Pattaya

Pattaya is a resort city located about 100 km from Bangkok on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It has a long-stretch sandy beach along the coast, suitable for all sorts of water sports activities. It is well known for its red-light districts that attract many foreign travelers especially Westerners.

Apart from the famous Walking Street, which everyone had heard of, there are a few interesting temples, night bazaar, and a nearby Ko Larn island worth visiting.

Getting There

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

It is very straightforward going to Pattaya from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Airport Code: BKK) if you take a flight to Bangkok. After collecting your baggage, get to Level 1 Gate Number 8 and look for “Pattaya-Hua Hin” counter operated by Roong Reuang Coach Co. These coach buses depart from the airport every hour daily from 7 am to 8 pm and takes about 7 hours to arrive in Pattaya, stopping by at several bus terminals before reaching its final destination at Jomtien Bus Station.

From City Center

If you are staying in Bangkok city center and later heading to Pattaya, you can take a coach or shared minivan. You can either take the ride from Ekkamai or Mo Chit and drop passengers off at several bus terminals along Pattaya before terminating at Jomtien Bus Station. They operated as early as 5.30 am until 9 pm.

Getting Around

Pattaya isn’t a big city and is easy to get around on foot. There are only places- the Sanctuary of Truth and Ko Larn Island that require transportation.

Apart from walking, the cheapest way to get around the city is by Baht bus, which cost 10-20 Baht. The Baht bus operates two routes: ‘South Pattaya Naklua’ which goes from North to South of Pattaya and ‘Naklua Jomtien’ which goes from South Pattaya to Jomtien Beach.

If you are going to visit the temple, you can get an e-hailing car called Grab and only takes about 10 minutes to reach. As for Ko Larn Island, you need to get to Bali Hai Pier near Walking Street and take a boat across.

The Best Activities for 2 days in Pattaya

Pattaya is an ideal destination if you want to find somewhere that has less crowds and get away from the crazy city traffic. There is a long 6-kilometer stretch of sandy beach that is enough for everyone to share..

Sanctuary of Truth

This magnificent Sanctuary of Truth is an unfinished museum that is themed on the Ayutthaya Kingdom following the Buddhist and Hindu belief. Many tourists had mistaken it as a temple.

The building started its construction since 1981, but you can enter to visit to admire its beautiful interior and exterior, idols, and sculptures entirely built out of wood. These good quality woods are sourced from Myanmar and each piece was crafted individually within six to eighteen months, strong enough to withstand the wind, sunlight, and terminate bites.

I joined a group guided tour around the complex and the guide explains its art, culture, and the reflection of Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient of Knowledge, and Eastern Philosophy. He also taught about the Ancient Life, Human Responsibility, Basic Thought, Cycle of Living, Life Relationship with the Universe and Common Goal of Life toward Utopia.

Opening hours: Daily 8 am to 6 pm

Entrance fee: 500 Baht (Visit Klook to enjoy discounted rate)

Ko Larn Island

Catch a ferry to Ko Larn Island from Bali Hai Pier for 45 minutes with the fare of 30 Baht. The island is about 8 kilometers away from Pattaya. You can relax at one of many white sandy beaches and the water here is much clearer than the mainland where you can enjoy swimming and parasailing

I just relax on the beautiful beach, have lunch, sunbath, and watch the ocean view. There are a few cafes and food stalls around the beach selling Thai, Asian and Western food.

You can roam around the island by riding on a motorcycle taxi with a fixed price shown to different beaches, prices to hire motorbike hire, and the ferry timetables from Ta Waen Pier and Tien Pier back to Pattaya.

Pattaya Night Bazaar

This indoor Pattaya Night Bazaar houses around 100 stalls that sell souvenirs, handicrafts, toys, clothing, beauty and make-ups products, shoes, and bags. So, spare some time to hang around and scroll through the stalls.

If you are craving for food, there are several restaurants, bars, and cafes just right outside the night bazaar They mainly served Thai and Western food and the price is very reasonable.

Opening hours: Daily from 11 am to 8.30 pm

Khao Phra Bat

This little hillside of Khao Phra Bat offers one of Pattaya’s best views of its bay and Bali Hai Pier. The weather is sunny and got to take great photos.

A monument of Krommaluang Chumphon, also called “Father of the Royal Thai Navy” is built to dedicate for his great contribution to the development of Thai Navy.

Wat Phra Yai

Taking a 20-minutes walk downhill and through Queen Sirikit Park will lead you to Wat Phra Yai. It lies an 18-meter tall Big Buddha which is the largest statue in the region and has other smaller statues surrounding it. Many locals do come here to pray at the temple.

While going up to the temple, you will notice the golden dragons at the entire handrails and seven-headed mystical snakes called Nagas at the foot of the stairs as they emerge from the dragon’s mouth.

Opening hours: daily from 7 am to 10 pm

Entrance fee: Free

Pattaya Floating Market

Situated on Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya Floating Market brought together the cultures, local traditions, food, and the way of life from four regions of Thailand. This market is so huge that has over 100 shops that sell souvenirs, arts, wines, handicrafts and cuisines across these four regions.

Travel tips: You need to pay 800 Baht for a rowing boat ride or 900 Baht for amphibious rowing boat ride. The ride only covers a short distance and isn’t much worth the money in my own opinion.

Opening hours: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm

Entrance fee: Adults: 200 Baht/ Children: Free (Click here to enjoy discounted rate)

Jomtien Beach

Jomtien Beach is my favorite place to chill and soak up the sun. With the length of 6 kilometers long, there is plenty of space for everyone and makes it less crowded to enjoy their own outdoor activities: swimming, parasailing and jet skiing.

While relaxing on the beach, it is funny to see people approaching and sell all sorts of stuff: sunglasses, toys, candy, clothes, dried fruits, and even ready-to-cook big SQUIDS!

Getting there: Take the Baht bus: Naklua Jomtien

Pattaya Walking Street

Welcome to Walking Street, better known as the “Sin City”. Located in South Pattaya, this is where partygoers will enjoy their rest of the night at nightclubs, pubs, and entertainment outlets. Each outlet plays a different genre of music to suit the different tastes of customers.

Getting there: Take the Baht bus: South Pattaya Naklua