Pattaya Beach

Overview

Pattaya Beach is the city's emblematic 4-kilometre crescent of sand stretching along Beach Road from the Dusit headland in the north to Bali Hai Pier in the south. Palm-lined and fronted by a pedestrian promenade, it is the centre of Pattaya's waterfront life — jet-ski operators, banana-boat rides, and massage vendors line the shore.

Highlights

• Beach Road promenade: A wide sidewalk running the full length, ideal for evening strolls.
• Water sports: Jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana-boat rides are available year-round.
• Sunset views: Unobstructed western exposure delivers vivid sunsets over Koh Larn.

History

Until the 1960s, Pattaya was a quiet fishing village. American servicemen on R&R from the Vietnam War discovered its beaches, and by the 1970s the coastline had transformed into a bustling resort strip. A major beach-widening project in 2018–2019 added several metres of sand.

Visitor Tips

• Chair rental: Deck chairs cost about 100 THB for the day; negotiate before sitting down.
• Best swimming: The northern end near Naklua tends to have cleaner water and fewer boats.
• Duration: 1–3 hours depending on activities.