There’s no denying the popularity of Thailand’s stunning beaches, especially icons like Phuket.
But there’s one beach city that has undergone a purposeful transformation into a more welcoming place in an attempt to stray away from its global reputation as a 24/7 party zone.
Beyond the famous Walking Street, which is equal parts Amsterdam and Bangkok (if you catch my drift), there are cheap resorts, beautiful beaches, and jaw-dropping temples for some of the country’s best photo ops.
Now that Pattaya has become more family-friendly, local reports confirm tourism is thriving away from the all-night rager scene, where visitors are enjoying the more splendid side of this misunderstood city.
In fact, all types of travelers will enjoy their trip this winter, as temperatures are consistently in the 80s, perfect for beach days, and a friendly community is happy to welcome you.
Cheap Resorts And Picturesque Beaches
Pattaya has a small airport, which may be its only negative mark now that the nightlife scene has been tempered.
There are some easy connections through Phuket, Dubai, or Kuala Lumpur. Otherwise, reaching Pattaya is easiest by taking a train from Bangkok that takes two and a half hours.
It’s well worth the extra bit of adventure knowing what’s in store. Once you arrive, you can head straight to luxe resorts with rates that may not cover a Motel 6 in many U.S. cities.
Many of them are beachside, making Pattaya even more enticing. I did some digging since I’ve been itching to go back to Thailand.
These are the 5 cheapest resorts in Pattaya this winter: (Rates in December 2024 and January 2025)
- Garden Cliff Resort & Spa – $50
- Pattaya Modus Beachfront Resort – $53
- Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort – $57
- A-ONE Pattaya Beach Resort – $60
- Siam Bayfront Resort Pattaya – $70
Keep in mind, it’s usually best to compare booking direct with the hotel before third party sites to save with promotions.
Local publication Pattaya Mail notes Jomtien Beach is buzzing right now as the place to be in the city for epic sunsets.
One local was quoted as saying, ‘Pattaya is coming back to life like before.’
The problem is that there’s such a surge in tourism that traffic might be an issue in reaching Pattaya’s slice of paradise.
On the bright side, there are ample beachfront hotels in the area that are even cheaper than high-end resorts.
Take boutique hotel Jomtien Twelve, for example, with winter rates as low as $20 listed on Agoda.
Jaw-Dropping Temples And Astounding Culture
A visit to just about anywhere in Thailand comes with incredible cultural experiences and fascinating sites.
While you could certainly island-hop southern Thailand, temple-hopping is just as fun and truly unique.
Pattaya is home to some of Thailand’s best marvels with the likes of Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple), Wat Chai Mongkol, Wat Chai Mongkol, and the unmissable Sanctuary of Truth on the beach.
The latter looking almost otherworldly, and the most interesting aspect is it’s remained incomplete for years and actually serves as a museum rather than a temple, despite its looks.
Whatever you classify it as it’s truly a sight to behold and is a very popular spot for Instagrammers and TikTokers.
Something else you have to do in Pattaya is explore local markets, especially floating markets.
Whizz through canals led by boat to take in locals unique day-to-day life and feast on savory (and cheap) street eats, such as classics as Pad Thai and varieties of curry dishes for more adventurous tastebuds.
Arguably the most popular floating market in Pattaya is impossible to forget, simply named Pattaya Floating Market.
Don’t sleep on night markets either for those night owls who want to skip the madness of Walking Street.
Pattaya’s Clean-Up
While there’s certainly a level of wild nightlife here, Pattaya has cleaned up its image, so what does that mean?
Formerly, the city fit the mold for ‘dark tourism’, but heavy police presence and increased investigations have shut down sketchy activity, making the city more appealing to the whole family.
Rather than spend wild nights out at bars and clubs, there are night markets, dinner cruises, and bougie rooftop bars to take in Pattaya’s renowned sunsets.
It’s also rumored Pattaya will soon open its first casino, so keep an eye out for that, too, as they continue to rebrand.
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