Pattaya – City of Sin
History
Originally a tiny fishing village, Pattaya, Thailand was relatively unknown to tourists for most of the 20th century. It wasn’t until it was discovered by some Americans during the Vietnam War that Pattaya became a popular tourist destination. Initially, travel to Pattaya was mainly American GI’s on leave from the war, but after many of them stayed on in Pattaya post-war, word got out that this part of Thailand was a great place to visit.
Along with the development of tourism infrastructure like accommodation, Pattaya’s darker side began flourishing, a side that commonly crops up when military men are “at port”. Pattaya soon became rife with all sorts of night time adult entertainment, debaucherous behaviour, and all the delights usually expected in Bangkok. Pattaya quickly surpassed Bangkok as the raciest city in Thailand, and travelers have come to know Pattaya as the “City of Sin”.
Walking Street
Pattaya’s notorious Walking Street red-light district is where many tourists get their groove on. Walking Street offers tourists plenty of opportunities to engage with the locals including pleasure encounters in massage parlours, go-go bars, discos, and other party venues, and is a huge attraction for tourists and locals alike. With the road closed to vehicle traffic from 7pm to 3am, Walking Street is Pattaya’s biggest party zone at night.
Nightlife
The nightlife is a huge part of why Pattaya is such a hot tourist destination, because you don’t have to be interested in red-light activities to enjoy the nightlife scene. Although the adult entertainment venues are in the same area of Pattaya as the nightlife venues, that doesn’t mean that the entire party scene is seedy. Pattaya has sports bars, nightclubs, and discos for all types of party-goers, and for most visitors to this part of Thailand, the nightlife is the best part of their vacation, especially during a festival or event.
Festivals and Events
With its label as a party city, it’s only natural that Pattaya is home to many different festivals and events, including an even more elaborate Songkran (Thai New Year), that lasts a few days longer and includes a number of additional events like beauty pageants and musical performances.
Consistent with their love of beauty pageants, the people of Pattaya host two beauty pageants for transgendered and transsexual individuals, Miss Tiffany Universe and Miss International Queen, which are widely celebrated events by both locals and tourists. Pattaya is also home to a large gay pride festival called Pattaya Pride, which occurs at the end of November, beginning of December.
Beaches
Inevitably all of this partying and debauchery is going to wear most travelers out. Fortunately, Pattaya knows this, and has a number of fantastic beaches on offer, where tired and worse-for-wear tourists can rest and relax the day away. Pattaya has four beaches available for recovering from the night before, all with varying amenities and attractions.
For peace and quiet, try the not-as-popular Jomtien Beach, just south of Pattaya Beach. If you’re brave enough, try some windsurfing here – it’s what this beach is known for. But if eating your way through a rough day is how you like to live, Bang Saen Beach, although a little further away, specialises in offering fantastic Thai cuisine, particularly seafood. If the thought seafood is thoroughly unappealing, consider the uber-quiet Naklua Beach, home to fishermen, but less inundated with restaurants and dining options.
However, some people still like to be in the middle of the party, even when they’re recovering from last night’s party. If you’re one of those, don’t even bother to head anywhere else but Pattaya Beach, which is surrounded by shopping, dining, and, yes, more partying. After all, Pattaya is Thailand’s City of Sin.
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