A drive or a flight
Pattaya is a Bangkok decision. Owners who live or work in the capital drive down Motorway 7 and use the flat at weekends, and the airport bus from Suvarnabhumi takes about 1.5 hours. U-Tapao, the local airport, is small, and the high-speed rail link to Bangkok's airports is delayed, so do not pay today for a line that is not open. Phuket is a flight from Bangkok, but its own airport has direct long-haul services, so an owner in Europe or the Gulf can often fly straight in. See flights and getting around.
The beach and the evening
Phuket's west coast faces the open Andaman, though it flies red flags through much of May to October. Pattaya's own beach is not why people buy: owners use a pool, a boat or the cleaner sand at Wongamat and Jomtien. Pattaya is a city, with large private hospitals, malls and restaurants in every price bracket, and its nightlife around Walking Street is real. Climate and seasons compares the two coasts month by month.
Where value holds
In both, the district matters more than the city. On Phuket, Bang Tao, Layan and Kamala carry the highest condominium prices. In Pattaya, scarce beachfront in Wongamat has sold best, while Jomtien carries the most unsold stock. Price the whole purchase with the purchase cost calculator, and read where to buy in Thailand.
