Pattaya, part 4

An amazing number of foreign visitors to Thailand, especially to Pattaya, is interested in staying in the country for more than just a short vacation. Those who can afford it may just look for a permanent dwelling, probably even buying a condominium unit, to retire in the country. Others want to go a step further and participate in a business firm. Basic information on these topics is given in the chapters Accommodation and Business & Employment in the first part of this book. However, those who want to get serious with investing in Thailand (but not in amounts that would justify dealing with the Board of Investments) should gather first-hand information, especially from other foreigners who have bought property or invested in businesses. There are a number of law offices in Pattaya, mostly with Western partners, specializing in consulting foreigners intending to buy property or invest in the country. As they mainly deal with foreigners, they are, of course, particularly familiar with the problems foreigners typically face when staying in Thailand rather permanently.

Sports

Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya area - not just in the actual Pattaya but also in Jomtien to the south and Naklua to the north. Therefore, information on sports facilities in the Pattaya area, including Jomtien and Naklua, is given in a special chapter following the chapter on Jomtien, after the Pattaya and Naklua chapters.

Places of Interest

The Pattaya area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. A number of these places of interest are not in the actual Pattaya but in or beyond Jomtien to the south or Naklua to the north. Therefore, information on this kind of places of interest, not only in Pattaya but in the surrounding area as well, is given in a special chapter following the Jomtien chapter.

Transportation

There is an abundance of transportation facilities between Bangkok and Pattaya. As the means of transport between Bangkok and Pattaya also serve Naklua, immediately north of Pattaya, and Jomtien to the south of the actual Pattaya, combined information on transportation is given in a separate chapter after the Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.

Naklua

Naklua is a beach immediately north of Pattaya, much more quiet than Pattaya Beach. Naklua has a good accommodation infrastructure but only little entertainment. Those who are after the nightlife can easily travel the short distance to Pattaya.

While Naklua has some infrastructure for sports by itself, those staying at Naklua can easily make use of Pattaya’s sports infrastructure as well.

Naklua doesn’t have many first-class restaurants, but then again, those who want to go out for a fine dinner can also just make the short trip to Pattaya.

Like Jomtien, south of Pattaya, Naklua, too, has profited from the rapid growth of tourism in Pattaya without being inflicted with the social problems that accompanied Pattaya’s rapid development. But unlike the resort hotels of Jomtien which have happily distanced themselves from Pattaya, Naklua establishments have so far less recognized that it may be considered an advantage not to be in the actual Pattaya. Accordingly, a number of Naklua establishments have named themselves after Pattaya.

Unlike Jomtien, Naklua has only few resorts in the best categories.

Restaurants

Most hotels have restaurants. Those who want to dine out for special treats can always go to the actual Pattaya where they find a large number of specialty restaurants.

Entertainment

As the actual Pattaya is just a few kilometers south, those who want to visit entertainment establishments have them nearby while those who do not want entertainment infrastructure, families for example, are far enough away not to be disturbed.

Shopping

Naklua doesn’t have many shops, aside from those attached to hotels and a few supermarkets, but a wide selection of goods is available in the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers to the south.

Sports

Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya area. Information on sports facilities in the Pattaya area are given in a special chapter following the chapter on Jomtien.

Places of Interest

The Pattaya area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. Information on this kind of places of interest is given in a special chapter following the Jomtien chapter.

Transportation

Naklua shares in the transportation infrastructure of Pattaya. A number of buses from Bangkok passes through Naklua just before proceeding to Pattaya. Otherwise, to go from Bangkok to Naklua one can take any bus to Pattaya, just hop on a passenger pickup at any bus stop there and proceed to Naklua on one’s own.

To get from Naklua to Bangkok, one best catches a bus at the bus terminal in the actual Pattaya.

Passenger pickups from Naklua to the actual Pattaya are 10 to 20 Baht. Special trips are more expensive.

For more information on transportation to and from Pattaya and Naklua, as well as in the Pattaya area, please see the separate transportation chapter after the Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.