5 THAILAND: GUIDE TO PATTAYA AND THE LIFE AFTER DARK

One of the highlights of our backpacking experience in Siam is visiting the beach. Phuket is our goal however it’s quite distant from the capital that’s why we ended up visiting Pattaya (พัทยา). This beach city is about sixty miles away from Bangkok. It is situated on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Pattaya has four-kilometer stretch of beach; it is full of fun activities during the day and all out party at night. Likewise in Boracay it is also divided into three main areas. North Pattaya features several kinds of beachfront accommodations, shopping complexes and restaurant. This is also the most peaceful part of the area. Central Pattaya is where a shopping complex, department stores, and restaurants located. Here where we stayed at Soi 8. South Pattaya is the walking street, it is crowded with numerous shops and here where the famous of nightlife activities.

Pattaya has now a reputation of tourist destination because of the widely accepted sex industry. Though technically illegal yet it is being tolerated. In fact, it has been voted as world's No. 1 Sin City because there where you can see different nightspots with some wicked deeds especially when the time that neon lights started to lit up one by one along the beach road. Now the City earned a hoarse reputation because of naughty nightlife. But hey, I have nothing against Pattaya. In fact, this could be the reason why I'm here. Haha.

HOW TO GET THERE?

By Van/Minibus

Take BTS Sky Train then alight at Victory Monument Station. Fashion Mall is your landmark, there’s connecting stair from BTS Station to the Mall. Right in front of mall entrance is Van/Minibus terminal. You’ll see these vans parking diagonally waiting for passengers. Let them know that you're bound to Pattaya. Fare: 100Baht.

By Bus

Take BTS Sky Train then alight at Ekkamai Station. Bus terminal is only few meters walk from the station. This terminal houses trips to different provinces going in and out of the City. Make sure to reserve your ticket and wait for your departure time. Fare: 124Baht.

Bus Terminal at Ekkamai Station bound to Thailand provinces including Pattaya.

Minibuses bound to Pattaya at Victory Monument Station

OFF TO PATTAYA

In our case we chose taking Minibus from Victory Monument because it’s pretty close from where we stayed. We have no idea how far it is, just enjoying the countryside of Thailand. We don’t have any itinerary nor hotel to stay. After 2 hours of cramped ride in Minibus we arrived at the beach city.

We have to walk all the way to the beach road as we are searching for budget hotel. We have checked numerous inns and we found one near the seaside along the beach road.

WELCOME TO PATTAYA!

After minutes of rambling, Flipper Lodge Hotel was the top choice as it is near the beach. For 600Baht per head for an overnight stay it’s already a fair deal. What I don’t like is one has to pay extra 150Baht for a WIFI connection. Though not necessary but still it’s important for us to get connected. We purchased one, but cannot be used by multiple users therefore one has to log out so the other one can connect.

When it comes to transportation, taxi drivers do not use their meter for commuting foreign tourists. Better ride Tuktuk, it’s like modified pickup trucks or best comparison to the Philippine jeepneys. They pick-up and drop off people randomly.

After we checked in we immediately went out looking for some lunch. We arrived before noon so we got plenty of time looking for an authentic resto but we ended up taking out food from Family Mart. 

And then rest in hotel room waiting for a meaty night!

An emblem of Pattaya.

PATTAYA'S BEACH ROAD AND THE SEASIDE

About 5PM we decided to go out and checked the beach and the happenings along the beach road. The beach is not as crystal clear and the finest sand but you can feel an upbeat energy along the beachfront. There are water activities, para-sailing, jetski, even the most common banana boat and many more. It's nice to explore and experience beach-bumming in a different country. No plans on swimming  though.

After taking photos in front of stunning Pattaya’s sunsets, we decided to stroll along the beach road near the seaside. There are numbers of street vendors selling authentic cookery. Like in Manila Bay, street foods are most common that assembling the whole stretch.

Chasing the Sunset in Pattaya Beach.

The soaring and stylish Hilton Hotel in Pattaya.

Skyscrapers at Pattaya Seaside.

The Gulf of Thailand.

THEKIDWANDERER himself at the beach front.

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER IN PATTAYA

The night arrived and the busiest seaside resort still in silence. I’m not sure what is happening, it’s not what I am expecting. Could be the night still young? But hey, we are in Pattaya. We went to convenience store and they don’t sell alcoholic drinks either. The fridge was locked with a poster that says Holiday. When I checked the internet about Holidays in Thailand, it mentioned about Asahna Bucha Day and they’re forbidden to sell liquor. Well at least they do observe such holiday but not those naughty activities. Lol.

We just stay at the hotel lobby to drink. They do sell alcohol but not outside the red-light district. When we strolled around 10PM there are still numerous go-go bars open but the music is not that loud. Neon lights are illuminated the entire street however the whole place still in calmness.

Middle of the night arrived and we decided to walk the seaside area. Prostitution is very active. There were groups of ladies and lady-boys stick around the street waiting for their prospects. And mind you, you can easily get one if the price is right. Just be careful though, if you want a real girl you should be very cautious. Lady-boys are much prettier and sexier than the real one.

The rest of the night was history..

Along the seaside..and an endless shopping complex. Asia's largest only in Pattaya.

MORNING IN PATTAYA

The next day we woke up early. We decided to go swim on the beach early in the morning unfortunately it was low tide. Glad that the hotel has swimming pool at the rooftop so we just stayed there chilling and relaxing. They also have a free buffet breakfast; it was a real heavy breakfast before heading back to Bangkok.

GOING BACK TO BANGKOK

You can ride Tuktuk, a modified pickup truck or a smaller version of Philippine jeepney or just ride a cab going to AIR-CON. BUS TERMINAL TO BANGKOK. It is located in North Pattaya Road. We took Pattaya-Ekkamai route, fare is 124Baht.

Bus Terminal in Pattaya bound to Mochit and Ekkamai.

WHERE PATTAYA IN THE WORLD?

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