Pattaya, Ko Samet & Ko Change
Pattaya is the closest resort to Bangkok; just an hour from the international airport.
It has long been famed as a party place but is also popular with families, and golfers, who can play on 20 courses. Families cluster round Northern Pattaya or Jomtien beach (good for watersports), while party-animals prefer hedonistic Pattaya beach. The big gay scene is focused around Dongtan. There’s something to appeal to all, including go-karts, paintballing, bowling, waterparks and shopping malls.
Not far away at Rayong, escape by boat to sleepy Koh Samet, a honeymoon favourite with un-surfaced roads and luxury hotels on white sand beaches. A much larger island is leafy Koh Chang. Zip wire over the trees, snorkel around neighbouring islands and even dive to a sunken warship.
