Overview
One of the hottest beach-resort destinations in Thailand, Pattaya may not be idyllic but it certainly makes up for it with a wide variety of activities, accommodation, and nightlife venues. Pattaya is a popular beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand just 150 km southeast of Bangkok: a mere two hour drive. While Pattaya once had a well deserved reputation for its seedy nightlife, local authorities have, in recent years, improved the quality of the beaches and reinvented the resort, to some degree, as a more family friendly destination. Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors are drawn each year to Pattaya to windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, or take trips to nearby islands. Other activities include Bungee jumping, cycling, skydiving, go-Karting, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and Paintball (to name only a few!)
Attractions
As one of the premier tourist destinations in Thailand, Pattaya has innumerable attractions, ensuring that visitors with any interest will find something to keep them entertained on their Pattaya holiday.
Food & Drink
Most restaurants on Pattaya serve a variety of cuisines, including Thai and international foods. Most guesthouse and resorts have restaurants that serve both, while the more popular beaches, such as Diamond Beach, feature restaurants specializing in Thai or various international cuisines, such as Italian or German. Beachside, seafood barbeque restaurants are also common on all beaches. As on most islands, the food on Pattaya is generally higher priced than on the mainland as there is mark-up on supplies shipped to the island. Where dining options are more limited prices are even more expensive.
Shopping
As in all Thai tourist destinations there is no shortage of shopping options in Pattaya, including malls, supermarkets, bazaar-style markets, and thousands of smaller, stand-alone shops at various street markets. In addition to these tourist-oriented markets and shops that sell souvenir goods, beach supplies, and handicrafts, there are shopping malls and department stores that sell groceries and household products, such as furniture and electronic appliances.
(Original information sourced from Thailand Tourism Dept)