Dennism

I have found the best time to visit is when you are breathing!

I would agree with Rex7777, I always stay at Tropica Bungalows. Its literally just around the corner from Soi Bangla and when you walk down the alley to the area you would think your 100 miles from the rat race. There are actually peacocks walking around a rain forest setting with a great pool. Its really hard to believe its where it is. Indeed do book a double there is a fee without it.

I've stayed there 6-7 times over the past 4-5 years. Things have gotten better over the years. They have really tried to clean the place up. I've never seen a roach, at least one that crawls! I have not been there recently (about a year). Is the pool open and where is it located?

I have been diving in Thailand for almost 10 years. I'm not sure what you expect but Pattaya does not offer great diving. There are sites an hour or so boat ride out but if I was you I wouldn't waste your time diving in or around Pattaya. If you need some night action mixed with diving I would recommend traveling to Patong Beach. You can get boats out to the same dive sites as you would if you were staying on Phi Phi. The ride is still an hour or more but you'll be happier with the results. If you want pure diving without any mongering action try either Phi Phi or the Simalian Islands. You'll

Stir Crazy, I fully agree with aj he makes some very important points that I left out. Again IMHO if your not going to be able to get to LOS to dive yearly then you will never get a taste of what this area really has to offer if you dive offshore near Pattaya.

IMHO your doing the right thing but in the wrong place. I have been diving in Thailand for years and if you want to take advantage of both night diving (stretch your imagination) as well as day diving your best bet is Patong Beach or Koh Samui. To get any decent diving near Pattaya its a 3-4 hour boat ride to nothing special. If you headed to Patong you can take trips out to Koh Phi Phi or up to the Similans. My upcomming trip this October has me spending 5 days in Pattaya flying to Krabi then the ferry to Phi Phi for 5 days of diving then back to Pattaya.