Each year Pattaya receives more than five million visitors. It became a well-liked place for vacation and has continued to stand as such. You can get on Bangkok Airlines and get connected from the UK to Pattaya's U-Tapao Airport via Phuket. Or you better just trip to Bangkok, from there you get many options to fly into Phucket, which is only 150 kms away from Pattaya, so it is much easier if you arrive to it by road.
You can decide to fly in, U-Tapao, which is primarily a military facility. It is the closest airport handling commercial passenger flights but only to a handful of destinations. The direct door-to-door minibus is the quickest transportation option to get you from U-Tapao to Pattaya, about 30 minutes.
Pattaya has recently updated its image to become a more family-oriented holiday destination. Previously most famous for its go-go and beer bars, Pattaya now attracts large number of Thai, North and South Asian tourists vacationing with their families. Visitors not only find a selection of fine Thail beaches, but a selection of entertainment from golf and horseback, bungee jumping and shooting is also available.
Getting around Pattaya offers its own options. The songthaew, public passenger pick-up vehicles, also called Baht Busses, are available throughout Pattaya. You may also choose the local bus, motorbike taxi, or meter taxi. If you wish to brave the erratic (by Western standards) traffic, you can hire a car, motorbike or scooter.
Pattaya sees the most visitors around Christmas and New Year's, when visitors want to go somewhere sunny and warm. Several of Pattaya's beaches are very popular, such as Pattaya Beach near the city center. Pattaya Beach has many stores, hotels, and nightspots nearby. Many jetskis, powerboats, and deckchairs are available for rent in the area.
Away from the beach, you can visit the Pattaya Park entertainment complex offering a water park, roller coaster, monorail and children's activities.Jomtein Beach is south of the city and a more popular spot for families.
Both offer the primary scuba diving destinations for Pattaya.Is accessible by speedboat or ferry The Near Islands are close to Pattaya's northern shores and the Far Islands lie directly to the west,Ko Lan, or Coral Island.Islands surrounding Pattaya also offer great beaches.
Fishing is a popular diversion. Deep sea fishing excursions often include breakfast, lunch and a stop at one of the island beaches for swimming. The North Pattaya Fishing Park provides rod and bait, serves refreshments and has live music after dark.
Another island specialty is golf. More than 20 courses are within an hour's drive from Pattaya, and many are designed by golf's most famous names. Laem Chabang International Country Club is ranked as one of Thailand's top three courses and is considered the finest in this area.
There is an aquarium which offers up-close and personal experiences with the native marine life. A see-through tunnel allows extensive viewing of many rare creatures.
The elephant village in Pattaya has hour long shows each day, which show methods of catching, working with, and playing with elephants.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK's premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Fights to Pattaya
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