Pattaya is a seaside resort on
the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok. Pattaya
is mostly famous for its go-go and beer bars, but local authorities have made
some efforts to provide more family-friendly attractions and activities.
Although the sex industry is still going strong and sex tourism remains the key
money earner for Pattaya, the resort also attracts local families and
holidaymakers from around the world. If you are going to be offended by the
sight of fat old men hand in hand with young Thai women, then Pattaya is
probably not the place for you.
Pattaya occupies most of the
coastline of Bang Lamung District (one of the eleven districts that comprise
Chonburi Province).
Pattaya's downtown area is easy
to get around. Running north-south, a few hundred metres apart, are Beach Road
(Thanon Hat Pattaya, sometimes also referred to as First Road) which borders
the main beach (Hat Pattaya), Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Third Road (with
the smaller but busy Soi Buakhao in between), and the main Sukhumvit Road
coastal highway. Beach Road is one-way (southbound), likewise Second Road
(northbound).
These are connected by the three
major east-west aligned roads: North Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Nua), Central
Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya
Tai). North Pattaya Road is a dual carriageway and carries the highest volume
of traffic to and from Sukhumvit Road.
Beach Road, Second Road, and
North Pattaya Road (plus Naklua Road to the north) all meet at the Dolphin
Roundabout landmark. Heavy traffic and frequent accidents here have resulted in
a semi-permanent diversion being set up which, at peak times, prevents vehicles
(except motorcycles) from continuing around this roundabout any further than
the North Pattaya Road exit, pending the installation of traffic lights some
time in 2006.
GET AROUND
The city-produced "Official
Map of Pattaya" is available at Pattaya
City Hall, and may also be available from the Pattaya Police, the Tourist
Police and the Immigration Police.
By songthaew
Songthaews are also known as
public passenger pick-up vehicles.
Apart from a handful of privately
operated examples, Pattaya has no tuk-tuks and most ad hoc local transport is
undertaken by a flotilla of over 700 dark blue coloured songthaews, pickup
trucks converted to buses, also called Baht Buses
Avoid asking destination when
using songthaew, as many drivers will charge 100-200 baht. If you know the
direction, it's recommended to just ride the songthaew without asking for a
destination. That way you will just pay 10 baht per person no matter how far
you go.
Flat fares only apply when
operating as a bus. Beware the driver of an otherwise empty songthaew,
especially one that's parked at the roadside, who might presume that you want
to charter a taxi, in which case expect a much higher fare of 100 baht or more,
depending on your negotiating skills. Taxis in Pattaya do not use the metres at
all, and unless you can speak Thai, start at 150 baht and up.
If you're overcharged by a
songthaew driver, note the three digit vehicle number (top left corner of the
windscreen, also stenciled on both sides and in the back) and report the
problem to:
·
Pattaya City Manager: dial 038429216
·
Banglamung District Baht Bus Cooperative: dial
038221271 / 038423554
By local bus
As by march 2012 a local bus line,
called Beach Bus, is running a circular line: Pattaya Floating Market -
Chaiyapreuk - Jomtien Beach Road - Thappraya – Pattaya Second Road – Dolphin
Roundabout – Northern Bus Terminal – City Hall – Pattaya Beach Road – Walking
Street - Thappraya - Jomtien Beach Road - Chaiyapreuk - Pattaya Floating
Market. The ticket costs 30 baht.
By motorbike taxi
The quickest way to get around is
by motorcycle (motosai). A moto-taxi will be less expensive than a songthaew
charter, but arguably less safe. Roadside moto-taxi stands are scattered
throughout town, and waiting drivers usually clap their hands or sometimes call
out to attract the attention of potential passengers; alternatively just flag
down the next available one that cruises by, as the drivers are easily
identified by their coloured vests. Some will carry two (or more!) passengers -
although this is illegal. Foreigners can expect to pay around 30-40 baht for
trips around the inner parts of town.
By taxi
Although meter-taxis are a common
sight in and around Pattaya, very few will accept a metered fare. All are from
Bangkok. Their drivers bring passengers from the capital and then operate
locally until a return fare becomes available. You should haggle before the
journey with whatever fare they've quoted.
By bicycle
Not easy to find a bicycle for
rent! There is one shop at the northern end of Pattaya.
By car
If considering renting a vehicle,
bear in mind that traffic in Pattaya can seem very erratic by Western
standards, and that driving on the left can be confusing not only for those who
have previously only ever driven on the right, but also for those unfamiliar
with the common Thai practice (even the police do this) of motorcycling
alongside the kerb on the "oncoming" side of the road, or the wrong
way up one-way streets. The latter problem is especially prevalent in the
Pattaya Bay area, where the majority of the roads in the main tourism zones are
one-way; and the northern section of Second Road requires great care as some
treat the right-hand "bus" lane as oncoming, while others do not.
Motorcycles and scooters
Motorcycle rentals are a very
popular way to get around, but not the safest, especially in the case of
visitors with limited previous experience of motorcycling and Eastern traffic
habits, and even more so in Pattaya given the large number of
motorcycle-mounted holidaymakers who seem hell-bent on a Darwin Award. Also
note that a motorcyclist carrying a shoulder bag, and anything placed in the
front basket of a motorcycle, makes an especially easy target for
bag-snatchers. Also beware the "No Parking" signs; fines are
typically 400-500 baht.
Motorbikes can be rented without
difficulty at countless locations in Pattaya, including many hotels and guesthouses,
usually without having to produce a licence; however it's common for foreigners
to be asked to deposit their passports as security (to avoid this, simply shop
around until you find one of the many places that will accept a photocopy
instead); cash deposits are also often required. Motorcycle rentals do not
include insurance, and both motorcycling accidents and motorbike thefts are
common. Some outlets have a third-party cover which covers you for medical
attention. If motorbikes don't carry this insurance they are illegal and should
not be entertained. One renter who has this cover is Nittayas who operates from
Soi 12 Naklua.
Cars and jeeps
Cars can easily be rented, and
are a good way to explore beyond the city limits, but they are not such a
practicable way to get around the busiest central areas as traffic can be
congested, and parking spaces can be difficult to find in the evening and on weekends.
However, the major supermarkets offer free parking, and low-cost parking is
available at the major shopping venues such as Royal Garden Plaza, Central
Festival, & Big C on Second Road. Getting the correct type of insurance
cover on any rental car in Thailand is extremely important.
Quads
Small fleet of assorted models
can be found at some Travel Agents
PLACE OF INTEREST
Beaches
The three kilometres long Pattaya Beach runs along the city
centre. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all
along the road facing the beach. The street south of Beach Road, Walking
Street, comes alive with rock music as the night sets in. People throng the
street to experience the night life, which is unique in all respects. There are
hundreds of beer bars, go-go bars, discotheques around the area. Muay Thai, the
Thai Boxing, an open arena in some of the beer bars are exciting to the hilt.
Pattaya Bay
Another beach in Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, more popular among
family vacationers, is on the southern part of the city, and separated from the
main Pattaya Bay by Buddha hill. Jomtien is more calm and
serene compared to the crowded Pattaya Beach and a paradise for water sports
enthusiasts. Jomtien is also popular for its amusement park and tower, to keep
children entertained. The one km long, Wong
Phrachan Beach, situated on the Northern part of the Pattaya Beach is a
favourite among swimmers.
Jomtien Beach
The northern end of Pattaya Bay
is occupied by Wong Amat Beach,
which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha
Hill, headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, there are several more
smaller beaches.
Wong Amat Beach
Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach, to the far north, is the
main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach and then Palm Beach further
south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of
Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more
suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.
Naklua Bay
Sacred places
·
Ban
Sukhawadee, 219 Moo 2, Sukhumvit Rd, Mon-Fri 08:30–18:00,
Sat-Sun, hols 08:00-18:00. This is the residence of Dr. Panya Chotithewan.
Visitors can enter the house to pay respect to the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, to see
the spacious conference room and the roof. Entrance fee applicable.
·
Buddha
Hill (Khao Phra Tam Nak), (between Thap Praya Road and Phratamnak Road;
5-10 mins by songthaew). Buddha Hill is one of the highest points in Pattaya.
At the summit is the biggest Buddha statue in Pattaya, and nearby is a
beautiful Chinese-style sacred area dedicated to Confucius and Lao-zi. The next
hill, just across the Phra Tam Nak Road, has the best Pattaya Bay coastline
viewpoint and is also worth a visit, especially for sunset. The locals come
here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of
Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regarded as the founding father of the
modern Thai navy.
·
Chaloemphrakiat
Park. A park at the foot of Khao Pattaya. With an area of 6 acres, the park
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 and offer a scenic view of Pattaya. There are also multipurpose grounds
and winding trails for walking or jogging and standard exercise facilities. It
is not at all obvious how to access the gardens of the park from the summit,
and those from overseas should ask a local for guidance.
·
Sanctuary
of Truth, 206/2 Moo 5, Soi 12, Naklua Rd, 09:00-18:00 daily. This huge
ancient-style wooden temple is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North
Pattaya. The entrance is at Soi 12, Na Kluea Road. The Sanctuary of Truth was
first begun in 1981 by Mr. Lek Wiriyaphan, the founder of the Ancient City in
Samut Prakan Province. With exquisite a unique architectural features, the
building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been
achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth. It is an unfinished
project, but worth a visit even now. Entrance fee applicable.
·
Wat
Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan, (turn left from Sukhumvit Road, at Km. 160
for 5km). It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present
Supreme Patriarch, and later was supported by His Majesty the King. At the
entrance are situated international pavilions presenting each country’s
national architectural style around the pond. Within the compound of the temple
are the Mondop where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined, a large
Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha, as well as, his enlightened
followers, and Wihan Phra Yanaret. It is open from 8.00AM-4.00PM. Moreover,
there is a place where the Royal Project for Agricultural Training Centre and
Wildlife Preservation Area are located.
Museums and galleries
·
Anek
Kuson Sala (Wihan Sian), (entrance is a bit prior to Wat Yanasangwararam,
800 metres from the intersection at the reservoir), 08:30-17:00 daily. Anek
Kuson Sala is an art gallery with high-class Chinese architecture and fine arts
constructed in 1987 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s
Birthday. Inside is an exhibition displaying precious antiques such as the
large white jade Bodhisattva Kwan Yin's image, terra-cotta soldiers and horses
from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, an emperor’s golden throne, ancient
paintings and pottery. Entrance fee applicable.
·
Liam's
Gallery, Soi 4 Pratamnak Rd, Moo 12. Liam's Gallery exhibits and sells
original art works from Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.
·
Ripley's
Believe It Or Not, Second Rd or Beach Rd (on the third floor of Royal
Garden Plaza), 11:00-23:00 daily. At the same location there's also a
"Haunted Experience" show, a 4D movie theatre and "Infinity
Maze" game. Various combination tickets available to enter all four.
Entrance fee applicable.
Theme parks
·
Mini Siam,
(on Sukhumvit Road, surrounded by Soi 33), 07:00-22:00 daily. Mini Siam
features miniature replicas of iconic structures from Thailand and all over the
world. It is one of the most famous model villages in the world. It celebrates
the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments
and historical sites including the Temple
of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy
Monument, and Bridge over the River
Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai etc.
Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of
Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called
"miniworld". Entrance fee applicable.
·
Nong
Nooch Tropical Garden, 163 Sukhumvit Rd (15 minutes east of town centre).
Beautiful gardens with waterfalls, elephant shows, "Cultural
Extravaganza" performances 4 times a day, restaurants and so forth -
enough to fill an entire day. Entrance fee applicable.
·
Siriphon
Orchid Farm, 235/14 Moo 5, Noen Phlap Wan Rd (turn left for 800 metres from
Sukhumvit Road, diagonally across the Pattaya Klang intersection). Inside the
farm are various kinds of orchids to be admired and purchased such as Pompadua,
Vanda, Golden Shower, and Cattleya.
·
Three
Kingdoms Theme Park, 100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong (adjacent to Horseshoe Point,
20 minutes from Pattaya). 10:00-17:00 daily. This is a Chinese-style garden
filled with pagodas, murals and figures from the Chinese epic San Guo Zhi, and
more an expression of filial piety than a theme park. Perhaps worth a quick
look on a slow day, but unlikely to offer much to visitors not familiar with
the story. Entrance fee applicable.
Animals and zoos
·
The
Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, Chaiyaphonwithi Road (15 minute
drive from central Pattaya). 08:30-18:30 daily. Features an exotic zoo,
crocodile, fire-swallowing and magic shows, as well as the garden and stone
park. Its grounds are 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 7 times a
day from 09:00-17:00. Entrance fee applicable.
·
Pattaya
Elephant Village, 54/1 Moo 2, Tambon Nong Prue. This elephant camp focuses
on daily life of elephants and their masters and also offers stage shows
demonstrating how to catch wild elephants, elephants-at-work in the jungle,
elephants playing football and a grand war elephants’ parade. The shows are
held daily at 14:30 and last one hour. A one-hour elephant ride is available
from 08:00-17:30 and rafting trekking three-hour is available from
10:00-15:30PM. Fee applicable.
·
Underwater
World, 22/22 Moo 11, Sukhumvit Rd. 09:00–18:00
daily, feeding times 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00. This is a
relatively small aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the
Gulf of Thailand. Visitors can walk through the acrylic pedestrian tunnel and
witness various kinds of fish swimming in the 180 degree area. The tunnel is 105
metres long divided into 4 zones; the first zone where there are beautiful and
rare fish such as angel fish, cleaning wrasse and butterfly-fish, the second
zone displays soft-bone ones such as sharks, stingrays, while those in the
third zone are the economic ones such as the Napoleon-fish, groupers, pomfrets,
hawksbill turtles, and green turtles which reside around a replica of
shipwreck; the fourth zone is a special one where fish from the Amazon River
are on display. Moreover, there is marine life feeding shows, both on the
surface of the water and underwater in each zone. It is possible to dive in the
tank with the fish for a cost of 2500baht for 30 minutes. Entrance fee
applicable.
Wineries
·
Silverlake
Winery Pattaya- the first famous and only vineyard in the East of Thailand.
There are beautiful view for photo and drama shooting. Grape and vine products
are also sell and it plenty of the colorful flowers. Silverlake becomes popular
owing to spectacular natural views. Visitors, they can relax with colorful of
flowers, what’s more the activity that attract visitors are riding an ATV,
horse-drawn carriage, Elephant, bicycle and look around the yard by a round
trip by bus. Visitors can go there by a metered taxi, Songthaew or own car. For
own car go on Sukhumvit Road to the Sattahip direction.
ACTIVITIES
Pattaya's main
beaches are popular and busy places for activities. Some of these include
banana-boat rides, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and the
like; anyone who just wants to enjoy a simple swim or a good splash around with
a frisbee or rented inner tube will always find themselves with plenty of
company as well.
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