North Pattaya

Yes, particularly in Wongamat, but I would not only look at the newest developments.

Some of the older condominium projects are actually very interesting. Buildings such as Silver Beach, Park Beach, Sky Beach and Baan Rimpha often offer something that is becoming increasingly difficult to find today: space.

The footprint of many of these older units is considerably larger than in newer projects. Some interiors may still be quite basic or dated, but that can also be the opportunity.

Buy the right unit at the right price, renovate it properly, and you can create something genuinely impressive, often for considerably less than the cost of buying a comparable-sized unit in a newer luxury development.

You also have the benefit of established beachfront locations that simply cannot be recreated.

For me, that is one of the most interesting investment angles in Wongamat today: not necessarily buying new, but recognising the potential in an older, larger unit with the right position, view and building.

Wongamat has always had a slightly more exclusive image.

Years ago, I remember hearing that Baan Rimpha would only sell to Thai buyers, not foreigners. The idea, apparently, was to keep the development exclusive.

There was another story I picked up many years ago which always made me smile. Affluent Bangkok Thais would happily buy a second home in Wongamat to be close to all the action, but would tell friends and family they had bought in “Wongamat”, not Pattaya.

Technically, of course, they were almost on Pattaya’s doorstep.

That probably says quite a lot about the area. Wongamat has always managed to feel slightly separate from Pattaya itself. Quieter beaches, luxury hotels, established beachfront condominiums and a more residential atmosphere all helped create that identity.

For me, that distinction still exists today.

Very well, but there is another question I would ask: do you actually need to go into Central Pattaya that often?

North Pattaya and Wongamat have become remarkably self-contained. There is an impressive concentration of quality hotels, and naturally many very good restaurants inside them. Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya, Grande Centre Point Voyage Pattaya, Akara Hotel Pattaya, Brighton Grand Hotel Pattaya and Pullman Pattaya Hotel G are just a few examples.

Around the Dolphin Roundabout and the La Baguette Bakery Cafe area, you also have an excellent selection of restaurants, cafés and bistros.

For commuting, access towards Sukhumvit Road is relatively straightforward, which is important for people working towards Laem Chabang or the Eastern Seaboard.

And if you do want Central Pattaya, it is only minutes away.

So yes, North Pattaya is very well connected. But increasingly my question would be: connected to what? You may find that almost everything you need is already there.

North Pattaya, and especially Wongamat, works very well for people who want a higher-end residential base with easy access to the rest of Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard.

It is particularly popular with corporate tenants and executives who enjoy the comfort of an oceanside condominium but still need to commute every day. Developments such as Saranchol, The Cove and Northpoint are good examples of the type of properties that appeal to this market.

The location helps enormously. From Wongamat and Naklua, access to Sukhumvit Road is relatively straightforward, which makes daily travel towards Laem Chabang, industrial estates and other business areas much more practical than from some of the more congested central locations.

It also suits retirees and second-home buyers who want quality, security and convenience without giving up beachside living.

For me, North Pattaya is especially strong for buyers and tenants who want a more refined coastal lifestyle but still need the city and main road network close at hand.

North Pattaya is one of the most established residential parts of the city, but it offers several very different lifestyles within a relatively small area.

Wongamat is particularly attractive because of its beaches. They feel much more private than Pattaya Beach or Jomtien, and the seawater often appears cleaner and clearer as well. That is one of the reasons Wongamat has developed into such a strong luxury residential area, with some of Pattaya’s best beachfront condominiums and hotels.

Naklua has a very different character. It feels more local and traditional, with older communities, seafood restaurants and the famous fresh seafood market, which remains one of the real attractions of the area.

What I like about North Pattaya is that it feels mature. The infrastructure is already there. Terminal 21, hospitals, supermarkets, restaurants and the beach are all close by, while Central Pattaya is only minutes away.

It can certainly be busy, but there are still surprisingly peaceful pockets, especially around Wongamat.

For somebody who wants convenience, good beaches and established city infrastructure without living right in the middle of Central Pattaya, North Pattaya is a very strong option.