Pattaya is the closest major beach resort to Bangkok. It sits on a wide bay in Chonburi province, about 150 kilometres southeast of the capital. The drive usually takes around two hours, which makes a day at the coast possible without staying overnight.
Pattaya was a small fishing village until the 1960s. There were a few boats in the bay, coconut plantations behind the beach and little reason for outsiders to visit.
That changed during the Vietnam War, when American servicemen based in Thailand began travelling to Pattaya during their leave. Guesthouses, bars and restaurants opened to serve them, and the village started growing into a resort town.
The soldiers eventually left, but the hotels remained. Thailand’s tourism boom brought a new wave of visitors, and Pattaya expanded quickly. Much of that growth happened without careful planning, which helps explain the mix of towers, hotels and older buildings along the beachfront.
Over the past twenty years, the city has invested in improving the bay and attracting more couples and families. The change is easiest to see in North Pattaya and on the offshore islands.
Koh Larn has a much quieter history. People lived there as fishers and farmers long before Pattaya became a resort, and parts of the island’s interior still feel far removed from the busy beaches.
Koh Larn is the main reason to take a Pattaya day trip. A speedboat reaches the island in about fifteen minutes. Most boats arrive at Tawaen Beach, the island’s busiest beach and the place with the widest choice of loungers, umbrellas, restaurants and water sports.
If you want somewhere quieter, head over the hill to Samae Beach or Nual Beach. Both are roughly ten minutes away and generally better suited to a relaxed swim.
The Sanctuary of Truth is a 100-metre wooden temple beside the sea in Naklua. Its walls, towers and interior are covered with detailed hand carving. Construction began in 1981 and continues today.
Visitors wear hard hats inside, and some areas may be screened while the carvers work. That is part of the experience. You are not simply looking at a finished monument. You are watching craftspeople continue to build it by hand.
Pattaya Beach curves for about four kilometres in front of the city. It is at its best late in the afternoon, when the sun is softer and the boats begin returning to shore. Jomtien Beach lies south of the headland and has a calmer atmosphere.
Pratumnak Hill sits between Pattaya and Jomtien. From the viewpoint you can see the entire curve of Pattaya Bay, including the boats, beachfront and city skyline.
Pattaya is about 150 kilometres from Bangkok. Most of the journey follows Highway 7, a fast toll road connecting the capital with the eastern coast. The drive normally takes around two hours outside rush hour. Allow longer if you leave Bangkok between 07:00 and 09:00.
Public buses leave Ekkamai and Mo Chit bus terminals roughly every thirty minutes. The journey takes about two and a half hours and ends at North Pattaya bus terminal. From there, you still need to take a songthaew into town and make your way to the pier.
It can be done independently in one day, but arranging the bus, local transport, boat crossing and return journey makes for a long and fairly rushed day.
Boats to Koh Larn leave from Bali Hai Pier at the southern end of Pattaya Beach. The public ferry is inexpensive and takes around forty-five minutes. A speedboat takes about fifteen minutes.
Our day trip picks you up in Bangkok, drives you to Pattaya and takes you directly to a shared speedboat. You do not need to work out the local transport or queue for the public ferry.
The sea around Koh Larn is usually calmest and clearest from November to February. Humidity is lower during these months, and the cooler weather also makes the drive and the rest of the day more comfortable.
March through May is hot, even by Thai standards, and the sea can feel almost as warm as the air. From June to October, the southwest monsoon brings heavier showers. Rain often comes in short, intense bursts rather than lasting all day.
Boats may occasionally be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough. If weather affects the crossing, the tour operator will let you know on the day.
November to February is the easiest time to visit, but the day of the week also matters. Koh Larn is noticeably quieter on weekdays. Weekends bring large numbers of visitors from Bangkok as well as international tourists.
Pattaya is on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand in Chonburi province, about 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Koh Larn lies roughly seven kilometres offshore, with the smaller islands of Koh Sak and Koh Krok nearby.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is around 110 kilometres north of Pattaya. This makes the city popular with travellers connecting through Bangkok as well as people visiting for the day.
Card payments are not always reliable on the island. Beach loungers, food, drinks and water sports are usually paid for in cash, and cash machines are limited.
Jet skis, banana boats and parasailing are priced per ride and are not normally included in the tour. Confirm the price and the length of the ride before you start. Never leave your passport as a deposit.
Tawaen is where many boats arrive, so most day visitors stay there. Samae Beach and Nual Beach are only a short trip over the hill and usually feel much less crowded.
Shoulders and knees should be covered, just as they would be at a temple. Sarongs are available to borrow at the entrance, which is useful if you are arriving in beach clothes.
Much of your day will be spent swimming in clear, shallow water around coral. Reef-safe sunscreen is the better choice for the local marine environment.
Koh Larn is a popular weekend escape for Bangkok residents. Weekdays are generally quieter on the beaches and at the pier.
The drive takes about two hours each way, with most of the journey on a toll highway. Our day trip leaves central Bangkok early in the morning and returns in the early evening.
You can swim at the mainland beaches, but they are not the main reason to make the trip. Koh Larn has clearer water and white-sand beaches just fifteen minutes offshore by speedboat. Our Pattaya day trips include time on the island rather than a swim in the city.
Yes. Koh Larn is the island’s Thai name, while Coral Island is the name commonly used by tour operators. It is the largest island off Pattaya and has several beaches around its coast.
No. Jet skiing, banana boating, parasailing and paddleboarding are operated independently on the beach and paid for in cash on the day. Transport, the boat crossing, a guide and lunch are included. Optional water sports are not.
Yes. The ongoing work is part of what makes it interesting. Carving began in 1981 and continues every day, so you can see craftspeople working on the building instead of visiting a finished museum. Visitors wear hard hats inside, and some sections may be closed while work is underway.
A day trip works well if you mainly want to visit Koh Larn and see one or two Pattaya attractions. The drive is short enough to leave several hours on the island. Staying overnight makes more sense if you want to experience Pattaya in the evening or spend a second day at the beach.
Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and cash in small notes. If your trip includes the Sanctuary of Truth, also bring something that covers your shoulders and knees. Sarongs are available at the entrance if needed.
Pattaya is the best choice when you want a beach day. If you prefer history, an Ayutthaya day trip takes you through the ruins of the old capital and Bang Pa-In Palace.
For markets, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market work well together in one morning. Kanchanaburi is the option for the River Kwai and the Death Railway.
