Pattaya City: Separating Fact from Fiction

Do you think you know everything about Pattaya City? As with any major tourism region in the world, it has its myths and legend. These can sometimes cloud what is fact and what is fiction.

Pattaya is one of the most polarizing tourism destinations in the world and has its fair share of misconceptions. As we have lived in Pattaya for several years, we have decided to put to rest what is fact and what is fiction about Pattaya City.

Pattaya City is not just about bars and drinking, There is so much to do in the city.

Pattaya City is Not a City

Even though we call Pattaya City a ‘City’, it is only a town! 50 years ago, Pattaya was only a fishing village, and though it does now have that big city feel and appeal, Pattaya is nonetheless still a town. It’s government rule in Thailand that defines a town from a city, and as of yet, we have not quite reached city status although it feels like one. I should imagine that in the next decade, its status will be upgraded, just like they did in Southern Thailand when they changed Phuket Town to Phuket City about 7 years ago.

Pattaya City is Not a Dangerous Place

That is a fact no matter what the tabloids and naysayers might have us believe. The problem we have in the world of media today is that they feast on all the negative aspects of humankind, so it’s only natural for them to report a bag snatching, a drug bust, or a robbery. This is how they fill their newspaper and gain more readers by sensationalizing everything.

Pattaya City is home to many luxury hotels with sea-views and 5-star facilities

Pattaya for sure has its problems, just like every other tourism destination in the world that attracts undesirable people who are looking to take advantage of tourists. I have lived here for 10 years and have never been the victim of a single crime. Pattaya is no more dangerous or less dangerous than anywhere else in the world, apart from Canada of course!

Pattaya City is a great place for family holidays

You would be surprised how many times we hear the city’s bar-mongers claim that ‘Pattaya is not a family holiday destination, and never will be.” Maybe not if you are camped on Walking Street or near Soi 6, but it may come as a surprise to you guys to know that Pattaya City is easily the most family-friendly destination in Thailand in terms of wholesome family holiday attractions.

With family attractions such as Nong Nooch Gardens, Underwater World Pattaya, the water parks at Ramayana and the Amazone Cartoon Network, sheep farms, zoos, and other things to see that appeal to families, nowhere in Thailand comes close to offering the same amount of family choices as Pattaya.

Misconceptions About Pattaya

Maybe so many tourists are locked into the go-go bar carousel and party scene and never venture too far away from Beach Road, so they don’t understand that Pattaya is now becoming a family holiday destination whether they like it or not. We all believe the change is a good thing and is just another fact that flies in the face of fiction.

There is much more to Pattaya than meets the eye. If you are looking for somewhere to visit post-COVID-19 and want to get away from Bangkok for a few days, give Pattaya a try.

Pattaya City is much more eclectic than you think. The region has some fantastic family attractions as well as great nightlife options. And if you have never visited Walking Street Pattaya, you are really missing out. Book a few nights in one of the city’s cool five-star hotels along Beach Road. You will have a great time. A book is more than its cover.