Essentially Thai and unabashedly sexual, Pattaya is hedonistic pleasure personified. In so many ways, the city leaves no stone unturned to please you, in any way you can imagine. Pattaya is colourful, loud and on your face. It hits you like a large shot of Sambuca and the hangover is both guilty and monumental. The city is a temptress that lures you in, seduces you with its sinful indulgences, revealing a side of yours that you perhaps never knew existed. Even then, there’s a lot to do apart from the go-go bars and massage parlours and Pattaya does get its fair share of family holidayers for whom this sin-city puts up a totally different facade. Beautiful beaches, botanical gardens and Tiger zoos await the family man who wants to spend some quality time with his wife and kids. You should know when is the best time to visit Pattaya city before planning these city. How can you make most of your Pattaya vacation, you ask? Mix it up, we say! Truth is, your Pattaya vacation can turn out any way you steer it; a trip you don’t want any memory of or a holiday that’s a once in a lifetime experience. Some of our recommendations for Pattaya are: 1.
The Sanctuary of Truth:
It’s a matter of hilarious irony that a place like Pattaya would have a monument named the ‘Sanctuary of Truth’. And because of our love of satire, we have put this as the first place you should visit in Pattaya. Having said that, this monument is truly a work of art and spiritualistic idealism that transports you (albeit temporarily) to inner peace and sanctum. Full of intricately carved wooden statues, the building is a towering 105 metres high. Connect with your true self at this beautiful sanctuary before you dive into the enticing temptations of Pattaya. An absolutely gorgeous tourist attraction in Pattaya! 2.
Thai Alangkarn Theatre
Given that Thailand is more famous for its sex shows than the cultural ones, this one is a pleasant surprise to the eyes. A panoramic extravaganza that highlights Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, the show is a feast full of acrobatics and colours that will stay with you long after you return back. Get ready for surprisingly agile elephants and richly clad talented performers that will definitely shake some of your stereotypes about Pattaya.
3.
Pattaya Elephant Village:
Speaking of elephants, the Elephant village in Pattaya is a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures that are incredibly gentle and friendly. You can choose to ride them, feed them and observe them in their natural habitat. It makes for a fun family outing that is sure to be a memorable one for your kids. This definitely qualifies as one of the most fun things to do in Pattaya! 4.
Tiffany’s cabaret show
There’s only so long you can be away from Pattaya’s lady boys. The Tiffany show is the oldest running transvestite show in Thailand and perhaps the classiest one. Full of decadence and brash glamour, the show is not as much about the gender of its performers as it is about the elegant spectacle that entertains you thoroughly. You are sure come out with a new respect for these talented artistes and enthralled by the grandiose of this veteran show. 5.
Scuba Diving
Pattaya is hiding a whole other world underwater. Full of corals and technicoloured fishes, there are plenty of opportunities to explore this marvellous universe that co-exists with the epicurean, neon-lit world. You can choose to dive for pleasure or take a course and go pro. There are excellent dive-shops that train you and take you out on their boats for a dive. For those less on time and courage, there’s snorkelling and other water sport activities that pack quite a punch too. 6.
Thai Elephant Massage at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Remember when you were taught that elephants are known to trample people to dust? What if we told you that the same creatures are also capable of giving you a rejuvenating massage? See for yourself at the brilliant cultural show at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. These 500 acre grounds are not just a tropical garden paradise but also host to some spectacular elephant antics that will leave you spell bound. Highly trained and surprisingly responsive, these Elephants have fantastic talents that are showcased at the cultural show. At the Nong Nooch, you can even explore your car fetishes with a visit to their car museum and also wander through the mini zoo with your kids. 7.
Shopping at the Walking Street
We know you’re probably muffling a laugh at this one. Whoever goes to walking street for shopping?! But if you’re not into loud, scary-looking, happyto-please prostitutes and their tactics, you’d be pleasantly surprised at the bargains you find at Pattaya’s (in) famous walking street. Just be careful of enthusiastic girls (or boys?!) trying to nudge you to ‘have a good time’. Might not be the most family friendly attraction in your Pattaya travel guide, but definitely one of the most interesting places to visit in Pattaya. You need not be in a totally different kind of Pattaya to enjoy all that this city has to offer. Pattaya packs excellent dining and nightlife options to please even the pickiest palette. You’ll find that with a bit of a sense of humour, you can really see this city for all that it is: gutsy, incredible fun and alive.