Thailand is a big country. It is a very popular tourist destination and was, until quite recently, number three in the world. It probably will be again. Bangkok and Phuket are generally quite pricey and to be honest Pattaya can be too. How expensive a holiday is, is dependent on choices. The number of choices open to you is dependent on pre-planning.
Book your flight today to fly tomorrow and it will cost you an arm and a leg. Unless of course you are very very lucky and grab a fantastic last minute deal. Book two, three, four months ahead and the price will be so much lower. The further you book in advance the more airlines are available for you to make your choice from. If time is not too much of an issue you could country hop and utilise two or three airlines.
You should where possible choose the 'off season' to visit. This again will multiply your choices of hotels and give you much better deals. There is little difference in the weather in 'high season' or 'off season' in Pattaya. There is certainly as much to do. If it does rain then the rain is usually of short duration and to be honest a bit of a relief.
Now you could book your hotel in advance and in fact I advise you do but book it for just three days even if it is your intention to stop for a few weeks. If you are in the off season there will be no problem extending your stay. On the other hand you have three days to look round and book into somewhere better. There are always fantastic deals for those who shop around. The internet is all very well but it is a maze off agents waiting to skim their little bit off the top.
Pattaya is great for food. The International cuisine on offer is nothing short of amazing. Prices too are generally much lower than in Europe. In Europe Thai food is expensive, in Thailand it is cheap. Not just cheap but delicious. Here it is cooked by the experts and using local produce. If you are going to eat Thai food then forget the big fancy restaurants and those near the main tourist drag. Head up the side Soi's (roads) and here you will find the best of the best. You can eat very well for a dollar.
Don't use taxis to get about. The Sang Thaew or Baht Bus is very easy to use and extremely cheap. There is practically nowhere you cannot get to in the city in two or three hops. Alternatively use a 'motorci' (motorbike taxi). It will cost a fraction more but get you to wherever you are going in a trice.
Pattaya has an abundance of cinemas, bowling alleys, zoos, beaches, islands, shopping, golf, health spa's and so much more to keep anybody happy during the day. At night the city comes alive. This is the party capital of the world, and you can afford it
