Exploring Pattaya with autistic children calls for meticulous planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all of the family. In 2018, we visited Pattaya for around a week, maybe two, I can’t remember exactly! Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips and family-friendly activities. Unfortunately, I don’t think the whole AirBnb thing played out well in Thailand and the accommodation we used isn’t available to book now.
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Getting from Bangkok to Pattaya
You can fly to Pattaya, as there is an airport, but from Bangkok the travel options are usually bus or car.
Traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya offers several transportation options:
- Taxi: A taxi costs approximately 1,200-1,500 THB (€33-42) for a one-way trip. Approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic. We opted for a taxi for convenience and comfort, especially useful when traveling with strollers and luggage.
- Bus: Costs approximately 120-150 THB (€3.3-4.2) per person for a one-way ticket. The drive takes approximately 2-2.5 hours. Buses are available from various locations in Bangkok, including Ekkamai and Mo Chit bus terminals. They are a budget-friendly option but can be less convenient for families with young children.
- Train: Approximately 31-140 THB (€0.9-3.9) per person for a one-way ticket. It costs approximately 3-4 hours. Trains depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. While scenic, the journey is longer, which might be challenging for young children.
- Private Car Service: It costs approximately 2,000-2,500 THB (€55-70) for a one-way trip. Approximately 1.5-2 hours. Private car services offer door-to-door convenience and are ideal for larger families or those with specific needs.
Where To Stay in Pattaya With Autistic Children
We got to Pattaya before we could check in, so we found a place by the sea to sit down to eat. We had decided to stay in the Jomtien area. We later checked into our family-friendly accommodation. Staying centrally is crucial for easy access to various attractions and minimizing travel stress.
We stayed at an AirBnb in an apartment complex which had a private pool.
I think the Jomtien area of Pattaya was really good for our family – it is much quieter than the central area of Pattaya but still has a lot to offer. If that is your vibe – you’d probably like Jomtien too.
Family-Friendly Activities in Pattaya
Pattaya offers numerous family-friendly activities that cater to different interests and sensory needs. Here are some highlights:
Koh Larn Island:
A beautiful island with clear waters and sandy beaches. It’s perfect for a day trip to enjoy swimming and water activities.
Learn more about our day at Koh Larn here.
Walking Street:
While known for its nightlife, visiting during the day offers a more family-friendly experience with shops, cafes, and street performances. It happens to be right beside the port to get the boat to Koh Larn, so we did a quick stroll and grabbed McDonald’s here but then left because it gets pretty wild here in the evening and night.
The Sanctuary of Truth:
A stunning wooden temple with intricate carvings. It’s both educational and visually captivating, suitable for children who enjoy exploring cultural sites. There are people still working on new carvings every day. This is an absolutely beautiful wooden temple worth the visit.
Jomtien Beach:
A quieter alternative to Pattaya Beach, offering a more relaxed environment for families to enjoy the sun and sea.
Jomtien Night Market:
A vibrant market with a variety of food stalls, shopping, and entertainment. It’s a sensory-rich experience, so visiting earlier in the evening might be less overwhelming. Travis LOVED it here because they throw what I think is a Russian rave every evening, so loud Russian music blasts and there are disco lights and the kids can dance.
Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark:
A large water park themed around Cartoon Network characters. It offers various water slides, pools, and shows, perfect for a fun-filled day. A lot of children with autism love water and water play so this is a fantastic experience for them while in Pattaya with autistic children.
Teddy Bear Museum:
A museum dedicated to teddy bears with various themed zones. It’s interactive and engaging, great for young children.
Mini Siam:
A miniature park featuring replicas of famous landmarks from Thailand and around the world. It’s both educational and enjoyable for kids.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden:
A vast garden with themed landscapes, cultural shows, and elephant performances. It’s a peaceful place to explore and learn about Thai flora.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum:
An oddities museum with interactive exhibits that are both fascinating and fun for children.
Pattaya Sheep Farm:
A family-friendly farm where kids can feed and interact with sheep and other animals.
Art in Paradise:
A 3D art museum where visitors can become part of the artwork. It’s a creative and interactive experience that’s great for photo opportunities. We did not visit the Art in Paradise exhibit in Pattaya but we did go to the one in Chiang Mai and we loved it.
Pattaya Elephant Village:
An elephant sanctuary where families can learn about elephants and enjoy a serene environment. We did not visit the one in Pattaya, but we went to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai and really enjoyed it.
Pattaya Floating Market:
A traditional Thai market on water with shops, food stalls, and cultural shows. It’s a unique experience but can be sensory-rich, so plan short visits.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo:
A large open zoo with various animal exhibits and interactive opportunities. It’s a great place for a day trip outside Pattaya.
Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Activity in Pattaya
Underwater World Pattaya:
An impressive aquarium featuring a 100-meter underwater tunnel. It’s educational and visually stimulating, ideal for children fascinated by marine life. We really enjoyed our visit here and it was a lovely way to do a more child-friendly activity in a city designed for adults.
Getting Around Pattaya With Autistic Children
We usually use a mix of Songthaews (looks like a pickup truck but acts like a bus), tuk tuk or taxi. When in Pattaya we happened to find a driver who used Whatsapp so we contacted him when we needed to go somewhere. As we were travelling with my Mum, David’s brother Josh and David’s Mum by this time we needed a bigger vehicle to transport us all.
We like to either plan exactly for excursions or keep it super flexible so there are no expectations or times we need to keep to. When we are being stricter with time we are more likely to try to book a taxi or car. When being flexible we will try to use tuk tuk or songthaew.
Is Pattaya Autism-Friendly?
Pattaya offers some autism-friendly aspects, particularly in terms of its outdoor attractions, beaches, and the generally welcoming Thai culture. However, it is less developed in terms of specialized autism services, healthcare, and educational support compared to larger cities like Bangkok. Families visiting or living in Pattaya with someone on the autism spectrum may find it beneficial to plan carefully and choose quieter experiences.
Things That Make Pattaya Stand Out
- Pattaya’s public transportation includes songthaews (shared taxis), buses, and taxis. The transportation system is less formal and more variable compared to Bangkok, which can make it challenging for individuals with autism who prefer structured environments. Hiring a private car or using ride-hailing services like Grab can offer more comfort and control.
- Pattaya has several beaches, such as Jomtien Beach and Naklua Beach, which tend to be quieter than the main Pattaya Beach. These areas can be good for families seeking a more relaxed environment, especially during off-peak hours.
- Attractions like Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Pattaya Dolphin World offer outdoor experiences that can be both engaging and calming. These venues often have large open spaces, making them more manageable for those who need to avoid sensory overload.
- Pattaya has cultural sites such as the Sanctuary of Truth and the Big Buddha Hill that provide quieter and more reflective environments. These sites can be more autism-friendly if visited during less crowded times.
- Pattaya’s shopping malls, like Central Festival Pattaya and Terminal 21 Pattaya, are modern and equipped with amenities such as family rooms and accessible services. However, these areas can become busy, so planning visits during quieter times can be beneficial.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Consider using our Thailand PECS to add to your experience.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
Our trip to Pattaya with autistic children was filled with both challenges and rewarding experiences. The city’s rich culture and numerous family-friendly activities made it a worthwhile adventure, even with the additional considerations of traveling with a child on the autism spectrum. By planning ahead, choosing the right transportation, and incorporating breaks, you can make a brief visit to Pattaya enjoyable and stress-free for the whole family.
Do you plan to check out more of Thailand with autistic children? Check out the articles below: