Pattaya is Asia's premier beach resort and annually attracts millions of
pleasure-seekers from all over the world. Pattaya's sunny world is synonymous with pleasant beaches, every conceivable water sport from windsurfing to scuba diving, alluring offshore coral islands, excellent accommodation lining the resort's palm-fringed, crescent bay, superb seafood, a colourful, relaxing tropical ambiance and, after sunset, all the magic and enchantment of an almost legendary nightlife.
For families, sportsmen and independent travelers, Pattaya offers all
the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.
HOW TO GET THERE
Pattaya is 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, a comfortable 2-hour
drive along Highway No. 3 via Bang Na, Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Siracha. Airconditioned and non-airconditioned coaches regularly leave Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal, at the mouth of Soi Ekkamai (Soi 63) on Sukhumvit Road, throughout the day.
ACCOMMODATION
Pattaya offers accommodation to suit every pocket. Facilities range
from the airconditioned, beachside opulence of some of Asia's finest
hotels to the basic simplicity of friendly guest houses. Major hotels occupy spacious, gorgeously landscaped gardens where swimming pools,
tennis court and jogging trails are commonly featured. Essentially,
visitors have the choice of luxury hotels with private beaches;
bayside hotels and bungalows; and 'inland' economy-class hotels, inns
and guest houses.
Diving
Maps
Seasport
DINING
Some of Thailand's choicest seafood is found in hotel buffets and
several specialty restaurants. Steak houses, coffeshops and fast-food
outlets provide attractive alternatives. Gourmets and gourmands alike
find satisfaction in innumerable restaurants featuring French, Swiss,
Italian, German, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Arabic, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and regional Thai cuisines.
Hotels
PATTAYA BY DAY
Within the context of 'sun, sand 'n' sea', Pattaya offers an inviting choice of activities.
Visitors may windsurf, water-ski, parasail, swim, fish, sunbathe, snorkel or enjoy trips to offshore islands to
Pictures
explore, all year round, enchanting undersea universe in some of Asia's finest scuba-diving waters.
They can rent water scooters to explore Pattaya bay, and motorcycles and jeeps to explore neighbouring beaches, particularly those south of Pattaya -- Jomtien Beach, Golden Beach, Sunset Beach where accommodation is also available -- to Bang Sare fishing village.
Inland, they can visit orchid farms, botanical gardens and parks, and
ride through orchards, plantations and undulating countryside surrounding Pattaya. They can visit Buddhist temples, savour slower rhythms pervading Thai rural life or, equally rewarding, can relax beneath beachside palms with cool drinks and watch shadows lengthen.
Tennis, badminton, golf, motor-racing, horseback riding, bowling,
skating, snooker and billiards, shooting, archery, cultural shows and a water amusement park complete the wide range of activities and
recreation visitors may enjoy.
WATER SPORT
Pattaya's major water sports (entailing rented equipment), and venues,
are as follows:
Windsurfing: instruction and rental equipment is available at all major beaches, particularly at Chomthian.
Sailing: Hobby Cats and rindles are available for rent mainly at Chomthian.
Game Fishing: fishing expeditions regularly depart from Bang Sare fishing village, some 17 kilometres south of Pattaya, in search of marlin, king mackerel, sharks and barracuda.
Parasailing: several outfits offering 5 - 10 minute flights operate on major beaches and Lan island.
Water-skiing: speedboats and skis are widely trips available for rent.
Return water-skiing trips to Lan island are very popular.
Scuba-diving: several reputable dive shops offer neophyte divers comprehensive courses with accredited instructors. They, and experienced divers, can join regular trips to Lan, Lin and Phai coral islands, some 1 -3 hours by boat from Pattaya.
LAND SPORTS / RECREATION
& ENTERTAINMENT
Pattaya's major land sports , and venues, are as follows:
Golf:
Bangphra, a 4-kilometre drive from Km. 112 on Highway No. 3, and
the Siam Country Club both offer challenging 18-hole courses within 30
minutes of Pattaya.
Horseback Riding:
The Reo Park Ranch, 5 kilometres from Highway No. 3 along the Siam Country Club road, offers daytime and enchanting moonlight trail rides on thoroughbreds imported from Australia.
Motor / Motorcycle Racing:
The 2.4 kilometre Pattaya Circuit, at Km. 14 on Route 36 to Rayong, regularly features exciting local and international races.
Tennis:
Major hotels open their courts to non-guests. Some have resident local professional who offer hourly instruction.
Pattaya's major recreation and entertainment complexes are:
Pattaya Park: a water amusement park beside Chomthian Beach which features colourful water slides and whirlpools, and where accommodation is available.
Pattaya Elephant Kraal: a daily afternoon show with broad popular
appeal features elephants bathing and exhibitions of obedience,
strength and forestry skills.
Nong Nooch Village: a 600-acre, artfully landscaped country features
orchid nurseries, an arts & crafts centre and a popular cultural show
of folk dances, traditional ceremonies and martial arts displays.
PATTAYA BY NIGHT / SHOPPING
Major hotels operate gourmet restaurants, cocktails lounges,
discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer excellent food, drinks, music and entertainment. Such establishments are ideal for family entertainment.
Nightlife beyond Pattaya's hotels is more liberated and exciting.
Discotheques, cabarets, nightclubs, coffeeshops, open-air bars,
massage parlours and restaurants with live music and entertainment
compete for attention.
Such establishments are located mostly along the beaches and in South
Pattaya, major shopping area for beachwear, souvenirs, films, tapes,
pharmaceuticals and liquor, and where major gem, tailors and boutiques are located.
TRANSPORTATION
Motorcycles, jeeps and automobiles are widely available on a daily
self-dive basis. Mini-buses perpetually complete counterclockwise
circuits around the Beach Road and Pattaya 2 Road. Fares are 5 - 10 baht. Fares beyond the main bay area are negotiable.
TOURIST INFORMATION / ASSISTANCE
The Tourism Authority of Thailand's beachside office at 382/1 Beach
Road is next to the Tourist Police Center. The TAT office provides
authoritative information on local events and is well stocked with
complimentary tourist publications. Pattaya's Tourist Police render
visitors speedy assistance in times of emergency.
NEIGHBOURING ATTRACTIONS
Pattaya is the ideal place from which to explore Thailand's east coast.
Briefly, major attractions include Bang Saen, 100 kilometres east of
Bangkok, which has a long beach, several fine restaurants and a
magnificent marine aquarium; the nearby challenging 18-hole
championship Bangphra Golf Course; the 1200-acre Khao Khiao Open Zoo which houses Asian, African and European mammals and contains Thailand's most spectacular aviary; the seaside town of Siracha, famed for a delicious sauce and fine seafood; Bang Sare fishing village from where local and international fisherman foray Gulf waters for
gamefish;
Rayong's beautiful Samet island which is blessed with some of the
eastern Gulf's loveliest beaches and snorkeling waters; the nearby
Suan Wang Kaew Resort; Chanthaburi, famous for gemstones, particularly sapphires, tropical fruits, waterfalls, historic sites and Thailand's largest Christian church; and Trat, Thailand's easternmost coastal province which borders Kampuchea and contains a 51-island Marine National Park dominated by the mountainous Ko Chang, Thailand's third largest island.
