Varied scenery, distinct architecture, cuisine that is second to none ? it is hardly surprising that the Tourism Authority of Thailand report more than 13million tourists visited Thailand in 2005. The beauty of the landscapes, the friendly people and the large sweep of Pattaya beach all become ingredients for a delightful holiday. The beaches are pristine, the sea clear and blue and delightfully warm.  Many tourists are Thai nationals: with Bangkok only two and a half hours away from Pattaya, this is their nearest beach. Unfortunately, Pattaya's reputation is leftover from the days when the US servicemen frequented Pattaya's bar district and, to a certain extent, this reputation has been built on amongst the rows of all-night bars and nightclubs, although the government is now attempting to take control of the situation and place a curfew on the opening hours of Pattaya's nightlife.



There are many exquisite hotels to choose from in Pattaya, many of the best hotels situated in locations away from the raucous nightlife.  An ideal hotel for families and for those whose idea of a holiday is a bit of peace and quiet, the Horseshoe Point Resort and Club is just a short 10-minute drive from the Jomtien Beach. There is also the Ocean Marina Yacht Club Hotel which is close to Jomtien Beach, with all rooms having a panoramic view of the sea or the marina.   Royal Cliff Beach Hotel is set in 64 acres of verdant parks and features a number of leisure facilities to entice you to remain in the hotel grounds.  South Pattaya also has its share of excellent hotel facilities, with the Royal Wing and Spa Hotel perched on a headland overlooking the sea, many luxurious guest rooms and a unique cliff top spa.  Another comfortable hotel is the Sheraton Pattaya Resort which features guest rooms to a particular comfortable and high standard.

One tourist attraction which is an absolute must is a visit to one of the limestone islands about 7 kilometers from Pattaya's shore.  Apart from the beauty of its beaches and its clear water, there are some exquisite coral formations which can be viewed by visitors from a glass-bottomed boat or, if diving is your thing, dive amongst the coral reefs and view the amazing abundance of coral and fish which make this reef their home.  For visitors who want to get more adventure out of their trip to Pattaya, there is also para-sailing, water scooter riding, water-skiing, and parascending amongst other activities, in fact, there are activities to suit everybody.