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PATTAYA
Pattaya is 147 kilometers 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 ambience 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, fishing 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.
Local Culture
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 color and character, and is
probably the most cosmopolitan place in Thailand after Bangkok.
Major Beaches & Islands
Pattaya Beach
Some 4 kilometers 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 tree lined 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 juxtaposition of shops, department stores, boutiques, beauty
salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques, restaurants
Jomtien Beach
This 6-kilometer long, largely straight beach, some 4
kilometers south of Pattaya, is the most notable of several
beaches south of the resort. The beach is popular with windsurfs
and water-sports enthusiasts, largely because the area enjoys
brisk and fresh breezes sweeping inland 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
water sports such as windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling and
scuba diving. Viewing coral reefs through glass-bottomed boats
and parasailing are other popular activities. Island beaches are
lined with souvenir stalls selling colorful beachwear and
decorative handicrafts, food stalls 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.
Botanical Gardens, Parks, Entertainment & Other Attractions
Mini Siam
Situated at kilometer 143 on Sukhumvit Highway, some 3
kilometers 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. Colorful 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 240-meter high Pattaya Park Tower that contains a
revolving restaurant overlooks the park. 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-honored
forestry skills, enjoying themselves playing football,
re-enacting wild elephant 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.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum
Located next to the Royal Garden Resort Hotel inside Royal
Plaza Garden. This museum is second of its kind in Asia -
features a high technology theater 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 and
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.
Sporting
Opportunities
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 water-sports include
windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, fishing, 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.
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-meter track
Pattaya Kart Speedway, at Mini Siam, K.R. Go-kart, 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 Park, which 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-kilometer 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
air-conditioned galleries is open daily at Tiffany's on Pattaya
2 Road.
Horse Riding
Available at the Horse Sport Center at Km. 11 on Route 36
(near the Bira International Circuit). Mountain and jungle rides
are made on Australian thoroughbreds. Riding lessons are
offered.
Water-sports
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
Kilometer 150.5 on Sukhumvit Highway.
Windsurfing
Jomtien Beach is the major center for windsurfing. Tuition
is widely available for beginners. The Pattaya Windsurf Club on
Jomtien Beach regularly stages board competitions. October
through June is 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 year-round 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.
Game fishing
Many operators organize expeditions. Waters surrounding
Manwichai, Rin and Kram islands are popular for the pursuit of
marlin, king mackerel, barracuda and other Gulf denizens.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving and snorkeling 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.
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 & Para motor
Center some 4 kilometers off Sukhumvit Highway (from Km 150)
where there are facilities for, among other activities,
windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and fishing.
Nightlife
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.
Shopping
South Pattaya is the major shopping area for beachwear,
souvenirs, films, tapes, pharmaceuticals and liquor. The
resort's major gems, jewelry, 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 favorite haunt for shoppers, with several handicraft and Thai
silk shops. Department stores and allied bazaars in Central
Pattaya offer other shopping experiences.
Dining
Some of Thailand's choicest seafood is found in hotel
buffets and several specialty restaurants. Steakhouses, coffee
shops 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.
Pattaya's Annual Festival
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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