Pattaya Select

The Gentleman's Travel & Nightlife Guide 

Pattaya Select is the classy, practical guide for mature solo travelers.  

Pattaya Thailand is an exotic, safe Southeast Asian city located on the Gulf of Thailand which is part of the Pacific Ocean with wonderful year-around summer weather. 

Thailand is famous for fabulous food, the blending of modern conveniences with ancient cultural attractions, smiling friendly people, a long enough vacation Visa, and a vibrant tourist industry.

Pattaya especially caters to foreign tourists with it's well-developed infrastructure, numerous western expats, countless international restaurants, adventures, wellness, relaxed pace of life and some of the most incredible nightlife in the world.

Who This Guide is For

Gentlemen travelers, especially 45 - 70, interested in a safe, comfortable, tropical location, using their deserved vacation and hard-earned money being be treated like kings.

Pattaya is safe and welcoming, with some of the friendliest, most attractive and accommodating people you will ever meet.

Here is what you need to bring to Pattaya to have the best time of your life affordably enjoying a vacation that is nearly impossible to duplicate in other parts of the world:

  • An open-mind, 
  • A good attitude, 
  • Some vitality, 
  • A desire for adventure, 
  • A dose of courage, 
  • A passport,
  • Vacation time, and
  • A chunk of cash 

Essentials & the Basics

Pattaya Thailand's 2 Weather Seasons

  1. High Season.  November through mid April.  Lowest temperatures with the least rain and humidity.  Fantastic weather brings more tourists and higher prices.
  2. Low Season.  Mid-April though October.  Highest temperatures with more rain and higher humidity.  Much lower volume of tourists and more discounts.

Weather with Average Highs/Lows & Average Days of Rain

December through February - Peak High Season

  • Coolest months, lowest humidity and almost no rain
  • 74-88° Fahrenheit (23–31°Celsius)
  • Average of no rain in December, 2 days with rain in January & February

March - Still High Season

  • Gets hotter with more humidity but still mostly dry
  • 78-90° Fahrenheit (26–32°Celsius)
  • 4 days with rain
lady with water gunThai lady getting ready for city wide water fight on the Songkran Festival in mid-April

April - Still high season through the Songkran Festival

  • Hot and humid with some rain
  • 80-91° Fahrenheit (27–33°Celsius)
  • 6 days with rain

May - Low season

  • Hot, humid and increasing rain (afternoon/evening showers)
  • 80-91° Fahrenheit (27–33°Celsius)
  • 11 days with rain

June–September - Low Season

  • Very humid with frequent rain (usually short heavy showers, not all day)
  • 78° to 90° Fahrenheit (26–32°Celsius)
  • June - August 11 days with rain, 15 days in September

October - Low Season

  • Highest rainfall with frequent heavy rain and occasional flooding
  • 76-88° Fahrenheit (24–31°Celsius)
  • 16 days with rain

November - Start of the High Season

  • Rain decreases dramatically by mid-late November
  • Temperatures drop, humidity lowers
  • 76-87° Fahrenheit (24–31°Celsius)
  • 8 days with rain

What to Pack

Casual summer clothing only. There are plenty of laundry's to get your clothes cleaned often at low cost.  There are numerous stores for forgotten items.  Clothing costs are modest.  But clothing for larger men is limited. 

Packing suggestions:

  • Walking shoes
  • Ankle high socks
  • Sandals
  • Shorts & belt
  • Boxer shorts
  • Swimsuit
  • T-shirts
  • Short sleeve button down shirts
  • Hat

I travel with a backpack and 1 medium sized checked bag.

Best Areas to to Stay

Stay in the Central Pattaya area if your plan includes plenty of nightlife.  Choose a hotel off the main roads for more quiet at night.  

Central Pattaya Area

Central Pattaya Location

Central Pattaya  bounded on the west by Beach Road (near the ocean) and extends easterly to 3rd Road.  It starts on the south at South Pattaya Road (near Walking Street) and extends northerly to Central Pattaya Road.

Getting to Pattaya from Bangkok

You can arrange private transport or take the public bus for the 1.5 hour ride to Central Pattaya from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

Getting Around in Pattaya

Stay in Central Pattaya so you can walk, make strategic use of the baht bus, use the Bolt and Grab Apps, taxis and motorcycle taxis.

Second Road from PixabyBusy Second Road. Note the yellow taxi and small blue pickup truck (baht bus) and motorcylces

Etiquette, Courtesy and Behavior Tips

Be respectful, act nicely, and observe others.  Thailand is a keep your voice low, non-confrontational country.

Etiquette Tips

  • Wai Greeting.  Thais will greet you this way, but just smile and nod.
  • Respect for Monarchy.  Never make jokes or criticize the Thai royalty.
  • Head and Feet Rules.  The head is sacred, never touch anyone's head (not even a child's).  Don't use your feet to point.
  • Temple Etiquette.  Cover your shoulders and wear long shorts to cover your knees.  Remove shoes and hats inside.  
  • Keep Your Cool.  Don't raise your voice or lose your temper.
  • PDA.  Moderately OK in nightlife areas, but otherwise, don't.
  • Say thank you in Thai.  Khop khun krap.


Safety Concerns

Thailand is a low crime country with not much concern about pickpockets or street crime like in large western cities.

Safety is more about feeling well your entire trip and watching out for more common issues.

Pattaya is a developing city with some modern, safe, accessible sidewalks.  But many areas lack sidewalks forcing you to walk in the highly trafficked street.  

It is easy to get rundown and sick because you will be having so much fun exploring all day, and staying out late, drinking and partying like a young man. The heat, humidity and sun, extent of walking, trying new foods, enjoying too many drinks and finding female companionship can wear you down.  Know your limits.

Basic Safety Tips

  • Don't rent a motorbike or scooter.
  • Minimize riding motorbike taxis.
  • Plan your trips to minimize walking.
  • Walk against traffic when walking in the street.
  • Watch for low hanging wires, obstructions and holes on the sidewalk.
  • Watch your sun exposure.
  • Don't drink tap water.
  • Don't walk through flooded streets.
  • Use common sense around others.  Avoid arguments and be respectful.
  • Avoid drugs and illegal activities.
  • Keep your wits about you during the day and especially at night.
  • Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are all available.
  • Sleep, nap and enjoy soothing massages.

Enjoy the Day 

Steps to the Big Buddha from PixabSteps Up to See the Big Buddha

Pattaya a many attractions, activities and options to enjoy during the day:

  • Beaches.  Pattaya Beach, Naklua Beach, Jomtien Beach and multiple beaches on Koh Larn Island, a short boat ride away.
  • Cultural attractions.  The Sanctuary of Truth, Noch Nooch Tropical Gardens, museums, the Big Buddha Overlook and multiple Buddhist Temples.
  • Activities.  Golf, shooting ranges, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, bodybuilding gyms, parasailing and other water sports.
  • Shopping.  World class malls, night markets and shops offering everything you can think of.
  • Food & Drink.  Too many restaurants to count, food courts, coffee shops, sports bars, high end steak houses and street food.
  • Relaxation & Health.  Clinics, dentists, optometrists, spas, treatments and massage shops.

And Especially Enjoy Pattaya's Incredible Nightlife

Pattaya is one of the best locations on the planet for exciting nightlife. 

Enjoy drinks in open-air beer bars, watch the sunset from the beach bars, view the entire area from classy rooftop bars, visit thrilling Go Go Bars and behind closed door Gentlemen's Clubs, stop at sports bars with big screen TV's, listen to live music at multiple venues, get tickets to Cabaret shows with polished productions and theater seating, shop at Night Markets, relax at a massage shop, feast at the fabulous evening restaurants and end the night with delicious late night snacks.

The nightlife areas are usually staffed by friendly Thai ladies who want to meet gentlemen like you and help you enjoy your Pattaya vacation.  

You just need to get there!