Pattaya Unlimited is a Pattaya tourism and lifestyle guide for ex-pats and holiday-makers looking to get the best out of Pattaya, Thailand. This blog covers nightlife, girls, family entertainment and places to stay, points of interest, attractions, and best things to see and do in Pattaya.
Pattaya Tourist Information Blog
When people hear I’m running a blog they naturally ask what it’s about, to which I reply “it’s probably best described as a Pattaya tourist information blog”.
I think that’s a reasonably good description. Except there is a whole lot more to it than that. Maybe “Pattaya tourist information, travel and lifestyle blog” would be a more appropriate description.
Pattaya and Beyond
Besides covering mainstream tourist information topics like things to do in Pattaya, tourist attractions, beaches, places to visit, and hotel booking, I would like to say I’ve also added quite a few articles about Thai lifestyle, culture and spirituality.
Who’s Behind Pattaya Unlimited
So who is Darren C ?. I was born in Lancashire, United Kingdom. I guess you could say I was an average, uninterested pupil at school, and left with a bare minimum of qualifications. I did average jobs (mainly factory work) for average pay. You get the picture, I’m an average guy from the UK.
My first visit to Pattaya was a failed backpacking trip in 1999. I say failure in the sense that it was a backpacking trip, but then it was not. The backpacker trails of Southeast Asia and Australia seemed to lose their appeal after landing in Thailand.
Though I have to admit I wasn’t backpacking just for the adventure. I was looking for something different, and I found it already.
Living in Pattaya, Thailand
Fortunately I was single, and had no children. Which meant if I could find the means, I could stay in Thailand. So on returning to the UK I attended a commercial diving course, got my qualification and returned to Pattaya in the summer of 2000.
Since returning to Pattaya I’ve married, and have two sons. I live an ordinary life, in what I think is quite an extraordinary place, and long may it stay that way. Some would say I have an extraordinary job. Well, working offshore has had its moments (see video below) but believe me, spending weeks offshore away from your loved ones is not easy.
Besides enjoying quality time with my family, I like to blog. Running a blog is a fantastic hobby, and Pattaya is a tantalizing, diverse, and often controversial topic. I started this blog way back in 2009, it keeps me occupied, and keeps me out of trouble. It has also inspired me to learn a lot about Thailand’s culture, spirituality, and how and why things are done in Thailand.
Me and My then “future wife”
My boys enjoying a day’s fishing in Pattaya.
Me and my wife hanging around at Flight of the Gibbon
You can read more about my own experiences in Thailand by clicking on the My Thailand tag.
About Pattaya
I did a question and answer feature with author Matt Carrell on the blog, I asked some questions about himself, and more importantly i asked him what he thought about Pattaya.
Matt’s most relevant answer in my opinion was “Pattaya is whatever you want it to be“
For me, Pattaya is a great place to live because it has fantastic schools, shopping and dining. I also love the fact there is so much to see and do as a family in Pattaya. No matter whether you’re married with children, single or retired you can live cheaply, or you can live like a king.
I don’t think I’m biased. I do try to cover all aspects of visiting, and living in Pattaya, so on this blog you will find the good, the bad, and the ugly side of Pattaya.