By: lar
What used to be a small, sleepy fishing village is now a tourist destination for millions of single men every year. Married men are also welcome but for some reason forget that they have a wife and family back home. Something about the attitude of the Thai women.
With the new International Airport, Suvarnabhumi, opening in late 2006, getting to Pattaya has never been easier. Most tourists forego Bangkok altogether and head straight for Pattaya regardless of arrival time. After all, it is only 90 minutes away. Why go to Bangkok for the night when you head straight to your final destination.
Located about 50 kilometers south of the old International Airport, Don Muang, Suvarnabhumi is an architectural marvel of steel and glass. The airport is absolutely huge and you will get your first taste of how big it is when you walk from your arrival gate to the Immigration officer to show your passport. It seems like it is miles away.
Fortunately there are numerous Immigration officers to get you through the passport control checkpoint and the luggage carousels are directly behind them. A big electronic board tells your where your luggage is and then you are out the door to a waiting taxi.
Taxi fees from Bangkok can range from 1200 to 4000 Baht so you have to use your best negotiation skills or book a ride online prior to departing. The many Bangkok and Pattaya forums can point you to reliable taxi drivers for a cheaper price than the taxi mafia at the airport. Highly recommend you book your ride ahead of time and your driver will meet you right outside of baggage claim.
Then you just sit back and enjoy the maniacal driving skills of your driver for the 90 minute ride. If you are coming from the USA, then you will be on the “wrong” side of the road the steering wheel will be on the other side of the vehicle. Get used to this and check about 8 times before crossing a road as a pedestrian.
It doesn’t matter what time that you arrive in Pattaya, there will always be something to do. Daytime gives you time for a nap or a walkabout to get the lay of the land. Night time arrival means you head straight out to the nightlife. Even arriving at 3 or 4 in the morning, you will still be able to find some night time activity to occupy your time.
It is also a good idea to book your hotel in advance so you have a room waiting for you – especially during high season. If you are not sure of the quality, book for one or two nights and then shop around upon arrival. You may or may not be able to get a deal just walking in. Or you can just book your entire trip online. It is up to you.
You will have plenty to do in Pattaya during the day and night. There are beaches, boat rides, and outer islands to visit, temples, go karts, bowling, and a whole lot more.
Night time is when Pattaya comes to life. At about 5 PM the beer bars start to come to life and later on at about 8 pm the go-go bars are lit up in neon. Bars abound and you can’t go 10 feet without finding a new one. Walking Street is the primary place to go if you want to see the go go girls. Other bars are all over Pattaya along with massage parlors and other forms of entertainment.
Pattaya is a great place for the single man to go to but be warned – once you go you will never be the same. You will come to understand the terms – Pattaya Blues and Pattaya Addiction. Chok Dee Khrap (Good Luck)
