Will be travelling to Pattaya: Advice?

Hi! I'm looking for a bit of advice.

I'll be travelling to Pattaya on the 15th to visit a friend, and I'll probably be staying for about a week. The thing is, I know almost nothing about the city. Pretty much everything I've heard comes from my friend, who has constantly described it as little more than a crime-ridden, drug-fueled city full of organized crime. Needless to say, that's made me a bit anxious.

AGAIN, aside from what my friend has told me, I REALLY don't know anything about Pattaya and some stuff I've read on Google didn't really help either.

For those who know the city, what should I avoid? What's the safest way to get around, and do you have any general tips for staying safe while making the most of my visit?

Thanks in advance.