PATTAYA BEACHES
Sunday, February 24th, 2008Pattaya Beach
A curving 4 kilometre beach on the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya can be split into three main areas. South Pattaya is the hub of Pattaya’s nightlife with shops, department stores, boutiques, beauty salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques, restaurants and nightclubs and general action.
As you progress northwards, the tree-lined promenade lined by hotels, shops, department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs, gradually gives way to a less developed more tranquil area. Accommodation can be found along all areas of the beach.
Naklua beach
Immediately north of Pattaya, is much quieter with a fishing harbour and local population making a living from fishing. It doesn’t have as many restaurants or expensive resort hotels as it’s neighbour to the south, nor the rowdy nightlife, but all these are available for the a 10 Baht ride into Pattaya beach. (About 20 minutes by Songtaew - the local style taxi)
Jomtien Beach
Around the headland about 2 kilometres south of Pattaya, Jomtien is quieter and less congested but has good accommodation and restaurants. More toned down than Pattaya, it’s becoming more popular, especially for water sports (Thailand’s No.1 windsurfing spot) and activities because of its long straight coastline and fewer boats anchored in the area.
Bang Saen Beach
Around 13 kilometers from the city of Chonburi. Very local Thai style with drinks and seafood snacks such as dried squid, mussels and spicy steamed-fish-cakes for sale from the street vendors along the sea front. Deck chairs and rubber rings can be rented. The many restaurants that line the beach have recently been improved to become more neat and orderly. Bang Saen offers several hotels and bungalows.