Pattaya Beach Guide
I dislike feeling at home when I am abroadGeorge Bernard ShawClose your eyes for just a second and imagine you are here on Pattaya Beach. Can you somehow picture calm clear waters, cool breezes and swaying palms? Now open your eyes and take a good look in front of you and imagine you are here right now. The coastline maybe full of hire-rise hotels and resorts, tailors and touts and bars and brothels on every street but it still holds a certain fascination for the two million odd holiday makers who venture here annually. You may also wonder sometimes if the majority of holiday makers come here to relax on the beaches or to participate in the wild and erotic nightlife for some sensational sex and sin in the city. For this part now, I shall concentrate on the beaches for which there are two mainly well known ones and one not so well known one. Pattaya itself is located on Thailand's east coast and comprises of three separate bays namely in the southern, central and northern parts.
Looking across Pattaya Bay
You may or may not recall this, but Pattaya was popularized in the history books during the late sixties and early seventies as the perfect utopia where American soldiers and sailors came for their rest and relaxation. This was at a time when many dreadful duties where being orchestrated across the border in neighbouring Vietnam. I am not quite sure exactly how much actual rest the Americans got. This resort has now grown into an explosive wonderland gone crazy, attracting millions of like-minded holiday makers every year since those earlier days. The many tourists who come here to today, still seek the very same rest and relaxation that made it so popular in it's heyday. Did I just say Heyday! It's Heyday now! Of course things have changed somewhat these present days, namely the many more hoards of beautiful Thai girls that line the streets, bars and clubs on Pattaya Beach Road.
Pattaya Bay
Pattaya Beach is at the center of it all comprising of four kilometers of shoreline and it is the most popular and liveliest of all the beaches. Although the authorities here are desperately trying to clean up Pattaya's sometimes unsightly coastline with a new paved beachfront walkway, it is still attracting the most crowds. The beach itself is long and quite narrow, fringed with palm trees. Did I mention all the yachts and tour boats! You can relax on the beach, swim in the warm waters, have a beach massage or you can enjoy any number of beach activities including para-sailing and beach volleyball. In the heart of all this you can stroll along the beach road and enjoy the many restaurants, fast food outlets and souvenir shops. To cool off, why not go into the
Royal Garden Shopping Center
in the central area on the beach road.
Jomtein Bay
Jomtein Bay is made up of a fourteen kilometer stretch of beach on Pattaya's southern coastline complete with enormous high-rise condominiums and an assortment of some smaller hotels and resorts. Jomtein like Pattaya is subjected to continuous construction and the same same but different tacky souvenir shops, (don't you ever get get tired of all these souvenirs) as well as beachwear peddling shops and beer bars everywhere. My worst is the ever present tailors that hassle you everywhere you go. So whats different about Jomtein? Well to start with this area of Pattaya has the best site should you enjoy some serious windsurfing and it is considered by most as Thailand's premier windsurfing spot. The best bathing area would be at Dongtan Beach which is lot quieter than it's bigger and brighter notorious neighbour. You will find this shady palm fringed beach at the northern side of Jomtein Bay. Although all is welcome, it remains the beach of choice for Thailand's local and international gay community. The headland between the two bays of Pattaya and Jomtein is called Khao Phra Tamnak, translated into English simply means Pattaya Hill or as the locals like to call it, Buddha Hill. It is here where you will find some of Pattaya's most luxurious hotels and resorts.
To view visit my page on luxury hotels and resorts
Naklua Bay
Naklua Bay which forms part of an indigenous fishing harbour is situated on the northern headland from Pattaya beach and is by far the quietest of all the three enclaves. But don't be mistaken as this area is also full of holiday apartments, German and Russian expat homes and time-share condominiums. Naklua Beach itself is a lovely little cove located at the far north of the bay and is the main beach here with Crescent Moon Beach and Palm Beach (two smaller beaches) further south. If you should be looking for real relaxation then these beaches would be more suitable and may I add, a lot cleaner.
Return from Pattaya Beach to the Pattaya Nightlife page
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