Major city · Thailand
Pattayaพัทยา
Treat Pattaya as a short, beach-and-nightlife stop close to Bangkok: one or two nights, about 2 hours by road, or use it as a base for nearby islands.
Pattaya is a coastal resort city about 150 km south-east of Bangkok, reached in roughly two hours by road. It is known for its busy beachfront, nightlife and large entertainment venues. The beach is not the reason to go; Koh Larn island and the attractions inland are better. It suits a short stop or a family day out from Bangkok more than a long stay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season; rough seas)
- Airport
- UTP
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pattaya191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pattaya, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for visitors, but petty theft, bar overcharging, jet-ski scams and strict drug laws are the main risks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 199 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUTP U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International (About 45 km (28 mi) south; limited services.UTP U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International (About 28 mi (45 km) south; limited services.
- Getting aroundShared songthaew pickup trucks run along main roads for about 10–30 baht (≈ under US$1) per ride; ride-hailing and taxis cover longer trips.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UTP U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International (About 45 km (28 mi) south; limited services. Most visitors fly to Bangkok (BKK) and take a taxi (about 1,500–2,000 baht, 1.5 h) or a bus (2026 estimate).)UTP U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International (About 28 mi (45 km) south; limited services. Most visitors fly to Bangkok (BKK) and take a taxi (about 1,500–2,000 baht, 1.5 h) or a bus (2026 estimate).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Sep (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pattaya: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Shared songthaew pickup trucks run along main roads for about 10–30 baht per ride; ride-hailing and taxis cover longer trips. Buses run from Bangkok (Ekkamai and Mo Chit) for about 130–200 baht and 2–2.5 h (2026 estimate). Ferries to Koh Larn leave from Bali Hai pier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Koh Larn
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Ferry from Bali Hai pier, about 45 min (speedboat about 20 min)
Cleaner beaches than Pattaya; go on a weekday and check the last return boat.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Songthaew or taxi, about 25 min
Large botanical garden with shows; hot in the afternoon.
Bangkok
skipDoor to door: 2–3 h one way
Bus or taxi, about 2–2.5 h
Too long for a day trip from Pattaya; stay in Bangkok instead.
Koh Samet
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h one way
Road to Ban Phe, about 1.5 h, then a ferry (about 30 min)
Beaches are better than Pattaya; stay a night. National park fee applies.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pattaya Beach / Central Pattaya
Close to the beach, shops and restaurants; busy and noisy.
Jomtien
Longer beach and quieter than central Pattaya; songthaews run along Jomtien Beach Road.
Naklua / Wong Amat
North end with a calmer beach and upscale hotels; quiet and away from nightlife.
Pratumnak Hill
Between Pattaya and Jomtien with views and calmer streets; a short songthaew ride to the beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- THB 800–1,500 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- THB 1,500–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- THB 3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Agree fares before boarding tuk-tuks or baht buses; overcharging of foreigners is common.
- Watch bags and phones in crowded nightlife areas.
- Walking Street bars may add high drink or entertainment charges; check the menu and price first.
- Jet-ski and parasail operators can claim damage; avoid and photograph gear if you do use them.
- Sea water can be dirty and rip currents form in the rainy season; obey red flags.
- Drug, vaping and sex-work laws are strict; check current rules.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Fire
- 199
- Tourist Police (English)
- 1155
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pattaya. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid May–Oct (rainy season; rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bangkok-to-Pattaya arrival contract with bus and taxi fallback.
- Neighborhood clusters with rescue anchors: Central Pattaya, Jomtien, Naklua and Pratumnak.
- Place and eat pages with verified closing days and Koh Larn boat cutoffs.
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand
- secondaryWikivoyage — Pattaya