Krating Lai Beach is hardly a secret or undiscovered beach in Pattaya; it’s especially popular with local Thais. However, it is kind of hidden, little publicized, and off the beaten tourist path and has a very different vibe to that of Pattaya Beach.
The main length of the beach stretches about 1.14 kilometers from just a little north of where you enter via Sukhumvit Soi 6 down to Baan Sukhawadee.
Although you see Thais bathing and splashing around in the sea at Krating Lai Beach, it’s quite muddy in most areas if you wade out a little (see photo below), so generally not a great beach for swimming or bathing.
The northernmost approximately 450 meters, as in the photo below, is the best stretch of sandy beach. Once you go a little south to the beach in front of the Cholchan resort it becomes rocky.
There are no public deck chairs or loungers for hire, but if you bring your own there are plenty of shady trees to sit under.
There’s a tree-lined footpath along much of the beach, complete with occasional seating areas and fitness equipment like that commonly found in public parks such as Pattaya Fitness Park and Nongprue Park.
Come low tide and sunset, it can be a very photogenic beach if there happens to be props, like the fisherman and his boat during low tide in the photo above.
December and January, when the sun sets at its most southern point and silhouettes the Sanctuary of Truth, are good times to visit if you want to watch some of the most beautiful sunsets in Pattaya.
There are a couple of restaurants right on the beach if you want to take it all in while enjoying sundowners.
Home to the Bella Villa Cabana Hotel, which sits back from the best stretch of sandy beach, and the Cholchan a little further south, this area is ideal if you’re looking for quiet yet conveniently located beach resorts in Pattaya, so long as having a great place to swim or bathe isn’t on your list of priorities.
Whether it’s fishing by boat with drift nets, or from the beach to catch some dinner, Krating Lai Beach is still an important source of income and food for the local community.
Things to Do at Krating Lai Beach
- Take a walk, have a jog, or workout along the walkway.
- Dine and enjoy sundowners on the beach.
- Just chill out and admire the sunset.
- There’s a skateboard park, but bring your own skateboard.
- Grab some snacks and drinks at the stalls and carts near the Bella Villa Cabana.
- Walk around 360 meters north of the main beach and explore the unforsaken temple.
How to Get to Krating Lai Beach
Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wqf6S6CWPV1diP6p6
You can enter Krating Lai Beach via Sukhumvit Soi 8, approximately 4.19 kilometers north of the North Pattaya Road junction, or Soi 6, around 980 meters further north.
If you like to expore hidden gems, check out these off the beaten path places in Pattaya