Perched on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast, Pattaya is popular for its white sand beaches and azure waters. What was a quiet fishing village till the 60s, is now lined with hotels, resorts, malls, bars and 24/7 clubs. Located a stone's throw away from Bangkok, Pattaya is one the favoured tourism spots in Thailand. Come here for the pristine beaches, water sports, mouth-watering sea food preparations and more. Those of you planning to visit Pattaya, read on for a detailed travel guide to the destination.

Pattaya does not have airports of its own, but it is located about 120 kms from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. There are many flight services that ply on regular basis from India to Bangkok including Air India, Air Asia, IndiGo, Thai Airways, and Jet Airways from various Indian cities such as  Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore etc.

Air: The closest airport to Pattaya is the U-Tapao Airport located just 30 km away at Sattahip. Though this is the third most important airport in Bangkok and offers connectivity to only a handful International destinations. Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is 120 km away from Pattaya, is well connected with most international and domestic airlines operating in and out of the airport.

Rail: Pattaya is well connected to Bangkok by Rail. A daily train service operates between the main train station in Pattaya and the Hulamphong Station in Bangkok.

Road: Pattaya is located 147 km away from Bangkok. One can hire cars to drive between the two cities and for travel within Pattaya and Bangkok. A frequent bus service plies between Pattaya and Bangkok.

Similar to most of Thailand, Pattaya offers a tropical climate and sees travellers almost all through the year. Though it's best to visit from November to February when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. It's breezy and pleasant and the beaches beckon the water lovers with a cool breeze and calm waves. This is the peak season so book in advance.

There's plenty to do in Pattaya for the active and keen traveler. Here are some highlights.  

Walking Street: The sights and sounds of Walking Street are quite unlike anything else in Thailand. The street is closed to vehicle traffic after 6 pm. Almost the entire stretch is dotted with beer bars, nightclubs, and restaurants where you can easily while away a very eventful evening.

Tiffany Cabaret Show: Tiffany`s Cabaret show takes place in a grand theatre. Performers are dressed in everything from long sweeping ball gowns and plume of feathers, to elaborate head dresses and skimpy polka dot swimwear. The show includes an hour of dance, songs, and skit.

Underwater World Pattaya: Guests can spend the night among the the fauna of the region, feed koi fishes, and dive with sharks and rays at Thailand's first modern aquarium. Other activities and tourist attractions include otter and shark feedings.

Enjoy the Flight of the Gibbon: This thrilling canopy tour is one of the top things to do in Pattaya for the adventurous souls. The ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ zip line is a 3 km affair that takes you past lush green surroundings. There are 26 platforms till the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Make this a full day activity by clubbing it with the jungle safari. Do remember that young children are not allowed to enter. 

There are hundreds of restaurants and thousands of independent food stalls, each offering different cuisines from around the world. Food forms a massive part of Thai culture. Local Thai food restaurants run by independent families offer authentic good quality Thai food. Fresh seafood is a specialty in Pattaya. Popular joints such as Glass House, Mum Aroi, Rimpa Lapin and Nang Nual serve sumptuous servings you wouldn't want to miss.

Central Festival Pattaya is home to many high street fashion brands. There are all kinds of stores at this grand shopping mall. Royal Garden Plaza is another shopping mall which houses premium fashion brands. There is also an impressive range of souvenir, jewelry, beachwear, electrical goods and dining options in the Royal Garden Plaza. The Pattaya Floating Market is a must visit for all shoppers for the experience it offers. It is also a great place for souvenir shopping. The busy Walking Street is frequented by tourists to pick a variety of items like electronics, cosmetics, and even toys. Shop at some of the renowned and classy malls here such as Mimosa, Mike Shopping Mall, Central Centre, Outlet Mall, and One Tambon One Product Shop.