A Trip To PATTAYA IN DECEMBER:

New Year is a holiday with special traditions: set the table with the inevitable Olivier salad and “shuba”, stock up on tangerines, decorate the Christmas tree and, surrounded by friends, with glasses of champagne in hand, to the sound of the chimes on TV, burst into another year of your life. But sometimes you really want to move away from tradition and try something new, unusual. For example, celebrate the holiday in a hot country, in a bathing suit, lying in a sun lounger under a palm tree. And this is quite possible, besides, many tourists often practice celebrating the New Year in warm countries.

Many people flee from the winter cold to Thailand – the land of eternal summer, where there is never snow or frost. One of the most frequently visited Thai resorts is Pattaya, a town in the southeast of Thailand. Every year, the resort receives several million tourists, most of whom come here in winter.

Holidays in Pattaya in December: pros and cons

Pattaya, like any other Thai resort, is quite controversial. Many people fall in love with the city at first sight, but there are also those who are not suited by either the local climate or the specific flavor. Therefore, when analyzing reviews of holidays in Pattaya in December, it is worth considering the individual factor. If we consider December holidays in Thailand objectively, the main advantages can be called:

1. Good weather. The rainy season in Thailand has come to an end, the kingdom has entered the “dry season”. Most of the time it is hot and sunny outside.
2. Warm sea. The water in the Gulf of Thailand is perfectly warm, even babies can splash in the sea for a long time.
3. Abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Pattaya is a real paradise for lovers of natural plant products. In December, Pattaya market stalls are full of various exotic fruits. This is a great opportunity to pamper your body not only with new tastes, but also with healthy vitamins.

And what troubles does Pattaya have in store for tourists in December? There are indeed disadvantages to a vacation this month, here are the main ones:

1. A large number of people. December is the high season in Thailand, so Pattaya is overcrowded with vacationers. You need to book hotel rooms and plane tickets in advance. To get good places on the beach, you should leave early in the morning, and to wait for a table in a cafe, you may have to stand in line.
2. The cost of vacation. In late autumn – early winter, the entire tourist infrastructure becomes more expensive.
3. Heat and high humidity. To avoid overheating, you should always have drinking water with you, wear wide-brimmed hats and clothes made of natural fabrics, and regularly apply sunscreen to your skin.
4. Local flora and fauna. Pattaya has incredibly beautiful nature, but the animal and plant world can be dangerous. So, there are many annoying insects that not only irritate with their buzzing, but can also carry diseases. For the same reason, you should be wary of bites from monkeys and bats. You should swim only in strictly designated areas, since almost 8% of the local sea animals are poisonous.

You should prepare for a trip to Pattaya as carefully as possible, only in this case the vacation will be fun, bright, and most importantly – safe.

Weather in Pattaya in December:

The weather in Pattaya in December – January is more reminiscent of a hot summer in the tropics than a typical calendar winter. Upon arrival, tourists change their down jackets for swimsuits and go to sunbathe on the beach. The weather at the beginning of December is hot, sunny and humid. Rains are rare during this period, usually at night. This is the ideal period for a beach holiday, but excursions are best planned for the early morning or afternoon hours, when the heat subsides a little. The temperature in Pattaya in mid-December remains at +30 °C. In the first month of winter, it is unrealistic to see a mark below +25 °C on the thermometer. Sunny days prevail, cloudy weather is a rarity. The weather in Pattaya at the end of December remains stable – hot and humid, without rain and with a lot of sunlight. The Gulf of Thailand feels like fresh milk, so you can celebrate New Year’s Eve swimming in the warm sea.

Air and water temperature:

The climate in Pattaya is one of the most favorable in Thailand. While some resorts may experience bad weather, storms or sweltering heat in December, Pattaya is always relatively calm. There are no extreme temperatures or precipitation. In addition, the resort is located in a bay, which means that storms are also a rarity here.

Air temperature in Pattaya in December:

The average daytime and nighttime temperatures are +30.2 °C and +25.1 °C, respectively. The resort is hot at any time of the day. High humidity and hot winds regularly blowing from the Gulf of Thailand also add to the difficulties.

Sea water temperature:

December offers ideal conditions for a beach holiday – you can spend days in the water, and it is not cold to swim even at night. The average sea water temperature is +28.4 °C. However, there is a downside: in conditions of intense daytime heat, such water is not at all refreshing.

Beach Holidays:

December in Pattaya is the perfect time for a beach holiday. The weather creates excellent conditions for a long stay on the beach, provided that there are shady corners or cafes where you can hide during peak temperatures. The resort is actively developing and is constantly working to improve service, infrastructure, and maintenance. Previously, it was difficult to find a well-equipped beach here, but now there are sun loungers and umbrellas almost everywhere. But lovers of “wild” recreation should not despair – the resort has many untouched areas where civilization has not yet reached. All Pattaya beaches are municipal, admission is free. The most convenient beaches, focused on family holidays, are Pratamnak, Dongtan and Jomtien.

All three beaches also offer a huge range of entertainment for children and adults. Palm Beach is also a good choice for a family vacation. Its distinctive feature is the local landmark, the Temple of Truth. Tourists who love noisy entertainment, open-air parties until the early hours, discos, and shows should pay attention to the resort’s central beach, Pattaya Beach. This is a place that never sleeps. Perhaps Pattaya Beach is not very suitable for children, but adults will definitely find something to do here.

Sightseeing holidays in Pattaya:

There is no shortage of entertainment here, but the December weather significantly limits tourists’ time — it is very hot during the day, and long walks will not be comfortable for everyone. In addition, daylight hours at the beginning of winter are about 10–11 hours; dusk begins to descend on the resort at 18:00–18:30. To make your sightseeing holiday as comfortable as possible, plan it for the first half of the day. Also take a sufficient supply of drinking water with you. Already at the beginning of December, the entire tourist infrastructure is fully operational, but since the resort has entered its high season, it may be difficult to get to popular places due to the large number of people wishing to visit.

Tickets for excursions must be booked in advance. The first place to visit in Pattaya is, of course, the Big Buddha Hill. It is also recommended to visit the Nong Nooch Botanical Garden, which occupies more than 250 hectares. In addition to exotic tropical plants, visitors will see sculptures, a rock garden, a butterfly garden, and a model of Stonehenge. And in Nong Nooch Park, there are also interesting shows with dancers and animals.

You must take a walk along the main street of the resort – Walking Street. If you have formed the opinion that Pattaya is not suitable for a holiday with children because of too frank views and even some licentiousness, then this is not true at all. The resort has many places that will appeal to children and teenagers. First of all, you should go here:

• Elephant Village
• Crocodile Farm
• Underwater World Pattaya Oceanarium
• Dolphinarium Pattaya Dolphin World
• Khao Kheow Open Zoo
• Holidays, Events, Festivals

The largest holiday in Pattaya in December is, of course, New Year. However, all the entertainment events are aimed not at the Thais themselves, but at tourists. The resort is full of Christmas trees sparkling with garlands and squinting pot-bellied Santa Clauses, which contrast greatly with the local landscapes. You can celebrate the New Year in a hotel, cafe, nightclub or just on the street – festive events are held everywhere. At midnight, tourists can enjoy New Year’s fireworks.

Prices for holidays in December:

Local tourism businesses quickly respond to the increase in demand, so prices in Pattaya in December are among the highest of the year. Millions of people come to the resort during this period, so enterprising Thais do not miss the opportunity to earn money.

Tour prices:

In November and the first half of December, the cost of tours remains almost unchanged, but a week before the New Year, the price tag can double or even triple. In addition, November, December and January offers are quickly snapped up, the tour must be booked several months before the trip or hope for last-minute deals.

Flight prices:

Airlines are also adapting to increased demand and raising prices. In December, the increase is insignificant, less than 10%. Prices increase towards the end of the month and reach peak values ​​in January.

Accommodation:

December and January are the most expensive months for staying in Thai hotels. The price tag soars by 50-70% compared to November prices. It is worth giving preference to early booking, since it is almost impossible to find available rooms in December.

Meals and transfers:

Many things in Thailand are surprising, including the local cuisine. The taste buds of millions of tourists have never experienced such unusual tastes as the Thais are accustomed to. Tasting local dishes is a unique attraction and a real gastronomic adventure. It is definitely worth visiting local catering establishments, at least as an experiment. In Pattaya, tourists are served by establishments of different levels: from cheap canteens to good restaurants. The average cost of a snack in a cafe is about 200 baht, in a restaurant the price tag starts from 300 baht. Always pay attention to the cleanliness of the establishment, since compliance with sanitary standards is Pattaya’s weak point.

It is easy to catch an intestinal infection here. Precautions also apply to water – in Thailand you should drink only bottled water. All locals and visitors to Pattaya travel either by tuk-tuks (converted pickup trucks with benches instead of seats and a tarpaulin roof) or rented scooters. The latter method of transportation is more expensive (300-500 baht per day), but much more convenient.

How to dress in Pattaya:

The resort is very hot in winter, so you need to bring the appropriate set of clothes for your vacation. Most of your suitcase should be filled with T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses and beachwear. A swimsuit is a must-have item on vacation, but it is better to take several sets. The fact is that the resort has high humidity and the swimsuit does not always have time to dry during the day. You should definitely pack long-sleeved clothes and light trousers in your luggage. The Thai winter sun is quite aggressive, so it is better to cover exposed areas of skin. You should also give preference to clothes made of natural fabrics – they are more breathable, it is not hot in them, but at the same time it is safe to be in the sun. As for footwear, tourists will need flip-flops for the beach, sandals and closed shoes for hiking and long excursions.

Recommendations for holidays with children:

December is a great time for a family holiday in Pattaya. At the beginning of winter, ideal conditions have been created here for both beach relaxation and excursion leisure. The combination of local color and Western New Year traditions will forever be remembered by your children as something outlandish and amazing. New Year in Pattaya is exactly the kind of memory that you can carry with you throughout your entire life. Don’t forget to bring home some memorable things from your vacation.

To make your December vacation as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, don’t forget about safety precautions. With proper preparation and organization, your vacation in Pattaya will be unforgettable.