Nearby Activities

Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, about a two-hour drive, Pattaya is Bangkok's closest beach resort; annually attracting hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors.

Windsurfing, water skiing, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, sailing are just some of the activities available. The offshore coral islands offer amazing beauty and relaxing environments. Visitors can rent jet skis or kayaks to explore Pattaya bay. Motorcycles and jeeps are available for further explorations of neighbouring-beaches such as the increasingly popular, but still quieter Hat (Jomtiem) Chom Thian just south of Pattaya.

Tennis and golf opportunities abound. Bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery offer further entertainment Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night shows with broad popular appeal.

Pattaya and Jomtien boast an incredible choice of accommodations to suit every pocketbook. The choices range from luxury hotels with private-beaches through bay side hotels and bungalows to "inland" economy-class hotels and guest houses.

Pattaya offers some of Thailand 's choicest seafood in several specialty restaurants. Steak houses and fast-food outlets provide attractive alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Moslem, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisines.

From families to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.

Attractions:

Pattaya Beach, about 4 kilometres long, has a road running parallel to the beach from the north to the south. The northern part is a more quiet area of the resort while the southern part is hustling and bustling ending with the world famous Walking Street a place of lively action. Both sides of beach road and many others, shops of all kind line up; department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs. Shopping can be just as much fun as in Bangkok .

Hat Jomtien - located 2 kilometres from south Pattaya - offers windsurfing, sailing, swimming and other beach activities. The beach has a long straight coastline with few boats anchored offshore and a wide variety of reasonable accommodations available.

Pattaya Festival - on Beach road - is one of Thailand's most festive times during this annual event, held in April. Food and floral floats, beauty contests, stalls selling local delicacies, and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only a few of the highlights that attract merry-makers.

Mini Siam & Mini Europe - Located near Pattaya Klang (Central) - display Thai and European heritage on a miniature scale. These miniature towns bring together models of important objects and historical sites of different cultures and civilizations from ancient to current. Surrounded by natural scenery, more than 100 models, each on a scale of 1:25, stand in an area of 29 rai (15 acres). Open from 7.00-22.00 hrs, The admission fee is 200 Baht person.

Ripley's Museum Believe It or Not is located on the 3 rd floor of Royal Plaza Building, Beach Road. Odd stories and objects, collected from around the world, are on exhibit here. The museum is open daily during 11.00-21.00 hrs. Admission fee is 100 baht.

Pattaya Park - Between south Pattaya and Hat Chom Thian, is a water amusement park with water sliders, whirlpools and large pool for children. Open from 9.00-18.00 , admission fee is 100 baht.

Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm located some 9 kilometres from Pattaya township, comprises breeding pens with more than 1,000 crocodiles, a zoo, and a bonsai garden decorated with rock formations. Open daily from 8.30-18.00 hrs. There are crocodile shows at 10.00, 11,00 14.00, 15.30, 17.00 hrs. Admission fee is 250 baht per person.

Siam Country Club - With 6,448 yards, par 72 - is one of the country's most challenging courses with lots of wooded hills.

Pattaya Elephant Village - on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Courses - displays elephants, among other things, demonstrating their forestry skills, playing football and re-enacting war elephant parades. The techniques of capturing wild elephants n the north-eastern part of Thailand are exhibits as well. Daily show time is at 14.30 P.M.

Panarak Park - on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Course - offers a tropical garden setting. The park is equipped with gear for fishing a well-stocked pond. Bungalow accommodations, restaurant, jogging and cycling paths, boating and water-cycling give this place a relaxed up-country feel.

The Bira International Circuit - Located at km.14 on Route 36 to Rayong - offers international motor and motorcycle racing. The 2.4 kilometres circuit is ideal for formula 3 races.

Suan Nong Nooch - 15 kilometres from South Pattaya - is a Thai-village-style recreation and vacation park. The 500 acres are beautifully landscaped, with an orchid nursery and other botanical gardens. There are also cultural and traditional performances and an elephant show. Admission fee is 200 baht.

Wat Yansangwararam - 12km south of Pattaya - is a temple under the king's patronage, unique for its Thai architecture. Here a meditation course is offered for men at 6.00 and 18.00 hrs. Nearby is a Chinese-style building called "Wihan Sian" housing antiques and art objects from China . Admission fee is 30 baht.

Bang Saray - a fishing village located 2 kilometres off the main highway - offers deep-sea fishing opportunities.

Ko Lan - 45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minutes by speed boat - is the largest of Pattaya's archipelago. Major attractions include viewing coral reefs from glass bottomed boats, snorkelling, scuba diving, wind-surfing, skiing and parasailing. Many seafood restaurants are located on the island's main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Koh Lan's neighbouring islands such as Koh Khrok and Koh Sak.

Ko Phai - Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail - is currently under the care of the Royal Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day.

All the nearby islands are easy to get to and charters can be arranged through the hotel tour desk or by negotiating a price direct with the boat owners. Boat charters cost 1,00-5,000 baht per day depending on the season and size of the boat.

Or one can just sit in the shade, enjoy the ambiance and, maybe, negotiate a world famous Thai massage on a grass mat under a coconut tree with the sound and smell of the sea.