Travel within the Resort
Traveling around Pattaya is most convenient by mini-buses that continually ply the Beach Road and Pattaya 2 nd Road in counterclockwise circuits. Fares are 5 Baht per person per ride.
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. ATTRACTIONS IN PATTAYA
The half-moon-shaped Pattaya Beach is about 4 kilometers long with a road running parallel to the beach. From mid-section to the southern end of the area are a vast array of restaurants, bars, department stores, as well as other places of entertainment. To the north of the beach are various mini-resorts and hotels in a more quiet atmosphere. Fore local transportation, the “Song Thaeo” mini-buses ply the routes along the Beach Road and Pattaya 2 nd Road .
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.
Suan Chaloemphrakiat ( Fitness Park ) is at foot of Pattaya hill on Phratamnark Road . This small park, covering a large area, was dedicated to commemorate His Majesty the King's sixtieth birthday on December 5, 1988 . The gardens of the park boast a wide variety of flowering plants. There are also multipurpose facilities. On any given day, a large number of people will relax, jog, exercise or simple enjoy the scenery of Pattaya in the park.
The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm , located some 9 kilometers from Pattaya city. Its grounds are beautifully landscaped with flowering and rock gardens. Hundreds of crocodiles as well as some rare animals, including albino bears and horses, are kept. There are crocodile shows, magic performances and animal shows 6 times a day from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The compound is open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission fee is 300 baht. Call (038) 249347-9 or (02) 579 4008, 579 5033 for mare information.
Getting there: Drive along Highway No. 3 (Sukhumvit) until you come to Km. 140 near Sawangfa Temple , then turn into Chaiyaphonwithi (Route No. 3024) and continue for 5 kilometers.
Mini Siam , located at Km. 143 on Highway No. 3, is a wonderland of miniature replicas of such outstanding architectural work as the Temple of the Buddha. Democracy Monument , Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Replicals if places of world significance are also displayed in the “mini-world” area. These include the Tower Bridge , Eiffel Tower , the Statue of liberty and Trevi Fountain. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Admission fee is 200 baht. Call (038) 421628, 424232 or (02) 271 1896, 616 1533 for more information.
Located on Phonpraphanimit Road which is off Highway No. 3 at Km. 145, the 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. Contact counter in Tropicana Hotel, Tel: (038) 24145-7, 249818.
Elephant shows are also operated in other places. Most of them are located on Sukhumvit Road . These include Ban Chang Thai Tel: (038) 706289, Utthayan Chang Tel: (038) 716379, Thin Chang Thai Tel: (038) 756516, 756577, Suan Chang Tel: (038) 756517 and Farm Chang Thai Tel: (038) 237825
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. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Admission fee is 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. Call (038) 422957
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. It is open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission fee is 500 baht Tel: (038) 225407
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. Admission fee is 280 baht for adults and 230 baht for children.
The Motion Master Moving Theatre , also in the Royal Garden Plaza , offer hi-tech screening of motions and movements as experienced in real life. Open from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Tel: (038) 710294-8
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. Admission fee is 500/600 baht Call (038) 410225 for more information.
Tiffany on Pattaya II Road with three shows daily at 7 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. Admission fee is 500/600 baht Call (038) 429642, 421700-5 for more information.
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.
There are five shows daily at 9 a.m. , 11 a.m. , 12 noon , 2 p.m. , and 5 p.m. Admission fee is 250 baht. Call (038) 756367, 756570 for more information.
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. Admission fee is 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. Call (038) 731275-6 for information.
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. Tel: (038) 251201-8 or (02) 579 9612-4, 941 2056.
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.
Sport 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. For more information, call (02) 280 3547, 522 1731-8.
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. Tel: (038) 422044.
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. Open daily 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tel: (038) 232690-2
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. Tel: (038) 249841.
The Pattaya Horse-Riding Training Center , at Km. 11 on Highway No. 36, has horses for hire. Tel: (038) 225149.
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. Tel: (038) 249605-6 |
