An internationally well-known seaside resort, Pattaya is a vibrant city night and day. Its population is a colourful potpourri of mixed nationalities from near and far. A vast range of tourism-releated activities await the pleasure of visitors, from relaxing on the beach, actively taking part in land and sea-based sports to visiting the scores of attractions in and around Pattaya.
History
The Vietnam War and its warriors made Pattaya a well-known recreational centre, especially among American GI's. From its beginning in 1959 with a small private bungalow where American officers on leave took turn to come and rest, this sleepy village by the sea has grown and changed dramatically into the world's hot spot. This rapid growth renders an autonomous administrative body that can manage the city without much delay. In 1978, Pattaya was thus incorporated as the city manager.
How to get there
By Car:
Pattaya is located 147 kilometres from Bangkok and can be reached in a comfortable 2-hour drive. There are two convenient ways to get there.
1. By the Bangkok-Chon Buri -pattaya Motorway
2.By Bang na-Trat Highway
By Bus:
Air-conditioned buses regularly Leave Bangkok's Ekkamai and Mo Chit bus terminals throughout the day. The journey takes about two and a half hours.
From the Eastern Bus Terminal
From the Mochit 2 Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng phet 2 Road.,buses leave for Pattaya every 30 minutes from 4.30a.m.-10.00p.m. Contact to Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Tel.029362852-66
Travel within the Resort
Travelling around Pattaya is most convenient by mini-buses that continually ply the Pattaya Beach Road., and Pattaya 2 Road., in counter-clockwise circuits.
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
Underwater World(อันเดอร์วอเตอร์ เวิลด์)
is located on the Sukhumvit-Nong Prue Road and is an 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 butterflyfish, the second zone displays soft-bone ones such as sharks, stingrays, while those in the third zone are the economic ones such as the Napoleonfish, 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 and the biggest ones are on display. Moreover, there are marine life feeding shows,both on the surface of the water and underwater in each zone. It is open everyday from 9.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.
Mueang Pattaya
Hat Pattaya(หาดพัทยา) the half-moon-shaped Pattaya beach is about 4 kilometres long with Road., running parallel to the beach. The beaches have been renovated with shady footpaths along the clean sandy beach taking a walk, lazing, jogging or cycling around here.
North Pattaya and Central Pattaya are not as bustling as the south beach. In the old days, many first class hotels are located in this area. South Pattaya, with its lively atmosphere of nightclups, beer bars, restaurants, shopping complexs, and other businesses, this is the heart of the city. Several kinds of aquatic sport gear are available for rent on the beach.
Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat(เขาพระตำหนักหรือเขาพระบาท) This small hill is located between South Pattaya and Chom Thian. It is a vantage point for a panoramic view of the whole city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. Locals and visitors come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is resgared the "founding father of the modern Thai navy." and Suan Chaloemphrakiat Khao Phra Tam Nak Road., This is a fitness 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 December5, 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.
Hat Chom Thain (หาดจอมเทียน) This 6-kilometre-long beach is only 4 kilometre from Pattaya. A beach Road., runs parallel to the shore along which are hotels and restaurants. Less noisy than Pattaya, it is popular as a site for relaxation,swimming and water-sports.
The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm (อุทยานหินล้านปีและฟารม์จรเข้พัทยา) This popular attraction is 9 kilometres from Pattaya on Chaiyaphonwithi Road., off HighwayNo.3 at Kms. 140. Its ground 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 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. The compound is open daily from 8.30 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Admission:300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. Tel.03824 9347-9 or www.thaistonepark.org for more information.
Mini Siam (เมืองจำลองพัทยา) is located at k.m. 143 on Sukhumvit Road., Highway No3, North Pattaya, Mini Siam is one of 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, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai etc. Minature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Status of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called "miniworld" The compound is open daily from 7.00a.m.-10.00 p.m. Admission: 250 baht for adults and 120 baht for children. Tel.038421628,038727333,038727333
Pattaya Elephant Village(หมู่บ้านช้างพัทยา) is Located at Km.146, 7 Kilometres from Central Pattaya on Phonpraphanimit Road., 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 juncle, elephants playing football and a grand war elephants parade. The shows are held daily at 2.30 p.m. and last one hour. The ticket costs 500 baht per person. A one-hour elephant ride is available from 8 a.m.-5.30 p.m. at 900 baht and rafting trekking three-hour is available from 10.00 a.m.-3.30 p.m. at 1,800 baht .contact counter in Tropicana Hotel, Tel.038249145-7, 038249818 or www.elephant-village-pattaya.com. - The Ripley's Believe It Or not Odditorium (พิพิธภัณฑ์ริบลีส์เชื่อหรือไม่) is a museum of a large collection of more than 300 stories and pieces of oddities and amazements from all over the world, owned by Mr. Robert Ripley, an American man. Examples of the pieces are a three-legged horse, a four-eyed man, a miniature of a human's head and a shark museum. Entrance fee is 380 baht for adults and 280 baht for children.
- Four-Dimensional Cinema (โรงภาพยนตร์ 4 มิติ) is a cinema of the future with a special system, creating a feeling of being in an actual situation among the viewers. Entrance fee is 200 baht.
- The Miracle Labyrinth(มหัศจรรย์เขาวงกต) Witness the modern special effects of lights, colours and sounds in the 16 rooms, as well as, admire the beauty of the mysterious dimensions and illusions. Entrance fee is 380 baht.
- The Haunting Warehouse (โกดังผีสิง) Take an adventure in one of the 5 biggest coffin warehouses of the world. Entrance fee is 380 baht.
Cabaret Shows (คาบาเร่ต์โชว์) There are two venues of transvestite cabarets in Pattaya.
Alcazar Cabaret(อัลคาซ่าร์ คาบาเร่ต์) Pattaya 2 Road., Tel.038410225-7, 038428746. Showtimes: 6.30 p.m., 8.00 p.m.,9.30 p.m. Admission: 500 and 600 baht.
Ko Lan(เกาะล้าน) This island is 7.5 kilometres from South Pattaya, about 45 minutes by ferry or 15 minutes by ferry or 15 minutes by speedboat Tourists prefer a swim and enjoy watersports along several beaches. Most fine beaches with white sand and clear water on the western side of the island. Hat Thonglang and Hat Ta Waen are popular beaches for its bustling atmosphere,aquatic sport gear, souvenir shops, and restaurants while Hat Laem Thian and Hat Samae offer a more restful atmosphere. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats or skin-diving to view coral reefs in front of Laem Thian. At the southend of the island is Hat Nuan, Hat Samae, Hat Ta Waen and Hat Thian where a hotel is situated. It is another spot for viewing corals.
How to get there: A ferry service departs Laem Bali Hai Pier to Ko Lan everyday. Departure time is from 7.00 a.m.-6.30 p.m., while the arrival trips leave Ko Lan from 6.30 a.m.-6.00 p.m. It costs 20 baht. The boat will stop at Na Ban Pier. In case of going to other beaches, a long-tailed boat can be rented or a taxi can be hired. Furthermore, speed boats for 10 persons are avilable along Pattaya beach. Visitors can stop at Ta Waen Beach and Thong Lang Beach. The rental fee for the speed boat is 2,500-3,000 baht or depending on the agreement.
Note: Prices stated above are subject to change without notice.
Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร) covers an area of 366 rai. Turn left from Sukhumvit Road., at Km. 160 for 5 kilometres. It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwong, 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 Mondob 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 8.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. For more information, Tel.038237506. Moreover, there is a place where the Royal Project for Agricultural Training Centre and Wildlife Preservation Area are Located. For more information, Tel.038238060
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