Know Pattaya before you arrive.

Diving and water sports in Pattaya

Pattaya is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive, with wrecks, year-round conditions and a genuine caveat about visibility.

Pattaya with kids: what actually works

Pattaya has a reputation that puts families off and a genuinely good set of things to do with children. Here is which is which.

Buying a condo in Pattaya: what to check before you commit

A practical checklist for foreign buyers. What documents matter, what the ongoing costs are, and the questions that separate a good purchase from an expensive lesson.

Shopping in Pattaya: malls, markets and what is actually worth buying

Two large malls, several night markets, and a clear-eyed view of what is worth your money and what is a mark-up on something you can buy anywhere.

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Thai visas: what you need to know before and after you arrive

Entry rules are changing right now. Here is how the system actually works, what the categories are, and how to check the current position rather than trusting a number online.

Getting around Pattaya

Baht buses, ride-hailing, scooters and when to just walk. What each one is actually for, and the pricing trap that catches almost everyone.

The best beaches near Pattaya, honestly assessed

Pattaya Beach is not the reason to come. Here is where the water actually turns clear, which beaches reward an early start, and which to skip.

Where locals actually eat in Pattaya

Markets, small kitchens and one seafood ritual that has nothing to do with the tourist strip. What Thai residents eat and where.

The Best Places in Pattaya

The best places in Pattaya, grouped by what you want them for: eating, drinking, doing and staying. Every one of them is an Editor's Pick, chosen on merit and never paid for.