The coastal city of Pattaya is famous for its nightlife, beaches and relaxing atmosphere and is a great place to go on holiday with children as there are many family-friendly activities and hotels available. At the same time, it’s sometimes not the safest place in the world depending where in the city you go.
The seedy underbelly of the city makes up for much of the crime as many drug addicts, prostitutes and thieves tend to hang around the red light districts of the city at night, so you need to be careful when out and about if you’re anywhere near those areas.
Having said that, Pattaya is a fantastic place for a family holiday, you just have to know the areas to avoid. So let’s go a bit more in depth on what this Thailand beach city has to offer…
Is Pattaya Safe For A Family Holiday
Because of its popularity with Western tourists, Pattaya has become somewhat of an infamous destination in Asia. It’s not the safest city in the world but is still a great place to visit. This is mainly due to its popularity among travelling families and tourists. However, like any large city, you should keep in mind that things can go wrong no matter where you are in the world and Pattaya is no different.
So if you’re still interested in visiting Pattaya, here are some safety tips to keep in mind before you go:
Be careful about who you trust when travelling alone. Make sure that you’re comfortable with your travel partners and trust them completely. The best way to avoid being harmed in a foreign country is to stay with your family members and travel in large groups. If you travel alone, you’re more vulnerable to dangers. –
Invest in travel insurance. It’s important for every traveller to have some sort of insurance to help make back any expenses if you have to go to the hospital or are injured while travelling. Travel insurance will help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs that may occur if something happens to you while you’re out of the country.
Secure your possessions properly. Many thieves target tourists who have lost their valuables in the city because they assume that they’ll be less likely to report the theft. Keep your passport, money and other valuable items in a safe place, like a money belt or in a separate carry-on bag. Secure your electronics in your hotel room or bring them in your carry-on bag so that they’re harder to steal.
Don’t walk alone at night. If you have to walk alone be sure to take a few precautions. Make sure to take a cell phone with you, wear sunglasses and a hat and walk in a group if possible. Don’t walk alone at night in any of the major tourist areas, like Walking Street, Soi 8 and Walking Street, as these areas are known hotspots for pick-pocketing and other theft. Don’t take the risk!
Learn About Pattaya Before You Go
If you have time to spend in Pattaya before you go, you’ll be better prepared for your trip and will have a better idea of what to expect which means you’re more likely to enjoy your time there.
You should spend some time investigating the local culture, history and food of Pattaya and be more familiar with Thai culture, which is a huge part of the city’s appeal. You can read up on the city’s history, visit cultural sites and learn more about Thai people and traditions online or in local tourist centers all over Pattaya.
There are many reasons why you might consider visiting Pattaya as it offers a relaxing, tropical atmosphere that many people find therapeutic and is also a great place to party or meet new people and other families but at the same time, find out the best areas for children to have fun and avoid the places that offer the least.
Have An Understanding Of Thai Culture And Behaviour
The Thai people are known for their friendly, kind nature and culture which you should definitely respect while you’re in this amazing country. This means that you should be kind and polite to people, keep your hands to yourself and avoid any type of discrimination or confrontation while in Pattaya.
It’s also important to know that most Thai are very reserved, so you should expect to be greeted with a smile but not much conversation in many parts, as the majority of Thais can’t speak other languages.
However, in a place like Pattaya that is very touristy and popular for most of the year, a lot of people speak decent English and some other languages so you should be able to get by with minimal problems.
Just be respectful of the people and they’ll respond in exactly the same way!
Avoid Scammers And Con Artists In Pattaya
The biggest threat to your safety in Pattaya is the people who hang around the Adult Entertainment areas. You need to be careful of drug addicts, prostitutes, pick-pockets and any other type of person you wouldn’t want to meet in any other city.
The best way to stay safe is to avoid interacting with these people and stay away from areas that look sketchy to lessen your chances of being scammed or robbed. Avoid dangerous areas and stick to the main well lit and busy tourist destinations especially at night. You should also keep your valuables locked away safe in your hotel room and just carry the bare essentials when you’re out and about.
Stay Up-To-Date With The Latest News In Pattaya
Stay connected with the latest goings on in the city and check social media or posters around town for any events that you should be aware of that you can visit or watch as a family. If you follow these tips listed above, i’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time as a family as Pattaya really does have so much to offer.