Patttaya diehards will look at this title and say BS and to be honest my explanation for being there is somewhat lame. My aim was to scuba dive around the islands of nearby Koh Khrok and Koh Larn. Not the best diving in the world, but decent enough to tempt me away from a 2-3 day layover in Bangkok. The diving never happened because of a sinus infection, likely from the international flight into BKK Airport. Yep, the old "sinus infection excuse" but I did have to go to the hospital to get checked out. Aside from that, I was able to venture out at night for a beer or two along Walking Street. My eyes nearly popped out of my head, when I encountered the wildest nightlife I have ever experienced. Hundreds of bars, cabarets of naughtiness, 24-hour nightclubs, live music, freelance ladies of the night,  and even a Muay Thai boxing ring. You have to see it to believe it. Then you get sucked in to the electric atmosphere with the many tourists and ex-pats. What was once a quiet fishing village is now the craziest party town on the planet. Check it out on You Tube or Google, you'll see what I mean.  I stayed 2 nights before I had to fly to somewhere a little saner and peaceful.  If risque activities offend you, then don't go there. For me, not much on this planet surprises me any more these days. However, I can look back on this trip and smile a little. Pattaya is a city that ticks along like a well-oiled machine. Job opportunities and paying customers abound. Go there, I dare you.http://www.malcolmteasdale.com