Might I ask the OP - Why on earth would a male/female couple go to Pattaya? Pattaya has one reason to exist - and that is as a destination for single male travelers to get laid - with as much variety as they could possibly want. As a beach destination for a couple (unless you are seeking threesomes with Thai ladies), Pattaya is the pits.

If you want nice beach, without flying to either Phuket or Koh Samui, than either go to Hua Hin, or Koh Samed. Personally, I recommend Hua Hin. It's almost as close to Bangkok as Pattaya is (on the opposite side of the Gulf of Thailand) and it is a much cleaner, much more culturally interesting place, with far nicer beaches).