The beach town of Pattaya has blossomed from a quiet fiching village into a major resort destination in just a couple of decades. Now, with the opening of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi international Airport 90 minutes from the resort, the town is experiencing another resurgence of growth. Although the town has a long way to go in order to shake of its considerable reputation as the capital of nighttime entertainment, the authorities are currently making considerable inroads to raise the profile of Pattaya. Pattaya's a stay up late kind of town, but wake up earlier than most and ther are acctivities galore to redress your daytime/night-time balance. Hit the dive shops to explre the city's offshore reefs and wrecks, or get some fresh air on world-class golf courses. And if you're here with the family, the kids, will find plenty to do to make it real holiday.


PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1. Getting there & away

Land
Bus

There areair-con buses to Pattaya from Bangkok’s Eastern and Northern bus terminals (124B, two hours, every half-hour from 6am to 9pm). In Pattaya the air-con bus stop is on Th Hat Pattaya Neua, near the intersection with Th Sukhumvit. Once you reach the main Pattaya bus terminal, waiting red sǎwngthǎew will take you to the main beach road for 30B per person. Several hotels and travel agencies run minibuses to addresses within Bangkok, or east to Ko Samet and Ko Chang – the fares start at about 200B. Try Ko Chang Business Centre or ask at your hotel. At the time of writing a direct bus service had commenced from Bangkok’s newly opened Suvarnabhumi airport and Pattaya (106B, two hours).

From Sri Racha, you can grab a public bus on Th Sukhumvit to Pattaya (30B, 30 minutes) – in Pattaya, they stop near the corner of Th Sukhumvit and Th Pattaya Neua. From here, you can flag down buses to Rayong (ordinary/air-con 60/93B, 1½ hours). The air-con buses are worth the extra cost.

Train

One train per day travels between Pattaya and Bangkok’s Hualamphong station (third class 31B, 3¾ hours). It leaves Bangkok at 6.55am only on Monday to Friday. The return train departs from Pattaya at 2.20pm. Schedules for this service are subject to change, so check times at Pattaya train station (0 3842 9285) before travelling.

Air

Bangkok Airways (0 3841 2382; www.bang kokair.com; 75/8 Mu 9, Th Pattaya 2; 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, to noon Sat) links U-Taphao airfield (0 3824 5599) about 33km south of Pattaya, with Ko Samui (one way 3125B, daily) and Phuket (one way 3845B, daily).

2. Getting around

Car & motorcycle

Avis Rent-A-Car (0 3836 1628; www.avisthai land.com; Th Hat Pattaya Neua; 9am-5pm) has offices at the Dusit Resort.

Holiday Rent-A-Car (0 3842 6203; www.pattayacar-rent.com; Th Pattaya 2; 9am-5pm), located opposite Royal Garden Plaza, is a cheaper local company and also offers full insurance. Prices for a 1500cc Toyota Vios start at 1150B per day. Discounts are offered for longer periods

Local travel agents offer Suzuki jeeps from around 1000B per day, but expect to pay through the nose if you have an accident.

Motorcycles cost 150B to 250B per day for a 100cc machine; a 125cc to 150cc will cost around 300B, and you’ll see 750cc to 1000cc machines for hire for 500B to 1000B. There are motorcycle hire places along Th Hat Pattaya and Th Pattaya 2.

3. Money & costs

Money

There are banks all over Pattaya and Hat Jomtien; all have ATMs and most have foreign exchange booths that stay open late (usually 8pm).

Bangkok Bank (Th Hat Pattaya)

Bangkok Metropolitan Bank (Th Hat Pattaya)

4. Health & safety

Dangers & annoyances

Remember sex tourism is a booming industry in Pattaya and large sections of the city are chock full of go-go bars and strip clubs. This seedier side of Pattaya is hard to avoid, especially at night, and if you are travelling with young children prepare yourself for some awkward questions.

While you're there

Medical services

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (0 3842 9999; www.bph.co.th; 301 Mu 6, Th Sukhumvit, Naklua; 24hr) For 1st-class health care.