Colin -

I agree with posts above from Limelight and Stephem.
Here are further comments to help you find a luxury beach resort that is driveable from Bangkok.

First, about Pattaya:
The only draw there is the prostitutes.
Everything else is secondary and in support of that major industry.
Indeed, there are good restaurants, cabaret shows, paragliding behind a speed boat, and other contrived entertainments, but those wouldn't be there if it weren't for the main attraction.
The beach and the water are filthy.
There are many pickpockets, street hustlers and other petty scams.
In the central areas of Pattaya, you will be approached again and again by prostitutes (female and semi-female) seeking business.
They are usually polite about it, but it quickly gets tiresome.

Now, on to Hua Hin:
I've been there five times in recent years, and will be going again in two days.
Hua Hin gets my vote for a pleasant, seaside resort, suitable for Westerners and driveable from Bangkok.
There is one major factor in favour of Hua Hin which is rarely mentioned:
The King of Thailand actually lives in Hua Hin, not in the palace in Bangkok as most people expect.
So the authorities in Hua Hin are quite diligent about keeping the area neat and clean and safe.
I like that.

Hua Hin beaches are fairly clean, and, on weekdays, there are no crowds.
There is a wide variety of luxury resorts in the area, some right on the beach, but most are set back perhaps 100-500 meters from the water.
There are many restaurants, and I could go on and on about the delicious seafood.
There is golf and tennis, of course.

But, other than that, be prepared to make your own entertainment.
Hua Hin offers a few tours of sightseeing attractions, but they are nothing special.
There is a night market which can be interesting once, but there is no international-class shopping in Hua Hin.
There will be "lounge entertainment" in the nicer hotels, but there are no shows or other performances, such as you find in Bangkok.
So, when I go to Hua Hin I take a thick novel, or two.

Getting to Hua Hin can be a bit confusing.
Do not try to drive yourself in a rent-a-car, because the road signs will be in Thai language.
Yes, some signs on the expressways have English subtitles, but, if you get off course, it could be difficult to find your way back on track.
Your simplest, easiest, most convenient, option is to arrange with your hotel to have a car and driver meet you on arrival at the airport in Bangkok.
That way the driver will know exactly where to take you in Hua Hin.
An ordinary taxi driver from Bangkok probably won't know his way around Hua Hin.

As an alternative there are "limo" services at BKK airport which will drive you to Hua Hin.
The touts from those limo services accost all visitors right outside the arrivals hall.
However, they will be sure you get a driver who is familiar with Hua Hin.
So, using an airport limo service is a reasonable backup plan for getting to Hua Hin.

You don't say if you are travelling alone or with a companion.
If you are looking for a Thai lady companion, you'll find plenty in Hua Hin who are eager to meet you.
However, girl-friends-for-rent is not the predominant industry there, as it is in Pattaya.

If you have specific questions, you are welcome to send email or private message.

- Peter
.