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Pattaya Information |
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PATTAYA ATTRACTIONS
Pattaya Beach
Some 4 kilometres long, this beach faces Pattaya Bay, the major
venue from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore is-lands. 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, depart-ment
stores, boutiques, beauty salons, su-permarkets, bars, discotheques,
restaurants and nightclubs. The central area of the beach is a ma-jor
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 enthu-siasts, 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 com-plexes,
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 snorkelling characterise this uninhabited
island. |
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Botanical Gardens, Parks,
Entertain-ment & Other Attractions
Mini Siam
Situated at kilometre 143 on Sukhumvit Highway, some 3
kilometres from Central Pattaya Road, this complex features minia-ture
reproductions of major cultural and archaeological sites within
Thailand, in-cluding Khmer shrines and the ancient capitals of
Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and features a section of miniaturised major
in-ternational 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 collec-tion
of Bonsai trees, and massive ancient rocks (thus the park's unusual
name) im-ported from Kanchanaburi province. Art-fully landscaped with
flowers and trees, the park contains a crocodile farm, a select
collection of wild animals native to Thai-land and nearing extinction,
a pool con-taining 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 num-ber among facilities, and there is easy ac-cess 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 play-ing 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 fa-cilities, 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 mu-seum, 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 news-papers throughout the
world.
Nong Nooch Orchid
Wonderland
This artfully landscaped botanical garden and country resort,
located at kilometre 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
au-ditorium wherein daily cultural perform-ances 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, bowl-ing, jogging. paintball and
motor-racing. Popular watersports include windsurfing, sailing,
waterskiing, gamefishing, snork-elling and scuba-diving. Opportunities
for less easily definable activities, including bungee jumping and
parasailing, are also available. |
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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 week-days, 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
Burapa Golf Club
Tambon Bung, Amphoe Si Racha (oppo-site Laem Chabang
International Golf Course) Tel: (02) 248-15569
Khao Khiao Country Club
Tambon Bangphra, Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri Tel: (02) 279-4817
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
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
Noble Place Golf Resort &
Country Club
88/8 Mu 6 Ban Bung, Chon Buri Tel: (01) 484-9066, 484-9069
Pattaya Country Club
Highway No. 331, Bang Lamung , Chon Buri Tel: (01) 211-2499,
213-9457
Tennis
Tennis can be enjoyed at 14 Pattaya ho-tels, 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 Inter-national Circuit.
Squash
Squash can be enjoyed at the Cherry Tree pub on the Siam
Country Club Golf Course road, the Dusit Resort Pattaya and Am-bassador
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. Jog-ging is also enjoyable
along the prom-enades 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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WATER SPORTS
Water Skiing
The most popular venues are the northern and southern parts of
Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Ko Lan island. Fresh-water
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 year-round sport in Pattaya's waters. Visitors wishing to
avail themselves of knowledgeable informa-tion regarding sailing rent-als
and seasonal conditions should contact their hotel travel desk, or the
Royal Varuna Yacht Club at Tel: 251-115.
Gamefishing
Expeditions are organised by many operators. Waters surrounding
Manwic-hai, Rin and Kram islands are popular for the pursuit of
marlin, king mack-erel, barracuda and other Gulf denizens.
Major game fishing
operators include :
Bangsaray Fishing Lodge
Km 165 Sukhumvit Highway, Bangsare Vil-lage, 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, particu-larly those furthest from Pattaya Bay,
namely Ko Pai, Ko Manwichai, Ko Luam and Ko Rim. Neophyte divers can
take open water certification courses organised 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 Tlx: 85931 TH
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 through-out the resort, is featured at
sev- eral hotels with their own private beaches, and is perhaps best
enjoyed at Ko Lan where floating 'take-off and landing' plat-forms
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, ca-noeing
and fishing.
After Dark
Major hotels operate gourmet restaurants, cocktail lounges,
discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer excellent food,
drinks, music and international en-tertainment. Such establishments
are ide-ally 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 res-taurants with live music and entertainment compete
for attention. Most such establisments 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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SHOPPING
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. Dining Some of Thailand's
choicest seafood is found in hotel buffets and several spe-cialty
restaurants. Steakhouses, coffeeshops and fast food outlets provide
attractive alternatives. Gourmets and gourmands alike find
satisfaction in numerous restaurants fea- turing regional Thai cuisine
and French, Swiss, German, Italian, English, Scandin-avian, Indian,
Arabic, Indonesian, Japa-nese, Chinese and Korean food. |
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THAI ARTS
Naklua
Road Tel: 429-110, 423125
Pattaya's Annual Festival
Each year, usually during April, the weeklong Pattaya Festival is
celebrated with a wide range of entertainment spec-tacles, including
parades, beauty contests, concerts, food festivals, fireworks and an
exciting calendar of sporting events, including Grand Prix and go-kart
motor-rac-ing, sailing regattas, windsurfing competitions, power boat
racing and fishing con-tests. 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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Information
provided by T.A.T
(Tourism Autority of Thailand) |
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