Bang Saray Beach

If Pattaya's main beaches have worn you out, this is the antidote. About 35 minutes south in Sattahip District, the sand here is clean, the water reasonably clear, and there's a marked safe swimming area. Palm trees do the shade work, so plenty of people just bring a camping chair and settle in under them. The northern end is the quiet stretch, and that's where I'd head.

The road running along the back of the beach is the other half of the appeal. Restaurants and bars line it, Thai and Western both, plus deckchair places on the sand and food carts doing things like smashburgers. There's a night market too, which is reason enough to stay past sunset. Look back up the coast and you get the Pattaya skyline from a distance, which is a nicer way to see it than being in it.

Weekends bring local families and it gets busy. Come on a weekday if you want the beach mostly to yourself.