| Pattaya
Information |
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| Introduction |
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| Pattaya
is 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, and faces the Thai Gulf. Pattaya
is Asia's premier beach resort, and caters with equal appeal
to families, couples and single visitors. Pattaya's relaxing tropical
ambient is synonymous with every ingredient for memorable holidays.Accommodation
ranges from luxuriously appointed beachside hotels with superb convention
facilities to simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both
on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, gamefishing
and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. Theme and amusement parks, offbeat
museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities
and cultural entertainment for all family members. And, after dark,
Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife
with a spectacular variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques,
cocktail lounges and cabarets. Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful
and bucolic, and offers everything an authentic international beach
resort can. |
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| Local Culture |
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| Within twenty years, Pattaya
has been transformed from a sleepy fishing community into an international
resort often referred to as the 'Thai Riviera'. Pattaya is literally a
place where East meets West , both in colour and character, and is probably
the most cosmopolitan place in Thailand after Bangkok. |
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| Major Beaches
& Islands |
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| Pattaya Beach
Some 4 kilometres long, this beach faces Pattaya Bay, the major venue
from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore islands. The beach curves
from north to south and is largely paralleled by a treelined promenade
and beach road which is lined, in the northern and central parts, by
hotels and restaurants. The northern section of the beach is largely
tranquil, while the central and
southern parts become increasingly lively, thanks to a position of shops,
department stores, boutiques, beauty salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques,
restaurants and nightclubs. The central area of the beach is a major
shopping area, while the southern end is one of Pattaya's major nightlife
areas.
Jomtien Beach
This 6-kilometre long, largely straight beach, some 4 kilometres south
of Pattaya, is the most notable of several beaches south of the resort.
The beach is popular with windsurfers and watersports enthusiasts, largely
because the area enjoys brisk and fresh breezes sweeping island from
the Thai Gulf, and because the seas are less congested with boats than
is Pattaya Bay.
Jomtien is also a major residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow
complexes, condominiums and restaurants.
Ko Lan (Lan Island)
Some 15 minutes by speedboat from Pattaya Bay, Ko Lan is the largest
of Pattaya's offshore islands and is a popular venue for watersports
such as windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling and scuba-diving. Viewing
coral reefs through glass-bottomed boats and parasailing are other popular
activities. Island beaches are lined with souvenir stalls selling colourful
beachwear and decorative handicrafts, foodstalls and restaurants. Visitors
seeking greater tranquility can travel to Ko Pai (Bamboo Island), some
35 minutes by speedboat from Pattaya Bay. Quiet, pristine beaches and
clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling characterize this uninhabited
island. |
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| Attractions |
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| Mini Siam
Situated at kilometre 143 on Sukhumvit Highway, some 3 kilometres from
Central Pattaya Road, this complex features miniature reproductions
of major cultural and archaeological sites within Thailand, including
Khmer shrines and the ancient capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and
features a section of miniaturized major international landmarks such
as the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, St Basil's Cathedral and
the Statue of Liberty. The complex also has a go-kart track and a Thai
restaurant.
Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm
Some twenty minutes from central Pattaya, this bucolic enclave features
a landscape of native Thai flora, a fascinating collection of Bonsai
trees, and massive ancient rocks (thus the park's unusual name) imported
from Kanchanaburi province. Artfully landscaped with flowers and trees,
the park contains a crocodile farm, a select collection of wild animals
native to Thailand and nearing extinction, a pool containing giant catfish
native to the Mekong River, and a restaurant. There are daily crocodile
and magic shows.
Pattaya Park
This beachside water amusement park is located between South Pattaya
and Jomtien Beach. Colourful water slides, whirlpools and shallow pools
suitable for small children make the park popular with families. Restaurant
facilities, a fast food corner, changing rooms and lockers number among
facilities, and there is easy access to the beach should visitors prefer
to swim in the sea. The park is overlooked by the 240-metre high Pattaya
Park Tower that contains a revolving restaurant. The tower offers an
exhilarating view of Pattaya and two novel ways, the Pattaya Park Sky
Shuttle and Pattaya Park Tower Jump, of reaching the ground.
Pattaya Elephant Village
Situated on the Siam Country Club Golf Course road, the village features
trained elephants demonstrating time-honoured forestry skills, enjoying
themselves playing football, re-enacting wild elephant hunts and a medieval
war elephant parade in a popular daily afternoon show. Elephant rides
are also available at 9.00 AM.
Phanarak Park
Also on the Siam Country Club Golf Course road, this tropical garden
complex contains a well-stocked lake for fishing enthusiasts, bungalow
accommodation, restaurant facilities, a mini-golf course, jogging and
cycling tracks and boating facilities.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum
Located next to the Royal Garden Resort Hotel inside Royal Plaza Garden,
this museum, only the second of its kind in Asia, features a high technology
theatre adapted from a pilot-training simulator, permanent and special
displays of oddities such as animal freaks and unusual human feats,
based on the popular cartoon feature of the same name which is featured
in newspapers throughout the world.
Nong Nooch Orchid Wonderland
This artfully landscaped botanical garden and country resort, located
at kilometer 163 on Sukhumvit Highway, contains a splendid collection
of native Thai flora, including hundreds of varieties of orchids, ferns,
flowering plants and exotic blooms. The enclave contains numerous Thai-style
residences, an ornamental lake, a large auditorium wherein daily cultural
performances
are presented, featuring folk dances, martial arts and traditions, followed
by the most entertaining of all elephant shows imaginable, an hilarious
form of pachyderm burlesque.
Bottle Art
The world's sole Bottle Art Museum at Km 145.3 on Sukhumvit Highway, has
more than 300 displays of miniature bottles. |
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| Sporting
Opportunities |
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Numerous sporting opportunities
include participant and spectator sports on land and water. Major land
sports include golf, tennis, go-karts, squash, badminton, bowling, jogging.
paintball and motor-racing. Popular watersports include windsurfing, sailing,
waterskiing, gamefishing, snorkeling and scuba-diving. Opportunities for
less easily definable activities, including
bungee jumping and parasailing, are also available. Land
Sports
Golf
Golfers can enjoy challenging rounds at 9 scenic 18-hole courses near
the resort, and a small course at the Asia Hotel. In most cases, clubs,
shoes and other equipment can be rented, and green and caddy fees are
eminently reasonable. During weekdays, there are few courses that need
to be booked in advance.
Major courses in the Pattaya area are:
Bangphra Golf Course
45 Mu 6 Tambon Bangphra, Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri
Tel: (038) 341-149, 341-150 Fax: 341-151
Burapa Golf Club
Tambon Bung, Amphoe Si Racha (opposite Laem Chabang International Golf
Course)
Tel: (02) 248-15569
Khao Khiao Country Club
Tambon Bangphra, Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri
Tel: (02) 279-4817 Fax: 01-353-2511
Laem Chabang International Country Club
106 Mu 4 Tambon Bung, Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri
Tel: (02) 255-3556, 01-485--0639
Panya Resort Country Club
502 Mu 10 Sukhumvit Highway, Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri
Tel: (038) 349-370-81 Fax: 349-365
Phoenix Golf & Country Club
Kilometre 158 Sukhumvit Highway, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chon Buri
Tel: 01-213-3859, (038) 239-391-8
Royal Thai Navy Golf Course
Tambon Phlu Ta Luang, Amphoe Sattahip, Chon Buri Tel: (038) 431-189
Siam Country Club Golf Course
50 Tambon Pong, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chon Buri
Tel: (038) 249-381-7
Si Racha International Golf Club
284-285 Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri
Tel: 01-916-2416, 01-915-6282
Natural Park Hill Country Club
159/1 Sansuk Bangphra Road, Chon Buri
Tel: (038) 393-001-18 Fax: (038) 393-019
Noble Place Golf Resort & Country
Club
88/8 Mu 6 Ban Bung, Chon Buri
Tel: (01) 484-9066, 484-9069 Fax: (01)
212-9327
Pattaya Country Club
Highway No. 331, Bang Lamung , Chon Buri
Tel: (01) 211-2499, 213-9457 Fax: (01) 212- 0278
Tennis
Tennis can be enjoyed at 14 Pattaya hotels, where preference is given
to hotel guests. Certain hotels have tennis coaches.
Go-Karts
Go-karts are available at the 400 and 700-metre track Pattaya Kart Speedway,
at Mini Siam, K.R. Gokart, and the 1,080-metre track for professional
drivers at the Bira International Circuit.
Squash
Squash can be enjoyed at the Cherry Tree pub on the Siam Country Club
Golf Course road, the Dusit Resort Pattaya and Ambassador City, Jomtien.
Paintball
This game of skill, strategy and daring can be enjoyed every day at
the Paintball Parkwhich is located near the Pattaya Kart Speedway.
Badminton
The Pattaya Badminton Court on Soi 17 is open 24 hours daily.
Bowling
Three alleys cater for bowlers, the Pattaya Bowl on Pattaya Road 2,
an alley in the Royal Jomtien Hotel, and the OD Bowl in South Pattaya.
Jogging
A jogging track is an integral part of the pleasantly landscaped Pattaya
Fitness Park located near the summit of Pattaya hill. Certain hotels
have jogging tracks. Jogging is also enjoyable along the promenades
facing Pattaya Bay, and along Jomtien Beach.
Motor Racing
The Bira International Circuit at Km 14 on Route 36 to Rayong periodically
stages international motor and motorcycle racing. The 2.4 kilometre
track is ideal for Formula 3 racing. There are daily opportunities for
speed enthusiasts who enjoy driving their own two-wheeled or four-wheeled
vehicles around the challenging track for nominal fees.
Snooker
Snooker can be enjoyed at the Pattaya Bowl, AR Snooker, Dice Cafe Hall
and the Royal Place Hotel.
Shooting
A handgun and rifle range with 19 fully equipped and airconditioned
galleries is open daily at Tiffany's on Pattaya 2 Road.
Horse Riding
Available at the Horse Sport Centre at Km. 11 on Route 36 (near the
Bira International Circuit). Mountain and jungle rides are made on Australian
thoroughbreds. Riding lessons are offered. |
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| Watersports |
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Water Skiing
The most popular venues are the northern and southern parts of Pattaya
Beach, Jomtien Beach and Ko Lan island. Freshwater water-skiing is available
at Lakeland Cable Water Ski at Kilometre 150.5 on Sukhumvit Highway.
Windsurfing
Jomtien Beach is the major centre for windsurfing. Tuition is widely
available for beginners. The Pattaya Windsurf Club on Jomtien Beach
regularly stages board competitions. October through June are the best
months for windsurfing, thanks to ideal water and wind conditions.
Sailing
The most popular rentals are Lasers, Prindles and Hobie Cats. Sailing
is a yearround sport in Pattaya's waters. Visitors wishing to avail
themselves of knowledgeable information regarding sailing rentals and
seasonal conditions should contact their hotel travel desk, or the Royal
Varuna Yacht Club at Tel: 251-115.
Gamefishing
Expeditions are organized by many operators. Waters surrounding Manwic-hai,
Rin and Kram islands are popular for the pursuit of marlin, king mackerel,
barracuda and other Gulf denizens.
Major game fishing operators include:
Bangsaray Fishing Lodge
Km 165 Sukhumvit Highway, Bangsare Village, Amphoe Sattahip
Tel: (038) 436-757.
Deutches Haus
Soi 4 Beach Road, North Pattaya
Tel: (038) 428-725
Samaesan Fishing Bridge
40/7 Mu 4 Samaesan Village, Amphoe Sattahip
Tel: 01-211-4659
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular around Pattaya's offshore islands,
particularly those furthest from Pattaya Bay, namely Ko Pai, Ko Manwichai,
Ko Luam and Ko Rim. Neophyte divers can take open water certification
courses organized by several local dive shops.
Pattaya's major dive shops include:
Dave's Diver Den
190/11 Mu 9, Central Pattaya Road Road
Tel: (038) 420-411 Fax: 360-095
Divers World
219/76 Soi Yamato, South Pattaya
Tel: 426-517
Mermaid's Dive School
Mermaid Beach Resort, 75/102 Mu 12 Jomtien Beach Road
Tel: (038) 232-219-20, 231-907 Ext. Dive Shop Fax: 232-221
Paradise Divers
Siam Bayview Hotel, 310/2 Mu 10, Beach Road
Tel: (038) 423-871-8 Ext. Paradise Divers Shop Fax:423-879
Piak Diving centre
109/18 Jomtien Beach Road
Tel: 231-008
Scuba Tek Dive Centre
Weekender Hotel, Pattaya 2 Road
Tel: 428-720 Fax: 429-461
Seafari Sport Centre
359/2 Mu 9 Soi 5, North Pattaya
Tel: (038) 429-060
Sunshine Diver
53 Soi 10, Beach Road
Tel: (038) 429-069, (01) 943-8288 Fax: 429-069
The Dolphin Diving Centre
183/29 Mu 10 Soi Post Office
Tel: 427-185, (01) 944-0992 Fax: 427-158
Parasailing
This sport is ubiquitous throughout the resort, is featured at several
hotels with their own private beaches, and is perhaps best enjoyed at
Ko Lan where floating 'take-off and landing' platforms mean flight occurs
exclusively above the sea.
Freshwater Water Sports
These can be enjoyed at the Ban Bung Sailing & Paramotor Centre
some 4 kilometres off Sukhumvit Highway (from Km 150) where there are
facilities for, among other activities, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing
and fishing. |
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| Shopping |
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| South Pattaya is
the major shopping area for beachwear, souvenirs, films, tapes, pharmaceuticals
and liquor. The resort's major gems, jewellery, silk, cotton and handicraft
shops, tailors and boutiques are located in the vicinity of, or adjacent
to, major beachside hotels. The Pattaya 2 Road is also a favourite haunt
for shoppers, with several handicraft and Thai silk shops. Department
stores and allied bazaars in Central Pattaya offer other shopping experiences. |
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| Dining
& Nightlife |
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| Some of Thailand's choicest
seafood is found in hotel buffets and several specialty restaurants.
Steakhouses, coffeeshops and fast food outlets provide attractive alternatives.
Gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in numerous restaurants
featuring regional Thai cuisine and French, Swiss, German, Italian,
English, Scandinavian, Indian, Arabic, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese
and Korean food.
Major hotels operate gourmet restaurants,
cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer
excellent food, drinks, music and international entertainment. Such
establishments are ideally suited to family entertainment. Nightlife
beyond Pattaya's hotels is more liberated and exciting. Discotheques,
transvestite cabarets, nightclubs, coffee shops, karaoke bars, open
air bars and restaurants with live music and entertainment compete for
attention. Most such establishments are located along the Beach Road,
Pattaya 2 Road, and in South Pattaya, which is also the resort's major
shopping area. Up-to-date listings of entertainment and shows are available
in local English language tourism publications. |
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| Transportation |
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Pattaya can be reached
in a comfortable 2 and half hour drive along Sukhumvit Highway via Bang
Pakong, Chonburi and Srirach. And one can also avoid Chonburi by opting
for State Highway 36 (new route - Chonburi - Pattaya - Rayong). or motorway
from Bkk. (Rama 9 Rd. Chonburi)
Air - conditioned and non - air - conditioned coaches regularly leave
from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and Nothern Bus Terminal (Morchit)
on kampaengphet Road throughout the day.
First bus leaves Eastern Bus Terminal at 05:00 hrs. with every half an
hour. Last bus leaves at 23:00 hrs. For more information, please kindly
contact Eastern Bus Terminal (0-2391-2504) for air-conditioned coaches
and 0-2391-8097 for regular coaches and the Nothern Bus Terminal at 0-2936-2852
to 66 (ext : 311) for air-conditioned coaches.
The State Railways of Thailand offers daily train service departing Bangkok's
Hua Lumpong Station at 6.55 a.m. Tel 0-2223-7010, 0-2223-7020. The journey
takes about 3 hours and a half.
Travel within the resort
Traveling around Pattaya is most convenient by mini-buses that continually
ply the Beach Road and Pattaya 2 Road in counterclockwise circuits.
Fares are 5 baht per person per ride. Fares beyond the main bay are
negotiable. Those who wish to be independent, and explore Pattaya's
surrounding countryside and beaches at leisure, can hire motorcycles,
jeeps or cars. The visitor is advised to shop around, and consult local
tourism publications, for different companies offer different prices
and conditions. |
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| Festival |
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| Each year, usually
during April, the week-long Pattaya Festival is celebrated with a wide
range of entertainment spectacles, including parades, beauty contests,
concerts, food festivals, fireworks and an exciting calendar of sporting
events, including Grand Prix and go-kart motor-racing, sailing regattas,
windsurfing competitions, power boat racing and fishing contests. Special
exhibitions and shopping opportunities abound as Pattaya celebrates in
a style befitting its stature as Asia's premier beach resort. |
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