Everyone carries personal biases, but I was in Pattaya for a few days in September and HATED it!
If you want city life, stick to Bangkok.
If you want beaches, go to Koh Pang Nghan or Samui.
If you want to see teenage prostitutes hanging off the arms of western 60-somethings then go to Pattaya.
It's not a pleasant place!
I have to say that even as a fairly liberal 20year old I found it all too seedy, expensive (compared to many other 'resorts') and busy.
Basically, I would compare it to Playa de las Americas or Benidorm but 12hours further away!
I know its a different ball game, but I went to Thailand for a month last september, spent £400 on flights and £500 on accomodation, food etc FOR A MONTH - That is staying in reasonable bungalows, taking internal flights and drinking plenty of Singha! I also had the added benefit of being able to go wherever, whenever.
If you are able to, I would 'go it alone' - scrap the package deal. It sounds like a VERY expensive package you are looking at!
Whatever you do - ENJOY!!
Last edited by +'ve ROC; 30th Jun 2005 at 13:05.