Pattaya is booming and is very popular for both tourists and expats. It has a certain reputation as being at the low end of the tourism market but the government has attempted, with some success, to change the image into a more upmarket tourist destination and Pattaya now has several sophisticated and upmarket restaurants and many five star hotels. The climate is as good as anywhere in Thailand and the cost of living is cheap and the cost and variety of accomodation is probably better than almost anywhere.

The beaches are not as stunning as, say, Phuket but the variety of activities is breathtaking - all sorts of water sports equipment can be hired and you can engage in a variety of water sport activities. The main beaches are jam packed with hawkers and people selling everything from coconuts to massage making it a fun packed place to be.

Off shore there are one or two islands with nice beaches almost deserted at times and easily accessible for a day trip. If you go to Koh Laan, you can hire moped's and drive over to the other side of the island. Views from the top are impressive and there are some very quiet beaches.

On the mainland, Pattaya offers a range of amusement parks, garden, and theme parks. Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, Water world amusement park and a revolving restaurant. Mini Siam is a miniature tour of Thailand with the ubiquitous MacDonald's' at the entrance. Million year old stone park has beautiful gardens - feed the 5ft long catfish! Further out is Sri Racha tiger Zoo and Kao Keow Open Zoo.

Pattaya offers some of the best shopping outside Bangkok , and it is actually more accessible being sited in a much smaller area. Eating out in Pattaya & Jomtien (adjoins Pattaya) is a treat because there is virtually ever country represented - US , French , Russian , Japanese , Korean , Chinese , Full English Breakfast , Italian , Belgian , Dutch , German, the list goes on.

The night life in Pattaya is legendary and for entertainment and nightlife it is an exciting and lively place. Discos, clubs, bars of all sorts. Crime is a problem in some locations and you should be on your guard when walking in some entertainment areas.

For the businesman from overseas Pattaya has a substantial and well established expat infrastructure (probably better than Bangkok as it is more concentrated) making Pattaya an extremely expat-friendly place to run a business.