Pattaya Thailand is located on the southern coast of Thailand. Just a few hours away from Bangkok by taxi and it is as easily accessible by taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport. The taxi drivers will charge you a flat fee of 1500THB to 2000THB which is roughly $45US to $60US. If you can speak a little bit of Thai than you will have a good chance of bargaining the price down. Taxis can be found at the airport or just flag one down in Bangkok.

There are many reasons why someone would vacation in Pattaya though most stay there as a weekend side trip from the main tourist city of Bangkok . But the main reason why hordes of visitors come to Pattaya is to witness and partake in the raucous nightlife that presents itself like a buffet to ravenous survivors on a deserted island. And there are other reasons to visit Pattaya such as for the close proximity to Pattaya's beaches. Though Pattaya officials are trying to clean up the pollution on their beaches I highly suggest that you take a tour to the outer islands like Ko Lan. Ko Lan is a 45 minute boat ride away and the island is a paradise for swimmers as Pattaya's main beaches might not have ideal conditions suited for snorkeling and scuba diving. But it will certainly do just fine for a bit of splashing around and water sports.

The most popular question asked is when is the best time to visit Pattaya. October to February is ideal because the heat and humidity is bearable. But this also means that you will be paying more for accommodations as those months fall within the high season. So book ahead to get the rooms you want. During the low season you will experience heat and humidity that will certainly make your holiday uncomfortable. Rain will happen in Thailand regardless of the season, but the showers do not last too long.

You will know when you have arrived in the city of Pattaya when you see streets lined with go-go bars, snooker clubs, bars, pubs and clubs. You will certainly know you're there when women pull you this way and that way towards the establishments they work in. It is a sight that you can't miss especially when the neon lights illuminate the sky and the scantily clad women light up the streets. This is certainly no place for kids but it is not an uncommon sight to see Thai children with their parents walking hand in hand gawking at all the tourist. However you will see often western families wandering around the red light districts with parents covering their children's eyes.

The great thing about Pattaya's assortment of accommodation is that you can be decently far away from all the nightlife scenes or you can be exactly right in the middle of all the action. And what ever budget you can afford, there is no doubt you will find an accommodation that is suited to your pocket book and life style. The general rule of thumb is the more secluded the accommodation is the more expensive the rates will be. There are two main stretch of beaches in Pattaya. Pattaya Bay which is the largest and most crowded and Jomtien Beach which offers a little bit of seclusion. So keep this in mind when you choose a hotel in Pattaya whether or not you want to deal with the noise or over crowding.

Now, if you are going to Pattaya only to enjoy and experience the nightlife, then you should stay anywhere near or adjacent to Walking Street. You cannot miss this street because this is the major tourist attraction hub. This seedy street is filled with plenty of outdoor bars, indoor bars, beer bars with Muay Thai matches, disco clubs and a smattering of massage parlors catering to men. Whatever your intentions are of visiting Pattaya you will surely find it on Walking Street. One word of warning though, Walking street can be too noisy and if you don't mind being harassed by Thai transsexuals called lady-boys or drunken tourist then you might want to book your accommodations just a little bit away from there as it can get quite rowdy.

Are you into water sports but don't want to pay big bucks to stay in all inclusive resorts? Kayaks and Jet Skis can be rented on the beach for a very decent price. You can even get an affordable body massage on the beach just a few feet away from the rolling waves. The great thing about vacationing in Pattaya and Thailand overall is that a small budget can go a long way. Beer and food can be had at a very cheap price thanks to the favorable exchange rates.

Pattaya started out as a little fishing village and today it is ending up as a major tourist destination with big name hotels that are standing should to shoulder with mom and pop operations. Rumors of corporate big wigs are trying to move in to spruce up the value of Pattaya. But they will never succeed. Pattaya will always remain one of the best places to party and its unique essence and charm can never be changed.

To find out more information on Pattaya's multitude of hotel accommodations check out Pattaya Hotel Guide http://www.squidoo.com/pattayahotelguide - You will find hotel reviews and videos of Pattaya's most famous nightlife scene.

© Copyright 2008 Edwin Clark