// Pattaya Authority · Area guide

Naklua, Pattaya: the upmarket north

By Tim Paemi · Updated 27 June 2026 · No sponsors, no paid placements

Just north of the centre, Naklua is where Pattaya keeps its old soul and its quiet money. An old fishing village grown upmarket, it has the city's prettiest calm beach, a world-famous temple, and a refined, low-key feel — all minutes from the buzz.

The short version

The feel of the place

Naklua mixes old and new: traditional shophouses and the Lan Po seafood area sit alongside upmarket condos and resorts. Its star is Wong Amat Beach — a cleaner, quieter stretch of sand that's among the nicest in Pattaya — and the breathtaking all-wood Sanctuary of Truth sits right here on the coast. It's calm, classy and authentically Thai.

Who Naklua suits

It draws families and anyone wanting an upscale, quieter base with a proper beach but the centre still close by. If you'd rather sip coffee by a calm sea than wade through neon, Naklua is your address.

Living here

Naklua and the Wong Amat strip are known for premium condos and resorts, so it sits at the higher end of Pattaya's rental scale — still excellent value for the quality and the beach. See the cost guide for current numbers.

→ Cost of living in Pattaya · living here

Common questions

Where is Naklua?

Immediately north of central Pattaya — home to Wong Amat Beach and the Sanctuary of Truth.

Good area to stay or live?

Yes — quiet, upmarket, lovely beach, minutes from the centre. All areas →

Is Wong Amat Beach nice?

One of Pattaya's nicest and calmest beaches. Things to do →

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