Pattaya City is nestled along a picturesque bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand roughly 160 kilometers (two-hour drive) southeast of Bangkok. From a fishing village in the 60's, Pattaya has emerged as the favorite Southeast Asian vacation spot, particularly admired by Europeans. A fascinating escape where tourists, holiday-makers from around the world unfold an incomparable array of possibilities to unwind during exotic holiday on much fun and comfortable beach vacations.

Pattaya integrates the delights of first-class beach resort and city-like dining, shopping and night entertainment facilities: more than 300 assorted hotels, thousands of shops, restaurants and bars. It comes along with variety of sport and recreational activities: beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart, sport gyms with exercising, weight-lifting and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. One may enjoy riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, renting monstrous motorcycles, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go for firearms shooting, scuba diving and surfing clubs, deep-sea fishing, speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or the airsports of gliding ultra-lights, flying motor-propelled gliders, and more during the day. And at night, there are restaurants, theaters, cabaret shows, bars, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard and snooker clubs, exotic erotic shows, discos, saunas, massage parlours, not to cite an absolutely incredible shopping which is non-stop day-and-night.

Pattaya has become a truly international meeting spot, where travelers the world over face each other amidst the smiling faces of Thai folks. It isn't just a place to look around, but the vacation spot where nations meet, communicate, interact and befriend during the holiday. And for some, Pattaya provides the opportunity to flare out and show off, flamboyantly exposing on beaches, while walking, driving or at clubs, bars and discos. Such a variety of these free playboy shows that probably not once one wonder: What an odd spot... is that really happening on planet Earth? Still, this unique and enticing vacation spot retains numerous retreats allowing one to withdraw from the cacophony, to seclude yourself in the gorgeous natural scenery anytime you feel like.

Every year this exotic beach resort welcomes about five million visitors and so far, Thais fully recognize the importance of tourism. The friendly and hospitable nature of Thai folks boosts its promotion, frequently bringing back the old and constantly rising up the number of newcomers. Regardless of its intense and flamboyant life, Pattaya is a reasonably safe place. Altogether, Police patrols and Tourist Police jointly with security guards are on 24 hour-a-day alert protecting tourists, along with the local residents serving the guests. Hence, even a lady alone is completely safe strolling around day-and-night. If you don't want, no one will touch you. Incidents if any, for the most part are between tourists themselves. Visit Pattaya Girl Thailand our neighbor's site.

Hotels and guesthouses in every price range have more than 12,000 rooms available, and while Pattaya is not the cheapest beach resort in the region, it is competitively priced when compared to similar vacation destinations. It is unsurpassed in the variety of services and activities available.

With it's many well equipped and reasonably priced dive shops Pattaya is a favorite destination of scuba enthusiasts from all over the world. While there are other, superior, dive sites in Thailand, Pattaya is the most convenient to Bangkok and is the jumping off point for trips to Ko Laan, and the nearby islands of Ko Sak and Ko Krok. More advanced divers seeking a more challenging experience may want to head out to the more remote Ko Man Wichai or Ko Rin, where visibility is better, or to the shipwrecks near Sattahip.

Naklua beach, immediately north of Pattaya, is quiet and unpolluted. It doesn't have as many restaurants or expensive resort hotels as it's neighbor to the south, nor the rowdy nightlife, but all these are available for the 10 Baht cost of a 20 minute songthaew ride to Pattaya beach. Similarly, Jomtien beach, around the headland to the south of Pattaya, is quieter and less congested but has good quality accommodations and restaurants.

Pattaya beach is world renowned for the variety and unrestrained hedonism of it's nightlife, though city leaders have in recent years made an effort to confine the commercial sex industry to an area of south Pattaya beach. The frenzied merrymaking diminishes as you move up the beach road to central and north Pattaya, and to neighboring Naklua beach.

Overview

Religion and monarchy are the cornerstones of Thai culture, and they permeate everyday life. It's the custom to stand for the royal anthem before films are shown, and for the national anthem which is played across towns, villages and even Bangkok Skytrain stations twice daily.

For the beach-holidaymaker and Bangkok fly-by-nighter, it is often easy to overlook these cultural subtleties - the Thais are a gregarious and accepting lot - but a little bit of respect goes a long way in finding out more about the country's people and culture.

Pre 20th Century History

The earliest civilisation in Thailand is believed to have been that of the Mons in central Thailand, who brought with them a Buddhist culture from the Indian subcontinent. In the 12th century, the Mons met a Khmer group moving from the east, the Sumatran-based Srivijaya culture moving north, and people from the Thai state of Nan Chao migrating south. The first Siamese capital was created by Thai princes in Sukhothai with later centres created in Chiang Mai and, notably, Ayuthaya.

The Burmese invaded Siam (as Thailand was known until 1939) in both the 16th and 18th centuries, capturing Chiang Mai and destroying Ayuthaya. The Siamese eventually expelled the Burmese and moved their capital to Thonburi. In 1782, the current Chakri dynasty was founded by King Rama I and the capital was relocated once more, this time across the river to Bangkok.

In the 19th century, Siam maintained its independence by deftly playing off one European power against another.

Modern History

The 20th century brought great change to Thailand. In 1932, a peaceful coup converted the country into a constitutional monarchy and in 1939 Siam became Thailand. During WWII, the Thai government sided with the Japanese. After the war, the country was dominated by the military and experienced more than twenty coups and countercoups, interspersed with short-lived experiments with democracy. Democratic elections in 1979 were followed by a long period of stability and prosperity as power shifted from the military to the business elite.

In February 1991 a military coup ousted the Chatichai government, but bloody demonstrations in May 1992 led to the reinstatement of a civilian government with Chuan Leekpai at the helm. This coalition government collapsed in May 1995 over a land-reform scandal, but the replacement prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa was no better. Dubbed a 'walking ATM' by the Thai press, he was forced to relinquish the leadership just over a year later after a spate of corruption scandals. Ex-general and former deputy PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh headed a dubious coalition until late 1997, when veteran pragmatist Chuan Leekpai retook the reins.

In 1997 the Thai baht pretty much collapsed, dragging the economy (and many other southeast Asian economies) down in a screaming heap. The unfinished skyscrapers around Bangkok are a legacy of this downturn. In August 1997 the International Monetary Fund stepped in with a bailout package of austerity measures which - although it slowed Thailand's growth dramatically and hit the poor the hardest - seemed to have turned things around by early 1998. By the turn of the new century, Thailand's economy was no longer free falling, but rebuilding had only just begun. Genuine attempts to weed out corruption seem underway, but the poverty-stricken of Thailand are still wary of promises and agitating for more reforms.

Recent History

The relatively new Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT; Thais Love Thais), led by Thaksin Shinawatra, emerged as a force in Thai politics in the late 20th century, and saw many sitting MPs defect to its ranks. In parliamentary elections held in January 2001, TRT trounced Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's democrats.

Throughout his time in office Thaksin was able to broadly deliver on his promises and his popularity remained high among rural voters, his true power base. Among human-rights groups, however, he was less adored. He was dogged by rumours of corruption, drew criticism for restricting the media - Thaksin controlled Thailand's only independent TV station - and instigated a heavy handed 'war on drugs' that left thousands dead. Even more damning was his failure to end the mounting sectarian violence in the country's southern provinces.

In December 2004 the west-facing Andaman coast was hit by a tsunami, which killed more than 5000 people. Worst affected were small family-run businesses and fishermen, whose buildings and boats were lost to the waters. Aside from areas such as Ao Lo Dalam on Phi Phi island and the Khao Lak/Takua Pa areas in Phang-Nga province, the majority of tourist-reliant areas reopened within weeks or even days of the event.

Amid claims of corruption that sparked huge public demonstrations, Thaksin called a snap election on April 2, 2006. Although TRT won over 50% of the vote, the legitimacy of the victory was questioned as the major opposition parties boycotted the poll. Following an audience with the king, Thaksin chose to form an interim government with deputy Chidchai Vanasatidya as prime minister. In early May the courts overturned the April election result and called for a new vote in October. Thaksin then further angered his opponents by resuming control of the government. The situation came to a head on September 19. While Thaksin was in New York attending a meeting of the UN General Assembly, army commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin carried out a bloodless coup, scrapped the constitution and appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as interim prime minister.

The coup was condemned internationally but many Thais saw it as bringing to an end the rule of a corrupt leader and his government. This latter stance was given greater weight by the king's indirect support and approval for the coup, which again confirmed his key role in Thai politics. With escalating violence in the south and increasing controls on the media, many in Thailand wonder just what the future holds for their brittle democracy.

The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few countries are so well endowed.

From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveller.

When To Go

Thailand's monsoons arrive around July and last into November (the 'rainy season'). They can be uncomfortably, unpredictably sticky. This is followed by a dry, cool period from November to mid-February, followed by much higher relative temperatures from March to June.

By far the best time to visit is between November and February when the weather is kind and the beaches are at their finest. This period is Thailand's main season for national and regional festivals.

The peak season is November to late March, with secondary peak months in July and August. If your main objective is to avoid crowds and to take advantage of discounted rooms and low-season rates, you should consider travelling during the least crowded months (April to June, September and October). On the other hand it's not difficult to leave the crowds behind, even during peak months, if you simply avoid the most popular destinations (eg, Chiang Mai and all islands and beaches). This is also the prime time for diving in terms of visibility and accessibility.

Thailand Weather Overview

Climate-wise, the best time for visiting most of Thailand is between November and February when it is not too wet and not too hot. The south is best visited when the rest of Thailand is miserably hot (March to May). If you're spending time in Bangkok, be prepared to roast in April and do some wading in October - probably the most challenging two months, weather-wise, in the capital.