Pent up from years at the epicentre of Thailand’s sex industry, Pattaya is one of the less wholesome, more hyper seaside resorts in the country. It is home to one of the largest red light districts in Southeast Asia, and has become somewhat synonymous with Thailand’s more liberal and gaudy side. Concomitant beer halls and nightclubs have also sprung up right across the place, as Pattaya moves to become another of the all-rounder resorts on the gulf.
The town’s showy image means it’s one of the best places to experience the darker underbelly of the country, and guests interested in prying a little deeper should ask their Pattaya tour guide about the various cabaret shows, theatre performances and hedonistic events that breathe life into the promenade and downtown after dark. By day, the action shifts to the beaches, offering a range of water sports from parasailing to jet skiing though a swim in the waters may not be the best idea.
That apart, just a stone’s throw from the town visitors can consider exploring the 500-acre Nong Nooch gardens, the mysterious Khmer Sanctuary of Truth, and the collections at the Anek Kuson Sala Museum.