Pattaya – The Changing Face

Pattaya, once Thailand’s sleaziest resort, is trying to improve its image. Historically, a sleepy fishing town, it boomed as an R&R spot during the Vietnam War and has been a sex tourism destination ever since. The beach is dirty and lackluster and rampant overdevelopment has long since destroyed any natural charms it once had.

But Pattaya remains one of the popular resort cities of Thailand and arguably one of Thailand’s best spots for practically any sport imaginable from golf and horseback riding to watersports like jetskiing or parasailing, not to mention bungee jumping, go-karting and a whole lot more. The convenient location near Bangkok also makes it a popular weekend getaway, and with over a million tourists packing in yearly Pattaya also offers an excellent range of eating choices.