Jomtien

Jomtien is a quieter, more sedate alternative to neighboring Pattaya, located immediately south and connected by a 10-minute motorbike taxi ride over the hill via Thappraya Rd. The area attracts permanent expat retirees and workers, creating a laid-back atmosphere where you can find ocean-view accommodations without constant attention from tourism. Jomtien Beach stretches about 5 km with pleasant tree-shaded beach walks, reserved swimming sections marked by buoys, and parasols for rent. Unlike Pattaya Beach, the water here has not been declared hazardous to health.

Most buses from Bangkok arrive at the main Pattaya bus terminal on North Pattaya Rd; taxis provide the easiest onward connection to Jomtien. Songthaews (baht buses) also depart from the bus station for 20-150 baht depending on distance. A dedicated 389 government bus runs hourly (07:00-21:00) between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Jomtien terminal for 143 baht, with online booking available 3 days prior. The Jomtien bus terminal is located near Beach Rd at a small shopping precinct with a Foodmart Supermarket, opposite Pan-Pan Restaurant. Motorcycle taxis cost 20-100 baht for destinations within Pattaya or Jomtien.

Jomtien is covered by the Pattaya baht bus network with routes running both directions along Beach Rd (Jomtien Saineung Rd). Fares are a flat 10 baht per person regardless of distance; simply pay and signal the driver when you need to stop. Some buses extend to Theppraya Rd and South Pattaya, while others loop back at Chaiyapruek Rd or continue nearly to the end of Jomtien Beach. For Jomtien 2nd Road, walk 400 m from the appropriate soi after riding the beach bus. Chartering a baht bus starts at 150 baht. Motorbike taxis are plentiful for 20-100 baht rides.

Jomtien can be visited year-round, though peak season aligns with Bangkok's cooler months (November-February) when daytrippers from the capital flood Pattaya area beaches. The area sees fewer tour buses and less traffic compared to Pattaya and Sattahip. High season means booking airport buses at least one day in advance. The nearby Rompho Market operates daily 07:00-17:00 for local produce, while Thepprasit Market runs Friday through Sunday 18:00-24:00 for night market atmosphere.

Accommodation concentrates in side streets off Beach Rd, with the majority clustered in Soi Watboon alongside The Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel. Budget guesthouses start around 550-750 baht per night for air-conditioned rooms. The Jomtien Hostel offers dorm beds from 260 baht with private rooms from 550-1,050 baht, LGBT-run with wheelchair access. Mid-range options like Chang Charlie Inn (1,000-2,000 baht) feature boutique décor mixing traditional Thai with colonial British-Indian styles. Beachfront hotels like D Varee Jomtien Beach offer 5-star amenities with 226 rooms and multiple pools from their Beach Rd location between Sois 13 and 14.

Jomtien offers diverse dining from budget Thai to European cuisine. Cheap Charlie's provides exceptionally good value budget dining (same formula as Pattaya venue) with a loyalty card available. Dar's Place serves European and Thai food with daily 99 baht specials. For seafood, Pupen Seafood in Na Jomtien (10:00-22:00) offers reasonably priced dishes with sunset views. The Rompho Market area hosts evening street food stalls in front of the shed after 17:00. Jomtien Complex on Thappraya Rd contains multiple restaurants including Aquarius (inexpensive European), Cafe Ritz (British/continental), L'Olivier (French), and Poseidon (sophisticated European with 144 baht buffet breakfast).

Underwater World aquarium (22/22 Moo 11, Sukhumvit Rd) displays marine species from the Gulf of Thailand through a 105 m acrylic tunnel divided into 4 zones, open daily 09:00-18:00 for 400 baht adults/200 baht children. Pattaya Park and Tower features a revolving restaurant, giant slides, and large whirlpool with 200 baht entry. Dongtan Beach hosts perhaps the largest LGBT beach community concentration in Southeast Asia with 265 m of gay beach between Tui's Place and Rabbit Resort. Adventure seekers can try Jungle Bungy Jump (09:00-18:00, 50 m over jungle lagoon) or Paintball World on Jomtien Beach Rd. Jomtien Fishing Park charges 100 baht/own rod or 200 baht to rent, with weekend competitions.

Thappraya Road has several independent money changers with good rates and a Krungsri Bank branch with Western Union services between Jomtien Beach and Jomtien 2nd Road. Rompho Market (Jomtien 2nd Rd, 07:00-17:00) is a roofed wet market with produce plus a clothing and souvenir shed behind, plus evening street food stalls. Thepprasit Market (Thepprasit Rd, F-Su 18:00-24:00) offers the cheapest books in Pattaya. For factory outlet shopping, Outlet Mall Pattaya (666 Moo 12, Banglamung) at Sukhumvit and Thepprasit intersection sells authentic Adidas, Guess, and Lacoste. The Pattaya Floating Market (451/304 Moo 12, Sukhumvit Rd, 200 baht entry) is an artificial tourist market built in 2008 with four regional zones.

Jomtien's bar scene is more subdued than Pattaya but offers diverse options. Country Road III (10:00-01:00) near Krungsri Bank provides inexpensive beer with 2 pool tables. The Rompho Bar Complex on Jomtien 2nd Rd runs 250 m with over 50 open-air bars open late afternoon until about 01:00, many offering live entertainment or free pool. Soi 7 Bars feature several dozen establishments along a 400 m stretch between Beach Rd and 2nd Rd. The gay-friendly Wombat & Kiwi Bar (Daily 07:00-23:59) in Jomtien Soi 9 is popular with Aussie and Kiwi expats, serving food with sports screenings and live entertainment. Tui's Place on the gay beach serves drinks from 50 baht coffee to 350 baht wine carafes, plus guest rooms 900-2,100 baht.

Jomtien is generally safer than central Pattaya with lower traffic and fewer tour buses. The beaches have designated swimming sections with buoy markers to separate swimmers from motorized water sports. A police box at the end of Thappraya Rd near Jomtien Beach serves as a local landmark. Exercise standard tourist precautions regarding valuables and be aware of standard beach safety practices.

Pattaya is a 10-baht baht bus ride away, with Walking Street offering wilder nightlife options. Sattahip and Si Racha attractions are popular tour destinations for daytime activities. Na Jomtien area south of the main beach has its own beaches and Ocean Marina Pattaya, accessible via Sukhumvit Rd.

Pattaya is a 10-baht songthaew ride away with Walking Street nightlife. Sattahip offers daytime attractions and Ocean Marina. Si Racha is another option for day tours. Those seeking quieter areas can continue south along the coast.