Pattaya

Air Quality

Source: IQAir 2025 annual city ranking and IQAir's Pattaya City live page.

Getting Around

• Baht Bus (songthaew)10 THB (about USD 0.31, £0.23, and €0.26) flat on Beach Road routes. Jump on and off. Best value in any Thai city.
• GrabGood coverage in Pattaya. Most reliable option for non-Beach-Road destinations.
• Scooter200–350 THB (about USD 6.13 to 10.72, £4.55 to 7.96, and €5.26 to 9.21)/day. Busy roads — not for beginners.
• Minibus to Bangkok120–150 THB (about USD 3.68 to 4.6, £2.73 to 3.41, and €3.16 to 3.95), 2 hours. Regular departures to Victory Monument/Ekkamai.

Where to Work

• The Hive PattayaBest dedicated coworking option in town.
• Terminal 21 area cafesCentral location, air-conditioned, multiple options around the mall.
• Condo / home wifiFibre widely available. Many expats work from home and use Pattaya as a base.

Eat & Drink

• Jomtien areaQuieter, local restaurants, beach-adjacent. Better value than central Pattaya.
• Naklua (north Pattaya)Local seafood, less touristy than Beach Road. Where expats who know tend to eat.
• Terminal 21 food courtGood value, air-conditioned, proper range of Thai options.
• Walking StreetNightlife-focused. Know what it is before you go.

Stay Healthy

• Bangkok Hospital PattayaMain private hospital. High standard, English-speaking, full service.
• Pattaya International HospitalSecond good option. Central location, widely used by expats.
• Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (BPH)Third major private option on the Sukhumvit Road corridor.

Immigration Offices

• Chonburi Immigration Office, Banglamung BranchJomtien / Soi 5. Commonly called Pattaya Immigration Office.

Activities

• Koh LarnIsland day trip, 30 min by ferry. Clear water, decent snorkelling, worth going once.
• Nongnooch Tropical GardenBotanical gardens, day out. Better than it sounds — genuinely impressive.
• Go-kart tracksSeveral options on the roads north of town. Good for a competitive afternoon.
• Koh Samet (National Park)2 hours from Pattaya via Rayong ferry. Prettier beaches, quieter. Weekend option.

Beaches

• Jomtien BeachCleaner and quieter than Pattaya Beach. Windsurfing, less chaotic. Where to actually swim.
• Wongamat (north Pattaya)Best beach in the area. Cleaner water, further from Walking Street.
• Koh LarnBest swimming near Pattaya. Take the public ferry, 30 min, 30 THB (about USD 0.92, £0.68, and €0.79).