The city is built around Ao Pattaya, a wide, crescent-shaped bay that was one of Thailand’s first beach resorts in the 1960s when American GIs came for some R&R. North Pattaya (Pattaya Neua) is a more upmarket area while Pattaya South (Pattaya Tai) remains the nightlife hub. If you long for quiet beaches and hammocks swaying in the breeze, make a sharp U-turn before arriving in Pattaya. The city’s reputation as a sex capital is well deserved, with hundreds of beer bars, go-go clubs and massage parlours. But Pattaya does perennially try to lose its sex tag and many of its 10 million annual visitors instead come for the mega shopping centres and amenities. Pattaya is also home to a growing number of cultural and action-packed attractions and international restaurants.
To the south of Pattaya, Jomtien is a laid-back resort with a gay-friendly beach at Hat Dongtan, while to the north Naklua is also quieter, with some top-end resorts at Wong Amat.
The best beaches in the area are on Ko Samae San, a tiny island with good snorkelling, and the navy-run Hat Nahng Ram, both 35km south of Pattaya.
Guests at the Secrets VIP Villa are able to enjoy exclusive 5 star facilities for those seeking total privacy or as a venue to entertain guests and friends.
The residence is beautifully laid out with a tropical garden with a stunning private pool for your exclusive use day and night.
Made entirely of wood (without any metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, the Sanctuary of Truth is best described as a visionary environment: part art installation, religious shrine and cultural monument. Constructed in four wings dedicated to Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian religious iconography, its architecture and setting is impressive.
A popular stop for tour groups, this museum contains more than 300 impressive pieces of Chinese artwork, mainly bronze and brass statues depicting historical figures as well as Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist deities. Founded by Sa-nga Kulkobkiat, a Thai national who grew up in China, the museum was intended as a friendship-building project between the two countries.
A giant golden Buddha sits atop this forested hill between Jomtien and south Pattaya. The serene Buddha figure of Wat Phra Yai dates back to when Pattaya was a small fishing village. On a neighbouring hill is Monument Park, which offers great sunset views of Ao Pattaya. You can walk here from the southern end of Walking St.
Thais come here for the ultimate selfie as they pose amid cleverly designed 3D paintings of dinosaurs, waterfalls and, bizarrely, an elephant on a toilet.
