Where is Pattaya Thailand Located

Where is Pattaya Thailand located?

If you’ve researching a trip to Thailand with it's many different cities, regions, beaches, jungles and mountains and keep hearing about “Pattaya,” you might be wondering exactly where it is and how to get there.

Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most famous beach destinations and very well known for it's extremely vibrant nightlife.

Pattaya is one of the easiest tropical beach cities to reach in Thailand.

Start With a Bit About Thailand

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, south of China and east of India.  Thailand's far western coast is on the Indian Ocean.  But the middle part of Thailand, where Pattaya is located, is on the Pacific Ocean.

It shares a border with Burma on it's northern side, a border with Cambodia and Laos on it's eastern side and Malaysia on it's far southern tip.

It is quite close to Vietnam, which is to it's east.  The Philippines (islands) are farther to the east out in the ocean.

It's a tropical country, meaning hot year around.  It does rain a lot, but during Thailand's winter (late November through about mid-March) it hardly rains at all and is somewhat cooler with less humidity.  This glorious weather draws lots of tourists escaping their hard winters at home.

In addition to being a vacation spot that is fabulous for tourists, Thailand has a very well developed manufacturing industry and is heavily farmed making it quite a self reliant country.  I am not sure about their energy sources.

Note Thailand's location north of the equator, but close to it. It is very near multiple, wonderful SE Asian countries

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located - Slow Travel & Retirement Thoughts

Heavy duty traveler's talk about an endless loop in Southeast Asia easily moving from one SE Asian country to another with inexpensive ground transportation, staying as long as each countries Visa allows (30 to 90 days) then moving on.  They do not need a long term (expensive and multiple hoops to jump through) Visa.  They inexpensively slow travel from one country to another.

This is something I'm kind of dreaming about when I retire.

Pattaya's Location in Thailand

Pattaya is a large city with a metropolitan population over 328,000 which balloons with thousands of visitors.

Pattaya is easily accessed by  a short drive from Bangkok's massive international airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK).  Bangkok is an extremely large city, population over 18,000,000 (18 million!!!), the 14th largest city in the world.

Pattaya is popular with older travelers looking for warm weather, good value, and plenty of nightlife.

It's a great first stop for a Thailand trip and a great place to spend a week or 2 having the time of your life.

Pattaya is not just a beach town with incredibly nightlife, it’s part of a busy, developed region with good roads, shopping, hospitals, with services and conveniences making it nice and easy for even older first‑time visitors.

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located. Thailand is surrounded by water, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Pattaya is just a little southeast of Bangkok.

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located in Thailand

If you look at a map of Thailand, you’ll find Pattaya almost directly south‑east of Bangkok, facing the Gulf of Thailand, that is part of the larger South China Sea region which is part of the Pacific Ocean.

Distance from Bangkok:

• About 90 miles (150 km) southeast of Bangkok
• Driving time = around 2–2.5 hours by bus
• Driving time = Closer to 1.5 hours by car
• It is a multi-lane freeway drive
• My taxi drivers have all had lead foots

Bangkok is a huge city, with it's interior roads choked with traffic.  But, the airport is on the far eastern side of Bangkok.  Once you get in your transportation at the airport (I arrange a private taxi prior to my trip) you will quickly get on the freeway and be out of Bangkok and out in the country driving at freeway speeds.

The best way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya Thailand is by private ride you arrange in your home country, but you can also take the public bus or find a taxi at the airport or by various Apps (Bolt or Grab).

Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is on the far east side. You will be on the freeway to Pattaya with clear roads with no worries of Bangkok traffic jams

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located - Nearby Cities and Regions

Understanding what’s around Pattaya helps you picture it more clearly:

• Bangkok: The capital city, to the northwest of Pattaya.
• Rayong: A province to the southeast, often used as a jumping‑off point to islands like Koh Samet.
• Chonburi City: North of Pattaya, the provincial capital
• Laem Chabang Port: A major deep‑sea port, just north of Pattaya

Pattaya is part of a busy economic corridor, not just a beach resort town.  You will notice lots of development on the way to Pattaya from Bangkok.  Huge industrial yards filled with railroad cars and lots of apartment complexes, factories and warehouses intermingled with agricultural land.

I have not seen any livestock out in the fields on my drives to Pattaya, but I have noticed, what I am assuming are large fields of rice.

Pattaya’s Neighborhoods and Surrounding Areas

Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang)

Shopping, nightlife, and the main city beach.  This is the area Pattaya Select focuses on as it is the most fun and offers a visitor an exceptional experience.  The heart of the city. Shopping malls, restaurants, bars, Soi Buakhao and the main city beach.

Good for: First‑time visitors who want to be in the center of everything.

North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) 

Slightly quieter, with some higher‑end hotels.  Much quieter than Central Pattaya. A mix of local neighborhoods and some higher‑end hotels.  

Good for: Travelers who want to be close to the action but sleep in a calmer area.

South Pattaya

Famous for Walking Street and nightlife.  The most famous nightlife area, with bars, clubs, and live music.  

Good for: Travelers interested in Pattaya’s nightlife and late‑night entertainment.

Jomtien Beach

Just south of Pattaya, more relaxed, family‑friendly, with long beach and laid‑back feel.

Good for: Older visitors who prefer a quieter atmosphere but still want easy access to the South Pattaya and Central Pattaya.

Naklua/Wong Amat

To the north of the Central Pattaya area, known for a more local feel and some upscale resorts.

Advantages to Staying in Pattaya

Easy Access from Bangkok

After a long flight, you don’t need another domestic flight or long overnight bus. In 1.5 to 2 hours from the time you board your ground transportation at the airport, you will be checking into your Pattaya hotel and on your way to having the time of your life.

Developed Infrastructure

The major roads and freeways leading into Pattaya are world class (wide, smooth and high-speed).  Many of the roads within Pattaya are in excellent condition.  Like any major city there is road construction with some delays and inconveniences. But, so far I have not seen any major traffic jams.

Pattaya has major hospitals, clinics, large supermarkets, shopping malls, and international restaurants. You will feel comfortable knowing good medical care and familiar amenities are nearby.

Fun, Entertainment and Ease

Pattaya has multiple ways for you to have a great time.  Plus, you can enjoy living like a king paying a small amount of money to have someone else handle all the irritating and time consuming chores and activities that you have to do by yourself (and that I hate doing) in your home country.

Enjoy yourself in Pattaya, relaxing at the pool instead of cooking, cleaning and running errands at home

How Much Time Does It Take to Get There

A long time.

It's a long flight from the USA to Pattaya, much more than Europe and Australia, although both are a long ways also.  You need to consider how much of your vacation is needed to get there.

There is an airport in Pattaya, but not an international airport.  You will be flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport (airport abbreviation = BKK) in Bangkok from your nearest home countries international airport.

I kept good records of the time to get to Pattaya.  The table below is how long it takes me to get there (& back) from the midwestern USA from start to finish.  This accounts for my drive to Chicago's O-Hare airport (with stops along the way), parking and all the waiting at the airport, getting through various lines... all of the travel time.

Summary of My Travel Time to Get to Pattaya

The 34 hours of travel time accounts for the 12 hour time difference between my home and Thailand (Thailand is 12 hours ahead).

I lose 12 hours.

Leaving on a Friday night, means I was able to work a full week.

Summary of My Travel Time to Get Home

The 30 hours of travel time accounts for the 12 hour time difference between my home and Thailand (Thailand is 12 hours ahead).

I gain 12 hours.

The time to get home is a little shorter because of the tailwinds helping the plane go faster.  There is also  a bit of a time savings coming home because of the drive from the airport to home is faster as I leave home a few hours earlier than necessary to ensure weather and traffic do not affect my vacation.

Leaving on a Saturday and arriving home very early Sunday morning, means I can recover (partially) on Sunday and get back to work on Monday.

Other Advantages to Pattaya’s Location

• Pattaya can be a side trip from a longer Bangkok trip or other fantastic Thailand destination.
• There is easy access to nearby islands such as Koh Larn (Coral Island) and, via Rayong, Koh Samet.
• The generally calmer seas in The Gulf of Thailand than the Andaman side make Pattaya easier going during monsoon seasons with calmer seas and not as heavy of rains.
• Because it’s so close to Bangkok and well‑connected by road, Pattaya often becomes the “first beach” many visitors experience in Thailand.
• Multiple options for Day tours.  Visit viewpoints, temples, evening Dinner Cruises and cultural attractions. 

Where is Pattaya Thailand Located Wrap Up

Pattaya is a beach city with a location that makes it an easy and  convenient first beach destination—especially appealing for older first‑time visitors who want warm weather, good infrastructure, and plenty of options for both relaxation and nightlife.