Our money guru Barbara has already broken down the numbers for spending summer on the Thai islands. I am now stepping in to tell you about Pattaya. Here is my personal experience of a long-term stay in Thailand, the best destinations, and what to be ready for.

I recommend discovering all the details on visas & insurance in Barbara’s feature, and now let us get down to destinations I know well.

Historically, Pattaya doesn't have a perfect reputation. It is a budget-friendly destination with nightlife you may prefer to admire from a safe distance. That is why I often tell people that routes really matter there. If you don't want to find yourself in a crowd of Russian and Chinese tourists, you have to be careful about the area you choose to live in and the everyday activities you pursue. Yet here are the main pros:

1. Proximity to Bangkok and the airport

There is a highway between Bangkok and Pattaya, and it takes roughly 1.5 hours to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport (traffic permitting) to the city. It works perfectly if you want to stay by the seaside while remaining within easy reach of the capital.

2. Climate

It is hot and humid in the summer. Officially, this is the rainy season in Thailand; in reality, it often means short, dramatic showers that clear just in time for dinner. Pattaya benefits from the sea breeze, which makes the humidity far more bearable than in Bangkok’s concrete jungle. Of course, you will forget about your Dyson, but that applies to Southeast Asia in general.

3. Infrastructure

Pattaya isn't a megapolis, yet it is a sizeable city where everything is accessible — healthcare, fitness, shopping malls, and restaurants. It suits those who don't see themselves isolated somewhere charming but suspiciously closed after 7 pm.

4. Affordability

Pattaya caters to nearly every budget. You can find modest flats and extravagant penthouses, street food and high-end dining, open-air gyms and Instagrammable studios, public beaches and country clubs. It is the sort of place where one evening you dine at a Marriott, and the next you are happily negotiating with a whole seabream for the price of a coffee in Dubai.

5. International community

Beyond the tourist crowds (which thin out slightly in summer), the expat community is vast and varied. Russians, Chinese, Europeans, Indians, and sizeable Arab neighbourhoods all coexist. If you want company, you will find it — whether for brunch, business, or mutual confusion over the weather forecast.

And now, the cons:

1. Noise

Pattaya city centre never sleeps. Walking Street is worth one visit for cultural research, but you won't want to stay anywhere nearby unless you have a particular fondness for neon and basslines.

2. Traffic

Like many seaside cities, Pattaya stretches along the coast, which means traffic can build up quickly. Motorbike taxis are efficient, though not always serene. If you are travelling with family, renting a car is more practical — just don't attempt heroic cross-city journeys at 5 pm.

3. Tourists

There are many. It is, after all, a resort city. If you prefer your surroundings free from Hawaiian shirts and enthusiastic tank tops, this may require some mental adjustment.

4. Cleanliness

Pattaya is far from Dubai in terms of order and polish. It is lively, chaotic, and occasionally bewildering. That said, it has improved significantly over the years. Consider it part of the experience rather than a flaw, and you will be far more at ease.

There are three main areas worth considering, each with its own personality.

North Pattaya (Naklua)

An older part of the city with solid infrastructure and slightly better beaches. The choice of condominiums, restaurants, and markets is excellent. The fish market (Lan Pho Na Kluea Market) is a personal highlight — a place where restraint becomes theoretical.

Personal opinion: 8/10

Central Pattaya

The beating heart of the city, with shopping, cafés, and constant activity. Convenient, lively, and occasionally overwhelming. Not ideal for a quiet family stay.

Personal opinion: 5/10

South Pattaya (Phra Tamnak + Jomtien)

My personal choice. Phra Tamnak offers a balance between accessibility and calm, while Jomtien stretches into quieter, more relaxed territory the further you go. It suits those who want both convenience and breathing space, with easy access to nearby islands.

Personal opinion: 9/10

Proximity to the sea also matters. The further inland you go, the lower the prices and the thinner the crowds — but the morning jog along the beach does have its arguments.

Taxi in Pattaya is refreshingly affordable. The two main apps, Bolt and Grab, will usually cost you 50–150 THB (roughly 5–15 AED) for short city rides, depending on distance and time of day.

If you are arriving from Bangkok, a ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya will sit somewhere around 900–1,500 THB (90–150 AED) on Bolt, depending on comfort level and traffic — which is surprisingly reasonable for a two-hour journey.

I strongly don't recommend renting a motorbike unless you are particularly confident. Pattaya traffic isn't the place to discover courage.

Renting a car, however, is sensible if you plan to explore. A Toyota Yaris will be around 1,500–2,000 AED per month, while something like a Toyota Fortuner may reach 3,500–4,000 AED.

Public transport exists, and it is wonderfully inexpensive. The iconic songthaew (or “baht bus”) costs 10–20 THB per ride (1–2 AED) for standard routes — which makes it arguably the best-value transport you will encounter anywhere.

If you decide to use one as a private ride (which will happen the moment you look even slightly confused), expect 100–250 THB (10–25 AED) depending on distance and negotiation skills.

For travelling to Bangkok on a budget, buses from Jomtien or Naklua are both reliable and impressively cheap, typically 160–280 THB (15–30 AED) one way — which feels almost suspicious given the distance.

This is where Pattaya stops trying to be controversial and simply gets everything right. You won't struggle to eat well — in fact, your only real challenge will be deciding when to stop.

Local staples (everywhere, and usually brilliant)

Fried rice with seafood, tom yum, and pad thai appear on nearly every menu, from beachside stalls to air-conditioned dining rooms. The quality is consistently high, which feels suspicious at first and then deeply comforting. You may arrive with standards; you will leave with cravings.

International scene (unexpectedly strong)

Pattaya has quietly built a very respectable global food offering. Japanese restaurants serve genuinely good sushi and sashimi, Italian kitchens produce proper pasta, and bakeries turn out croissants, pain au chocolats, and cakes that will make you question your diet. It is the sort of place where you go out for Thai food and end up discussing the merits of Neapolitan pizza instead.

For those with a sweet tooth

Fruit smoothies are everywhere — fresh, cold, and dangerously easy to order repeatedly. Just be aware that sugar syrup is added with great enthusiasm unless you politely intervene. Consider it a cultural exchange. Mango sticky rice is essential, not optional. And the street banana pancakes will make your fitness instructor suffer, but you will be 100 per cent satisfied.

Personal favourites (tested extensively, purely for research purposes)

Pro tip: The best meals are often found in the simplest places. Don't be discouraged by a menu that requires Google Translate or a setting that looks modest. Once the food arrives, everything tends to make perfect sense.

Pattaya isn't the sort of place where you accidentally become productive. It is, however, a place where you can very convincingly pretend that your lifestyle is intentional.

Sport

Muay Thai

This is the national sport, and it shows. Training sessions are intense, humid, and not designed to flatter you. A single class will usually cost 300–600 THB (30–60 AED), with monthly memberships starting from 3,000–8,000 THB (300–800 AED) depending on how serious (or optimistic) you feel. Expect sweat, discipline, and a sudden respect for people who do this professionally.

Tennis

There are plenty of courts across the city, both public and within residential compounds. Court rental typically ranges from 100–300 THB per hour (10–30 AED). Morning sessions are highly recommended unless you enjoy competing with the sun.

Golf

Golf is quietly one of Pattaya’s strongest offerings. There are several well-maintained courses just outside the city, and green fees range from 800 to 3,000 THB (80–300 AED) depending on the course and time of day. It is one of the more civilised ways to spend a humid afternoon.

Fitness

Gyms are everywhere — from open-air, old-school setups to modern studios with strong air conditioning (a feature you will begin to value deeply). Monthly memberships are typically 800–2,000 THB (80–200 AED). Many condominiums include gyms, which means your commute is reduced to a lift ride and a moment of hesitation.

Yoga, dance, and everything else

Studios offering yoga, pilates, dance, and various hybrid concepts are easy to find. Classes usually cost 400–800 THB (20–50 AED). The only thing to note is that schedules can shift without warning, which adds a small element of adventure to your wellness routine.

Beach

Let's be honest: Pattaya itself isn't where you come for perfect swimming. It is where you come for proximity, convenience, and the idea of the sea.

The water in the city is acceptable, particularly around Naklua and parts of Jomtien, but if you are expecting postcard clarity, you will need to make a small effort.

Koh Larn (Coral Island)

Your nearest escape, reachable in 40 minutes by ferry (around 30 THB / 3 AED) or 20 minutes by speedboat (150–300 THB / 15–30 AED). It is popular, occasionally crowded, but undeniably beautiful. Beaches like Tawaen, Tay Yai, and Nual (Monkey Beach) offer clear water and that reassuring sense that you made the right decision leaving the mainland for the day.

Saikaew Beach

About a 30-minute drive from Pattaya, located on a military base. Entry is around 100 THB (10 AED). The water is noticeably cleaner, the sand softer, and the atmosphere calmer. It is the kind of place that quietly resets your expectations.

Further escapes: Koh Samet & Koh Chang

For a proper weekend getaway, these islands are worth the effort. Expect 2–5 hours of travel by car and ferry, depending on your destination. In return, you get clearer water, fewer crowds, and a version of Thailand that feels slightly more cinematic.

Pattaya takes entertainment seriously — sometimes very seriously.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo

About an hour’s drive from the city, this isn't your standard zoo experience. It is large, open, and surprisingly interactive. Entry is around 250–350 THB (25–35 AED). It is particularly good if you are travelling with family, or simply want to see animals wandering in the wild.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

A meticulously maintained botanical garden that feels somewhere between a theme park and a horticultural masterpiece. Entry is roughly 500–800 THB (50–80 AED). The orchid section is genuinely impressive, even if you didn't expect to have strong opinions about orchids.

And then there is Bangkok — always within reach, always slightly overwhelming, and always worth the trip when Pattaya begins to feel too predictable.

Pattaya is a city of contrasts — relaxed yet chaotic, affordable yet indulgent, familiar yet occasionally surprising. It isn't trying to be perfect, which is precisely why it works.

If you approach it with realistic expectations and a willingness to explore beyond the obvious, you will find a place that offers far more than its reputation suggests — along with a few stories you may or may not choose to tell later.