Pattaya’s long straight coastline, fringed by coconut and palm trees, is located on the eastern coast of Thailand in the area of Chon Buri province. Pattaya is 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and adjoins the Gulf of Thailand with high mountains on its south and the coastline on its west.
Pattaya is internationally renowned as Thailand's most successful beach resort, and just one kilometre from this premier holiday spot stretches the golden beach of Jomtiem. Here Panchalae is nestled amongst palms and tropical gardens, offering everything an authentic and relaxing beach resort can.
For sun lovers and water-sports fans, Pattaya and Jomtiem Beach’s warm climate provides ideal conditions for swimming and a myriad of water activities including fishing, sailing, speed-boating, water-scooting, water-skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and windsurfing.
For those not wishing to get drenched, Pattaya also boasts a myriad of gyms and health clubs, plus outdoor activities including shooting, car racing, horse riding, archery, golf, bowling, tennis, go-kart and paintball.
For shoppers, fashionable boutiques and shops of ready-made garments, silk, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellery and trinkets are centred in the main street of Central and South Pattaya and also in the luxurious hotels. And for night owls, Pattaya's lively nightlife caters for every taste. The most brightly colourful spot is South Pattaya where an assortment of nightly entertainment is offered to cater for all tastes.
For the past centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village all but cut off from the outside world. However after its beauty was discovered by the first group of American servicemen from Nakhon Ratchasima in 1961, the sleepy Pattaya gradually became a famous beach resort. Fishermen's huts along the beach were replaced by a full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses. And the quiet powdery golden beaches are now frequented by swimmers and sunbathers from various corners of the globe.
Moreover, with the recent establishment of the industrial estates of Laem Chabang to the north and that of Map Ta Phut to the south, Pattaya has been developing to be a major business centre. Now, as well as being a Far Eastern beach investment, it is a happy residence for many western expatriates.
Pattaya / Jomtien's climate is tropical and so provides year-round warmth, and two periods (April– May and again in October) where temperatures rise to between 32 & 36?C during the day.
Thai food is undeniably delicious, but its famous spiciness can produce unpredictable results on stomachs that are not yet acclimatized to it. Best to break yourself in gently with some milder dishes, working up to higher octane ratings as you become more accustomed.
Being on the coast and with an active inshore fishing fleet, Pattaya / Jomtien boasts a wide range of extremely fresh seafood that is served in a variety of mouth-watering styles in the town’s many eating places. You won't be disappointed!
Health & safety
While a generally safe country to visit, some general comments regarding travel to tropical countries are worth bearing in mind.
- Don’t drink the tap water. Bottled water is both cheap and readily available all over the country.
- Avoid the heat of the sun. Even during the cooler season (November–February), the sun remains strong and can cause burning after prolonged exposure. A good sun-block is advisable
- Mosquito bites are a discomfort, but pose no threat of malaria. Mosquitoes will be most active around dusk, so covering up at this time and using an insect repellent can help reduce the number of bites to an absolute minimum, sparing you the irritation that would otherwise result.
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Jomtien Beach this 6-kilometers long, largely straight beach, some 4 kilometers south of Pattaya, is the most notable of several beaches south of the resort. The beach is popular with windsurfs and waterspouts enthusiasts, 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, bunga low complexes, condominiums and restaurants.
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Pattaya Beach some 4 kilometers long, this beach faces Pattaya Bay, the major venue from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore islands. 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, department stores, boutiques, beauty salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques, restaurants and night clubs. The central area of the beach is a major shopping area, while the southern end is one of Pattaya's major nightlife areas.
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Won Prachan Beach is on the northern side of Pattaya Bay. The 1-kilometer beach shares the same entrance as the Central Wong Amat Hotel. A quiet spot, the beach is ideal for swimming and relaxation.
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Koh Larn situated to the West of Pattaya Strait, about 7.7 Kilometers from the shore, covering an area of about 4 square kilometers, popularly known as Coral Island and is 45 minutes by ferry or 20 minutes by speed boat from Pattaya Beach.
There are beautiful beaches, clear water, and an abundance of coral. Visitors can view the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by diving down directly. A well-known beach is at Ta Waen Beach in the northern part of the Island, a 750 meters stretch of white sand with many stalls andshops. Sightseeing boats mostly dock in this area.
There are also Laemtien Beach and Samae Beach on the south-western side, each beach spanning a length of 700 and 100 meters respectively.Both are regarded as beautiful and interesting sports, especially Laemtien Beach which has remained exceptionally clean and tranquil. There are now a few stores servisitors. Ta Pan Beach on the western part of the island is 500 meters in length with make-shift lodging available.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, sightseeing boats usually dock along this beach all the way to Laemtie where there is coral. On the southern part is Nual Beach 450 meters in length. On this beach a hotel which accommodates a large number of tourists. This is another good place for viewing coral.
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Koh Phai Group of islands is comprised of Koh Phai, Koh Manvichai, Koh leom, Koh Klung Badan etc., Koh Phai being the largest. The islands are presently under the supervision of the Royal Navy. The Koh Phai groups of islands are situated at a distance about 13 kilometers from Pattaya and takes 2 hours to reach by boat. There is a lighthouse on top of a hill at Koh Phai. Visitor's can enjoy relaxing-moments, swimming, fishing and diving down to view the coral.
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Koh Krok a small island covering an area of 0.05 square kilo -
meters, approximately 8 kilometers from the shore. The island comprises mostly rocks. Only one sandy-beach on the east of the island is Koh Krok beach which is only 100 meters in length. This is an ideal place for coral viewing.
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Koh Sak some 10 kilometers west of Pattaya strait or 600 meters away from Koh Larn. Koh Sak is another Small Island shaped like a horseshoe with an area of 0.05 square kilometers. It has two beaches, one on the northern cover 250 meters in length, and area in which boats usually stop for tourists to swim and another one on the southern part of the island opposite the first island, with a pathway linking the two beaches, a small beach 80 meters in length. A coral is found at the area in front of the beach. Skin-diving is also possible in this vicinity. |
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is the largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia, with a 100-meter-long, 6.4-centimeter-thick Plexiglas pedestrian tunnel through an underwater environment filled with dozens of marine species.
The new theme park covers a total area of 12-rai and is housed in a structure similar to a large circus tent. This enables the place to have natural light that nurtures the algae. The aquarium houses more than 4,000 marine animals, comprising more than 200 different species from the region as well as some rare creatures from overseas. Also a rare shovelnose ray, a hybrid between a shark and a stingray.
Location: Sukhumvit Highway, south-west of Pattaya, just 200 meters south of Tesco Lotus in South Pattaya.
Operation hours: Daily from 09.00 a.m. – 06.00 p.m.
Admission fee: 360 Baht for foreigners
Contact: Underwater World Pattaya Co., Ltd. 22/22 M.11 Sukhumvit Road, Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi 20260 Tel: +66 38 756859
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is a small hill to the South of Pattaya Beach. An asphalt road leads up to the hilltop. Khao Pratamnak is now the site of the Naval radio station where the monument of Krom Luang Chumpon Khet Udomsak, the Father of Royal Thai Navy, is situated. A sacred Buddha image is also enshrined on the hilltop. The view pint on the hilltop offers a panoramic view of Pattaya City and Pattaya Bay.
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located at Km. 143 on Highway No.3, is a wonderland of miniature replicas of such outstanding architectural works as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Replicals of places of world significance are also displayed in the “miniworld” area. These include the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain.
Operation hours:
Daily from 07.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Admission fee:
200 baht
Contact:
387 M.6 Sukhumvit Road (Km 143) Pattaya Chonburi 20150 Tel +66 38 421628, 424232, 726201-2
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was constructed in 1977 and the biggest Buddha image named ‘Phra Phuttha Sukhothai Walaichonlatharn’ known as ‘Luang Pho Yai’ in Chon Buri is enshrined there. Its width is 5 wahs and 9 inches with its 9-wah and 9-inche height. In the temple area, there are daily attitudes of Buddha images located around.
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About 18 kilometers south of Pattaya, with a left turn Sukhumvit Road at Km.163, is Nong Nooch Tropical Garden a sprawling recreation park in typical Thai settings. Groups of traditional Thai houses and gardens of different flowering plants are dotted around the beautifully landscaped site. There are daily cultural and elephant shows attracting crowds of delighted visitors Show times are 10.15 a.m. and 3.45 p.m.
Operation hours:
Daily from 08.00 a.m. – 06.00 p.m.
Admission fee:
300 Baht
Contact:
Pattaya Office 34/1 M.7 Najomtien, Sattahip, Chonburi Tel. +66 (038) 429321, 422958, 238158-60
Bangkok Office Tel. +66 (02) 252-1786, 252-9975
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The variety of nighttime activities continuing until dawn is so diverse that every person would easily find diversions appealing to individual tastes and moods. Most likely any fantasy can be fulfilled, especially after sunset. After dark, the extension of Beach road in South Pattaya turns into a promenade (disallowed only for public transport), transformed into one of the hottest nightspot. A hunting ground beaming with neon lights and music, where fellow holiday-makers youths & aged alike, find an endless array of dining, shopping or entertainment establishments.
Worthy of notice is the disco in Pattaya. A disco is not just a dance palace, but more of a hi-tech extravaganza filled with flashing lights, trendy music, and fun loving crowds. Pattaya is famous for its incredible nightlife activities, and South Pattaya is the jewel in its crown outshining the rest with an incredible array of things to see and do. One can enjoy Thai-boxing or some glaring erotic shows, a wide variety of fascinating shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, discos and other pleasurable establishments, side-by-side with all kinds of shopping. The only required skill is that of time management, so one can experience all the wonders and be on time for what is next. |
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Minibus has a service along Pattaya Bay at Bt5 / person / trip. There is no bus stop. Just stop it and hop in. To get off, just ring the bell. The fare to Nakhua on the North is Bt10 while it is Bt30 across the hill to Chomtien Beach. To the hilltop is Bt40.
This is a convenient way to explore around. A driving license is needed. Wearing a helmet is required by law. Insurance is recommended. Beware of cheats. Check the bike for malfunction, brake, scratches, damages and make sure they are recorded and you have a copy of it. Contact Tourist Police if you are cheated. Motor Bikes are availability at beach road vendors. Rates : Bt150 - 600 / day for 100 cc to 1100 cc bikes.
Bicycles are available from street vendor at Bt100 / day or Bt20 / hr.
There are many international-chain car rental service in Pattaya such as VIA, BUDGET.
For overseas travellers Pattaya is conveniently located within one hour’s drive of the New Bangkok International Airport.
Taxi, minibus and limousine services go direct from Bangkok's Don Muang Airport and are readily available.
Pattaya can be reached via the Bangna –Trat Road and the Chon Buri Motorway. Driving time will vary, but is approximately two hours, depending on traffic.
You can often arrange a car service through your hotel if travel by bus doesn't appeal.
Buses leave Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Skytrain Ekamai station) on a very frequent schedule. Air-conditioned coaches also regularly depart from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit) and Southern Bus Terminal on Borommarat Chonnani Road throughout the day.
There are also minibuses that travel directly from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya daily, and from most hotels in Bangkok.
The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 a.m.
The journey takes approximately three hours and thirty minutes.
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