Ko Lan in Pattaya of Thailand

Ko Lan lies 7.7 km from Pattaya and is one of the largest islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand. It is the largest of a group of three islands, the others being Ko Sak and Ko Khrok. Ferries leave from South Pattaya and take about 40 minutes to reach the island. The fare is about 100 baht. Longtail speedboats can make the trip in about 15 minutes, but cost a lot more.

Ko Lan is the only island near Pattaya with accomodations for tourists. A resort on the southern part of the island, near Nuan beach, is the most comfortable lodging, but there are bungalows on the western part near Ta Pan beach. One of the most pristine beaches is Laem Thian to the southwest. Most of the many boats transporting day trippers dock in the bay of Ta Waen beach in the northern part of the island.

Small glass bottom boats are an easy way to view the plentiful coral formations, and equipment is available on the island for those who prefer snorkeling, para-sailing, water skiing or scampering about on jet skis. Deep sea fishing expeditions can also be arranged from several sources on the island. From Ko Lan another 40 minute trip by boat will take you to the secluded beaches on Ko Phai (Bamboo Island) which are open for day trips only.

Jomtien Beach in Pattaya of Thailand

A six km long stretch of beach facing southeast into the Gulf of Thailand makes Hat Jomtien popular with windsurfers and water sports enthusiasts who appreciate its uncrowded waves and refreshing light winds.

Compared to the congested, unhygienic waterfront of nearby Pattaya, Jomtien beach is a haven of peaceful enjoyment of the seashore. In recent years a number of beachside hotels, bungalow complexes and restaurants have been built to accommodate the increasing numbers of tourists, many of them family vacationers.

With the nighttime delights of Pattaya Beach located just a few km to the north (a ten baht sonthaew ride), Jomtien attracts people who want to swim, water ski or parasail in waters that are less polluted, while still having access to the sophisticated attractions of its more famous neighbor. It has also become a major residential area for retirees and others looking for a more laid back, less frenetic beachside home.

Pattaya Beach in Thailand

Sand, sun and fun make Pattaya one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Thailand. Pattaya, on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, was a small fishing village until the early 1960's when it was 'invaded' by American soldiers and sailors seeking rest and recreation while on leave from serving in Vietnam. It has since blossomed into a cosmopolitan city dedicated to the pursuit of excitement, pleasure and adventure.

Easy to get to from Bangkok by air conditioned bus, Pattaya offers every imaginable form of water sports, plentiful and affordable golf courses, including some designed by the most famous names in the game, and stimulating nightlife.

In the last few years Pattaya has, in an effort to broaden its appeal to family vacationers, toned down some of the rowdy behavior that had given it a dubious reputation. But you will still find a profusion of clubs and cabarets which cater to every taste and persuasion, and Pattaya's famously charming hostesses will still delight all your senses. Pattaya is the ideal destination for those seeking non-stop entertainment. It has boisterous go-go bars, clamorous discos and tumultuous nightclubs. Visitors seeking deserted and unpolluted beaches and a laid back atmosphere should go elsewhere.

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.