Merry-making in Pattaya, aside from the professional sex scene, means everything from hanging out in a video bar to dancing all night at one of the discos in south Pattaya. The best place to start is Th Hat Pattaya. At its southern end, this main drag becomes ‘Walking St’ a self-styled, semi pedestrianised ‘International Meeting zone’, with bars and clubs to satisfy every proclivity. Nearby, ‘Pattaya Land’ encompasses bar areas. The many gay bars on Soi 3 are announced by a sign reading ‘Boy’ ‘Town.

CLUBS & CABARETS

Tony’s, big bouncing nightlife supernova has it all, offering everything from a deafeningly loud, neon-lit disco, to pool tables and a 99B buffet dinner. If you’ve had a few too many, you can even go two rounds with its in-house Thai boxer-and pay for the privilege (200B).

Lucifer, rather more up market, this compact club is awash with devilishly plush trimmings, with windows looking out towards the sea. Live bands play the evening away and seating is at tables and in cosy booths. Out front, under the extravagant neon awnings, there’s also a small bar for those who prefer to start a little earlier.

Tiffany’s, Pattaya has a thing for transvestite cabaret shows. Ablaze with high camp col-our and jiggery-pokery, Tiffany’s shows are staged nightly at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm.

 Alcazar, Th Pattaya is even more glam ours and has daily shows at 6.30pm, 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm (Saturday only).

Lucky No 3, just before the beginning of Walking St, this no-frills girlie bar packs out with the early evening crowd, who flock here for drinks promotions, action in the Thai boxing ring and a bit of slap and tickle. It’s not one for the faint-hearted.

CINEMAS
Royal Theatre Cinema, if you’d rather escape the hubbub in a darkened room, you can catch the latest Hollywood releases here.

Shopping:
Than on Hat Pattaya is lined with stalls selling everything from pirate DVDs and CDs to T-shirts and jewelers. For more serious shopping, head to the Royal Garden Plaza (Map p236; Th Pattaya 2; 11am-11pm).