Pattaya and Jomtiem - Sea Breezes and Issan Dancing

Oh to be beside the seaside !!!

Pattaya and Jomtiem

I was not impressed about my first trip to Pattaya in 2008 and it can be very sleazy near the beach and beer bar areas. Everyone seems to be trying to sell something or themselves down by the seaside area, "you need a suit sir?" or "massage sir?", or just use your imagination on what is being offered.

Since returning I have found that with some effort this can also be a fairly relaxing place with great shopping and food malls all in close proximity.

If you escape from the tourist area and catch a baht bus to nearby Jomtiem to you will find some nice beaches and fresh air, quite pleasant after the pollution of Bangkok.

There are also some very good attractions like the nearby islands, open zoo and tropical gardens that I will visit on the next trip.

Transport is cheap and unlike most other parts of Thailand the taxis do not seem to rip off the tourist so much. For 10 baht you can go a long distance in an open air taxi bus.

The nightlife in Pattaya is also very good if you like discos and nightclubs. On this trip I also found a gem of an Issan restaurant/club called Tumnan Kon Issan. It is near the Hollywood disco in north Pattaya and I would not know it existed unless I had made some Thai friends in this area. Nine of us had a great night dancing to the upbeat sounds of my favourite Issan music with live band and dancers. I forgot my camera which I regret as there would have been some great photos. It was one of my most enjoyable nights out in Thailand and I will be back there again as soon as possible.

Pattaya is 5.5 hours on the bus from Korat so it is also a nice convenient beach side break for a couple of days away from the village where I stay near Korat.

Another discovery has been a nice hotel called Pius Place with very good modern rooms, swimming pool with waterfall and friendly staff. There are not many tourists in the area at present and the rooms are only 750 baht. They also have family rooms available with cooking facilities. There is no need to cook though as the markets and food stalls are not far away and very cheap. The IT Tutkom on Pattaya Tai (South Road) has a great food mall downstairs and is very cheap.

http://www.piusplace.com

The mini van to Bangkok Victory Monument is located at the Family Mart on Pattaya Tai and good value at 140 baht although there may be some painful stops at the university and other places on the return trip to Bangkok. Going to Pattaya from Bangkok Victory Monument by mini van is much quicker, about 2.5 hours compared to 3 hours for the return trip. If I return to Pattaya from Bangkok I will catch the bus next time from Pattaya North Station.

I am heading back to Korat for my last days with the family on this trip. I enjoy the nightlife and friends that I have made in the ciites but love just sitting around the house surrounded by all the kids and relatives at the village. It will be even more difficult to say goodbye this time.

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