Is Pattaya secretly one of Thailand’s best family getaways?

Vol. 25 - March 2025

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Welcome back to The Thai List!

Over the past few months we received quite a few messages from readers in Europe. Several of them were planning a trip to Thailand and Pattaya kept coming up in their itineraries. A few asked us the same question.

“Is Pattaya worth visiting?”

It made us realise something interesting. Pattaya is famous around the world, but we had not actually been back for a long time. So we decided to take a weekend and see it again, this time with Moana.

When we found a hotel with a wave pool, sand play area and indoor playrooms, the idea suddenly made sense. A simple weekend by the sea that would be fun for all three of us.

Sometimes the best trips are the easiest ones.

Happy travels from Ploy, Jochem & Moana ❤️

A travel story

The drive from Bangkok to Pattaya is one of those trips that feels easy from the moment you leave the city.

Once you join the motorway heading east, the pace changes quickly. The traffic thins out, the buildings slowly become smaller, and the road begins to feel more open. It’s the kind of drive where you can already feel the weekend starting before you even reach the sea.

Moana fell asleep not long after we left Bangkok. Within half an hour the car was quiet, which gave us time to talk about Pattaya and what it might feel like to visit again.

Both of us had been there many years ago. At the time the city felt loud and busy, and it had a very clear reputation. It was not a place we had thought much about returning to.

Was it worth visiting now?

Those questions stayed in our minds during the drive. Pattaya is famous around the world, yet we realised we had not actually experienced it again with fresh eyes for a long time. That curiosity is what brought us here, together with the fact that many large hotel groups have opened impressive new hotels in the city in recent years.

About two hours after leaving Bangkok we arrived at Centre Point Prime Hotel Pattaya, the place that had convinced us to make the trip in the first place. We chose it for a simple reason. It looked like a great place to stay with Moana.

And the moment we arrived, that feeling proved right.

Before we even reached the room, Moana had already spotted the water park from the lobby. The hotel has a wave pool, water slides, a sand play area and indoor playrooms. For a seven-year-old it feels a little like arriving at a small adventure park attached to a hotel.

We dropped our bags in the room and a few minutes later we were back in the elevator.

Heading straight down to the pool.

Moana spent the next hour moving between the sand area and the pool as if she had discovered her own little world. One moment she was building something in the sand, the next she was racing toward the wave pool when the waves started.

Soon she was trying the water slides, then back to the pool again.

Travel with a kid changes the way you experience a place. You stop trying to see everything and instead enjoy the small moments more. Sitting nearby with a coffee while your kid plays. Hearing them explain the game they just invented. Letting the afternoon move slowly.

Later in the afternoon we decided to take a taxi into the city to see Pattaya again.

The city is still lively in places. There are busy streets and bright lights, and you can still feel the energy Pattaya is known for. But along the beach promenade the atmosphere felt surprisingly relaxed.

Families were walking along the seafront, street vendors were grilling seafood, and groups of teenagers were taking photos as the sun slowly moved toward the horizon.

We walked along the beach while Moana ran ahead of us, occasionally stopping to watch the boats or look for shells along the sand.

The sea was calm, the air was warm, and the sky slowly turned orange behind the skyline.

And that might be the real reason Pattaya works so well for a weekend or even a midweek holiday. It’s close to Bangkok, easy to reach, and if you choose the right place to stay it can be a very comfortable place for families too.

• 7:30 am : Slow breakfast // Start the day at the hotel with breakfast and coffee. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s nice to begin the day without rushing.

• 9:00 am : Pool and water park time // Head to the pool early before it gets busy. Hotels like Centre Point Prime Hotel Pattaya have wave pools, slides and play areas that can easily keep kids happy for hours.

• 11:00 am : Boat to Coral Island // Take a speedboat to Koh Larn. The beaches here have clearer water and soft sand, and you can swim, snorkel or try activities like parasailing.

• 01:30 pm : Seafood lunch // Head back to the city and have lunch at The Oxygen Beachfront Oasis. Order grilled prawns, steamed crab and a spicy seafood salad to share.

• 3:30 pm : Coffee break // Stop for coffee and pastries at La Baguette French Bakery, a relaxed café known for good coffee and fresh croissants.

• 5:30 pm : Sanctuary views // Visit Sanctuary of Truth, a huge wooden temple carved entirely from teak. Try to arrive late afternoon when the light is softer.

• 7:00 pm : Sunset dinner // Book a table at The Sky Gallery on Pratumnak Hill. The terrace overlooks the sea and sunsets here are beautiful.

• 8:30 pm : Evening walk // End the night with a relaxed stroll along Pattaya Beach Promenade. Street food stalls, coconut ice cream and a lively evening atmosphere make it a fun way to finish the day.

FUN TIP 🌴

If you have a full day in Pattaya, one experience we would definitely recommend is visiting Coral Island, also known as Koh Larn.

The island sits just off the coast of Pattaya, and the water there is noticeably clearer than the main city beach. It feels much closer to the tropical island image many people imagine when they think about Thailand.

A popular way to visit is a guided day trip, which includes the boat transfer and several activities.

Most trips include:

• Speedboat ride from Pattaya
• Time on Coral Island’s beaches
• Parasailing or sea activities
• Snorkeling or swimming
• Lunch by the beach

What we like about this option is how easy it makes the day. You leave Pattaya in the morning, spend the day enjoying the clear water and beach activities, and return in the afternoon without having to organize transport yourself.

For many travelers, this is actually the best beach experience near Pattaya.

If Pattaya is your base for a few days, adding a Coral Island trip is a very good way to see another side of the area.

If you liked this week’s edition, here’s what’s worth to Eat, See and Explore:

Pattaya’s food scene leans heavily toward seafood. Fresh fish, grilled prawns, steamed crab and spicy salads are everywhere, often served at simple restaurants right by the sea. Many places are lively and casual, with big tables meant for sharing dishes with family and friends.

The Oxygen Beachfront Oasis
A beautiful beachfront restaurant with large wooden terraces overlooking the sea. Come here for grilled seafood, Thai classics and sunset views over Pattaya Bay.

The Glass House Boho
One of the most atmospheric dining spots south of Pattaya. Tables sit right on the sand and the menu mixes Thai seafood with international dishes. Best in the late afternoon when the light turns golden.

Jasmin's Café
A small and welcoming café near the beach that serves both Thai dishes and western comfort food. A great breakfast or brunch stop.

Koh Larn
Clearer water and soft sand beaches just 20 minutes by speedboat from Pattaya. It’s the easiest way to experience the tropical island side of the area. Go early to avoid the busiest boats.

Sanctuary of Truth
An extraordinary wooden temple carved entirely from teak. Every surface is covered with detailed sculptures inspired by Thai, Khmer and Hindu mythology. One of the most unique landmarks in Thailand.

Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple)
A giant golden Buddha overlooking the city from Pratumnak Hill. Walk up the staircase lined with naga statues and you’ll get wide views across Pattaya Bay.

Khao Phra Tamnak Viewpoint
One of the best viewpoints in the city. From here you can see the full curve of Pattaya Bay, especially beautiful around sunset.

Jomtien Beach
A calmer stretch of coastline just south of Pattaya. It’s wider, less hectic and a good place for long beach walks or a relaxed afternoon by the sea.

Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain)
A giant golden Buddha laser-carved into a limestone cliff. It sits about 25 minutes outside Pattaya and feels surprisingly peaceful compared to the city. The scale of the carving is impressive and the surrounding gardens make it a calm place to walk around.

3 Mermaids Cafe
A cliffside café with woven nest-style seating overlooking the sea. It’s a great place for coffee or sunset drinks, and the views over the coastline are beautiful.

Ban Amphur Beach
A quieter beach south of Pattaya where many locals come on weekends. You’ll find small seafood restaurants under the trees and a much calmer atmosphere than the main city beach.

The Glass House Boho
A stylish beachfront restaurant with tables directly on the sand. Come here in the late afternoon when the light turns golden and stay for dinner with the sound of the waves.

Wat Khao Phra Bat
A small hilltop temple near the famous Pattaya viewpoint. It’s quieter than the main viewing platform and offers peaceful views over the bay, especially in the early morning.

A phrase you’ll often hear when friends in Bangkok are thinking about a quick beach trip. Add ครับ (khrup) if you’re male, ค่ะ (ka) if you’re female, at the end of a sentence.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

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Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand 🇹🇭