pattaya
Your First Month in Pattaya: A Checklist
The order to do things in.
Published 12 April 2026 · Last updated 1 August 2026
The Pattaya-specific version of our first thirty days plan. Same principle: do the connectivity and admin first, the housing decision last, once you actually know the town.
Week one
- Get a Thai SIM or activate an eSIM, and set up a Thai number if you can.
- Work out the songthaew routes near your accommodation — watch where they go before you flag one.
- Find your nearest supermarket, fresh market, pharmacy and hospital.
- Walk the beach road early and again after dark.
Week two
- Start the bank account process. Ask locally which branch is used to foreign customers.
- Register at a private hospital and have a basic check-up.
- Confirm your immigration obligations and diarise every date.
- Get a residence certificate if you will need one.
Weeks three and four
- View at least six condos across two areas — Jomtien and one other.
- Go back to your favourite after dark before deciding.
- Join one thing that meets weekly. Anything.
- Set up utilities and internet, and learn how bills are paid here.
Sources and official information
We link to primary sources wherever one exists. Rules change — check the official page before acting on anything here.
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