 361724. daily from 09:00-18:00. DA Scuba is one of the oldest dive centres in Pattaya, which are running daily trips to the near islands, far islands and wrecks.

DA scuba, 437/17 Moo 9, Soi 6/Beach Rd, +66 38 361724. daily from 09:00-18:00. DA Scuba is one of the oldest dive centres in Pattaya, which are running daily trips to the near islands, far islands and wrecks.

• Art in Paradise, Second Road Soi 1, North Pattaya. This is an “illusion” art museum that features ten galleries – the Camouflage Room, Under the Ocean Room, Wildlife Room, Classical Art Room, Civilization Room, Surrealism Room, Dinosaur Room, Waterfall Room, Scenery Room, and Exhibition of Art Room. Great place for any one who loves to snap selfies! 300 baht (180 for Thais).
• Bowling Plus, Second Rd (at the junction with Soi Regent Marina, +66 38 429908. Daily, 10:00-02:00. 20 bowling lanes. Also has 6 pool tables plus 2 full-size snooker tables for 120 baht/hour. 70-90 baht/person.
• O.D. Bowl, Pratamnak Rd. Daily, 08:00-01:00.
• Paintball Park, 248/10 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd, +66 38 300608. Daily, 09:00-18:00. Decent field; helpful English speaking manager. 50 rounds ammo/~400 baht.
• Pattaya Kart Speedway, 248/2 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd (5 km from the centre of Pattaya to the south, +66 38 422044. Daily, 09:00-18:00. A kart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs, and there is a separate "off-road" track. 250+ baht/10 mins.
• P.S. Bowling, P.S. Plaza, +66 38 420965. Daily, 11:00-02:00. 70-90 baht/person.
• Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Second Rd or Beach Rd (on the third floor of Royal Garden Plaza, +66 38 710294(-8). 11:00-23:00 daily. At the same location there's also a "Haunted Experience" show, a 4D movie theatre and "Infinity Maze" game. Various combination tickets available to enter all four. Foreigners 380 baht/adult and 280 baht/child, Thais 280 baht/adult, 230 baht/child.
• Tiffany's Shooting Range, GF, Tiffany's Show Building, 464 Moo 9, Second Rd, +66 38 421700(-5). Daily, 09:00-21:00. The only indoor shooting range in Pattaya with 19 lanes. Minimum age 18.
• Video games. Video games are a popular pastime in Thailand, hence PlayStation and computer game shops are everywhere in Pattaya. The usual rate is 20 baht/hr, making for pretty cheap entertainment, but expect things to get very crowded and loud in the hours after school lets out. There's a big shop on Soi Chaiyaphum (right off Soi Buakhao across from Soi Diana Inn) that's open 24/7 and has more comfortable chairs. 20 baht/hr.

Art in Paradise, Second Road Soi 1, North Pattaya. This is an “illusion” art museum that features ten galleries – the Camouflage Room, Under the Ocean Room, Wildlife Room, Classical Art Room, Civilization Room, Surrealism Room, Dinosaur Room, Waterfall Room, Scenery Room, and Exhibition of Art Room. Great place for any one who loves to snap selfies! 300 baht (180 for Thais).

Bowling Plus, Second Rd (at the junction with Soi Regent Marina, +66 38 429908. Daily, 10:00-02:00. 20 bowling lanes. Also has 6 pool tables plus 2 full-size snooker tables for 120 baht/hour. 70-90 baht/person.

O.D. Bowl, Pratamnak Rd. Daily, 08:00-01:00.

Paintball Park, 248/10 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd, +66 38 300608. Daily, 09:00-18:00. Decent field; helpful English speaking manager. 50 rounds ammo/~400 baht.

Pattaya Kart Speedway, 248/2 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd (5 km from the centre of Pattaya to the south, +66 38 422044. Daily, 09:00-18:00. A kart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs, and there is a separate "off-road" track. 250+ baht/10 mins.

P.S. Bowling, P.S. Plaza, +66 38 420965. Daily, 11:00-02:00. 70-90 baht/person.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Second Rd or Beach Rd (on the third floor of Royal Garden Plaza, +66 38 710294(-8). 11:00-23:00 daily. At the same location there's also a "Haunted Experience" show, a 4D movie theatre and "Infinity Maze" game. Various combination tickets available to enter all four. Foreigners 380 baht/adult and 280 baht/child, Thais 280 baht/adult, 230 baht/child.

Tiffany's Shooting Range, GF, Tiffany's Show Building, 464 Moo 9, Second Rd, +66 38 421700(-5). Daily, 09:00-21:00. The only indoor shooting range in Pattaya with 19 lanes. Minimum age 18.

Video games. Video games are a popular pastime in Thailand, hence PlayStation and computer game shops are everywhere in Pattaya. The usual rate is 20 baht/hr, making for pretty cheap entertainment, but expect things to get very crowded and loud in the hours after school lets out. There's a big shop on Soi Chaiyaphum (right off Soi Buakhao across from Soi Diana Inn) that's open 24/7 and has more comfortable chairs. 20 baht/hr.

• New Year's Day. 1 Jan has been adopted as New Year's Day. On the first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple or at a particular site designated by government offices of private organizations.
• Songkran. Mid-April. Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated primarily by everyone throwing prodigious quantities of water at anything that moves. Pattaya officially celebrates Songkran on later dates (April 18–19) than most of the rest of the country (April 13–15) - but in reality the fun just starts early and keeps on going that much longer. During this period many hotels and guest houses have high occupancy levels, and public transport services (especially buses to/from Bangkok) are very busy, with more frequent than normal departures but also with appreciable delays due to the general mayhem on the roads. Songkran in Pattaya follows the same overall pattern as seen elsewhere in Thailand, but is especially vigorous in areas such as Soi 7 and Soi 8. Expect to get very wet indeed and you're unlikely to be disappointed - regardless of where you go or what else you actually plan to do. Although things calm down considerably after dusk, it's still worth keeping anything that could easily be damaged (especially cameras, mobile telephones, passports etc) in plastic bags.
• Pattaya Festival. Mid-April. The Pattaya Festival has floral floats, a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest, a traditional aquatic sports competitions, castles, a fireworks display, fire crackers, arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale. Don't expect an "authentic" festival, this is basically a festival to promote Pattaya as a popular seaside destination for tourists.

New Year's Day. 1 Jan has been adopted as New Year's Day. On the first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple or at a particular site designated by government offices of private organizations.

Songkran. Mid-April. Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated primarily by everyone throwing prodigious quantities of water at anything that moves. Pattaya officially celebrates Songkran on later dates (April 18–19) than most of the rest of the country (April 13–15) - but in reality the fun just starts early and keeps on going that much longer. During this period many hotels and guest houses have high occupancy levels, and public transport services (especially buses to/from Bangkok) are very busy, with more frequent than normal departures but also with appreciable delays due to the general mayhem on the roads. Songkran in Pattaya follows the same overall pattern as seen elsewhere in Thailand, but is especially vigorous in areas such as Soi 7 and Soi 8. Expect to get very wet indeed and you're unlikely to be disappointed - regardless of where you go or what else you actually plan to do. Although things calm down considerably after dusk, it's still worth keeping anything that could easily be damaged (especially cameras, mobile telephones, passports etc) in plastic bags.

Pattaya Festival. Mid-April. The Pattaya Festival has floral floats, a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest, a traditional aquatic sports competitions, castles, a fireworks display, fire crackers, arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale. Don't expect an "authentic" festival, this is basically a festival to promote Pattaya as a popular seaside destination for tourists.

For those who want adventure combined with the experience of seeing a rain forest canopy, this adventure tour is ideal. It involves zip lining over the forest canopy and getting a thrill that is in a league of its own. The tour operates twice daily: one starting around 07:00 and the other around noon. Total time including travel is about 5 hours of which about 2–3 hours will be spent in the forest. Can be booked through one of the many tour operator shops or on-line at Cost can vary from 2,100-2,500 baht depending on where you book, your ability to negotiate and the supply-demand situation.

• The Golf Club, 33/133 Soi L.K. Metro (Near Soi Diana and Soi Buakhao, about 100 m from Areca Lodge, +66 85 4343377. A popular sports bar & restaurant that runs regular golf competitions on M, Tu, Th, and F. They have contracts with the local courses and offer highly discounted green fees either through the Pattaya Sports Club or they can book your private tour of up to 120 golfers. They are the only bar golf society with a TAT License. Transportation, club rentals, free Wi-Fi and golf lockers are available. Have 4 rooms available to golfers and non-golfers alike, from 600-900 baht depending on room and season.
• The Mini Golf Pub, Thappraya Rd (On the left just past the flyover when headed to Jomtien. Daily, 10:00-23:00. 18 holes, refreshments available; their cat sometimes acts as a self-propelled obstacle. 100 baht/person.
• Pattaya City Golf. Daily, 09:00-01:00. 18 holes, plus chipping, driving and putting areas for the more serious golfer; refreshments served at the waterfront bar; caddy service available. 140 baht/person.

The Golf Club, 33/133 Soi L.K. Metro (Near Soi Diana and Soi Buakhao, about 100 m from Areca Lodge, +66 85 4343377. A popular sports bar & restaurant that runs regular golf competitions on M, Tu, Th, and F. They have contracts with the local courses and offer highly discounted green fees either through the Pattaya Sports Club or they can book your private tour of up to 120 golfers. They are the only bar golf society with a TAT License. Transportation, club rentals, free Wi-Fi and golf lockers are available. Have 4 rooms available to golfers and non-golfers alike, from 600-900 baht depending on room and season.

The Mini Golf Pub, Thappraya Rd (On the left just past the flyover when headed to Jomtien. Daily, 10:00-23:00. 18 holes, refreshments available; their cat sometimes acts as a self-propelled obstacle. 100 baht/person.

Pattaya City Golf. Daily, 09:00-01:00. 18 holes, plus chipping, driving and putting areas for the more serious golfer; refreshments served at the waterfront bar; caddy service available. 140 baht/person.

• Ko Khrok. 2 km east of Ko Laan, is an isolated rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.
• Ko Phai. Ko Phai, and other islands in the Ko Phai group, Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom), Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation, fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted. For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km/2 hours), expect to pay 2,500-4,000 baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.

Ko Khrok. 2 km east of [[Ko Laan]], is an isolated rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.

Ko Phai. Ko Phai, and other islands in the Ko Phai group, Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom), Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation, fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted. For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km/2 hours), expect to pay 2,500-4,000 baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.

• OneRoyale, Central Rd (across from Leng Kee Restaurant, Central Pattaya Rd, +66 38 423326. Clean, comfortable, and quiet atmosphere. Body massages include foot, Thai, oil, aroma, head/shoulder, and four hands. Also do body scrubs and sun burn treatment. Special treatments for ladies include: intimate repair treatment, vagina firming treatment, post-birth treatment, firming & anti-cellulite treatment. Water, tea or coffee afterwards.
• Serenity Massage, +66 87 5386120. One of the few massage shops in this section of Pattaya. It offers a clean, comfortable and quiet atmosphere inside, combined with talk and laughter with the girls outside. Massage services include foot, Thai, oil, powder, salt body scrub, aromatherapy, four hands massage and more. Water, tea or coffee afterwards. The overall experience is fun, unrushed and relaxing.
• Spa View, +66 38 411203. One of the largest massage and spa complexes in Pattaya, offering aromatherapy oil massage, herbal steam sauna, skin whitening treatment, body treatment with aloe vera herbal, mineral water treatment, body treatment with milk and honey, milk bath treatment, physical massage, foot massage, and others. Facial treatments include nail care and treatment, hand and foot therapy by soaking with herbal water, foot massage, facial massage, scrub, ozone, fruit skin treatment, lotion and others.

OneRoyale, Central Rd (across from Leng Kee Restaurant, Central Pattaya Rd, +66 38 423326. Clean, comfortable, and quiet atmosphere. Body massages include foot, Thai, oil, aroma, head/shoulder, and four hands. Also do body scrubs and sun burn treatment. Special treatments for ladies include: intimate repair treatment, vagina firming treatment, post-birth treatment, firming & anti-cellulite treatment. Water, tea or coffee afterwards.

Serenity Massage, +66 87 5386120. One of the few massage shops in this section of Pattaya. It offers a clean, comfortable and quiet atmosphere inside, combined with talk and laughter with the girls outside. Massage services include foot, Thai, oil, powder, salt body scrub, aromatherapy, four hands massage and more. Water, tea or coffee afterwards. The overall experience is fun, unrushed and relaxing.

Spa View, +66 38 411203. One of the largest massage and spa complexes in Pattaya, offering aromatherapy oil massage, herbal steam sauna, skin whitening treatment, body treatment with aloe vera herbal, mineral water treatment, body treatment with milk and honey, milk bath treatment, physical massage, foot massage, and others. Facial treatments include nail care and treatment, hand and foot therapy by soaking with herbal water, foot massage, facial massage, scrub, ozone, fruit skin treatment, lotion and others.

• Pattaya Muay Thai Academy, Soi 7 North Rd (about a third of the way down Soi 7 from North Rd, on the left side.. A popular muay Thai camp that is open to everyone for fitness, self-defence and fighter training. The gym is fully matted, including a large open training area, a boxing ring, several punch and kick bags as well as fitness equipment. Accommodation is available in camp, the instructors are multilingual, free Wi-Fi for customers, and the option of fighting at muay Thai stadiums.

Pattaya Muay Thai Academy, Soi 7 North Rd (about a third of the way down Soi 7 from North Rd, on the left side.. A popular muay Thai camp that is open to everyone for fitness, self-defence and fighter training. The gym is fully matted, including a large open training area, a boxing ring, several punch and kick bags as well as fitness equipment. Accommodation is available in camp, the instructors are multilingual, free Wi-Fi for customers, and the option of fighting at muay Thai stadiums.

• Open Eyes Show, 2F, Pattaya Bazaar, 266/52-53 North Pattaya Rd (opposite the Tiffany Show, +66 38 362077(-79). Daily, 15:00-23:00. "The Great Experience Behind The Magical", a lot of technological magic and illusion shows. It is a magic performance in various styles such as Aladdin, the Mermaid, Invisible Woman, the Wonderland, etc. 600 baht/adults, 300 baht/children.
• Tuxedo Magic Castle, 78/16-17 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd, +66 38 488880. Daily, 19:00, 20:30, 22:00. It is a magic theatre in the form of a split-level restaurant. There are series of shows such as making an umbrella out of cards. 450 baht.

Open Eyes Show, 2F, Pattaya Bazaar, 266/52-53 North Pattaya Rd (opposite the Tiffany Show, +66 38 362077(-79). Daily, 15:00-23:00. "The Great Experience Behind The Magical", a lot of technological magic and illusion shows. It is a magic performance in various styles such as Aladdin, the Mermaid, Invisible Woman, the Wonderland, etc. 600 baht/adults, 300 baht/children.

Tuxedo Magic Castle, 78/16-17 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd, +66 38 488880. Daily, 19:00, 20:30, 22:00. It is a magic theatre in the form of a split-level restaurant. There are series of shows such as making an umbrella out of cards. 450 baht.

In June 2016, the Regional Environmental Office said, "The sea water along the busy central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality and could endanger human and marine life".

For those who choose to ignore the warning, speedboat-towed parachute rides are available along the main beaches, and in Pattaya Bay from several large floating platforms with speedboats ferrying customers out from the shore. Typically about 500 baht.

• Pattaya Lake Land Cable Ski, 90/1 Sukhumvit Rd Na Kluea. 09:00 - 18:00. Lake Land Cable Ski is a manmade, freshwater lake beside Sukhumvit Road, not far from Jomtien Beach. Water skiing and wakeboarding. 2 hours, 300 baht; all day, 500 baht.

Pattaya Lake Land Cable Ski, 90/1 Sukhumvit Rd Na Kluea. 09:00 - 18:00. Lake Land Cable Ski is a manmade, freshwater lake beside Sukhumvit Road, not far from Jomtien Beach. Water skiing and wakeboarding. 2 hours, 300 baht; all day, 500 baht.

There are numerous malls, supermarkets, bazaar-style markets, and thousands of other shops. Sadly, you'll be seeing a lot of the same stuff over and over again — there's no endless variety in Pattaya. Also, Pattaya is not a good place to go shopping for hi-tech products, such as cameras and computers—expect to see prices around 50% higher than the best prices advertised in the West. Also beware of buying fake branded and designer goods, since these could be confiscated by customs officers at the airport.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged for Thai baht at the many exchange booths which can be found in all areas popular with tourists — there are even mobile exchanges/ATMs in specially adapted minivans that are set up as and when and where the need arises. Note that the majority of exchange booths will buy foreign currency but will not sell it — if you need to obtain US dollars, for example if you're going to Cambodia, use one of the larger branches of a major bank, such as the Bangkok Bank branch on Second Rd (almost opposite Soi 6).

ATMs are widely available around the city, however, the vast majority of them now charge a steep 180 baht fee for using foreign cards, on top of what your home bank normally charges. The only exception was until 2014, Aeon bank but they now charge 150 baht. Their ATMs are located at the ground floor of Carrefour near KFC, Central Pattaya Rd (around 400m up from the Second Rd crossing), near Homework Furniture Mall entrance (just behind Big C on South Pattaya/Sukhumvit Rd intersection, accessible by 10 baht songthaews parked near Second Rd intersection), and in Tesco Lotus at South Pattaya. Also at Tesco Lotus on North Pattaya Rd on the ground floor.

• Book Variety. Many branches, at Big C, South Pattaya Rd, Carrefour, Central Pattaya Rd; Tuk.Com (Com City).
• Bookazine. There are many branches of Bookazine, including those at Central Festival Centre; Royal Garden Plaza; and The Avenue.
• Canterbury Tales Cafe, Guesthouse & Bookshop, Soi Chaiyapoon, +66 86 575466. Daily, 08:00-20:00. Probably Pattaya's largest second hand bookshop. It's run by an Englishman called Dave. Also has a cafe restaurant and rooms for 500-800 baht. The cafe at the front is a popular meeting place with expats, mostly from UK, US and Australia.
• D.K. Book Mart, +66 38 429359. 09:00-00:00 daily. A medium-size bookshop with lots of English titles, including a sizeable cookbook section and a worthwhile selection of second-hand paperbacks at 99 baht.
• Jeremy's Bookshop, 383/111 Soi Chaiyaphum, +66 38 411266. Daily, 09:00-22:00. An immaculate library-style English language paperback exchange, large selection, mostly priced around 100-250 baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.
• Pattaya Beach Books, 1F, P.S. Plaza, 369 Moo 9, and 316/137 Moo 10, Soi Buakhao, +66 38 362175. Daily, 10:00-20:00. Both branches of this book shop have a huge selection of used English language books and magazines. Magazines around 50-60 baht, paperbacks 140-160 baht, hardbacks 180+ baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.
• SE-ED. This store has several branches, at Big C, South Pattaya Rd; Carrefour, Central Pattaya Rd; Tesco-Lotus, North Pattaya Rd; Tesco-Lotus, Sukhumvit Rd.
• Star Books, 138/213 Soi Khao Noi, +66 16 368189. 09:00-19:00 daily. A well designed paperback exchange, large selection of used and new, mostly priced around 100-240 baht. Fresh coffee and tea. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.
• Swan Book Shop, 210/6 Soi Buakhao. M-Sa 09:00-21:00. A large selection of second-hand foreign language paperbacks, mostly priced 100-180 baht.

Book Variety. Many branches, at Big C, South Pattaya Rd, Carrefour, Central Pattaya Rd; Tuk.Com (Com City).

Bookazine. There are many branches of Bookazine, including those at Central Festival Centre; Royal Garden Plaza; and The Avenue.

Canterbury Tales Cafe, Guesthouse & Bookshop, Soi Chaiyapoon, +66 86 575466. Daily, 08:00-20:00. Probably Pattaya's largest second hand bookshop. It's run by an Englishman called Dave. Also has a cafe restaurant and rooms for 500-800 baht. The cafe at the front is a popular meeting place with expats, mostly from UK, US and Australia.

D.K. Book Mart, +66 38 429359. 09:00-00:00 daily. A medium-size bookshop with lots of English titles, including a sizeable cookbook section and a worthwhile selection of second-hand paperbacks at 99 baht.

Jeremy's Bookshop, 383/111 Soi Chaiyaphum, +66 38 411266. Daily, 09:00-22:00. An immaculate library-style English language paperback exchange, large selection, mostly priced around 100-250 baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

Pattaya Beach Books, 1F, P.S. Plaza, 369 Moo 9, and 316/137 Moo 10, Soi Buakhao, +66 38 362175. Daily, 10:00-20:00. Both branches of this book shop have a huge selection of used English language books and magazines. Magazines around 50-60 baht, paperbacks 140-160 baht, hardbacks 180+ baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

SE-ED. This store has several branches, at Big C, South Pattaya Rd; Carrefour, Central Pattaya Rd; Tesco-Lotus, North Pattaya Rd; Tesco-Lotus, Sukhumvit Rd.

Star Books, 138/213 Soi Khao Noi, +66 16 368189. 09:00-19:00 daily. A well designed paperback exchange, large selection of used and new, mostly priced around 100-240 baht. Fresh coffee and tea. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

Swan Book Shop, 210/6 Soi Buakhao. M-Sa 09:00-21:00. A large selection of second-hand foreign language paperbacks, mostly priced 100-180 baht.

• Central Festival. Daily, 11:00-23:00. One of the largest malls in Asia. It is the best shopping mall in the region and now attracts customers from all over, adding to the traffic chaos of Beach Rd. Fashion, electronics, health & beauty, kids activities and food are all here. With the obligatory cinema complex and bowling alley on the top floor, this mega-mall is styled on the big Bangkok destination shopping areas like Siam Paragon. The Food Loft has the best view of the bay and great variety at reasonable prices. The anchor store is Central Department Store itself, offering high-end designer labels from abroad and Thailand. A supermarket and budget food hall is in the basement. Enter from Soi 9, Pattaya Beach Rd or on Second Rd after the new View Talay complex. Easy to find, just look for the traffic jams.
• Mike Shopping Mall. The ground floor has many small stalls selling clothing, tourist souvenirs and many other inexpensive items; above that there's a department store; on the 5th floor there's a food court; and up on the roof (10th floor) there's a public swimming pool.
• P.S. Plaza and Tops supermarket. A Tops supermarket and a cooked food outlet occupies most of the ground floor; billiards, books, massage, and a handful of other shops on the first floor; and P.S. Bowling on the second floor.
• Royal Garden Plaza.
• Tukcom, South Pattaya Rd. A predominantly IT mall. In the basement is a Tops supermarket, a food court, and various other (mostly clothes) shops as well as a spare parts department that sells a variety of electronics (e.g., transistors) and other parts (e.g., washing machine lint filters), and the ground floor hosts an assortment of regular shops. However the upper floors are almost exclusively mobile phones (1st floor), computer software and MP3/video CDs (4th floor), and computers and handheld electronics (2nd/3rd/5th floors). Prices are significantly higher than in Bangkok though.
• Tesco Lotus Pattaya Nuea, 12 Muang Pattaya North Pattaya road, +66 38-370910. 8am-11pm. sells most things you need.

Central Festival. Daily, 11:00-23:00. One of the largest malls in Asia. It is the best shopping mall in the region and now attracts customers from all over, adding to the traffic chaos of Beach Rd. Fashion, electronics, health & beauty, kids activities and food are all here. With the obligatory cinema complex and bowling alley on the top floor, this mega-mall is styled on the big Bangkok destination shopping areas like Siam Paragon. The Food Loft has the best view of the bay and great variety at reasonable prices. The anchor store is Central Department Store itself, offering high-end designer labels from abroad and Thailand. A supermarket and budget food hall is in the basement. Enter from Soi 9, Pattaya Beach Rd or on Second Rd after the new View Talay complex. Easy to find, just look for the traffic jams.

Mike Shopping Mall. The ground floor has many small stalls selling clothing, tourist souvenirs and many other inexpensive items; above that there's a department store; on the 5th floor there's a food court; and up on the roof (10th floor) there's a public swimming pool.

P.S. Plaza and Tops supermarket. A Tops supermarket and a cooked food outlet occupies most of the ground floor; billiards, books, massage, and a handful of other shops on the first floor; and P.S. Bowling on the second floor.

Royal Garden Plaza.

Tukcom, South Pattaya Rd. A predominantly IT mall. In the basement is a Tops supermarket, a food court, and various other (mostly clothes) shops as well as a spare parts department that sells a variety of electronics (e.g., transistors) and other parts (e.g., washing machine lint filters), and the ground floor hosts an assortment of regular shops. However the upper floors are almost exclusively mobile phones (1st floor), computer software and MP3/video CDs (4th floor), and computers and handheld electronics (2nd/3rd/5th floors). Prices are significantly higher than in Bangkok though.

Tesco Lotus Pattaya Nuea, 12 Muang Pattaya North Pattaya road, +66 38-370910. 8am-11pm. sells most things you need.

There are many bazaar-style markets in Pattaya where you can haggle 'till you drop, including:

• Made In Thailand Night Bazaar, on Second Rd near Soi 10. 08:00-23:00. Despite the name, it is also open in mornings.
• The Market Pattaya. This market is a little lonely, but some evenings it has students giving music or dance performances on a small stage.
• Soi Buakhao Market. Daytime on Tuesdays and Fridays; plus an evening market further along the same road.

• Gems Gallery, 555 Moo 6, North Pattaya Rd, +66 861529480. One of several "World's Biggest" jewellery stores, this one also has a theme park.
• Jo Fishing Tackle Shop, 259/42 Moo 5, Soi Pothisan, +66 38 367556. Daily, 08:00-20:00. Small/mid-size shop absolutely packed to the gills(!) in a well-organised fashion with all manner of fishing tackle, owner doesn't speak much English, but is very friendly and helpful.
• KC Gallery, Walking St. The best and biggest art gallery shop.
• Narai Art Gallery, Soi 6, Phratamnak Rd. A local crafts shop which doubles as a nice restaurant.
• Liam's Gallery, Soi 4 Pratamnak Rd, Moo 12, +66 38 251808. Exhibits and sells original art works from Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Gems Gallery, 555 Moo 6, North Pattaya Rd, +66 861529480. One of several "World's Biggest" jewellery stores, this one also has a theme park.

Jo Fishing Tackle Shop, 259/42 Moo 5, Soi Pothisan, +66 38 367556. Daily, 08:00-20:00. Small/mid-size shop absolutely packed to the gills(!) in a well-organised fashion with all manner of fishing tackle, owner doesn't speak much English, but is very friendly and helpful.

KC Gallery, Walking St. The best and biggest art gallery shop.

Narai Art Gallery, Soi 6, Phratamnak Rd. A local crafts shop which doubles as a nice restaurant.

Liam's Gallery, Soi 4 Pratamnak Rd, Moo 12, +66 38 251808. Exhibits and sells original art works from Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Made In Thailand Night Bazaar, on Second Rd near Soi 10. 08:00-23:00. Despite the name, it is also open in mornings.

The Market Pattaya. This market is a little lonely, but some evenings it has students giving music or dance performances on a small stage.

Soi Buakhao Market. Daytime on Tuesdays and Fridays; plus an evening market further along the same road.

• Art galleries are also considered to be rising business in Pattaya, most of the places will offer variety works and services including custom orders and art reproductions. These galleries in Pattaya have reputations in affordable prices and fine quality artist skills.
• Convenience stores are everywhere, especially 7-Eleven and FamilyMart shops (all open 24/7), plus countless independents. If you use the family run shops the prices aren't always marked but should be the same, or just a baht or two higher.
• Gold shops abound, with concentrations around the market on South Pattaya Rd and around Central Pattaya Rd near Second Rd, plus numerous jewellery shops towards the south end of Beach Rd. Small jewellery shops can also be found as part of supermarkets.
• Tailor shops Are everywhere, offering men's clothes, but quality is variable. Ideally, make sure you get two fittings before buying.

Art galleries are also considered to be rising business in Pattaya, most of the places will offer variety works and services including custom orders and art reproductions. These galleries in Pattaya have reputations in affordable prices and fine quality artist skills.

Convenience stores are everywhere, especially 7-Eleven and FamilyMart shops (all open 24/7), plus countless independents. If you use the family run shops the prices aren't always marked but should be the same, or just a baht or two higher.

Gold shops abound, with concentrations around the market on South Pattaya Rd and around Central Pattaya Rd near Second Rd, plus numerous jewellery shops towards the south end of Beach Rd. Small jewellery shops can also be found as part of supermarkets.

Tailor shops Are everywhere, offering men's clothes, but quality is variable. Ideally, make sure you get two fittings before buying.

There are many restaurants, food carts, food courts, food markets, motorcycle-sidecar hotdog and meatball vendors, fruit sellers both mobile and stationary, even a roaming coffee peddling tuk-tuk. OK, so the germ theory of disease doesn't yet seem to be widely accepted but don't let that stop you from ordering the sushi. Many (although not all) non-Thai-cuisine restaurants also have at least a limited menu of Thai favourites as well.

Chonburi Province has a lot of fresh seafood and dried fruits. As there are a lot of people from the Isaan region living and working in Pattaya, there is an abundance of northeastern favourites such as spicy papaya salad (som tam) and spicy-sour chopped pork salad (larb).

• The noodle stall next to the entrance to the North Pattaya Road bus station does a passable ba mii moo daeng (egg noodles with red pork) for 25 baht.
• Several outdoor food stalls along Soi 15 (just off Walking Street). Foreigner friendly and cheap prices (e.g., fried rice, 50 baht; chicken, rice and soup, 30 baht).
• The food court in the basement of Tuk.com (see the Malls section) has stalls with a wide range of cheap Thai dishes.
• Big C Extra Food Court, Pattaya Klang Rd (Near Third Rd. It has good food including cheap Isaan treats, such as som tam (papaya salad) and khao neow (sticky rice). The Big C Extra stand, usually near the parking garage entrance, has inexpensive sandwiches.
• Kiss Food & Drink serves cheap and cheerful Thai and Western favourites 24/7 at two semi-open-air locations - one on Second Rd opposite Mike Shopping Mall, the other in Naklua Road just past Boncafe - also in Jomtien and Soi Pornprapanimit (Soi Siam Country Club).
• S&P Coffee Shops, various locations. Inexpensive sandwiches, like tuna, for 45 baht.
• Sailor Bar and Restaurant. 07:30-03:00. Good restaurant and bar, notable for its 65 baht breakfasts. Service is fast and efficient, but brusque and cold. Free Wi-Fi. Hamburger 60 baht; khao pat 30 baht; t-bone with fries, potato salad, 120 baht; beer 50 baht..
• Tesco Lotus Pattaya Nuea Food Court, 12 muang Pattaya North Pattaya Rd, +66 38 370 910. 08:00-23:00. A good low-price place to eat.

The food court in the basement of Tuk.com (see the [[#Malls| Malls]] section) has stalls with a wide range of cheap Thai dishes.

Big C Extra Food Court, Pattaya Klang Rd (Near Third Rd. It has good food including cheap [[Isaan#Eat|Isaan]] treats, such as som tam (papaya salad) and khao neow (sticky rice). The Big C Extra stand, usually near the parking garage entrance, has inexpensive sandwiches.

Kiss Food & Drink serves cheap and cheerful Thai and Western favourites 24/7 at two semi-open-air locations - one on Second Rd opposite Mike Shopping Mall, the other in Naklua Road just past Boncafe - also in Jomtien and Soi Pornprapanimit (Soi Siam Country Club).

S&P Coffee Shops, various locations. Inexpensive sandwiches, like tuna, for 45 baht.

Sailor Bar and Restaurant. 07:30-03:00. Good restaurant and bar, notable for its 65 baht breakfasts. Service is fast and efficient, but brusque and cold. Free Wi-Fi. Hamburger 60 baht; khao pat 30 baht; t-bone with fries, potato salad, 120 baht; beer 50 baht..

Tesco Lotus Pattaya Nuea Food Court, 12 muang Pattaya North Pattaya Rd, +66 38 370 910. 08:00-23:00. A good low-price place to eat.

• British Pubs. There are several spots for fish and chips or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding: The Sportsman (Soi 13). They have a quiz night every Thursday, 21:00. The Pig and Whistle (Soi 7) and The Queen Victoria Inn (Soi 6).
• Cool Kitchen. 24/7. Good Western and Thai food including narm tok mu (spicy pork salad) and yum pla dook fu (crispy catfish salad).
• Maikan Majatalo, 202/193 Moo 9 Pattaya Klang Plaza Center, +66 871 348 483. Finnish restaurant, huge portions. On some of the dishes "if you're still hungry, you get the second one free." Their homepage is in Finnish only, but according to it they have rooms for rent (300-800 baht per night or 7000-18,000 baht per month depending on the season). Other services include scooter rental and Finnish sauna and they also arrange sports events such as bowling, golf, mölkky (a Finnish throwing game), and pesäpallo (Finnish baseball).
• Nachrichtentreff, 157/128 Moo 5, Naklua Rd, +66 38 370173. Serves pretty good Austrian food.
• Nangnual Restaurant, 214 Moo 10 Walking St, +66 384 28177. In business since 1965, this is a super restaurant on the water in an unlikely Walking Street location. Seafood is a speciality, but the menu has sections devoted to Western food, Thai food, Italian food, Chinese food, and Japanese food. Extensive wine cellar. Attentive, friendly staff and reasonable prices.
• Parsa Restaurant. Iranian restaurant serving high quality modern and traditional Persian food including kebab and khoresht. Iranian drinks like doogh as well.
• Slices. Open very late. An American-style pizzeria. Also burgers and subs. Two slices of pizza, 100 baht.
• Tequila Reef Pattaya, Soi 7 (Off Beach Rd. Open very late. Serving Tex-Mex favourites including burritos, enchiladas, tacos, taquitos, quesadillas, and free chips with salsa, as well as American favourites including burgers, steaks, hoagies, Cajun, and seafood.
• Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana-Moom Talay Thai Restaurant, 98/4 Moo 9 Beach Road (Across from the beach between Sois 6 and 7, +66 38 362 370. An unusual combination: an Italian restaurant coupled with a Thai restaurant. The place is huge, with the two restaurants occupying different sections, but sharing menus. Large outside seating area. The restaurant bakes its own bread, makes its own pasta, and sells meat that it raises on its own farm. The ambience is great, with historical photos of Tuscany and hand-painted Italian crockery on the walls. The Italian proprietors are very much in evidence and gracious as well. Large selection of grappas, German beer on tap, and a full cocktail menu. Most Thai dishes about 180 baht; pizzas about 300 baht; half-litre of German beer, 200 baht.

British Pubs. There are several spots for fish and chips or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding: The Sportsman (Soi 13). They have a quiz night every Thursday, 21:00. The Pig and Whistle (Soi 7) and The Queen Victoria Inn (Soi 6).

Cool Kitchen. 24/7. Good Western and Thai food including narm tok mu (spicy pork salad) and yum pla dook fu (crispy catfish salad).

Maikan Majatalo, 202/193 Moo 9 Pattaya Klang Plaza Center, +66 871 348 483. Finnish restaurant, huge portions. On some of the dishes "if you're still hungry, you get the second one free." Their homepage is in Finnish only, but according to it they have rooms for rent (300-800 baht per night or 7000-18,000 baht per month depending on the season). Other services include scooter rental and Finnish sauna and they also arrange sports events such as bowling, golf, mölkky (a Finnish throwing game), and pesäpallo (Finnish baseball).

Nachrichtentreff, 157/128 Moo 5, Naklua Rd, +66 38 370173. Serves pretty good Austrian food.

Nangnual Restaurant, 214 Moo 10 Walking St, +66 384 28177. In business since 1965, this is a super restaurant on the water in an unlikely Walking Street location. Seafood is a speciality, but the menu has sections devoted to Western food, Thai food, Italian food, Chinese food, and Japanese food. Extensive wine cellar. Attentive, friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Parsa Restaurant. Iranian restaurant serving high quality modern and traditional Persian food including kebab and khoresht. Iranian drinks like doogh as well.

Slices. Open very late. An American-style pizzeria. Also burgers and subs. Two slices of pizza, 100 baht.

Tequila Reef Pattaya, Soi 7 (Off Beach Rd. Open very late. Serving Tex-Mex favourites including burritos, enchiladas, tacos, taquitos, quesadillas, and free chips with salsa, as well as American favourites including burgers, steaks, hoagies, Cajun, and seafood.

Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana-Moom Talay Thai Restaurant, 98/4 Moo 9 Beach Road (Across from the beach between Sois 6 and 7, +66 38 362 370. An unusual combination: an Italian restaurant coupled with a Thai restaurant. The place is huge, with the two restaurants occupying different sections, but sharing menus. Large outside seating area. The restaurant bakes its own bread, makes its own pasta, and sells meat that it raises on its own farm. The ambience is great, with historical photos of Tuscany and hand-painted Italian crockery on the walls. The Italian proprietors are very much in evidence and gracious as well. Large selection of grappas, German beer on tap, and a full cocktail menu. Most Thai dishes about 180 baht; pizzas about 300 baht; half-litre of German beer, 200 baht.

• Benihana. Japanese steakhouse restaurant chain. 1,000+ baht per person not including drinks.
• Breezeo, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel & Royal Cliff Beach Terrace. 11:00-23:00. The restaurant serves excellent seafood and Thai dishes.
• Hard Rock Cafe. 11:00-02:00. American chain restaurant. The reason to go here is that some beautiful Thai ladies seem to think it's cool. Starters 99-377 baht, salads 199-266 baht, mains 277-810 baht, deserts 111-222 baht, beer 122-255 baht/bottle.
• Mantra Restaurant & Bar. Asian and Mediterranean fusion. Sunday brunch. 1,500+ baht.
• Ticino Restaurant and Vespa Bar. Garden restaurant with Italian and Swiss cuisine. If the eating is as interesting as the website, it's pretty good. 400+ baht.

Benihana. Japanese steakhouse restaurant chain. 1,000+ baht per person not including drinks.

Breezeo, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel & Royal Cliff Beach Terrace. 11:00-23:00. The restaurant serves excellent seafood and Thai dishes.

Hard Rock Cafe. 11:00-02:00. American chain restaurant. The reason to go here is that some beautiful Thai ladies seem to think it's cool. Starters 99-377 baht, salads 199-266 baht, mains 277-810 baht, deserts 111-222 baht, beer 122-255 baht/bottle.

Mantra Restaurant & Bar. Asian and Mediterranean fusion. Sunday brunch. 1,500+ baht.

Ticino Restaurant and Vespa Bar. Garden restaurant with Italian and Swiss cuisine. If the eating is as interesting as the website, it's pretty good. 400+ baht.

• Chinese Vegetarian Cafe. Very cheap. 30-60 baht.
• Five Star J. Restaurant, +66 38 421105. 09:00-21:00. A small middle-range indoor place that's 100% lacto-vegetarian and has a vegetarian owner/manager who speaks good English; also caters for vegans.
• J Vegetarian Restaurant, 256/10 Moo 5, Soi 20, Naklua Rd (Next to Sousiree Massage, near Dusit Resort Hotel, +66 38 428305. 08:00-20:00.
• Thammachart Vegetarian Restaurant, 56/36 Moo 5, Amorn Market, Naklua Rd, +66 38 726911. M-Sa, 05:30-17:00. Basic café-style budget place, also has a very small vegetarian supplies shop. Not much English spoken, but does have a bilingual menu.
• Vegetarian Cafe on Central Rd. 30-60 baht..
• Vegetarian Club of Pattaya, +66 38 710805. Meets at 18:00 on the second Tuesday of every month for an "international vegetarian adventure buffet" (199 baht, reservations required - at Café New Orleans, Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4).

Chinese Vegetarian Cafe. Very cheap. 30-60 baht.

Five Star J. Restaurant, +66 38 421105. 09:00-21:00. A small middle-range indoor place that's 100% lacto-vegetarian and has a vegetarian owner/manager who speaks good English; also caters for vegans.

J Vegetarian Restaurant, 256/10 Moo 5, Soi 20, Naklua Rd (Next to Sousiree Massage, near Dusit Resort Hotel, +66 38 428305. 08:00-20:00.

Thammachart Vegetarian Restaurant, 56/36 Moo 5, Amorn Market, Naklua Rd, +66 38 726911. M-Sa, 05:30-17:00. Basic café-style budget place, also has a very small vegetarian supplies shop. Not much English spoken, but does have a bilingual menu.

Vegetarian Cafe on Central Rd. 30-60 baht..

Vegetarian Club of Pattaya, +66 38 710805. Meets at 18:00 on the second Tuesday of every month for an "international vegetarian adventure buffet" (199 baht, reservations required - at Café New Orleans, Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4).

Pattaya is internationally known for its nightlife—you might want to think twice before heading into the insanity that's called Pattaya. Obviously famous as a sex tourist destination, you don't necessarily have to partake in order to experience Pattaya's nightlife. More and more visitors come over just to see what the fuss is about. There are ample opportunities to dance, drink, and observe humanity even if paid sex is not of interest. Steer clear of the staid hotel bars and head into the warrens of central Pattaya, where nightclubs, transvestite cabarets, coffee shops, karaoke bars, open-air bars and restaurants with live music and entertainment compete for attention. Most of these establishments are located along Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya 2 Road, and in South Pattaya, which is also the city's major shopping area.

Pattaya is especially famous for its beer bars, staffed by "bar girls" who are "for hire" to the tourists and ex-pats who drink there. Popular beer bar pastimes include pool, connect-four and shut-the-box.

Open-air beer bars can be found all over Pattaya, with the biggest and best known concentrations being along and around Soi 7/Soi 8 and Walking Street, at numerous points on Second Road, Beach Road, Soi Buakhao, and in smaller numbers just about everywhere else, including along the southern end of Naklua Road. Although the staff of a typical beer bar will usually include many working girls, customers who have no wish to pay a "bar fine" and take a lady are welcomed and indeed make up the majority of the clientèle. Indoor beer bars can also be found all over Pattaya, the most notorious areas being Soi Yodsak (Soi 6) and parts of Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2). While some of these bars are much more "bar fine" oriented, in most cases customers who simply want to drink are welcome.

Go-go bars differ from beer bars as they have bikini-clad girls dancing around chrome poles on stages. The main concentrations are along Walking Street and Soi L.K. Metro (see below), with more dotted around the most popular beer bar areas. Sightseeing tourists are welcome in go-go bars, however, cameras are not. Signs prohibiting photography are widespread, and a minority of venues require patrons to deposit their cameras with security staff as they enter. This rule is enforced: if caught snapping shots, you'll be lucky if you're only thrown out and not beaten up.

The official closing time in "entertainment zones" is 01:00, although in practice usually somewhere between 01:00 and 03:00, depending on location—however, "closing" is defined as switching off the music and non-essential lighting, and numerous beer bars remain open 24 hours. Bars outside of these zones close around midnight. So, you're passing through Pattaya and you've set aside a few hours to check out the bar scene—but where to go? The most popular (and generally the most densely concentrated) beer bar and go-go bar locations (listed south to north) are:

• Walking Street. Should have been named "Walking, Shopping, Eating, Drinking, Dancing and Ogling Street" as there's plenty of almost everything here—including around 100 beer bars and at least 30 go-go bars, plus many more in the side-sois that lead east towards Pratamnak Road. Worth a look in the daytime, but best visited in the evening, and has loads of restaurants if you're bridging the gap between the two. Gets really packed in places when the nightclubs empty, so watch your pockets.
• Pattayaland. Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4) features on many Pattaya postcards—when lit up at night, the go-go bar signs are a memorable and photogenic sight, although there are only eight go-go bars here (two of which feature guys, not girls), plus a half-dozen bars and the Penthouse Hotel. Worth a look in the evening (it's almost a ghost town the rest of the time), but get there before 01:00 as that's when the lights go out.
• Boyz Town. Features only male dancers and bars that cater for the gay crowd; Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) has even more all-male go-gos (eight), but does have a couple of girl-go-go bars as well. Pattayaland 1 is relatively dead in the daytime, but Pattayaland 3 has a handful of places to eat and drink that keep it ticking over in the afternoon. There is also a small lesbian scene in Pattaya, with local butch girls called "tom" girls and femme girls called "dee".
• Soi L.K. Metro. Connecting Soi Diana with Soi Buakhao, Soi L.K., as it is called (not to be confused with Soi Leng Kee) is for the largest part a pedestrianised street. Cars are parked willy nilly, but that actually serves as a traffic calming system so it is safe to walk down. There are lots of outdoor bars and cafes spilling out onto the street, giving it a "bit" of a European feel. The Metropole Hotel and the Areca Lodge are here.
• Soi 7 and Soi 8. There's always something going on here—in the evening and early hours, there are about 120 well-staffed beer bars to choose from, plus a handful of go-go bars; in the morning there are several places that serve breakfast; in the afternoon it's a popular place for those who like to get started early; and at Songkran (Thai New Year) it's unmitigated mayhem. There are several large hotels (light sleepers beware), and Soi 8 also has a few travel agencies, convenience stores, etc.
• Soi Yodsak. Imagine a kerb-crawlers paradise—and then pedestrianise it. Arguably Pattaya's most colourful street (as well as the most notorious one), Soi 6 has about 50 bars (mostly "short time" bars, with names such as "Butterfly", "Love Club", "Route 69" and "The Eager Beaver") which all get going at 13:00 and close pretty much on the dot at 01:00. It's not really a pedestrian-only street (but it is one-way), however walking — preferably in broad daylight — is undoubtedly the best and most popular way to experience it. Go in the middle of the afternoon and just wander from one end to the other (if coming from the south, walk from the Second Road end down to the Beach Road end if you want to get there and back by songthaew). It's much, much more "sex-tourist" than "tourism" oriented, but anyone is welcome everywhere provided they're buying a drink or three. The curiously named "Hi Boss! 2002 Pub" is where the ladyboys hang out, there's one go-go, "Mandarin" (dancing from 17:00-01:00), plus a couple of "pub" food possibilities; and neighbouring Soi 6/1 has a handful of "ordinary" outdoor beer bars.
• Second Road, Soi 2 & Soi 3 Junctions. A collection of about 35 very popular beer bars, which start to fill up from about 16:00, and several of which remain open long after the lights go out around 01:00-02:00. "Atlantic Bar", at the far end of the five-bar strip to the south of Soi 2, always draws a substantial crowd. The only go-go ("Classroom 2", 19:30-02:00) is a lively one, and while there's not much in the way of food in amid the bars themselves, there are numerous eating options close nearby (including outlets for most of the major fast-food chains directly opposite on the other side of Second Road).

The following go-go and beer bars are a little different from the usual:

• Beach Club. Not the only "table dance" format a-go-go in Pattaya, but it's probably the most popular. Patrons are seated around industrial-strength tables which have mirror tops, upward facing spotlights, and of course the obligatory chrome pole; the girls dance on each table in turn, wearing short skirts. If you can't guess the rest then you should probably steer well clear of any Pattaya establishment that mentions the words "table dancing" alongside its name. UPDATE: "dance tables" have been removed, this place now using a standard go-go dance floor in the centre of the room.
• Beach Inn Beer Garden. Can usually be found blindfolded. Head through to the back and out into the bars that target visitors from the Middle East, and feel the sound. Some of the speaker systems here are bigger than a budget hotel room, and it's not difficult to position yourself so that you're being deafened by three or four of them (each one playing something different) all at the same time.
• Carousel Beer Bar. 17:00-03:00. A pair of circular revolving outdoor bars. A couple of drinks here and the world really will start to revolve around you.
• Casino Club. 21:00-07:00. A go-go with a difference. Not only do the girls dance with their clothes on, but there are no chrome poles! Whatever will they think of next? Update: they also have several shows each night, with girls dancing topless. Despite the name, it's not a casino; maybe it's a disco-a-go-go? The atmosphere is lively, the music is house/techno, the dancing is energetic. It's apparently able to close later than most due to the non-conforming format).
• Peppermint Palace. Probably the largest go-go in Pattaya. Several stages with young women in various different states of attire. Always full of energy, and always packed (you may be turned away if it's full). Good value drinks-wise.
• Siren Bar Complex. 16:00-03:00. A crush of about 25 open-air beer bars surrounding a boxing ring (exhibition matches at various intervals between 22:00-01:00) The boxers will canvas the punters for tips after each "fight". Get there early in the evening and it looks like there must be a prize on offer for whoever is able to squeeze the greatest number of bar girls into the smallest beer bar.
• Tim Bar Beer. An otherwise relatively run-of-the-mill go-go that plays nothing but DVDs, with a very strong bias towards live performances of rock 'n roll classics. Requests welcome. If in doubt, ask for Meatloaf's Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Stage and screen come to life at 18:00 and keep going until at least 02:00 (closing hours not so strictly enforced here as it's not among a bunch of other bars), but get there early as it's a popular place and their army of dancers thins out with prodigious speed.

Beach Club. Not the only "table dance" format a-go-go in Pattaya, but it's probably the most popular. Patrons are seated around industrial-strength tables which have mirror tops, upward facing spotlights, and of course the obligatory chrome pole; the girls dance on each table in turn, wearing short skirts. If you can't guess the rest then you should probably steer well clear of any Pattaya establishment that mentions the words "table dancing" alongside its name. UPDATE: "dance tables" have been removed, this place now using a standard go-go dance floor in the centre of the room.

Beach Inn Beer Garden. Can usually be found blindfolded. Head through to the back and out into the bars that target visitors from the Middle East, and feel the sound. Some of the speaker systems here are bigger than a budget hotel room, and it's not difficult to position yourself so that you're being deafened by three or four of them (each one playing something different) all at the same time.

Carousel Beer Bar. 17:00-03:00. A pair of circular revolving outdoor bars. A couple of drinks here and the world really will start to revolve around you.

Casino Club. 21:00-07:00. A go-go with a difference. Not only do the girls dance with their clothes on, but there are no chrome poles! Whatever will they think of next? Update: they also have several shows each night, with girls dancing topless. Despite the name, it's not a casino; maybe it's a disco-a-go-go? The atmosphere is lively, the music is house/techno, the dancing is energetic. It's apparently able to close later than most due to the non-conforming format).

Peppermint Palace. Probably the largest go-go in Pattaya. Several stages with young women in various different states of attire. Always full of energy, and always packed (you may be turned away if it's full). Good value drinks-wise.

Siren Bar Complex. 16:00-03:00. A crush of about 25 open-air beer bars surrounding a boxing ring (exhibition matches at various intervals between 22:00-01:00) The boxers will canvas the punters for tips after each "fight". Get there early in the evening and it looks like there must be a prize on offer for whoever is able to squeeze the greatest number of bar girls into the smallest beer bar.

Tim Bar Beer. An otherwise relatively run-of-the-mill go-go that plays nothing but DVDs, with a very strong bias towards live performances of rock 'n roll classics. Requests welcome. If in doubt, ask for Meatloaf's Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Stage and screen come to life at 18:00 and keep going until at least 02:00 (closing hours not so strictly enforced here as it's not among a bunch of other bars), but get there early as it's a popular place and their army of dancers thins out with prodigious speed.

Walking Street. Should have been named "Walking, Shopping, Eating, Drinking, Dancing and Ogling Street" as there's plenty of almost everything here—including around 100 beer bars and at least 30 go-go bars, plus many more in the side-sois that lead east towards Pratamnak Road. Worth a look in the daytime, but best visited in the evening, and has loads of restaurants if you're bridging the gap between the two. Gets really packed in places when the nightclubs empty, so watch your pockets.

Pattayaland. Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4) features on many Pattaya postcards—when lit up at night, the go-go bar signs are a memorable and photogenic sight, although there are only eight go-go bars here (two of which feature guys, not girls), plus a half-dozen bars and the Penthouse Hotel. Worth a look in the evening (it's almost a ghost town the rest of the time), but get there before 01:00 as that's when the lights go out.

Boyz Town. Features only male dancers and bars that cater for the gay crowd; Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) has even more all-male go-gos (eight), but does have a couple of girl-go-go bars as well. Pattayaland 1 is relatively dead in the daytime, but Pattayaland 3 has a handful of places to eat and drink that keep it ticking over in the afternoon. There is also a small lesbian scene in Pattaya, with local butch girls called "tom" girls and femme girls called "dee".

Soi L.K. Metro. Connecting Soi Diana with Soi Buakhao, Soi L.K., as it is called (not to be confused with Soi Leng Kee) is for the largest part a pedestrianised street. Cars are parked willy nilly, but that actually serves as a traffic calming system so it is safe to walk down. There are lots of outdoor bars and cafes spilling out onto the street, giving it a "bit" of a European feel. The Metropole Hotel and the Areca Lodge are here.

Soi 7 and Soi 8. There's always something going on here—in the evening and early hours, there are about 120 well-staffed beer bars to choose from, plus a handful of go-go bars; in the morning there are several places that serve breakfast; in the afternoon it's a popular place for those who like to get started early; and at Songkran (Thai New Year) it's unmitigated mayhem. There are several large hotels (light sleepers beware), and Soi 8 also has a few travel agencies, convenience stores, etc.

Soi Yodsak. Imagine a kerb-crawlers paradise—and then pedestrianise it. Arguably Pattaya's most colourful street (as well as the most notorious one), Soi 6 has about 50 bars (mostly "short time" bars, with names such as "Butterfly", "Love Club", "Route 69" and "The Eager Beaver") which all get going at 13:00 and close pretty much on the dot at 01:00. It's not really a pedestrian-only street (but it is one-way), however walking — preferably in broad daylight — is undoubtedly the best and most popular way to experience it. Go in the middle of the afternoon and just wander from one end to the other (if coming from the south, walk from the Second Road end down to the Beach Road end if you want to get there and back by songthaew). It's much, much more "sex-tourist" than "tourism" oriented, but anyone is welcome everywhere provided they're buying a drink or three. The curiously named "Hi Boss! 2002 Pub" is where the ladyboys hang out, there's one go-go, "Mandarin" (dancing from 17:00-01:00), plus a couple of "pub" food possibilities; and neighbouring Soi 6/1 has a handful of "ordinary" outdoor beer bars.

Second Road, Soi 2 & Soi 3 Junctions. A collection of about 35 very popular beer bars, which start to fill up from about 16:00, and several of which remain open long after the lights go out around 01:00-02:00. "Atlantic Bar", at the far end of the five-bar strip to the south of Soi 2, always draws a substantial crowd. The only go-go ("Classroom 2", 19:30-02:00) is a lively one, and while there's not much in the way of food in amid the bars themselves, there are numerous eating options close nearby (including outlets for most of the major fast-food chains directly opposite on the other side of Second Road).

There are many roadside bars dotted around Pattaya. Live music (especially popular rock oldies) can be heard at several open-air venues along Walking Street, and at various bars elsewhere.

• Hopf Brew House, Beach Rd (corner of Soi 13/1, +66 38 710653. Very good own craft beer. Food is good but the place gets packed and service slow with seats hard to find. Live music at least some evenings.
• Horizon. 34th floor rooftop bar. Very high-end, for taking someone special. Great views, particularly at sunset and after dark. Happy hour, 2 for 1 drinks, 17:00 to 19:00, perfect timing for sunset viewing.
• Lovely Corner Bar. 08:00-open as long as there are customers. Clean, airy, well-run beer bar in a great location to view the passing scene before plunging into Soi 7. Very accommodating and gracious, relaxed (not pushy) bar girls. Best feature is strong, free Wi-Fi. Beer 60 baht.

Hopf Brew House, Beach Rd (corner of Soi 13/1, +66 38 710653. Very good own craft beer. Food is good but the place gets packed and service slow with seats hard to find. Live music at least some evenings.

Horizon. 34th floor rooftop bar. Very high-end, for taking someone special. Great views, particularly at sunset and after dark. Happy hour, 2 for 1 drinks, 17:00 to 19:00, perfect timing for sunset viewing.

Lovely Corner Bar. 08:00-open as long as there are customers. Clean, airy, well-run beer bar in a great location to view the passing scene before plunging into Soi 7. Very accommodating and gracious, relaxed (not pushy) bar girls. Best feature is strong, free Wi-Fi. Beer 60 baht.

Pattaya has two types of nightclubs—those that are on or near Walking Street, and those that are further away. Those on Walking Street are more popular with Westerners accompanied by bar girls, and with bar girls looking for customers.

• Club Insomnia. House music, cheap drinks, late license, European DJ's.
• Lima Lima. This club is known for bringing the world's top 10 DJs to Pattaya and also for its live R 'n B band. The place to go from 22:00 to 00:30 thanks to the Happy Hour. All drinks as cheap as 39 baht between 8pm and 10pm. Free.
• Lucifer. Popular with young Thai people, although this is not a typical Thai discothèque. Only R 'n B, sometimes with special guest DJs. A good place to go at about 02:00-03:00. Extremely crowded after midnight. Free entry, expensive drinks.
• Marine Disco. Large dance floor and plays house music (it's the house music counterpart of Lucifer). Free entry, but drinks are expensive. Free.
• Marine 2. The same music as Marine Disco. This was the place to go before Insomnia opened.
• MIXX. R 'n B and house rooms (two rooms in one disco). Drinks are expensive.
• Tony's Entertainment Complex. Has an attractive and stylish interior, great live music and service. Free entry, but incredibly expensive drinks - and a 5,000 baht fine if you're caught bringing your own in!
• Tony 2. Not as well known as Tony's Entertainment Complex, but also very pricey.

The ones further away from Walking Street are generally more typical Thai nightclubs: no special area for dancing, but lots of shows and great atmosphere. Admission is usually around 300 baht and includes one free drink.

• Chivas Palace.
• Hollywood Disco.
• Star Dice Entertainment. Not Star Dice Beach on Beach Rd. One of the few discos in Pattaya that doesn't dual-price foreigners.

There is also one club which is not the first type, nor the second type:

• The Beach Club. Open air venue, it hosts afternoon parties with the best view of sunsets in town each Friday and each second Saturday - grand fiestas, each of them has a different theme: Brazilian, disco, house, etc.

Club Insomnia. House music, cheap drinks, late license, European DJ's.

Lima Lima. This club is known for bringing the world's top 10 DJs to Pattaya and also for its live R 'n B band. The place to go from 22:00 to 00:30 thanks to the Happy Hour. All drinks as cheap as 39 baht between 8pm and 10pm. Free.

Lucifer. Popular with young Thai people, although this is not a typical Thai discothèque. Only R 'n B, sometimes with special guest DJs. A good place to go at about 02:00-03:00. Extremely crowded after midnight. Free entry, expensive drinks.

Marine Disco. Large dance floor and plays house music (it's the house music counterpart of Lucifer). Free entry, but drinks are expensive. Free.

Marine 2. The same music as Marine Disco. This was the place to go before Insomnia opened.

MIXX. R 'n B and house rooms (two rooms in one disco). Drinks are expensive.

Tony's Entertainment Complex. Has an attractive and stylish interior, great live music and service. Free entry, but incredibly expensive drinks - and a 5,000 baht fine if you're caught bringing your own in!

Tony 2. Not as well known as Tony's Entertainment Complex, but also very pricey.

Chivas Palace.

Hollywood Disco.

Star Dice Entertainment. Not Star Dice Beach on Beach Rd. One of the few discos in Pattaya that doesn't dual-price foreigners.

The Beach Club. Open air venue, it hosts afternoon parties with the best view of sunsets in town each Friday and each second Saturday - grand fiestas, each of them has a different theme: Brazilian, disco, house, etc.

Pattaya also has plenty of good coffee shops dotted around town including a few Starbucks such as in Central Festival, Royal Gardens Plaza and TukCom.

• Benjamit Coffee, Soi Buakhao (adjacent to Soi Buakhao market. Great own brewed coffee, popular with expats
• Bake n Brew, Soi Excite. Good coffee, cakes and breads. Partially air-conditioned

Benjamit Coffee, Soi Buakhao (adjacent to Soi Buakhao market. Great own brewed coffee, popular with expats

Bake n Brew, Soi Excite. Good coffee, cakes and breads. Partially air-conditioned

For most people, the most hazardous aspect of visiting Pattaya is the traffic. The top three accident black spots are:

• Dolphin Roundabout (intersection of Beach Rd, Second Rd, North Pattaya Rd and Naklua Rd)
• junction of Beach Rd and Central Pattaya Rd
• junction of Beach Rd / Walking St and South Pattaya Rd

Most accidents in Pattaya involve motorbikes, and are especially common late at night and in the early hours of the morning, when drunk driving is a significant problem. Be careful on the roads, even if you're just crossing one on foot (and be equally careful both on and off pedestrian crossings, as Thai drivers generally ignore them, and many foreigners seem to approach them with the hope of scoring double points); be careful on the pavements too - obstacles apparently purpose-engineered to trip up as many people as possible are commonplace, and motorcyclists use footpaths as short cuts with impunity. When riding in the back of an otherwise empty songthaew, it's probably safest to sit directly behind the cab.

In the event of an accident, the injured are usually bundled into the back of the next available songthaew or pickup truck or even onto the back of a motorbike (now you know why Pattaya has so many songthaews, why Thailand is the world's biggest pickup truck market, and why so many Thais ride motorbikes).

A completely different genre of traffic-related accident was highlighted by a fatality in January 2006 when a surfacing diver was hit by a speedboat propeller near Ko Laan. Unfortunately, the popularity of Pattaya's beaches combined with a relatively relaxed attitude to safety concerns in general means that swimmers and divers (and even sunbathers on the beach!) being struck by speedboats and jet skis is not such a rare occurrence. Stick to swimming in the 4 or 5 areas cordoned off with red and white booms and you should be safe as boats and jet skis are unable to enter.

Some of the scams to be wary of:

• Jet-skiing rentals are available along all the popular beaches, with rates starting around 600 baht for 30 minutes. A common scam involves some operators attempting to collect surcharges for supposed damage - call the Tourist Police (1155) if necessary.
• Be careful when paying for relatively small purchases with 1,000 baht notes, particularly in bars and nightlife venues. A common scam is that a waiter will give you back insufficient change, insisting that you paid with a 500 baht note. It's your word against the waiter's, so it is nearly impossible to prove that you in fact paid with a 1,000 baht note. You can try to get the manager involved, but he/she generally plays along. To avoid this, you can explicitly let the waiter state that you are paying with a 1,000 baht note beforehand, but it's probably wiser to avoid paying with 1,000 baht notes at all.

Jet-skiing rentals are available along all the popular beaches, with rates starting around 600 baht for 30 minutes. A common scam involves some operators attempting to collect surcharges for supposed damage - call the Tourist Police (1155) if necessary.

• Main police station, Beach Rd (at the corner of Soi 9, 191, +66 38 420802 (-5).
• Bang Lamung Police Station, +66 38 221331.
• Tourist Police, Pratamnak Rd (located next door to the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Information Office, exactly 1 km south of the junction of Second Rd and South Pattaya Rd — proceed along Pratamnak Rd, continue straight up the hill, and where the road bears sharp right part way up, turn sharp left into the small side soi., 1155. Alternatively, their mobile minivan office which sets up every evening at the junction of Walking St, South Pattaya Rd, and Beach Rd is much easier to reach.

The Pattaya Tourist Police advise that in theory foreigners should carry their passports with them at all times, however they also suggest that in practice a good photocopy (personal details page, visa and entry stamp pages, and TM card) is acceptable.

Main police station, Beach Rd (at the corner of Soi 9, 191, +66 38 420802 (-5).

Bang Lamung Police Station, +66 38 221331.

Tourist Police, Pratamnak Rd (located next door to the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Information Office, exactly 1 km south of the junction of Second Rd and South Pattaya Rd — proceed along Pratamnak Rd, continue straight up the hill, and where the road bears sharp right part way up, turn sharp left into the small side soi., 1155. Alternatively, their mobile minivan office which sets up every evening at the junction of Walking St, South Pattaya Rd, and Beach Rd is much easier to reach.

Like most of Thailand, Pattaya is generally safe for tourists and violent crime such as mugging or robbery is unusual, with the exception of jewellery and bag snatching (usually with the thieves on motorcycles, and often with the victims on motorcycles too) which is endemic.

Beware of lady boys approaching you with questions ("Where you from?") and later she and/or her friend try to kiss you just in order to snatch your jewellery. In fact leave all your gold and valuables at the room safe or even at home.

Watch out when doing water sports at the beach areas. There is a common tourist trap where tourists going for jet ski-ing are being forced to pay for equipment damages (which are not caused by the tourists) amounting up to 100K baht. Even after negotiations and intervention from the related embassies and agencies, a payment of around 10,000 baht is still required for the damages. Thus, you must exercise extreme caution when doing equipment loans or doing sports on vehicles provided by the shops.

Swindles and pick pocketing are more commonly encountered by tourists. It is inadvisable to tell anyone that it is your first visit to Thailand, since you will then be marked down as an 'easy touch'.

The nightlife/entertainment areas have a lot of activity and are generally very safe, however pickpockets are a problem, especially on Walking Street when it's crowded, despite the official Tourist Police patrolling the area at night. For this reason, a visitor should not carry a passport and/or credit card with them, especially at night. These should be left in the safe at your hotel along with the bulk of your cash, or if they must be carried then they should be securely concealed. If you have been pick pocketed and then you actually spot the likely pickpocket departing, do not follow. You could be mistaken, and you almost certainly will be accused of being mistaken. Just put it down to experience, and leave the immediate area.

Never ever 'pick a fight' in any circumstance, no matter how much you have had to drink. Never try to intervene, even verbally, in an argument between two or more Thai people.

No matter how much you are being pestered, just smile and walk on. In cash payments, disputes over the value of notes and the amount of change can be avoided by carrying smaller notes and trying to give near enough the exact amount.

The beach side of Beach Road used to be worth avoiding late at night, however the entire length of both the promenade and beach are now floodlit, and although it's still a popular haunt for "freelance" prostitutes, it's now much busier from dusk through until dawn and by no means a "no-go" area.

Visitors should not visit entertainment venues that do not display a long-standing fixed sign outside, or which appear to be very poorly lit inside. Also, one or two of the hundreds of seemingly bright and established venues may actually be operating as a 'clip joint', offering free admission and then refusing to allow visitors to leave until they have settled a fake bill for non-existent drinks. Again, it is wisest to simply pay up, leave and put it down to experience.

As always, travellers should take extra care in all poorly lit or more remote areas, and very late at night. This is especially the case if one has had too much to drink.

Most reputable hotels will require the presentation of ID cards by guests. Throughout Pattaya guests will not be admitted to hotel rooms if they are under the age of 20. This is a useful way for tourists to guarantee that their new-found friend is actually the age he/she says she is, and thus avoid possible police attention.

Drugs: as in all of Thailand, the penalties for possession and/or distribution of drugs are harsh.

Gambling: is illegal in Thailand, and the local press reports Pattaya Police as having a "zero tolerance" policy for gambling offences.

The legal minimum age for customers in drinking establishments and discos is 20. In Pattaya this is rarely enforced for foreigners, but is frequently enforced for Thais, including those accompanying foreigners. Pattaya police conduct raids to check for underage employees (especially in "indoor" and go-go bars) and patrons (especially in discos) from time to time, and less frequently to enforce closing times. Foreign tourists are not the targets of these raids and are usually asked to produce ID (photocopy of photo/ID page of passport will normally suffice) and then allowed to leave, but are sometimes tested for drugs via an on-the-spot urine sample.

Pattaya has several hospitals and dentists of a high standard. It's a good place to get medical treatment at reasonable cost. Thailand gets a lot of health tourists. Bangkok Hospital (Pattaya) even has a Snoring Clinic for anyone trying to cure a snoring problem, including potentially dangerous sleep apnea for which they offer CPAP therapy.

• DMED Hearing. This is possibly the best audiologist in Pattaya. They sell several well known International brands of hearing aids including bluetooth models.
• Fascino pharmacy, opposite Tesco Lotus on North Pattaya road. This is possibly the largest and best stocked pharmacy in Pattaya

DMED Hearing. This is possibly the best audiologist in Pattaya. They sell several well known International brands of hearing aids including bluetooth models.

Fascino pharmacy, opposite Tesco Lotus on North Pattaya road. This is possibly the largest and best stocked pharmacy in Pattaya

Internet access is widely available in Pattaya, and speed and reliability of the connection is generally good; however, as is the case throughout Thailand, quality varies. The majority of Internet shops tend to open late and close late, but many are open 24/7; prices range from 120 baht/hr down to 20 baht/hr. One baht/min is typical for predominantly tourist-oriented shops, many of which also offer lower rates for pre-paid blocks of time. It's not difficult to find well-equipped, quiet, air-conditioned Internet cafés that charge 30 baht/hr if you shop around a little; likewise shops that can accommodate users who want to hook up their own laptops can easily be found. Printing (black/white) is usually 10 baht/page (30 baht/page for colour).

Many Internet cafés and photo-processing shops have facilities for off-loading digital photos from memory cards and burning them to a CD, for which the going rate is 100 baht per CD. As always, carefully verify the integrity of the images on the CD before re-formatting the memory card, and consider having two copies burned to CD — one CD to send home by mail, the other CD to take home in your luggage as a backup.

Many hotels and bars have the free(but password protected) wi-fi available. Ask for it from the hotel reception or the bar staff. They usually share the password for the customers.

The area code for Pattaya is 038. You only need to dial the 0 if you're calling from within Thailand. Overseas calls can be made from many agencies and Internet shops, as well as guest houses and hotels — most advertise a rate of 10 baht/min (or 20 baht/min to mobile phones). Using local SIM card may be a cheaper and more convenient alternative.

Pattaya Telecommunications Centre (183/44 Soi Post Office (opposite the Post Office, about 6 shops east, M-Sa 10:00-18:00). Outside, in the 24/7 payphones booth, there's an International Operator Direct Connection (IODC/Home Country Direct) service phone which provides one button press connections (suitable for making reverse charge / collect calls) to operators in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines (Philcom and PLDT), Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States (AT&T, MCI and Sprint).

Pattaya has several post offices, the most central of which can be found (believe it or not) halfway along Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2). As well as the usual postal services, it handles Western Union transactions and hosts a large number of post/security boxes. On weekdays (except public holidays) it's open 08:30-16:30, and on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays it's open 09:00-12:00; . One-stop-shops that handle DHL, EMS, FedEx, TNT and UPS are relatively common. Try:

• Pattaya Postal Service, 524/26 Moo 10, Soi Buakhao, +66 38 720-418. M-Sa 10:30-18:00.
• PAWS Post Service, Pattaya New Plaza, 329/10 Moo 9 (off Second Road, +66 38 720-957. M-Sa 10:30-18:00.

Pattaya Postal Service, 524/26 Moo 10, Soi Buakhao, +66 38 720-418. M-Sa 10:30-18:00.

PAWS Post Service, Pattaya New Plaza, 329/10 Moo 9 (off Second Road, +66 38 720-957. M-Sa 10:30-18:00.

If you need money sent to you urgently then there are many Western Union agents located throughout Pattaya. If you regularly visit Thailand or for extended periods then it might be worth opening a local bank account to avoid the high ATM charges for International bank cards typically 180 baht, as well as fluctuating exchange rates. Stand alone ATM's in the tourist areas generally give a maximum withdrawal limit of 10,000 baht. ATM's at banks typically give up to 20,000 baht, the TMB bank gives up to 30,000 baht. Its advisable to use ATM's in or outside actual bank branches during opening hours as they tend to be safer and if you experience any problems, then you can report that directly to the bank without delay.

Various online and print resources give Pattaya addresses for Kuwait Airways, Orient Thai/Orient Express/One-Two-Go and Thai Russian Air Service — however all these offices have been closed. The following airlines still have offices in place:

• Bangkok Airways, 75/8 Moo 9, Second Rd, +66 38 412-382. 08:00-12:00, 13:00-17:30 (ticketing closes at 17:00).
• Thai Airways International, Dusit Resort Hotel, 240/2 Beach Rd (near the Dolphin Roundabout, +66 38 420-995(-97). M-Sa 09:00-17:00.

Bangkok Airways, 75/8 Moo 9, Second Rd, +66 38 412-382. 08:00-12:00, 13:00-17:30 (ticketing closes at 17:00).

Thai Airways International, Dusit Resort Hotel, 240/2 Beach Rd (near the Dolphin Roundabout, +66 38 420-995(-97). M-Sa 09:00-17:00.

• Denmark Denmark, 384/22 Moo 12, Jomthien Garden House #52, Sub-soi 11, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 231630. M 09:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00, Tu, F 09:00-11:30.
• France France (Honorary), La Fontaine, 280/3 Beach Rd, +55 38 710800(-2). W, F 14:00-16:00.
• Hungary Hungary, 42/15 Sabaijai Village, Sukhumvit Rd, +66 38 373056.
• Norway Norway (Honorary), 384/22 Moo 12, Jomtien Garden House #52, Sub-soi 11, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 231630. M 09:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00, Tu, F 09:00-11:30.
• United Kingdom United Kingdom, Unit 3, 489/3 Moo 12, Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 267113. M-F 09:00-11:30.

Denmark Denmark, 384/22 Moo 12, Jomthien Garden House #52, Sub-soi 11, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 231630. M 09:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00, Tu, F 09:00-11:30.

France France (Honorary), La Fontaine, 280/3 Beach Rd, +55 38 710800(-2). W, F 14:00-16:00.

Hungary Hungary, 42/15 Sabaijai Village, Sukhumvit Rd, +66 38 373056.

Norway Norway (Honorary), 384/22 Moo 12, Jomtien Garden House #52, Sub-soi 11, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 231630. M 09:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00, Tu, F 09:00-11:30.

United Kingdom United Kingdom, Unit 3, 489/3 Moo 12, Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Rd, +66 38 267113. M-F 09:00-11:30.

• Pattaya Immigration Office, Jomtien Beach Road (near the inland end of Soi 5, +66 38 252-750. Opening hours are 08:30-16:30 weekdays, 08:30-12:00 (extensions/notifications only) on Saturdays. casual but smart attire is OK, however entry in swimwear or without a shirt is not permitted. Entry permit extensions are processed on a same day (if applied for before noon — collect after 15:00) or next working day (if applied for after noon). On Saturdays, previous applications can be collected, and new applications can be submitted (for collection next working day). For most nationalities, 30 day entry permit stamps and 60 day visas will usually be extended for an additional 30 days (further extensions beyond 90 days are sometimes possible). In all cases, the 30 day extension fee is 1,900 baht, and two passport photos must be supplied. Photocopies (5 baht) and photos (100 baht for two) are available from a shop inside the immigration office compound (these prices are about four times as much as can easily be found elsewhere). Note that entry permit extensions are discretionary, and must be applied for in person. Shorter extensions are likely to be issued to nationalities who do not qualify for "visa free" entry; longer extensions are issued in certain circumstances.

Pattaya Immigration Office, Jomtien Beach Road (near the inland end of Soi 5, +66 38 252-750. Opening hours are 08:30-16:30 weekdays, 08:30-12:00 (extensions/notifications only) on Saturdays. casual but smart attire is OK, however entry in swimwear or without a shirt is not permitted.

Small laundry services abound, charging by the piece. Prices start at 5 baht/underwear, 8 baht/shirt, 10 baht/trousers,15 baht/jeans; if you have a lot, a few will charge larger loads by weight. All hotels and guesthouses worth their salt also cater for this, although prices tend to be higher—starting about double the above at inexpensive places, running up to international chains and similar large splurge properties where it can run well above 100 baht/piece.

In smaller and more informally managed accommodation, the maid who cleans your room will probably welcome the opportunity to boost her meager salary and do your laundry by hand, typically for a few baht more than an outside laundry service. Usually it's a next day service, but might take a little longer if it rains.

• Kittana Laundry, Soi Yume 13 (Between Foodland and Big C, off Central Road, +66 81 300 6803. Pick-up and delivery service in the Pattaya-area.

Kittana Laundry, Soi Yume 13 (Between Foodland and Big C, off Central Road, +66 81 300 6803. Pick-up and delivery service in the Pattaya-area.

• Thailand Post, Soi 13/2. Hours posted on door say "Su-M, 08:00-20:00". Presumbably that means "open daily". The most central of Thailand Post Offices in Pattaya.

Thailand Post, Soi 13/2. Hours posted on door say "Su-M, 08:00-20:00". Presumbably that means "open daily". The most central of Thailand Post Offices in Pattaya.

Pattaya has several foreign language newspapers; most come out weekly. The English newspapers include Pattaya Times, Pattaya Today, Pattaya Mail and Pattaya People Weekly. Additionally, there are French, Norwegian, German, Russian and Japanese publications. There are also several tourist magazines and nightlife, most of them coming out monthly.

• Pattaya Blatt. A weekly newspaper in German. 25 baht.
• Pattaya Mail. A weekly newspaper in English. 25 baht.
• Pattaya People. This weekly newspaper is mainly written in English with some German and a little Thai. 25 baht.
• Pattaya Today. This English-language newspaper is published semi-monthly. 20 baht.

Pattaya Blatt. A weekly newspaper in German. 25 baht.

Pattaya Mail. A weekly newspaper in English. 25 baht.

Pattaya People. This weekly newspaper is mainly written in English with some German and a little Thai. 25 baht.

Pattaya Today. This English-language newspaper is published semi-monthly. 20 baht.

Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:

• Bang Saen - see what Thais do at the beach
• Chonburi - one of the local festivals like the Buffalo Race may justify a day trip
• Jomtien - officially a part of Pattaya, this beach front is more mellow and popular among families and expats
• Ko Laan - small island close to Pattaya
• Ko Sak - small island just north of Ko Laan
• Ko Samet - quiet white beaches
• Ko Si Chang - small nearby island, not focused on beach life
• Laem Chabang
• Rayong - some of the best beaches on the eastern coast
• Sattahip - hosts many attractions that are marketed to tourists as being in Pattaya
• Si Racha - open-air zoos, a large butterfly garden and many golf courses
• Trat near Cambodia coastal border and gateway to Ko Chang, Thailand's second largest island.