Attractions — Pattaya

Cooking school: small groups of up to seven people, a three-hour Thai cooking masterclass.

Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) — the main attraction is a gilded statue of Buddha. For donations of 20–100 baht you can have a monk tie a sacred string around your wrist or release a bird from a cage to 'cleanse' your karma. Half an hour is enough to see the whole area. Opening hours: the temple is open until 19:00, but the complex is accessible 24/7 because there is a viewpoint. Entrance is free.

Samae (Samae Beach) is a large beach near Tien. Besides the long beach line, it’s notable for a solar power plant right on the edge of the shore. Sunbeds on all beaches cost 100 baht; sometimes at the edges you can bargain down to 50 baht.

A quiet beach on the south of the island, notable for the fed monkeys that live on the edge of the shore. Sunbeds on all beaches cost 100 baht; sometimes at the edges you can bargain down to 50 baht.

The main road along Pattaya Beach: souvenirs, clothing, accessories and street food.

Tiffany's and Alcazar shows: the performances are a mix of Brazilian carnival and the French Moulin Rouge. All roles in the dance and musical numbers are performed by transgender artists, though many visitors don't even realize it. It's full burlesque in Thai style, but without explicit vulgarity. Tiffany's: tickets from 1000 baht.

The most popular city beaches are Jomtien, Pattaya Beach, Wongamat and Naklua — they sit one after another, and it’s often hard to tell where one ends and the next begins. Jet skis, canoes, parasailing, towable inflatables (donuts) and banana boats, boat trips, sunbed rental, food and drinks — these activities are available at any of the beaches.

The city's most popular beaches — Jomtien, Pattaya Beach, Wongamat and Naklua — lie one after another, and it's sometimes hard to tell where one beach ends and the next begins. Jet skis, canoes, parasailing, towable inflatables like donuts and banana boats, boat trips, sunbed rentals, food and drinks — these activities are available at any of the beaches.

The city's most popular beaches — Jomtien, Pattaya Beach, Wongamat and Naklua — lie one after another, and it's sometimes hard to tell where one beach ends and the next begins. Jet skis, canoes, parasailing, towable inflatables like donuts and banana boats, boat trips, sunbed rentals, food and drinks — these activities are available at any of the beaches.

A small beach just a few minutes’ walk from Tawaen. A wooden walkway laid over the rocks along the shore leads to the beach. It’s good for snorkeling to see fish. Sunbeds on all beaches cost 100 baht; sometimes at the edges you can bargain down to 50 baht.

Tawaen (Ta Wean Beach) is the most popular beach with tourists and the one excursion groups are brought to. It gets crowded but has well-developed infrastructure, many cafés and shops, even a 7/11. Clean white sand and clear water with a gentle, stone‑free entry make it ideal for families with children. Sunbeds on all beaches cost 100 baht; sometimes at the edges you can bargain down to 50 baht.

Koh Larn is the closest island to Pattaya, with clean beaches and clear water. There’s little to do beyond standard water activities: snorkeling, jet-ski, banana boat and SUP. Renting a sun lounger costs 100 бат. Food and drinks can be ordered from beach cafés without leaving your lounger — perfect for a lazy day. It’s not worth staying more than a couple of nights; a hotel room or simple apartment starts from 1000 бат. At the night market near Na Ban Pier they sell fresh seafood — ten king prawns cost 180–200 бат and are grilled on the spot. How to get there: Several options. Tour: a day trip with transfer, lunch and reserved loungers for the group costs about 1300 бат. Ferry: one-way ticket costs 40 бат, travel time 40 minutes. In Pattaya ferries depart from Bali Hai Pier near Walking Street — arrive 15–20 minutes before departure to buy tickets and get good seats. Koh Larn has two piers receiving ferries from the mainland. Ferries to the main Na Ban Pier depart at 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00 and 18:30, but you’ll need transport from there to the beaches; the last return trip leaves at 18:00. The second pier is Tawaen Pier at Tawaen Beach: ferries arrive there at 08:00, 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00, and return trips run every hour from 13:00 to 17:00 — the advantage is that Tawaen and Sangwan beaches are within walking distance. Speedboat: main advantage is time — the crossing takes 20–30 minutes; price is 150 бат one way per person. Tuk-tuk rides around the island cost 30–50 бат depending on distance; the tuk-tuk stand is a three-minute walk from Na Ban Pier. Daily motorbike rental costs 200 бат; rentals are right outside the pier.

Go to Thai cinemas not for blockbusters but to watch Thai films — they’re a good way to get deeper into local culture, whatever the genre (adventure, crime or even horror). Thai films are usually shown in Thai with English subtitles. At the Pattaya Avenue mall the cheapest tickets start from 70 baht. Cinemas always play the national anthem before the screening and express wishes for the king’s long life.

Walking Street — the city's main party street with dozens of bars and clubs. It feels like some foreigners come to Pattaya just for this. It's worth popping in even if you don't plan to drink until you pass out or go to an erotic show — simply to get a sense of the atmosphere.

Tien (Tien Beach) is on the other side of the island. It’s less crowded than Tawaen; you need a tuk‑tuk or a moped from the pier to reach it. There are no shops on Tien, but a couple of cafés and various water activities. Sunbeds on all beaches cost 100 baht; sometimes at the edges you can bargain down to 50 baht.

The city's most popular beaches — Jomtien, Pattaya Beach, Wongamat and Naklua — lie one after another, and it's sometimes hard to tell where one beach ends and the next begins. Jet skis, canoes, parasailing, towable inflatables like donuts and banana boats, boat trips, sunbed rentals, food and drinks — these activities are available at any of the beaches.

Pattaya has a large bath complex, Yunomori Onsen & Spa. You only need to bring a swimsuit — all bath amenities are provided on site. The complex includes a hammam, sauna and baths with different temperatures, additives and minerals. The baths are gender‑separate, but the relaxation area is mixed. They also offer excellent massages: the service includes a thorough questionnaire before the treatment and ends with relaxing tea. Bath entry costs 550 baht; massages start from 650 baht.

Tiffany's and Alcazar shows: the performances are a mix of Brazilian carnival and the French Moulin Rouge. All roles in the dance and musical numbers are performed by transgender artists, though many visitors don't even realize it. Full Thai-style burlesque, but without explicit vulgarity. Alcazar: ticket — 900 baht; you can buy tickets on Klook or at street travel agencies. On Alcazar's website only VIP seats are sold for 1800 baht.