Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Pattaya

    Thailand

    Pattaya

    City

    Pattaya, on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, was originally a fishing village. From 1959, US soldiers came here for recreation, and during the Vietnam War, it grew into a resort town.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Thailand
    7. East Coast (Chonburi to Trat)
    9. Pattaya
    Pattaya, on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, was originally a fishing village. From 1959, US soldiers came here for recreation, and during the Vietnam War, it grew into a resort town. Today, it's a city with high-rises along the beachfront promenade, about 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.The Walking Street in the south is the center of nightlife, heavily dominated by bars and red-light establishments. Those wishing to avoid this are better off staying further south in Jomtien or north in Naklua, where it's quieter.Two cultural highlights are: the Sanctuary of Truth in Naklua, a temple built entirely from wood with intricate carvings, and Wat Phra Yai on Pratumnak Hill, offering views over the bay. From Bali Hai Pier, boats depart for Koh Larn island, whose beaches have clearer water than the city beaches.The drier months from November to February are the most pleasant time to travel.

    Sights in Pattaya

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1ISKCON Pattaya Temple

    Hindu temple of the Krishna Movement ISKCON in North Pattaya. Visitors are welcome; shoes outside the temple room, shoulders and knees covered.
    Open in Google Maps

    2Prince of Chumphon Monument

    Bronze statue of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse of Chumphon on Pratumnak Hill, the city's highest point. The Prince founded the Sattahip naval base in 1922 and is revered in Thailand as the Father of the Navy. From the site, you overlook Pattaya Bay to Koh Larn.
    Open in Google Maps

    3Wat Chai Mongkhon

    Buddhist temple in South Pattaya, founded in 1937 on donated land and a royal temple since 2013. It is a community temple of the city, not purely a tourist attraction. Shoulders and knees remain covered.
    Open in Google Maps

    4Sanctuary of Truth

    A temple built entirely of wood on a headland in Naklua, initiated by businessman Lek Viriyaphan and under construction since 1981. The carvings combine Buddhist and Hindu motifs. As work on the building is continuous, you receive a safety helmet at the entrance.
    Open in Google Maps

    5Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

    Open in Google Maps

    6Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha)

    Temple complex on Pratumnak Hill, between Pattaya and Jomtien, with a large seated Buddha at its peak. The forecourt offers bay views. Shoulders and knees covered; the stair climb is short.
    Open in Google Maps

    Essen & Trinken

    Mum Aroi

    Seafood restaurant in Naklua with terraces directly over the water. The focus is on grilled fish and seafood, prepared Thai-style. It gets busy in the evenings, so a reservation is advisable.
    Show on Google Maps

    Nang Nual Seafood

    Established seafood restaurant at the south end of Walking Street, recognizable by its display of fish and shellfish on ice. Orders are taken by weight, and the back terraces overlook the water. Prices are noticeably higher than street food stalls.
    Show on Google Maps

    Leng Kee

    Chinese-Thai restaurant on Central Pattaya Road, operating for decades. The menu features rice porridge, duck dishes, and clear soups. The establishment has a functional interior and is designed for quick turnover.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food & Beverage

    Pattaya offers the full range, from street food stalls to hotel restaurants, and thanks to its international residents, the selection of non-Thai cuisine is large. You'll most reliably eat Thai food in Naklua, on the inland Sois, and at the evening markets; along Beach Road, menus and prices are heavily geared towards tourism.

    Seafood from Naklua

    The northern fishing port directly supplies local restaurants. Ordered by weight, grilled or in curry sauces.

    Hoi Thod

    Pan-fried mussel pancakes with bean sprouts, a classic of Thai-Chinese coastal cuisine.

    Kuai Tiao Ruea

    Robust, dark noodle soup, first sold from boats. Portions are small; two bowls are customary.

    Thepprasit Night Market

    Large evening market in the south of the city with food stalls, BBQ, and clothing. Not open daily, check days in advance.

    Lan Pho Market in Naklua

    Fresh market offering fish, fruit, and grab-and-go meals, mainly operating mornings.

    Urban Daily Life

    Pattaya's rise began in the late 1950s when American soldiers used the then fishing village as a recreation destination, and it continued during the Vietnam War. The red-light sector, which remains an economically significant part of the city today, originated during this period. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand but is largely tolerated here. Sexual acts with minors are punishable by law in Thailand, as in Germany, even if committed abroad.In parallel, a completely different city has developed. Pattaya is home to many foreign retirees and long-term residents, a location for international schools and hospitals, and is economically intertwined with Bangkok through the industrial region to its east. In Naklua and Jomtien, daily life feels more like a Thai provincial town than a holiday resort.This is visible in the religious sites: Buddhist temples such as Wat Chai Mongkhon, Chinese shrines, a mosque, and a Catholic church are located just a few kilometers apart. For temple visits, the usual rules apply, requiring covered shoulders and knees. You can best experience daily life beyond Beach Road in the markets and inland residential areas.

    Getting There & Getting Around

    From Bangkok, buses to Pattaya depart from the Ekkamai, Mo Chit 2, and Southern Bus Terminals, as do minivans. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bus 389 takes about an hour and a half. U-Tapao Airport is located about 45 minutes by car south of the city and serves some national and regional flights.Within the city, Songthaews are the main mode of transport: open-sided pickup trucks that operate on fixed routes along Beach Road, Second Road, and to Jomtien. You get in at the back, ring to stop, and pay the fixed fare when you get out. Do not tell the driver your destination if you just want to ride along, otherwise, it will be considered a private charter and significantly more expensive. For shorter distances, there are motorcycle taxis, plus the usual ride-hailing apps.Beach Road is a one-way street and often congested on weekends. You can easily walk along the bay on the promenade, but distances between districts are too long for walking. Ferries to Koh Larn depart from Bali Hai Pier at the south end of the bay. The drier season is between November and February, with September and October seeing the most rain. For current safety and health advice, please consult the Federal Foreign Office.

    Accommodations in Pattaya

    Find perfect stay in Pattaya

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Pattaya

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Pattaya

      Live
      • 1ISKCON Pattaya Temple3 days
      • 2Prince of Chumphon Monument4 days
      • 3Wat Chai Mongkhon5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Pattaya
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Koh Samet

    Koh Samet

    Koh Samet is located off the coast of Rayong province, approximately 220 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, making it one of the capital's most quickly accessible beach islands. The island is about 7 kilometers long and up to 4 kilometers wide, with a large part covered in forest.Since 1981, almost the entire island has belonged to Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, with only the port village of Na Dan in the northeast being excluded. Most beaches are located on the east coast: Hat Sai Kaew near Na Dan is the longest and liveliest; further south are Ao Phai, Ao Wong Duean, and smaller bays. Ao Phrao is on the west coast.Koh Samet is considered one of Thailand's driest areas; the rainy season here is shorter than on many other coasts. On weekends and holidays, many day-trippers arrive from Bangkok, while during the week, it is significantly quieter.
    East Coast (Chonburi to Trat)

    East Coast (Chonburi to Trat)

    The East Coast stretches from Chonburi southeast of Bangkok, via Rayong and Chanthaburi, to Trat on the border with Cambodia. It is the coast conveniently reachable by land from Bangkok, without a domestic flight or an overnight train.The character changes quickly: Pattaya in the north is a large, loud beach resort with its own history, while Koh Chang and the islands off Trat are much quieter and largely national park. While sharing the sea with South Gulf islands like Koh Samui and Koh Tao, the region differs in access and travel season: getting here involves Bangkok, and the rainy season is different.
    Sukhumvit

    Sukhumvit

    Sukhumvit is less a district than an axis: The street stretches for kilometers east from the center, spanned by the BTS-Sukhumvit Line. Numbered side streets, the Sois, branch off from it, with odd numbers to the north and even to the south. Here you find daily life: residential buildings, street food stalls, massage parlors, small bars.The major shopping centers are located at the BTS stations: Terminal 21 at the Asok intersection, where the MRT also stops, Emporium and EmQuartier at Phrom Phong. Further east, Thonglor and Ekkamai are home to cafés, wine bars, and restaurants that appeal primarily to a younger, affluent clientele.Sukhumvit is also a residential area for many newcomers, which is reflected in its cuisine: around Phrom Phong, Japanese restaurants and supermarkets; on Soi 12, Korean eateries; near Nana, Arabic cuisine. The Benjasiri Park and the larger Benjakitti Park serve as green spaces. Because traffic on the street often jams, Skytrain and U-Bahn are usually faster than a taxi.
    Silom / Sathorn

    Silom / Sathorn

    Silom and Sathorn form Bangkok's business district: two parallel main streets between Lumphini Park and the Chao Phraya, lined with office towers, banks, and embassies. During the day, rush hour traffic and street food stalls in the side streets define the scene.At the eastern end lies Lumphini Park, where Tai Chi groups and joggers are out in the mornings and monitor lizards live by the ponds. On Silom Road stands the Hindu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple with its colorful Gopuram, founded by the Tamil community.In the evenings, life shifts to the Sois: The night market of Patpong, the bars of Soi 4, and restaurants on Convent Road are just a few minutes apart, plus there are rooftop bars in the skyscrapers. Connectivity is good: BTS Sala Daeng and Chong Nonsi, MRT Si Lom and Lumphini. At the river end, the BTS Saphan Taksin station takes you directly to the express boat pier.
    Riverside (Chao Phraya)

    Riverside (Chao Phraya)

    The Chao Phraya is Bangkok's most important waterway and one of the most revealing perspectives on the city. Along its banks, temples, old trading houses, cargo piers, and modern high-rises line up. In the Riverside district, historic hotels stand next to large shopping centers on the Thonburi side.The Chao Phraya Express Boats operate between numerous piers and are often the most practical means of transport for visitors: Sathorn Pier connects to the BTS Skytrain, and further north are the piers for Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Grand Palace. Small cross-river ferries connect the two sides of the river.In the evening, dinner boats cruise up and down the river, and waterside night markets and restaurant terraces open. For those who prefer peace, stroll through the alleys of Talat Noi and Chinatown, which reach right to the riverbank.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI