Background information about Pattaya

What used to be a fishers village called "Phatthaya", developed into a holiday destination when soldiers from the Vietnam war arrived there to rest. Today, there are many sites to see, activities to enjoy and markets to visit only 150 km southeast of Bangkok. The residents of Pattaya are not only limited to locals, but employees mostly from the Northeast of Thailand also stay and work there for a living. Some locals from Thai-Chinese origin also resided there. So, there is definitely a wide range of Thai culture to experience in Pattaya.

Chinese New Year is celebrated with a dragon parade, lion waltz and crackers on the end January or beginning February, depending on the year. Thai New Year is celebrated remarkably different than in the rest of the country. Besides water splashing, there are music shows, beauty pageants, cultural shows, floral float parade, water sport competitions and even sandcastle competitions. The celebration lasts longer than almost anywhere else in the country.

If your trip is scheduled to arrive in March already, the international music festival in Beach Road, featuring local and international artists is another event to attend. The jamboree includes the Walking Street Festival which lasts three days and two nights and the Three-stage Free Concert. The Red Stage is dedicated for Pop, Rock and Country music, the Green Stage for Pop Jazz, and the Blue Stage for Indy, Hip-hop and R&B music from 6 pm to midnight.

Underwater World Pattaya is an aquarium located on Sukhumvit Road, Nong Prue, which takes a peak into the area's rich marine life. It consists of a 100 m acrylic tunnel for visitors to walk through. Marine species to be seen amongst others, is the rare shovel-nosed ray, a hybrid between a shark and stingray.

Thunder Rock Dinosaur Park is also located on Sukhumvit Road, 4 km from South Pattaya and open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. As the name suggests, it have replicas of prehistoric animals on display, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Chaloem Phra Kiat Park is a small park with a variety of flowers and offers jogging trails and exercise facilities.

The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm comprises rock gardens and a botanical garden with rare plant species and beautiful landscapes. Fossiled plants, a 200-year-old Thai style bonsai, dwarf horses, ostriches, crocodile pools and a collection of rare animals like albino bears must be seen. There are also crocodile round-ups, magic and animal performances. The park is open daily from 8 am to 6:30 pm with six crocodile shows from 10 am to 5 pm.

Mini Siam is a miniature city model on the left side of Sukhumvit Road, at the 143 km mark, before reaching Pattaya town. The models displayed are on a scale of 1:25 and includes ancient remains and famous sites of Thailand and abroad. Open daily 7 am to 10 pm.

Elephant Village Pattaya, is located on Sukhumvit Road lying of Highway No. 3 at the 146 km mark. This elephant camp concentrates on the working life of elephants and their masters (mahouts). Activities include riding on an elephant, road trips, trekking, and watching an elephant performance about elephants at work and play and a grand war parade at 2:30 pm. Open daily 8:30 am to 7 pm.

Pattaya Park is an amusement centre at Hat Jomtien which features a large water park with giant slides, a sky-high basket / hopper and other fun activities. There is also a restaurant revolving on a tower having a panoramic view of the area.

The Royal Theatre at the Royal Garden Plaza offers motion and movement screenings experienced in real life.

The Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, also at the Royal Garden Plaza, Pattaya Beach, have a collection of more then 300 strange and amazing things from around the world.

There is a monkey show located in Sou Chaiyaphruek, off Highway No. 3 at the 151 km marker, where monkeys are trained to pck coconuts and show other tricks. There is also a cock fight and snake show.

For flower lovers, there is an orchid farm, called Siriporn Orchid, at 61/1 Moo 7 Tambon Nong Prue. Plants are for sale and visitors are allowed to cut flowers.

Horse riding at all levels of proficiency, as well as dressage, cross-country jumping, polo and lodges are being offered at the Horseshoe Point Club, 10 km off Sukhumvit Road.

Three Kingdoms Park is situated close to the Horseshoe Point Club and contains several beautiful Chinese-style buildings and objects of art.

Sport

Golf

There are several golf courses in the Pattaya area. The best known ones are Bangpra International Golf Club, Burapha Golf Club, Khao Kheow Golf Club, Mountain Shadow Golf Club, Natural Park Resort Golf Club, Noble Place Golf Resort and Country Club, Pattaya Country Club, Phoenix Gholf and Country Club, Royal Lakeside Golf Club Resort, Siam Country Club, Sriracha International Golf Club and Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club.

Tennis

Tennis courts at various leading hotels of Pattaya are normally open to all.

Badminton

The Pattaya Badminton Court on Soi 17, open 24 hours per day.

Jogging

At Suan Chaloem Phra Kiat there is a jogging track. It is also possible to jog along the promenade facing Pattaya Bay. There is a marathon being held in July in Pattaya Beach Road Soi 4. Different levels can be chosen, and there is even a category for wheelchairs.

Go-kart Racing

At the 400- and 700-meter tracks on Thepprasit Road, go-karts are available. Places include Pattaya Kart Speedway, K. R. Go-Kart Grand Prix (for professional and amateur drivers, daily 9:30 am to 6:30 pm) and Siam Karting Circuit.

Motor Racing

International motor and motorcycle races are being held periodically on the Bira International Circuit on Highway No. 34 and Highway No. 36 (Pattaya-Rayong), 15 km away from Pattaya town. There are daily opportunities for speed enthusiasts to drive their own two- or four-wheeled vehicles around the track.

Shooting

A handgun and rifle range is located at Tiffany's on Pattaya II Road, with airconditioning. Open daily 9 am to 10 pm.

Paintball

At Paint Ball Park in a woodland setting on Thepprasit Road. Open daily 8:30 am to 6 pm. Bungee Jumping is also being offered here, daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

Thai Boxing (Muai Thai)

This is the national sport of Thailand and a martial art, originating from the ancient battlefield tactics of the then Siamese army. Boxing venues include Thepprasit Road, Sityodthong Boxing Camp, Tambon Nong Prue, open daily 8 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm. The Pattaya International Muai Thai Training School is open daily 5:30 am - 9 pm.

Windsurfing

Hat Jomtien offers the best place for and training is available for beginners. The ideal period for water and wind conditions for windsurfing is during October through to June.

Sailing

All around the year this sport can be practiced in Pattaya's sea. Popular crafts to rent are lasers, prindles and hobie cats. The Royal Varuna Yacht Club can be contacted for more information. The sailing race called �Top of the Gulf Regatta� which includes keelboats, multihulls, beach catamarans, dinghies and sailboats lasts around four days and starts at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Water Skiing

The northern and southern parts of Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Ko Lan are the most popular places for ocean skiing. Lakeland Cable Ski at the 150.5 km mark on Sukhumvit Road offers fresh water skiing and is open daily 10 am to 7 pm.

Fishing

The waters around Ko Manwichai, Ko Rin and Ko Khram is popular for the pursuit of marlin, king mackerel and barracuda.

Beaches and surrounding islands

The main beach at Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, stretches about 3 km. Tropical growth seperates it from the road running along it. The northern part is quite tranquil and the ideal spot for tourists to relax, swim and enjoy water sports. The central and southern parts provide hotels, shops, department stores, restaurants and amusement halls.
Hat Jomtien is a more quiet beach than Pattaya Beach, suitable for relaxing. This is a 6 km long straight beach with a road running parallel to it. Windsurfing and water sports are being exercised here.
Hat Wong Phrachan is situated on the northern side of Pattaya Bay. This is a good place for swimming and relaxation.
Ko Lan is an island about 8 km from Pattaya, measuring 2 x 5 km, which can be reached by 45 minute ferry ride or 15 minutes by speed boat. The ferry rides start from South Pattaya Pier every second hour daily from 7 am to 6 pm and returning from Ko Lan 6:30 am to 6 pm. It have several white sandy beaches on display. Hat Thong Long offers coral reefs which can be viewed by snorkeling or from boats with transparent bottoms. There are also cruises with sailing junks and lunch provided.
Ko Sak island with its two sandy beaches, is located 600 km from Ko Lan and about 10 km west of Pattaya Strait. Overnight stays is available on the island.
Ko Phai island is small with an eye-catching white sandy beach and is located 7 km behind Ko Lan and about 14 km west of Pattaya. It can be reached within about one hour from inland. With superb coral reefs, it offers the most outstanding scuba diving areas in Pattaya.
There are several dive shops around the offshore islands and beginners can take PADI open water certification courses.

Shopping

South Pattaya offers the major shopping area, along with Pattaya II Road. Expect to find souvenirs, gems, jewellery, handcrafts, silk, cotton and tailor-made clothes here.

Ways to get to Pattaya

Besides taxis and arranged transport from the landlord, there are other ways to reach Pattaya.
-By bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal, Ekamai in Bangkok. Air conditioned busses are available which depart from Ekamai every 40 minutes, starting from 5 am to 11 pm.
-By train from Hua Lamphong railway station in Bangkok at 7 am, taking about 5 hours.