Thailand is considered one of the most popular and visited tourist destinations for many years. As such, it attracts tens of millions of visitors every year, who flock to it in droves and enjoy the abundance of sites, attractions and the main leisure resorts.
One of the places that for some reason remain relatively anonymous for the Israeli traveler is the town Jomatain (Jomtien) Known sometimes for its beach, which is also the main attraction in the place, aka Jomtien Beach.
On the face of it, it is a boring looking town, with buildings, hotels, several beaches and restaurants, but those who spend a few hours there will see that despite the gray image, this is a lively place that is especially recommended for young people looking to enjoy water sports at relatively affordable prices.
In addition to the main attractions, this is a lively place with a pleasant nightlife thanks to the young crowd that comes to the area, both among the tourists and among the locals who live in the area, which has recently experienced a huge construction boom and offers housing options at relatively accessible prices, so that many residents have purchased a second home in the area.
Thanks to the development of the area, quite a few investors from the restaurant sector have also come to it and cafes, restaurants and bars have opened there, as well as various shops and spa centers where you can pamper yourself. However, despite the extensive development, the sea water in the entire Pattaya area is considered polluted due to the sewage flowing into it, so it is recommended to avoid bathing in the sea. This does not mean that you should not visit the area, but be wise to choose a hotel with a well-maintained pool where you can take a dip on hot days and save your desire for clear sea water for the islands in the south of the kingdom.
What do you do in Jomtien?
beaches
The beaches of Jomtien are considered among the cleanest and well-maintained beaches in comparison to other beaches in the region and therefore they attract many tourists traveling in the region Pattaya. In addition to the extensive marine activities, you can enjoy a walk along the beach, sunbathing, bathing, snorkeling, as well as restaurants and beverage bars scattered along the beaches that offer good meals at reasonable prices.
In this context, it is important to note once again that every area of Pattaya is considered relatively polluted, and if you intend to visit other areas in Thailand with bathing beaches - you should refrain.
water sport
In the area of the beaches you will find many options for marine activities suitable for the adrenaline junkies in the group, such as jet skis, paragliders, windsurfers and kitesurfers, diving sites, motor boats and much more.
Bungee
If the excitement offered by the activities around the Jomtien waterfront is not enough for you, then Bungee will surely satisfy your appetite. As in many places in the Kingdom of Siam, there is also a bungee club in Jomtien that offers you to pay to jump from a great height - but if that's what makes it for you, who are we to object? Of course, you can photograph the experience so that you can prove that you are indeed among the bravest of the brave.
festivals
From time to time various festivals are hosted there and they are major events related mainly to the world of sports (the marine, why not?) but not only. An example of such an event is the World Cup in water skiing which was held in the area and attracted locals and tourists from all over the world. It is recommended to be informed before your arrival about such events that may occur during your visit to the area.
Transportation and mobility
Access to the area is easy and convenient, and whether you arrive by public transportation or rent a car, you will not encounter any problems related to the access roads. The main road used by travelers to the area is the outgoing highway number 7 From Bangkok and reaches Pattaya, but there are quite a few other roads that pass through the area such as road 3, 9 and 34. The travel distance is about 120 km and the duration varies depending on the traffic load, on average two hours.
bus
The most convenient way to get to the area is by using the buses that depart from Bangkok (both from the North Terminal and from the East Terminal in the city). These depart from Bangkok and arrive at central stations in the Pattaya area and if you want to continue towards a specific destination, you can get off at these stations and board local buses or use a taxi service. Average travel cost - 120 baht.
Taxis
As with any major destination in Thailand, in this area too, you can use taxi and van services departing from Bangkok towards Pattaya and the town of Jomtien, but you will use them mainly for moving from the Pattaya area to Jomtien Beach and back. The cost of a short trip is about 10 baht and a maximum of 20 for slightly more distant trips. For a trip from Bangkok to Jomtien you will have to part with about 1,300 baht on average for a taxi and a few hundred baht for an air-conditioned van.
You can also use this service for trips to specific sites, but the prices in this case will be higher, and if you are traveling with a group of travelers, it is recommended to hire a taxi service that will accompany you throughout the day and sometimes also provide guidance services.
a train
An excellent but less popular option due to the frequency of trains that leave Bangkok only once a day and do not include a connection. If this is not a deal breaker for you, you will be happy to hear that the service costs a total of 30 baht and if you board the 06:55 train you will arrive in the Pattaya area at 10:30.
flight
Yes, the area can also be reached by flight, but please note that the local airport is located near the town (about 40 km from Pattaya), so in any case you will have to use additional transportation services in order to reach the district of your choice. The duration of the trip is about 45 minutes and if you also take into account the flight time and the stay in the terminals - this is not a significant saving of time and certainly not of money.
Within Pattaya itself and in the Jomtien area, there are several central streets parallel to the large beaches, where most of the accommodation, restaurants and bars are concentrated, and thanks to the construction boom in the area, the town has quite a few paved roads with several lanes, which make it easier to get around the city, especially for tourists. However, it is strongly recommended not to use the car and motorcycle rental services in the city due to the many accidents that occur in the area and the rental prices that do not include insurance.
Accommodation and hospitality
Accommodations in the area are in a wide range of prices so you can find Cheap hostels Suitable for travelers on a low budget Luxury hotels which were built in the area thanks to the real estate frenzy that has surrounded it in recent years. Be that as it may, please note that if you intend to come to the area during the months of November to May, which are the peak of the tourist season, it is recommended to book the place to stay in advance, otherwise you will have to compromise on less recommended places to stay ( particularly noisy, with poor facilities, etc.) or quite expensive.
See recommended hotels in the Pattaya area here.
Food
Similar to the many accommodation options, you won't have any trouble finding plenty of places to eat in a wide price range, so whether you're looking to enjoy street stalls or want to indulge in a luxury restaurant - in Jomtien you'll find everything.
However, if you want to enjoy hot, fast and unpretentious food - Jomtien's night market will be able to meet all your expectations and besides affordable prices, it is a choice you cannot go wrong with. The market opens every day at 17:00 and although it doesn't offer anything you haven't seen in other markets, the food there is fresh, hot and spicy.
