omtien today
Jomtien was an old fishing village, a great favorite picnic
destination among the Bangkok residents evidence of which can be seen
on any Thai public holiday!
Not so much of a water sport center then, this distinction came much
later.

Today, Jomtien is a much more popular destination, the six-kilometers
of largely straight beach, located just around the headland from
Pattaya is popular with many water sports enthusiasts. It is also
quieter and more relaxing than Pattaya Beach, shops, restaurants
and
the occasional bar are available along the road that runs parallel
with the beach.

Thailand activities
Windsurfing is the beach's most popular water sport particularly
October through to June with ideal water and wind conditions.
Other sports such as skydiving, kite boarding, parasailing, water-
skiing, jet skies and banana boat rides are also available.

There is little in the way of shopping or beer bars compared to
Pattaya at Jomtien, which is essentially a residential area, with
beachside hotels, condominiums and private rental Villas and
Bungalows.

Jomtien is also the home to Pattaya Park, an entertainment complex
with a water park, roller coaster, monorail and children's
activities. The 56-story Pattaya Park tower is a landmark that can be
seen from virtually anywhere in the city.

Climate
Tropical and warm all year round, monsoon winds are sometimes
accompanied by the rains. It can be very hot March to June, July to
September ranging from 32 to 38 degrees, cooler and very comfortable
from November through to February.

Transport and services
Bangkok is a mere two hour drive and one and a half hours from the
new Suvarnabhumi Airport along the Sukhumvit Highway via Bangna,
Bangpakong, Chonburi and Sri Racha.
Getting around Jomtien and Pattaya (just a ten minute drive from
Jomtien) is most convenient by mini-bus, motor cycle, baht taxi or by
car, however when traveling by car to Pattaya parking is limited,
underground car parks can be found with entrances on first and second
road at Mikes Mall and the Royal Plaza.
Boat trips to the nearby Islands can be found along the beach both at
Jomtien and Pattaya.

Places to visit - International Walking Street-Pattaya

There is no doubt Pattaya, just a ten minute ride from Jomtien is
famous world over for its night life with many attractions to suit
all tastes and pockets.

Thai restaurants, nightclubs and massage
International and Thai restaurants, humble street stalls, nightclubs,
discotheques, beer and go-go bars are plentiful. Thai body and foot
massage is a relaxing option to the hectic lifestyle from around 250
baht an hour it's not to be missed. Shopping Malls like Mikes Mall
and The Royal Plaza along the beach road offer an amazing array of
products from ice cream to designer clothing and bags at very
sensible prices, open until 11pm as well as live markets giving you
plentiful opportunity to empty your credit card accounts. First
second and third roads are filled with shops and carts selling their
wares of every description and amazing prices - be prepared to
barter, its custom, light hearted and fun except for the fixed price
shops of course.

Had enough shopping then take a stroll along the floodlit beaches of
Pattaya or Jomtien and cool those feet off in the warm sea or take a
cool shower and get ready for the night ahead.

Thailand evening and night activities
The evenings activities start at around 8pm, the heats turned up
around 10pm, restaurants and bars are open earlier and Pattaya and
Jomtien go on until dawn. The center of activity in Pattaya is
undoubtedly "Walking Street" just a ten minute ride from Jomtien by
baht bus or taxi, everyone who is in the area will visit the famous
Walking Street for a trip or two - some hardly ever leave! Walking
Street is a neon extravaganza with bars and restaurants, the seafood
restaurants perched on stilts out into the bay. After 6.30pm Walking
Street is pedestrianised but as the night goes on its very busy.

Thai boxing
Thai boxing can be seen most nights with exhibition matches at many
venues often advertised on flyers and posters - keen boxing fans keep
your eyes open or visit your local travel agent. Street life is part
of Thailand's culture and you will be amazed by the amount of food
stalls on the surrounding small Sois (small streets). Souvenir
sellers and market traders set up in every available space along with
street artists and the occasional performer. The go go bars are
unavoidable spilling out onto the lanes of the beach road, a lively
atmosphere for sure from six to sixty you'll love it there are enough
Thai smiles to go round for everyone!

Pattaya entertainment
Pattaya provides more live entertainment than you could ever visit in
a single trip, outside Walking Street you will find Hollywood disco
on South Pattaya Road, lady boy shows (a must) at Tiffany's and
Alcazar, entertaining and unbelievably brilliant.

Pattayaland is a place to go for the gays with many western eateries
in the area just a few hundred meters from Walking Street. The mall
at the southern end of beach road includes, curiously, a Ripley's
Believe it or Not, an entertainment center with roller-coaster
simulator, cinema all of which are open till late.

Jomtien has many bars, restaurants and go go bars even English fish
and chips so there is no need to visit Pattaya center as many
facilities are available locally, however, a visit to Jomtien/Pattaya
without a trip to walking street would be a hugely missed experience.