About half a century ago, Pattaya was an obscure fishing village in Thailand. Pattaya is located about 150 km to the south-east of Bangkok. At that time, the least number of tourists visited this place. Most of the tourists were residents of Bangkok who sought to spend their weekends there and as a result there was only average income from the tourism industry. The Vietnam War proved to be a turning point for the tourist market, as it was used as a Rest & Recreation Center by the US Forces. The U-Tapao Airport was constructed and hotels, various kinds of services, bars and shops were steadily growing.

Now the location has gone to such an extent that it has become the premier beach resort of Thailand. It is developed into a city with an individual existence with its own mayor and its own authority. Pattaya offers almost all facilities for all kinds of people. The prevailing natural ambience is the core in providing beauty for most other beach resorts. But Pattaya is different as it delivers the best of what is available to it. There may not be a better place for entertainment, recreation, fun and sightseeing. The variety on display in Pattaya offers a mind-blowing experience and you will never leave the location disappointed. There is a lot to make the children happily accommodated and full range of comforts available for the sports enthusiastic, couples of all ages searching for leisure and relaxation and those people looking for pleasant sunshine.

Once it is dark there is an unlimited amount of opportunities available for you. This includes options like open-air bars, nightclubs, cabaret shows and discos. The center of attraction after sunset is South Pattaya. If you don't find it to match your tastes, don't worry as there are much quieter and calm alternatives. Another key evening attraction is the multi-faceted shopping centers. Almost every center winds up late, so if you are dedicated enough you can bring home Thailand's finest buys like silk, gems and jewelers, handicrafts and more. Almost all kinds of luxury items are available and one potential hiccup could be the availability of too many options to choose from.

Accommodation is possibly the trump card among all luxury resources available. It has Villas and apartments which suits people from any class of the economy. All kinds of residential comforts are in store which includes luxury hotels with private beaches, sea side hotels and bungalows and guest houses with moderate comfort. It is also an endless treasure for eating buffs. The abundance and variety in food items on display also make it a compelling destination. There is probably no other resort in this region which provides such a lot of choices in restaurants.

Traveling by bus is the easiest and widely accepted way to arrive Pattaya. Buses are ready to serve you every half an hour from Bangkok's recently opened Airport and the Eastern and Northern Bus Terminal. The one-way fares are very economical. You can access the mini buses and baht buses to get around the central bay area. Vehicles of all types are available at affordable prices as well. If you are interested in being a bit acrobatic there is scope for that also. It has got excellent facility for those who are interested in diving and it is among the oldest diving centers in this part of Asia. Windsurfing, water skiing, sea walking, swim sunbathing, fishing, or making trips to the offshore islands are other options available for visitors.

Water scooters are ready for an enchanting journey through the bay and you can use motorcycles, cars or jeeps to enjoy the neighboring beaches or the luxuries outside the resort. Tennis lovers can have a good time at the courts of high class hotels. It is a heaven for golfers as there are 18 golf courses in nearby areas. Each of these comforts abides by the international standards. More entertainment possibilities on offer include bungee jumping, bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery.