6 Kid-Friendly things to do in Pattaya
Laem Chabang is the gateway port for Bangkok. If you have made the 2 hour trek in and have already seen all the sights such as the Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha, you might want a more relaxed alternative. Thirty minutes south, give or take, is Pattaya, a beach side city known for cheap hotels, cheap food, and cheap activities, making for a budget friendly vacation destination.
While that is all well and good, it is important to know before you go that Pattaya is also notorious for being one of the top sex tourism destinations in the world.
Pattaya was once a sleepy fisherman’s village, but things changed in the 1970s with the coming of an American Air-force base just 30 minutes away during the Vietnam War. Army personnel would head into Pattaya for rest and relaxation, and entertainment quickly surpassed fishing as a means of income for the locals. GIs who were far from home and looking to unwind not only loved booze, but women. While prostitution already existed, the spiked demand led to brothels springing up left and right to a point there were more people than accommodations, particularly as GIs shared the word upon trips back state-side. Cheap hotels, hostels, and resorts were built, and Pattaya quickly became one of the first budget travel destinations not only for men looking to get boom boom (as they call it), but also for tourists wanting a cheap vacation and hippies wanted a low cost life.
Sex tourism exploded as people from across the world flocked in for beach time as well as cheap, easy, discrete sex. As the Vietnam War ended and the GIs left, Thai tourism adapted and restructured to maintain it’s status as a hub for cheap tourism. While certain areas are worse than others (Walking Street and Soi 6 are the most famous for debauchery), there is no escaping the unfortunate underlying heartbeat of the city.
However, if you can handle passing some explicit billboards and seeing some less than savory bars, Pattaya does have PG options that make for interesting travel experiences.
Here are 7 alternative, family-friendly things you can do when visiting Pattaya:
1. The Sanctuary of Truth
This beautifully crafted wooden temple features intricate carvings reflecting Thai culture and beliefs rooted in Buddhism. The detailing and craftsmanship are astonishing and will give you a jaw dropping travel moment. The coolest part is the fact it is still being built, and you might even catch some artists working away!
2. Terminal 21
Terminal 21 is a massive, airport themed mall in Pattaya boasting 6 floors with hundreds of shopping and dining options. You can find anything you need and eat whatever your craving while you beat the brutal Thailand humidity and avoid the more unsavory pastimes Pattaya has to offer.
TIP: head to the Pier 21 food court for dirt cheap, fresh, and tasty Thai food! Click HERE for a review!
3. Spend the day at an Infinity Pool
Resorts and hotels are great way to escape the grit of Pattaya. Most allow you to use the pool and amenities for a fee, and the one at Siam @ Siam is particularly stunning with sweeping views of Pattaya’s beach front. Your entrance fee can be used as a credit towards food and drink, and it is a great spot to have a relaxing day.
4. Get a Massage
$6 Thai massages will ruin you from all the fancy $100/hr spa massages you splurge on at home. Thai massage masseuses use their hands, elbows, and feet to rub and beat your muscles into a relaxed state. Your body will be bent and battered in new ways, but the journey is fun and you feel great afterwards.
Males should be careful. Many massage parlors have "boom boom" happening in the back and the girls have been known to be pushy and handsy in an attempts to upcharge. Be upfront in expectations and scope out the surrounding areas to assess what clientele it may attract.
TIP: Go with a partner and ask for a couples massage to deter unwanted offers.
5. Eat Street Food
In Thailand’s sin city, avoid the clubs and hit the street food stalls where you’ll find out what your favorite Thai dishes are supposed to taste like. Southeast Asia has access to the freshest Thai basil, tamarind, chilis, and spices that make the food taste different than American replicas that are made from dried or jarred ingredients.
You can score solid street food for 120 TBH or less. If a noodle or rice based dish is less than 100 TBH, it’s a steal, if it’s more, continue the search elsewhere.
Thai food consists of beautiful curries, fresh seafood, hot soups, and noodles galore. As you can imagine, runny massaman curry and spicy Tom Yum soup may not be what the inebriated 2am party-goers want, and won’t be common at street food stalls. I recommend keeping an eye out for Pad Thai, Pad Se Ew, and mango sticky rice for authentic Thai eats.
6. The Four Regions Floating Market Pattaya
The Four Regions Floating Market is a representation of what you would see at an authentic Thai floating market. Walking through the wooden buildings, you will find crafts, food, and souvenirs from the four different regions of Thailand along with cultural learning opportunities. You can explore a wood carving museum, watch an agricultural demonstration, take a boat ride, and even see a cultural performance.
There is an entry fee of 200 TBH ($6.56 USD)
Final Thoughts
You can find wholesome things to do in Pattaya that make for great travel experiences.
However, it’s important to remember what the main draw of the city is and how that shapes who visits the city and what many of the venues cater to.
