Situated in Soi 13, between Beach Road and Second Road, the Sportsman Pub and Restaurant has become an institution in Pattaya. Opened in 1997, the emphasis is on traditional and home-cooked English pub fare with all the trimmings. The Sportsman, a recipient of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence, prides itself on a welcoming and all-embracing atmosphere. They cover all live sporting events on seven big screens, a Thursday quiz with rollover bonuses. Not to mention the friendliness of the staff, which has become a byword for genuine hospitality.

The Sportsman is run by Dave Bowers, whose connections with Thailand go back 25 years. A true British entrepreneur and golfing enthusiast, Dave started selling Balinese batik at a flea market in the south of Thailand before opening beer bars on Walking Street and then opening his current business.