Pattaya Links Travel

The seaside resort of Pattaya is just a short 2 hour ride away from the big city of Bangkok. And it’s true that the further away you are from Bangkok the cheaper your living expenses will be. This is especially true about budget hotels in Pattaya. But it does take a little bit of time and footwork to find a place that fits your budget with a room that has a clean bed and hot shower.

It is best to visit Pattaya during the low season which is from late March through early November. Room rates during the low season are reduced from 20% to 40%. Which is a real good value. However, the temperature can be unbearably hot and the rainfall torrential though short during that time. Also keep in mind most hotels in the area with ridiculously low prices do not have air conditioning. That’s the trade off for traveling in Thailand on the cheap. In most cases spending an extra 100 baht will get you a room with air conditioning. Which is well worth the extra cost, even if it means you will have to skip a meal or two.

There are many popular budget hotels and guesthouses located throughout Pattaya. But the problem is that most of the best budget hotels in Pattaya does not have an Internet reservation process. Most do business on a first come first serve basis. Since these hotels are so popular if you show up out of the blue during the low season you may not even get a room.

The solution is to look for a hotel that you can afford first. One that you can reserve on the Internet. There are many hotel reservation agencies online that can help you with that. But make sure those agencies are based in Thailand so you know you are getting the best rates. Better yet look for a company that provides a best price guarantee. Book the rooms for a few days only. Because you don’t want to reserve a room for too long of a time and get stuck throughout the remainder of your vacation time in Pattaya if the room turns out to be in horrible condition.

So once you arrive in Pattaya you will not have to worry about finding a place to sleep for the night. Then you can set out in the morning to find a cheaper hotel or guesthouse that fits your budget accordingly. Best thing of all is you can see how the room looks physically before you hand over your hard earned money. Since you are there you can also haggle with the hotel to see if they can offer you a special room rate or deal.

As a family exploring in Bangkok, temples and historic sights may not excite the fun factor for kids and teens. Even though Bangkok is a fascinating city with much to see, it is much more than trudging along an itinerary with a boring tour guide. There are plenty of things to do for families in Bangkok. The best thing of all is that it is much more affordable compared to back home.

Bangkok (Dusit) Zoo

Located in the old district of Bangkok, the zoo encompasses a large compound with plenty of rooms for animals from all over the world to roam around. Reptiles and mammals are abound ready to intrigue young kids. The zoo teaches locals and visitors alike about conservation and the necessity of protecting and preserving the animals we share the planet we live on. Live shows are scheduled throughout the day and it’s best to visit Bangkok Zoo during the weekday to avoid the crowds.

Siam Ocean World

Touted as Southeast Asia’s largest indoor aquarium and they’re right. This massive compound is located beneath an equally impressive Siam Paragon shopping mall. Siam Ocean World has on display fish of all sizes from all over the world as well as other animals that live in aquatic environments such as penguins and beavers. For a spine tingling experience take a walk through the enclosed aquarium to get face to face with man eating sharks.

Catch a Movie in Bangkok

Local Thais love movies. Especially American movies whether it is action, horror and especially movies for families. Most movie theaters in Bangkok are found in large department stores such as Central World and the Siam Paragon. The seats are big and plush. For extra you can get a sofa style couch that seats 4 for a home theater feel. Tickets and snacks are very affordable for foreigners. Be sure to bring a light sweater or jacket as the temperature inside is frigid.

Go Bowling and Ice Skating

For a competitive family winning a game of bowling can provide serious bragging rights. Bangkok’s high quality bowling lanes will surprise most. You can even rent your own private room with 2 lanes. To cool off head over to an ice skating rink. You can find bowling and ice skating easily in central Bangkok in large shopping centers such as Central World and Siam Paragon. As usual these activities are inexpensive for tourist that are use to high prices back home.

Bangkok is a remarkable cosmopolitan city with an easy sophisticated transportation system. It is a very tourist friendly city with plenty of English signs pointing in the right directions. Bangkok is especially a great place for families to visit and explore an exotic location without breaking the bank.

Being famous the world over since the American GI’s first used Pattaya as their R&R is “Waking Street”. This street in Pattaya which has had ten’s of thousands of visitors of all descriptions and nationalities over the years. Is the hottest street virtually known anywhere. Everything here is on overdose proportions packed wall to wall with bars, disco’s, nightclubs and restaurants of all descriptions. Flashing neon lights, Coyote dancers, loud music and cheap drink guarantee an unforgettable experience.

One’s first time in the Street is completely mind blowing, loud music being heard in every direction. At the top end can be found Mxxx disco for the rich and trendy of Pattaya. If you are going to venture here, dress to impress bearing in mind anyone over thirty five, will appear ancient. If rock and roll is your your bag “The rolling stones bar” is for you with popular live rock and roll from its resident band.

If your looking for something really different then there is the arab quarter, with belly dancers and deafening music from all directions. Don’t stay here long or you might suffer permanent damage and loss of hearing, you will see people of all nationalities smoking water pipes in some establishments.

Lucifer’s disco is easy found with its large neon sign above the entrance, like most discos in Pattaya entrance time is regarded as two am when the ladies leave their respective bars. Going any earlier and you might well be the only person there. Although the drinks are expensive this drifts into insignificance when weighted against the atmosphere and entertainment value.

Gogo bars are common place at every turn. “The iron door” nearby being very popular. The place is full of beautiful and exotic ladies with lots of smiles and intensive looks. This makes a newbie single male tourist a love god overnight. Perhaps more seedy of all the gogo bars is “Beavers” here ladies dance on mirrored tables, and as the name implies little is left to the imagination.

For those who just want good food this is possible too with an array of restaurants covering varied menus, Want a first class meal at 3am “No problem Sir”