Sanctuary of Truth
Huge wooden temple-like building on the coast north of the city, covered inside and out with carved Buddhist and Hindu figures. It has been under construction for many years and is worked on by hand.
Pattaya
Close to Bangkok, this busy beach city is known for day trips to nearby islands, water sports, shows and family attractions.
Attractive locations
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Large garden south of the city with manicured lawns, orchids, palms, topiary and cultural performances. Many visitors go on a half-day trip, as it lies some distance outside Pattaya.
Ko Lan
Island a short boat ride off the Pattaya coast, with several beaches, clear water and snorkelling. It has a calmer pace than the mainland resort and is easy to visit in a day.
Jomtien Beach
Long beach south of central Pattaya with a more relaxed feel, popular with families. Water sports are on offer, and seafront cafes and restaurants line the road behind the sand.
Pattaya Beach
Curving beachfront along the city's central bay, lined with a promenade, cafes and shops. Boats and jet skis operate offshore, and the area is busy from morning to late night.
Wat Yansangwararam
Royal Buddhist temple complex with Chinese-style pavilions, a pagoda, landscaped grounds and a lake. Set a short way south of Pattaya, it is far quieter than the beach strip.
Buddha Mountain (Khao Chi Chan)
Hillside carved with a very large golden image of the Buddha, etched into the rock face with lasers to mark the golden jubilee of King Bhumibol's reign. It can be seen from the road.
Phra Tamnak Hill
Hill between Pattaya and Jomtien with viewpoints over the bay and the city skyline, popular at sunset and after dark. A hilltop temple with a large golden Buddha is also found here.
Pattaya Floating Market
Tourist-oriented market built over canals, with wooden walkways, vendors in boats and stalls for food, crafts and souvenirs. It gives a compact taste of traditional Thai river markets.
Viharn Sien
Chinese-style museum and shrine complex south of Pattaya, filled with carved statues, paintings and sculpted scenes from Chinese legends. The setting is landscaped and rather quiet compared with the beach areas.
Airports
U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport UTP
It is about 32 km in a straight line from Pattaya.
Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK
It is about 83 km in a straight line from Pattaya.
Don Mueang International Airport DMK
It is about 111 km in a straight line from Pattaya.
Getting around
From U-Tapao and Suvarnabhumi
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya Airport's listing includes a minibus to South Pattaya operated by Suvarnabhumi Burapha, with a few departures a day, plus limousines from Vanatana and taxis from Loma Pattaya Taxi Co-operative. Travellers arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok can take intercity coaches to Pattaya from Gate 8 on Level 1 of the main terminal. Schedules change; look at the airport's transport page before travelling.
- Source: U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport: Suvarnabhumi Burapha minibus (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport: Public transportation (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT): Ways to transport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Songthaews in Pattaya
Pattaya has no regular bus service, according to the city's own report. Instead there are songthaews (sorng taew), shared pick-up trucks that circulate on loops along Beach Road (Pattaya No. 1 Road) and Pattaya No. 2 Road, the areas most visitors head for. Motorbikes and cars can be hired, and motorcycle taxis wait at many points. The report dates from 2018, so ask locally about current routes.
- Source: Pattaya City: Yearly report 2018 (public transportation section) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Jet-ski damage claims
Thailand's tourism authority and Pattaya City have joined forces against jet-ski scams, and Canadian advice describes rental firms that claim renters damaged the craft and press them to pay. Renters are advised to read the contract and photograph existing damage before riding, to use only reputable, licensed and insured operators, and never to leave a passport as a deposit. Problems should be reported to the Tourist Police.
- Source: TAT Newsroom: TAT supports Pattaya City in resolving jet-ski scam (2015) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Government of Canada travel advice: Thailand (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: TAT Newsroom: Marine safety measures and regulations in Thailand (2016) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: UK FCDO travel advice: Thailand, safety and security (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan26.6 °C25 mm
- Feb27.4 °C18 mm
- Mar28.3 °C56 mm
- Apr29.4 °C72 mm
- May29.6 °C152 mm
- Jun28.9 °C160 mm
- Jul28.5 °C160 mm
- Aug28.4 °C149 mm
- Sep28.1 °C239 mm
- Oct28.0 °C237 mm
- Nov27.5 °C64 mm
- Dec26.5 °C14 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 31% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Tourist police 1155 (English). Emergency 191. Ambulance 1669.
local government
Tourist Police Bureau
Helps with: Thai police bureau set up to protect visitors and their belongings. Its hotline 1155 gives information and help to tourists, runs 24 hours a day and supports eight languages.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other foreign visitors anywhere in Thailand.
Phone: 1155
Email: info@touristpolice.go.th
Address: 999 Moo 1, Suvarnabhumi 4 Road, Nong Prue, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540
local government
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Helps with: Thailand's national tourism body. Its Travel Buddy call centre 1672 gives travel information and help to visitors, and its website takes complaints and suggestions.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Thailand or planning a trip there.
Phone: 1672
Email: center@tat.or.th
Address: 1600 Phetchaburi Rd., Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
local government
Tourist Assistance Center (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Helps with: The tourism ministry's assistance centre for visitors. It offers help in the aftermath of natural disasters, assault, accidents and other distress.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Thailand who have had an accident, been attacked or are otherwise in trouble.
Phone: 0 2134 4077
ngo
Thai Red Cross Society
Helps with: Thailand's national Red Cross society. It provides medical and health care services, the blood transfusion service, and disaster preparedness and relief for people affected by disasters.
Who qualifies: People in Thailand who need its medical, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: +66 2256 4032
Address: Terd Prakiet Sodej Phra Yanna Sangworn Building, 1871 Henry Dunant Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Thailand
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Thailand it works to save lives and protect people on the move, including vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking, such as into scam centres.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Thailand, especially vulnerable migrants and people affected by trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +66 2-343-9300
Email: iomthailand@iom.int
Address: 18th Floor, Rajanakarn Building, 3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Thai foreign ministry's Diplomatic and Consular List (April 2026) gives each mission's address and phone; some are based abroad.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
Helps with: Thailand's national department for disaster prevention and relief. Its hotline 1784 is the national contact line for disaster situations.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Thailand affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 1784
Address: 3/12 U-thong Nok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
local government
TAT Pattaya Office
Helps with: Tourism Authority of Thailand office responsible for Chon Buri province, which includes Pattaya. Contact it for tourist information about the area.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Pattaya or elsewhere in Chon Buri, or planning to.
Phone: +66 (0) 3842 7667
Email: tatchon@tat.or.th
Address: 609 Mu 10, Pratamnak Road, Tambon Nong Prue, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chon Buri 20150
local government
Pattaya City Contact Center 1337
Helps with: Pattaya City's public contact centre. It takes complaints, gives information and coordinates the city's work to solve reported problems.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Pattaya City, residents and visitors alike.
Phone: 1337
Address: 171 Moo 6, North Pattaya Road, Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150
local government
Emergency number 191 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1669
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1669
local government
Fire emergency number 199
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 199