About Pattaya

PATTAYA – Radiant, Ravishing and Revitalizing:

Every year, thousands and thousands of tourists come to Pattaya to enjoy its sandy sea beaches, beautiful breathtaking islands all around and exciting, lively nightlife. Pattaya offers all possible facilities of modern life at a very low cost – undoubtedly, a good combination to allure anyone. You can stay in any one of its 275 registered hotels, 34 bungalows or 756 guesthouses. The range of cuisines available here is staggering starting from local Thai ‘Hawker' food, regional Thai food like Isaan (Northeast), Southern and Royal Thai, Indian, Bangladeshi, Punjabi, Italian, Greek, American, Irish, German, Japanese, Belgium, Swedish, French, English, Seafood, and so much more. You can kick your heels at one of its three world class bowling alleys, play tennis on one of the 20 courts, play golf in any of the 18 brilliant golf courses within 40 kilometers of Pattaya, and go for guided tours to amazing destinations nearby with any one of the 78 registered tour companies. You name it – Pattaya has it all – a radiant, ravishing, and revitalizing experience awaiting you by the blue seashore of Pattaya.

ATTRACTIONS IN PATTAYA

Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and correctly pronounced "Patti-yah" not "Patt-eye-yah" this lively destination located roughly 150 kilometers from Bangkok ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world. Each year a million and a half visitors enjoy its myriad attractions, and the number keeps growing. Although frequently criticized for its spicy nightlife, it satisfies the needs of leisure travelers in a way that few other destinations can match, anywhere.

Pattaya's tree-lined main beach extends for roughly 4 kms, commencing at the Amari Orchid Resort (the 'quiet end') and terminating at South Pattaya "strip" in a crowded shopping area which is also home to most of the of the discos, and nightlife. A short taxi ride further south brings you to Jomtien beach, which is longer, less crowded, and a base for many water sports.

Khao Pattaya or Khao Phra Bat is a small hill to the south of Pattaya Beach . And asphalt road leads up to the hilltop. Khao Pattaya is now the site of the Naval radio station. A sacred Buddha image is also enshrined on the hilltop. At the foot of the hill is a Health Park which attracts joggers and ordinary tourists wishing to get a panoramic view of Pattaya City and Pattaya Bay .

Hat Chomthian (Jomtien) is a km.-long beach and only 4 kilometers from Pattaya. A beach road runs parallel to the shores along which are hotels and other accommodation facilities. Less noisy than Pattaya, it is popular as a site for relaxation, swimming and water-sports.

Wong Phrachan Beach is on the northern side of Pattaya Bay. The 1 kilometer beach shares the same entrance as the Central Wong Amat Hotel. A quiet spot, the beach is ideal swimming and relaxation.

The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, the Park has breeding pens with more than 1000 crocodiles, a zoo and a bonsai garden. The Million Years Stone Park& pattaya crocodile farm located on an over-70-acre piece of land just 15 minutes' drive from pattaya, this Park & Farm are great for a day out with with kids, take a photograph with small tigers, visit the money show and Crocodile show. Shows are repeated several times a day. The park has also a small zoo attached with, Elephants, Tigers and other animals.

 

Mini Siam, displaying Thai Heritage on a miniature scale, they bring together more than 100 models of important historical sites from Thailand.  This from Sukhothai to Ayuthadya and Rattanakosin period. The park is both at daytime as well as nighttime beautiful. At nighttime theere are lights inside all houses and along the walking path.

Noong Nooch Tropical Garden a nice Tropical garden, in village scenery set in 600 acre landscaped park with artificial waterfall and lake where you can canoeing. It features orchid nurseries and a cactus garden. There is an Arts and Craft center and presentations of Thai traditional dance (3 times a day), marital arts, and a Cockfighting every day. Of course this attraction also has an Elephant show.

The Village have overnight accommodation in Cottages, traditional Thai houses and bungalows.

Pattaya Elephant Village stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants-at-work in the jungle, elephants playing football and a grand war elephants parade. Elephant rides around the village. The-one-hour-long elephant shows are held at 14.30 hrs.

The Bottle Museum is located at Km. 145 of Highway No. 3 As its name implies, it specializes in glass bottle containing elaborately crafted creation, including the usual vessels. The exhibits are the works of the Dutch master Peter Bedelais.

Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic temple-like structure situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet on Naklua Road, North Pattaya. With exquisite architectural features, the sanctuary was conceived out of the vision that human civilization has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.

The Ripley's believe It or Not Odditorium , situated in the Royal Garden Plaza on Beach Road , has a large collection of stories of oddities from every corner of the globe.

The Motion Master Moving Theatre , also in the Royal Garden Plaza , offer hi-tech screening of motions and movements as experienced in real life.

Underwater World Pattaya is the largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia, with a 100-meter-long, 6.4-centimeter-thick Plexiglas pedestrian tunnel through an underwater environment filled with dozens of marine species.

CABARET SHOWS

Alcazar on Pattaya II Road with three shows daily at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9.30 p.m. Extra show on Saturday at 11 p.m.

Tiffany on Pattaya II Road with three shows daily at 7 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.

The Monkey Training Centre, located in Soi Chaiyaphruk off Highway No. 3 at Km. 151, displays the intelligence of monkeys trained to climb and pick coconuts and undertake other activities. There is also cock-fighting, with is a traditional pastime of rural Thailand . A snake show is also staged.

A little under 3 kilometers on Phonpraphanimit Road off Sukhumvit is a canine training facility. The World Dog Centre has more than 250 different species of dogs and stages daily shows by well-trained police dogs four times daily.

The Pattaya Park at Chomtien features a large water park with giant sliders and a tower to enjoy the view of Pattaya. There is also a revolving restaurant.

Off-shore Islands

Off-shore are several popular small isles where visitors can enjoy scuba-diving to view underwater corals. Tour counters within hotels can make the necessary arrangement. Alternatively, boats can be rented around the Beach Road or at the South Pattaya landing. Several types of vessels are available.

Ko Lan is some 7.5 kilometers or 45 minutes by ferry from Pattaya. The 2 km. x 5 km. land area offers several white, sandy beaches such as Hat Ta Waen to the north. This is where most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the food-shops and stalls along the shore. Hat Laem Thian and Hat Samae are located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island. Facing Hat Ta Phan are coral ranges. To the south are some hotels and is another site to view coral reefs. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving.

Getting there: A ferry leaves South Pattaya pier daily from 10 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. One-way fare is 20 baht. On return, the ferry leaves Ko Lan's Na Ban Beach at 12 noon and 2 p.m. speed boats are also available at South Pattaya beach.

Some 8 kilometers off Pattaya Beach is Ko Khrok , an isle almost totally surrounded by rock formations. A gap of 100 meters to the east is a stretch of sandy beach from which visitors can go and enjoy viewing underwater coral reefs. This island can be reached by chartered boat from South Pattaya .

Some six hundred meters further from Ko Lan, or about 10 kilometers from Pattaya is Ko Sak , a small island shaped like an upturn horse-shoe. There are two connecting beaches to the north and south. Along the south shore are ranges of corals. Ko Sak can be reached by chartered boat from South Pattaya .

Two hours, 23 kilometers from Pattaya are the Ko Phai Islands , the largest of which is Ko Phai. Others include Ko Manwichai, Ko Luam and Ko Klungbadan . The area is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. However, visitors are allowed for swimming, relaxation or diving but only during daytime. Overnight stays are not permitted.

SPORTS FACILITIES

The Bira International Circuit , about 15 kilometers from Pattaya on the Pattaya-Rayong Road (Highway No. 36), organizes motor and/or motorcycle races regularly over the weekends.

The Pattaya Cart Speedway is a small racing track about 5 kilometers south of Pattaya on Thep Prasit Road . Open both professional and amateur drivers, it is open daily from 9.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.

The Lakeland Water Cable Ski , at Km. 150.5 on Highway No. 3, is about 5 kilometers from Pattaya. Cable ski equipments are available for use at its large fresh-water lake.

On the bank of the Huai Sak Nok reservoir off Sukhumvit Highway at Km. 150, the Bamrung Sport Club offers instructions and facilities for water sports such as wind-surfing, Sailing, para-motor and para-gliding. There are also facilities for horse-riding and canoeing, catamaraning and kayaking.

 The Pattaya Horse-Riding Training Center , at Km. 11 on Highway No. 36, has horses for hire.

Five kilometers on Phonprapha Nimit Road off Highway No. 3 at Km. 145, the Panararak Park is a nature-based recreation facility. With fishing gears for rent, visitors can relax in a game of fishing.