TRIP DONE IN APRIL 2003
Pattaya is a vibrant city night and day and an internationally well-known seaside resort. A vast range of tourism-related 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. The half-moon-shaped Pattaya Beach is about 4 Km long with a road running parallel to the beach from mid-section to the southern end of the area. There are a vast array of restaurants, bars, department stores, souvenir stores, as well as other places of entertainment. To the north of the beach are various mini-resorts and hotels in a quieter atmosphere. For local transportation, the song thaew mini-buses ply the routes along the Beach Road and Pattaya second Road (rate 5 Bht). Off-shore there are several popular small isles where visitors can enjoy scuba-diving to view underwater corals. Alternatively, boats can be rented on Beach Road or at the South Pattaya landing.
TRANSPORT
Regular taxi from BKK at 800 Baht (highway fees not included).
The trip from Bangkok takes less than 2 hours.
AMARI ORCHID RESORT*****
Pattaya Beach 20150
Tel: 038/428161, 428323
Fax: 038/428165
E-mail: reservations@orchid.amari.com
www.amari.com
The hotel is set amid 10 acres of gardens at the northern end of Pattaya.
Booked through internet on website www.amari.com at the rate of
55 USD++ (2770 Baht) for double room deluxe ABF included.
WHAT TO SEE
KHAO PATTAYA - KHAO PHRA BAT
Khao Pattaya is a low hill to the south of Pattaya. A road leads up to the hilltop. At the foot of the hill is a Health Park which attracts joggers. Climbing the hill you get a nice view of Pattaya bay and city.
JOMTIEN BEACH
Located 4 Km South of Pattaya. Jomtien Beach is one of the popular places for windsurfing and water sports from fresh breezes sweeping inland from the Thai Gulf. A beach road runs parallel to the shore. Less noisy than Pattaya, it is popular site for relaxation, swimming and water sports.
RIPLEY'S ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
The Ripley's Entertainment Centre located on the 3rd floor of Royal Garden Plaza is made up of various components being a museum, motion master and laser trek. The ?Ripley's believe It or Not? museum adventures through ten individual themed galleries featuring hundreds of unbelievable exhibits, amazing stories, incredible magic and illusions. The Motion Master Moving Theatre offers giant screen projection, dynamic motion seating and digital surround that thrust you into the action of specially produced high tech film rides.
PATTAYA PARK
Amusement park at Jomtien featuring a large swimming pool with giant water sliders and whirlpools. From the 240 m tower you can enjoy a magnificent view of Pattaya. There is also a revolving restaurant on top. Possibility to make a death ride from the tower.
WAT YANSANWARARAM
Temple under the King?s patronage located 12 Km from Pattaya. It was built in 1975 and is unique for its architecture. Wat Yansanwararam covers an extensive ground and is surrounded by a scenic hilly landscape. The complex is made up of various buildings including an international pavilion on the pond-side. There is possibility for meditation courses. There is a Chinese-style temple Viharn Sien built by Thais of Chinese descendants which houses Chinese antiquities and an exhibition of Chinese religious artifacts. Here you can also see some of the Terra Cotta warriors excavated in Xian ? China.
KHAO CHICHAN
Khao Chichan is well kown due to the Buddha Image casted on the Khao Chichan cliff by laser beams. It is located in a nice park.
PATTAYA ELEPHANT VILLAGE
The village demonstrates how wild elephants were captured in the North of Thailand and shows elephants displaying forestry skills, playing football and re-enact a war elephant parade. Daily shows at 14.30 and 16.00 Hr. Elephant trekking on request. Tel: 038/249818, 249853.
www.elephant-village-pattaya.com
MILLION-YEAR STONE PARK AND CROCODILE FARM
The park is located some 9 Km from Pattaya. Its grounds are beautifully 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. Open daily from 08.30-18.00 Hr.
MINI SIAM
Mini Siam is located at Km 143 on Sukhumvit Highway. It is a wonderland of miniature replicas of outstanding architectural works such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, the Bridge over the River Kwae, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Europe is also represented by landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower and the Tower of Pisa. Open daily from 9.00 am until 10.00 pm.
www.mini-siam.com
NONG NOOCH TROPICAL GARDEN
About 18 Km south of Pattaya, with a left turn from Sukhumvit highway at Km 163. Suan Nong Nooch is a sprawling recreation park in typical Thai setting 600 acres large. It features orchid nurseries, a cactus garden and a man made lake. There are daily 3 cultural shows at 10.30 am, 1500 and 15.45 pm which include numerous folk dances, traditional ceremonies, sword fighting, Thai boxing demonstrations and an elephant show. Groups of traditional Thai houses and gardens of different flowering plants are dotted around the beautifully landscaped site. The village has different restaurants and a traditional beer garden. Overnight accommodation is available. Tel: 038/709358-62, 238158-9.
SRIRACHA TIGER ZOO
Attractive zoo and crocodile farm. Open daily from 09.30 until 06.00 PM.
www.tigerzoo.com
KHAO KHEOW OPEN ZOO
The key attraction is the huge aviary which covers over 100 acres and houses more than 100 different kind of birds. Animals include bears, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, snakes, barking deer, etc.
WHAT TO DO
VISTING A CABARET SHOW
Alcazar on Pattaya second Road with there shows daily at 18.00, 20.00 and 21.30 Hr. Extra show on Saturday at 23.00 Hr. Tiffany Show on also Pattaya second Road has three shows daily at 19.00, 20.30 and 22.00 Hr.
GONE FOR FISHING ?
There are different fishing parks in Pattaya?s vicinity. Panarak park and Jomtien fishing park are two of those. Fishing catfish is a favourite hobby for a lot of locals.
TRIP TO KOH LARN & KOH KHROK
Ko Larn is an island situated some 7 Km from Pattaya coast. The island offers several white, sandy beaches such as Hat Ta Waen to the north. Most of the tour boats make anchor at this place to take advantage of the food shops and stalls along the shore. Hat Laem Thian and Hat Samae are located to the south west while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island. Facing Hat Ta Phan are coral ranges. To the south are some hotels and is another site to view coral reefs. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving.
Ko Khrok is located at 8 Km from Pattaya. It is an island almost totally surrounded by rock formations. In a gap of 100 m to the east is a stretch of sandy beach where you can enjoy viewing underwater coral reefs.
INTERNET LINKS
www.pattayatrader.com
www.pattayainfo.com
www.pattayalivecam.com/livecams.html
www.pattaya.com
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