Pattaya in brief
Often referred to as the "Gold Coast" of Thailand because of its golden sand, Pattaya only 147 kilometers from Bangkok is one of Asia's premier beach resorts.
Climate
The climate is tropical and warm all year round. Monsoon winds are sometimes accompanied by rain. However, it can be very hot from March to June. From July to September, the temperature ranges from 32 to 38 degrees. It is cool from November to February.
Transport and service
Pattaya is a mere two-hour drive on Sukhumvit Highway via Bangna, Bangpakong,
Chonburi and Sri Racha, Travel around Pattaya is most convenient by minibus.
Motorcycle and car rentals are easy to find. Boat trips to islands nearby are
available everyday.
Accommodation
Pattaya's accommodation facilities suit every budget. Facilities range
from the air-conditioned, beachside opulence of some of Asia's finest hotels to
the basic simplicity of friendly guesthouses. They range from budget rooms
to five-star hotels and resorts. Room rates start at Bt200 for simple
guesthouse to Bt20,000 up for five-star hotels
People
Pattaya has many expatriate residents, and is essentially an international
tourist resort and expanding city, so the Thai population itself is very
internationalized. Most notices are in English as well as Thai and some
signboards are in German and even Russian. Most vendors are used to
non-Thai speakers and are ready with at least a smattering of English or German
and smile.
GETTING AROUND
MInibuses (Songthaew)
"Songthaew"
(pickup trucks) ply the main bay area for a set fare of
Bt5 per passenger.
Jump in, call out the destination and pay the fare after you have stepped off.
To Naklua, a popular run for locals going to the market, the fare is Bt10.
But to Jomtien, popular to visitors, it is Bt30. The Pattaya Taxi Center
also has 24-hour taxi and minibus service.
Bike rentals
For Bt500 a day, you can rent a motorcycle. (You must have a valid driving license to drive in Pattaya.) Beachside vendors also have bikes for rent at Bt100 a day or Bt20 an hour
Car rentals
Pattaya's car rental options are varied. Local and international car rental companies operate in the city. Most cars are fully insured and meet international car-hire standards.
Airport transfers
Thai International Airways has a limousine service from Pattaya to the Bangkok airport at Bt1,500. Air-conditioned buses also ply between Pattaya and Bangkok airport. Travel time is two hours. Many car-rent companies offer chauffeur-driven limousine service to the Bangkok airport at around Bt2,200 per trip. A minibus can be chartered at similar rate.
Bus Transfers
Roong Reung Coach service runs air-conditioned buses from Pattaya to Bangkok's Ekamai Bus Terminal (Sukhumvit Road) every 30 minutes (daily from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.) Air-con buses from Pattaya also leaves every 30 mimutes to Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Morchid,Phaholyathin Rd.) from 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m.. From here, passengers can connect with bus service to Northern Thailand(Chiangmai).