We will be in Pattaya mid June for 5 days.
Travelling from Bangkok which is the best way to travel, I understand it takes approx 3 hours, has anyone done this?
What to do in Pattaya??
Thanks Val

i too will be in pattaya at that time for 2 days....to save money, i plan to take the bus there from the eastern bus terminal---100B...a driver i use sometimes has quoted me 1500B to drive me there in comparison...

i think generally pattaya is pretty honky tonk....lots of bars, etc...its a hang out place....i think i will stay at the marriott....the royal cliff is top notch i am told...there are prices all over the map...

from there we are going to koh chang for a few days R&R...

Taxi about 1,500, limo about 2,500, or the express bus from the Eastern terminal, if you travel after 11 it can be as fast as 1 hr 30 by taxi. High elevated expressway that is clear most of the day then drops down to wide double highway right into Pattaya.

Nong Nuk Park for Butterflies, orchid Far, Elephant display and elephant rides, Mini Siam to see Thailand and others in Miniture, Underwaterword ( nothing like you would see in USA ) but interesting if you are into it. In town Ripleys Believe It or Not has some interesting displays.
Lots of half day and full day trips south of Pattaya, snorkeling trips etc, evening dinner cruise in the Bay with show, though the shows at Alcazar and Tiffany's are better. Do see the Alangkran Show, Thai culture, excellent sound and lights, hige air con theatre. If you like swimmming pools then pattaya Park Waterpark, waterways and slides, $2.50 for the day. If you are adventurous or crazy you can para-glide from the top of Pattaya Park Tower.
Lots of good restaurants, PIC Kitchen excellent Thai cuisine, also for Thai cuisine with Thai music and Thai classic dance go to Ruen Thai, it gets full at weekends, if at weekedn ask your hotel to book, it really is popular. There are many other tours and excursions, street stalls, main shopping mall next to Marriott has some good bargains.

A fun place for a drink is the "Hard Rock Hotel", there are of course more bars per sq whatever than probably anywhere, on the walking street bars are friendly, many have live bands, music tends to be Creedence Clearwater and Eagles, which is quite excellent if you like!

Avoid the Hard Rock Cafe. It is a tourist dump by all means.

The motorway is the fastest way to Pattaya. From Bangkok, it's 1 1/2 hours most of the time. If you're staying at 'linked' properties in Bangkok and Pattaya (such as Marriott, for example) you may be able to get a transfer through the hotel, although it may be just as expensive as a limo.

Personally, I prefer to stay outside of Pattaya, in Jomtien if possible. Rabbit Resort is a nice Thai styled accommodation right on Jomtien beach.

do make sure you get the express too pattaya. just keep on repeating "is this express", to whom ever associeated with the busses you meet.

NOTE express does not mean it will not stop a couple of times around the city too pick up poeple. but it sure beats the local bus that stops everywhere. I've taken both...

I wonder if there is a VIP bus or public VAN. that goes down there.? these option are far better. .