Asia, Destination Guides, Food & Drinks, Pattaya, Thailand, Travel

Shit You Probably Haven’t Thought Of… But Should Know: Pattaya

19 September

– Cover Photo by Marcus Cain / @visualsbywest

Huge Thank You to my very talented friend, Marcus, for allowing me to use some of his amazing imagery in this blog. Please take the time to check out more of his work here.

Ahhh Pattaya, considered by some to be the Sex Capital of the World, you really can’t walk more than a few feet before running into one of the city’s big three: massage parlors, weed dispensaries, and tattoo shops. Just two hours south of Bangkok, Pattaya feels a world away from the noise, chaos, and energy that are the hallmarks of Thailand’s capital city. Add to that the late afternoon showers that, on occasion, and with almost zero warning, cascade in from the hills outside the city, turning bright beaches and bustling streets into slippery, sodden scenes worthy of an episode of No Reservations.

But beyond the neon lights and questionable reputation, Pattaya is a captivating cacophiny of contradictions. The same stretch of road that hosts a row of go-go bars will also lead you to family-friendly activities, pristine temples, or a quiet beachside café where expats and retired passport bros sip their morning cappuccino or evening beer. It’s a city where you can party until sunrise, recover with a beachfront massage or a little tattoo therapy, then stumble into a night market selling everything from watermelon smoothies to fried insects to knockoff designer bags, all before dinner. In short, Pattaya is both exactly what you’ve heard… and not at all what you expect.

Side Note: As mentioned above, Pattaya is just a few hours from Bangkok, and therefore shares a lot of the same relevant information. For this reason, I’ve placed more generalized Thailand info (like Money, Tech, Safety, etc) at the end of this post.

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Immigration, Visa Extensions & Flights:

Immigration: Thailand now requires all visitors to complete a Digital Arrival Card at least three days before entering the country. Its purpose is to streamline the immigration process, enhance security measures, and improve public health monitoring. It is NOT an optional form. To get in the country, you must complete it before arriving at the immigration threshold.

More information and the form itself can be found here.

Visa Runs & Extensions: One major difference about renewing your visa in Pattaya vs. Bangkok: Pattaya requires additional housing documentation and third-party/landlord/hotel information that Bangkok doesn’t. I was lucky that the time for my 30 day extension came just a few days after I left Pattaya to go back to Bangkok, so I didn’t have to deal with gathering the excess, but if you’re planning on making Pattaya your home base, give yourself extra time to get to the Chonburi Immigration Office for a list of (and to collect) the docs you’ll need.

As for Visa Runs, I’ve now been in Thailand for seven months, with timing and legalities dictating the need to extend my 60-day visas and leave the country twice each. The first time I reentered after three weeks of pivots in Cambodia with no issue. This second time, after a week in Hong Kong? Still no trip-ending issue, but they EXAMINED my return ticket (out of Thailand) and asked more questions than usual, with the supervisor having to ultimately OK me passing the threshold of the immigration booth. Thailand has been cracking down on re-entries without extended visas, so I’m not sure if they were flagging me or if the officer was just being extra diligent. Either way, I wouldn’t chance another visa run and immediate re-entry. Luckily, I’m leaving Thailand for the foreseeable future in November, so I won’t have to extend my visa or roll the dice on a Visa Run for a third time.

Flights: Quick note specific to Air Asia – When I was booking the return flight from my visa run in Cambodia, there was a $60 price difference between booking in the app and on the computer. No idea why, but on the app, I was unable to expand the section that had the full price breakdown. Something told me to try from my computer before purchasing, and I’m so glad I did, as it was cheaper. Not sure if this was a fluke or universal issue, so when all else fails, be a good lil millennial and do the important things from your laptop 🙂

Baht Buses and Grab bikes patrol Pattaya – Photo by Marcus Cain / @visualsbywest

A view of the beach – Photo by Marcus Cain / @visualsbywest

Transportation:

Baht Bus: The best way to get around Pattaya and in and out of nearby Jomtien (where I laid my head) is the Baht Bus. While there are limited routes, which are primarily centered in the larger tourist areas along Beach Road, and individual operators aren’t always consistent with where they drop off, hopping on and off the back of one of these small (usually) blue trucks for just 10 baht (33 cents) is the simplest and cheapest way to get around.

Big Buses: There are several companies that operate standard passenger buses for travel in and out of Pattaya to several destinations throughout Thailand and even surrounding countries. While I only ever used them to travel to/from Bangkok, my preferred operator was Pattaya Bus, which offered one-way tickets for 131 Baht (roughly $4) and made at a dozen trips daily.

Grab: Like in Bangkok, Grabs are convenient, relatively cheap, and easy to employ through the Grab app. While Pattaya is much smaller than Bangkok, the traffic can be THICK, especially in tourist areas around Walking Street and during peak hours. Just like in Bangkok, plan for extra time if you’re grabbing a Grab under these circumstances.

Ping-Pong shows, live sex, food carts, oh my! Who can resist making at least one trip to Pattaya's infamous Walking Street? While I did not participate in any of the WS staples, my friend Marcus did show me the ropes of navigating my first jaunt through the area.

Food:

When it comes to value for money, Thailand wins hands down in the hierarchy of countries I’ve spent significant time in to this point. While in Pattaya/Jomtien, I spent about $20 a day on food, which includes eating out once or twice a day, plus my daily coffee fix. This is more than I spent (on average) in Bangkok (which may change when I calculate the final numbers), but the access to high-quality food here, as in the rest of Thailand, is unmatched. Markets, fully stocked convenience stores, high-end restaurants, and food vendors are literally on every corner.

While I didn’t start trying a variety of places until the last month of my stay, when I did venture out of my self-imposed isolation and started socializing, I discovered quite a few hidden gems. Damn, that term is overused, but nonetheless, I’ve highlighted a few of my favorites below and created a Google Map with all locations for y’all’s convenience.

Branch Coffee 2: A cute little coffee shop and bar in Jomtien (technically Pattaya) along the main Beach Road. This was my initial go-to non-Starbies haunt to work/write for 4-6 hours at a time. They have a full-day menu, all-day breakfast, and all the coffee, tea, smoothies, and alcohol you need to fuel your work-from-the-beach-no-really-I-am-working day. Prices are very reasonable, but they only take cash, so hit the ATM before heading in. Working/writing here until the sun sets can be therapeutic, but as it is an open-air restaurant, the mosquitoes emerge for their dinner around the same time. The original Coffee Branch is also in the same area. I’m not sure if they’re owned by the same people, but the location and vibes are definitely different, just FYI.

Toast Brunch & Brew: I don’t know what it is, but I have definitely been eating more bruschetta than usual since I’ve been in Thailand. I stumbled across Toast one night after a full day of work at Starbies and a detour at the gym. I was still feeling productive, so I wanted to capitalize on the momentum by not returning to my apartment and subsequently, my bed. On the second floor of Nonze (Hostel/Hotel?) Toast offers eclectic vibes, plenty of seating options for those who were just there for the food, and for those who were there to work for extended periods. The outdoor seating, especially in the evening with the fans blowing, was calming, and a welcome buffer to the live music (not that it was bad) echoing from inside. The food is great, and while not cheap, not overly expensive either, especially given its prime placement in the heart of Pattaya’s tourist center.

Rocko’s Coffee World: I came across this place literally on a fluke. Marcus and I were looking for a new (closer) spot to have our weekly coffee meet-up, and I found this place on Google Maps. Somehow, even though I was ON GOOGLE MAPS, I didn’t realize how far it was… and it was FAR, sitting on the south end of Jomtien, past where the infamous Beach Road (Jomtien Second Road) ends and the Baht Bus ceases to exist. But damn, were the two baht bus transfers and 1.5 km walk worth it. Australian-based (or maybe just inspired?) Rocko’s has signature coffee blends and both sweet and savory stuffed croissants that were PHENOMENAL.

Rich Date Coffee: For something completely different, check out Rich Date Coffee on the south end of Jomtien’s Beach Road. A small cart on the side of the road, Rich Date serves fresh iced and cold coffee and teas, with a cute little chair and table setup (literally they’re little) directly on the beach. Open until about 1:30 PM daily, the “shop” will close early if the weather deems it so, lol.

Lanzhou Noodles: Their menu features a variety of fresh, pulled noodles with various meat-based toppings and accompaniments. They also have a vegetarian main dish (tomato & egg pulled noodles), which is great, as well as a few vegetarian-friendly sides. I visited Lanzhou several times, as a large bowl of noodles and a drink cost less than $6. Worth the money is definitely an understatement.

Mister Pizza: This was my Grab go-to. I always ordered a margherita pizza with additional fresh basil, a large Sprite and Bruschetta, but asked them to hold the bread and give me more bruschetta mix instead. They always accommodated my requests, never charging me extra. This was some of the best pizza I’ve had since Double Zero in Manchester, and all in, with delivery and tip, I spent less than $13.

Anya Pattaya: Apparently, dessert toast, made with brioche and fresh fruits, creams, and sauces, is clearly a thing here in Thailand. This stuff is NOT really French toast, but it kinda is. Its not stuffed, but then it kinda is. And if you’re asking yourself if I, Jessica, went to a highly-rated seafood restaurant just to have stuffed-not-stuffed-French-not-French toast? Why, yes. Yes, I did. While I eat fish and crab on occasion, seafood isn’t really my thing. I will say, however, the place was a total vibe, they had a variety of drink options (coffee, tea, alcohol), and the seafood, when it floated past my table on fancy plates and with fresh sides, looked amazing. Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive, Anya is worth a visit or two.

Jomtien Night Market: Literally your one-stop shop for all food stalls and market-related items. I stopped here a few times, sometimes to grab food and eat on location, other times to grab groceries and food for later. This market is rather large and has great variety. It’s also right across the street from the beach and has plenty of places to sit and watch the sunset while you eat. If you’re in Pattaya/Jomtien, this place is a must.

Lanzhou Noodles – Beach Road, Pattaya

Rocko’s Coffee World – Jomtien

Anya Pattaya – Jomtien

Gyms & Fitness:

In Thailand, fitness and wellness are just as important for social well-being as they are for physical health. I don’t know if it’s just a byproduct of its beachside locale, but as soon as I hit Pattaya, this fact was even more amplified. Whether you’re into lifting, yoga, Muay Thai, etc, there are plenty of options to stay active, both in traditional gyms and through community-based activities. One additional thing I LOVED about Pattaya? There are several indoor/outdoor gyms within its borders. I’ve highlighted one below, but if I ever make it back to Pattaya, I will definitely check out a few others.

Jett’s 24-Hour Fitness: Jett’s is a solid chain of fully equipped gyms with most locations open 24/7. Their facilities and setup are perfect for weight training, cardio, and group classes. They have multiple gyms all over the country; however, their singular location in Pattaya isn’t on any Baht Bus route and, therefore, is cumbersome/more expensive to frequent. So much so, I only went a few times, opting instead to pay in bi-weekly blocks at a local gym, even though I had committed to a year-long Jett’s membership when I first arrived in Bangkok. That being said, Enter…

Coco Fitness: This is a decent-sized gym on the top floor of Pattaya’s “fake” mall (ie, Mike’s Shopping Mall), sitting almost on the sand in the center of Beach Road. While a little older and somewhat run-down, Coco was very affordable and felt more like my go-to performance gym in Dallas (vs. Jett’s, which presents more like 24 Hour Fitness). It had everything I needed, including shots of preworkout and smoothies, complete with an AMAZING view of the Gulf of Thailand.

Battle Conquer Gym: Roughly halfway between Jomtien and Pattaya, slightly off the main drag and down a random side street, lies Battle Conquer Gym. A true bodybuilding gym, my friend LaDarius (a crazy-talented trainer who worked at my favorite gym in Dallas), and I went to Battle Conquer after a random Google search. The indoor/outdoor gym is super affordable and allows for daily drop-ins and weekly/monthly memberships without a contract. They have a sauna and cold plunge, as well as supplements, preworkout, and all the weights, machines, and natural breeze you could possibly need.

Taking a stroll through Walking Street…

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A post shared by Jess Hagmaier (@_thejesseffect)

Attractions:

I don’t know if it was the hangover from an overall less-than-exhilarating visa run to Cambodia, or trying to trick myself into thinking I was actually going to be productive, but I didn’t do a ton of exploring while in Pattaya. In fact, I didn’t leave my apartment for very much at all other than to go to the gym or work from a coffee shop. Toward the end of my stay, however, I connected with a few friends (both old and new), and as a result, I managed to escape my self-imposed prison for my last few weeks in the city.

Walking Street: Ping-Pong shows, live sex, food carts, oh my! Who can resist making at least one trip to Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street? While I did not participate in any of the WS staples, my friend Marcus did show me the ropes of navigating my first jaunt through the area. We went to Club 808, the best (only?) hip-hop club in the city, and then wandered in and out of several other clubs and dive bars before I headed back to my apartment (via 7/11 for a little treat) at 3 AM. While I wouldn’t make it a nightly ritual, Walking Street was fun, and it’s worth spending a few hours dancing, drinking, and people watching.

Koh Lorn: The best beach I’ve been to in Southeast Asia so far, but again I say, the Caribbean it is not. Still, it’s a nice day trip and getaway from the day-to-day of mainland Pattaya. A quick boat ride from the pier, there are several beaches, restaurants and attractions across the island. Just know prices are higher than in Pattaya, EG: a 10 baht bus trip in Pattaya is 60 on the island.

Skydiving: There’s not much to say here (yet) other than this was never on my bucket list, but shockingly, a blast and something I would do over and over again. I came back to Pattaya with my son during his trip (skydiving was on his bucket list) in August, and we used Thai Sky Adventure, who picked us up and dropped us back off at our hotel without any additional charges. They charge just under $400 per person for their all-in package, which included pictures, video, and a “certificate of completion” LOL. Again, 100/10. Highly recommend. No notes.

Beauty & Self-Care:

Pattaya was where I finally started prioritizing beauty and self-care treatments. I have a few picks for my faves, but to be perfectly, bluntly, honest with you, it feels like I’ve been writing this damn destination guide for the better part of a decade, lol. So… at some point in the very near future, I will return to these pages and fill in the blanks. For now, know that Pattaya is positively replete (damn, that sounds pretentious, lol) with “all the things” when it comes to beauty and self-care.

Why yes, I did buy a skydiving shirt. Because if I throw myself out of a plane, everyone is going to know it…

Out past my bedtime on Walking Street

Pondering a trip to the Caribbean while in Koh Lorn…

Environment:

Beaches: Yes, there are beaches in Pattaya. Would I go out of my way to visit them again? Sadly, no. The beaches are well, fine, but that’s about it. Murky at the coastline at best, and littered with trash at worst, I just wasn’t in a hurry to dunk my head under the waves. The nearby islands (like Koh Lorn) are nicer, but for me at least, not nice enough to justify the added expense and time to visit them (Baht buses here are also MUCH more expensive). Not sure if my decision to spend the first five months of next year in the Caribbean came before or after my initial disappointment in the beaches of Thailand and Cambodia, but either way, I can’t wait to dunk my head again.

Weather: Yes, it’s warm. Yes, it’s humid. But for a girlie like me who hates being cold, I have zero complaints. Be on the lookout for the typical afternoon storm, but other than that, the weather (at least while I was there) was pretty consistent(ly hot).

Opening Hours: Pattaya is NOT an early-to-bed, early-to-rise type of town. Quite the opposite. Most shops and restaurants don’t open until at least 10 or 11, and a lot of coffee shops don’t even open before 8 AM. The markets are typically only open in the afternoon/evening, and the party GOES ALL NIGHT… so don’t feel the need to get to the club before 11 PM in most cases.

Obligatory gym selfie… Side Note: I only want to work out in halfway outdoor gyms from here forward…

When life hands you falling watermelon… grab a stick to catch it 🙂

Random Money-Related Notes

Airbnb: Not sure if it’s just an Airbnb thing, or if all rental apps/services are the same, but unlike what I’ve encountered in Bangkok, there are extra fees when renting in Pattaya. Almost every apartment I looked at, especially the newer and beachside condos, required a 3k-5k baht security deposit, which (local lore will tell you), you’ll likely never get back. Not one to throw away money (unless it’s on some silly trinket or beauty product that I absolutely do not need, but of course, buy anyway), I chose to stay further south in Jomtien, where the extra fees were not as common. Just something to keep in mind when you’re looking for accommodation.

Cash v. Card: Whether your preference is to use cash or card, you’ll have no issue exploring Pattaya. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind if you only plan on using one or the other:

At least with the ones I used, ATM fees were higher in Pattaya than in Bangkok. Expect a minimum fee of 250 baht vs. 220 ($7.88 vs. $6.93… yes, ATM fees are THAT high in Thailand)
There is a 200 Baht minimum (roughly $6) to use credit/debit cards in places like 7/11.
There are street stalls, food trucks, and markets peppered throughout Pattaya and nearby Jomtien. The majority take Baht or QR payment (typically only available to those with a Thai bank account and/or phone number), and if you don’t have either, you’ll be missing out on some AMAZING finds.
The public transportation in Pattaya isn’t as extensive as in Bangkok. There are, however, Baht buses, which I included more info on above. To ride these, you will need 10 baht every trip, no matter your pickup or destination point.

The all-too-common smiling bike/taxi operator – Photo by Marcus Cain / @visualsbywest

Offerings and golden Buddhas… Thailand Staples – Photo by Marcus Cain / @visualsbywest

People & Safety:

Kindness: This is the Land of Smiles for a reason. Almost every interaction I’ve had has been kind, helpful, and positive. As long as you’re not an asshole, you can expect to be treated with kindness and respect in almost every situation.

Safety: When it comes to general security, Thailand is incredibly safe. Violent crime rates are relatively low, and petty theft is uncommon. People generally respect boundaries, and most locals are quick to help or give directions when asked. It is not uncommon to see people leave their belongings in a coffee shop or restaurant and walk away from them for extended periods without any concern for them being where they left them. I have to admit, even as a jaded American, I have been in Asia long enough to fall into this practice myself. Sure, it MIGHT bite me in the ass one day (not likely), but honestly, you don’t realize how freeing it is to not constantly have to look over your shoulder (I’m looking at you, Barcelona) in anticipation of someone being an asshole or something going wrong. Will I continue this practice in the States? Absolutely not. Am I enjoying the freedom while I have it? Absofuckinglutley, YES.

That being said, it is of course important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night or in crowded areas like the train stations and markets in the more tourist-central parts of the city. But overall, Pattaya/Jomtien has a low crime rate, and you’ll find that both locals and visitors feel at ease, even carefree, walking around after dark.

People, Technology and Food are all safe in Thailand…

Toilet Paper, Trash/Recycling & Plastic:

Toilet Paper: Okay, it’s official… I’m the cringey, spoiled American. Here in Pattaya, like many other countries, toilet paper must go in the bin, not down the toilet. And honestly? I hate it. But I get it… the plumbing systems aren’t built for paper, and flushing it could cause serious issues. It’s not what I’m used to, but it’s also not the end of the world. So, just remember: wipe and toss, never flush.

Trash, Recycling & Plastic: When it comes to single-use plastics, Thailand’s abuse is right up there with the U.S., if not worse. I try to reduce and recycle as much as possible, bringing my tote bag to the grocery store and repurposing heavier-duty plastic containers as makeshift Tupperware (shoutout to the Betty Crocker/Rubbermaid era of our childhoods).

That said, recycling is also widely practiced here, with separate bins for plastic, glass, and other waste in many places. Like Bangkok, many apartments, convenience stores, and supermarkets even have dedicated recycling stations, making it easy to dispose of items properly.

Tech:

In terms of power, Thailand uses a combination of U.S. and European-style plugs, and the outlets are designed to accommodate both prongs. However, the voltage here is 230V, so most basic U.S.-based electronics will need a transformer to work properly. If you have devices that are internationally compatible, like most Apple products, you won’t need a transformer; just plug in and go.