Pattaya and Nearby attractions from Pattaya

Pattaya beach

Alcazar show

Street food

Pattaya

Chon Buri – The Nearest Seaside Retreat

Chonburi, Bangkok’s nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 80 kilometers from Bangkok. The area boasts abundant natural resources, which are highlighted by delightful beaches, local colors, traditions, delicacies and fresh seafood. This is a popular resort among Bangkokians who seek the nearest escape from hectic weekly schedules as Chon Buri has something for everyone. In addition, Chon Buri is the center of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project, with its industrial parks and fishing villages.

Just 2 hours’ drive from Bangkok is Pattaya, the renowned recreation centre on the east coast. Its fine sand, blue sky and limpid sea are among many other good things that prove irresistible to both foreign and domestic tourists. Although Pattaya is the cream of Chon Buri (81 km), other places of interest are plentiful in this province — Khao Sam Muk, where stands the Chao Mae Sam Muk Shrine highly revered by Thais; Bang Saen, the nearest-to-Bangkok beach resort for families; Ko Sichang, a paradise island whose name has become the title of a song.

Pattaya A Travelers Paradise

Beaches • The most visited places • Excursions from Pattaya • Nearby Islands

Beaches
The Most Famous Beach Resort on the East

Pattaya is 147 km. southeast of Bangkok and adjoins the Gulf of Thailand. It is Thailand’s premier and most successful beach resort which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors from all over the world.

Being close to the sea, the adjoining beaches of Pattaya City, from Naklua Bay to Wong Phrachan (Crescent Moon) and Wong Amat beaches in the north down to Jomtien beach in the south, cover a total length of about 15 km. But only the area of Pattaya Bay plays an important role in the tourism aspect, and this area is called “Pattaya Beach”.

For the past centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But 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 frequented by swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world.

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 and pleasing residence for western expatriates.

The Place for All Tastes

For sun lovers and water-sports fans, Pattaya’s sunny climate provides ideal conditions for swimming and all other imaginable water activities, including jet-skiing, boat sailing, speed-boating, water-scooter riding, water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and windsurfing.

For those who do not want to get drenched, Pattaya also has gyms and health clubs for exercise and many kinds of land sports and games to choose from, such as shooting, car racing, horse riding, archery, golf, bowling, tennis, go-kart, paintball, etc.

For shoppers, fashionable boutiques and shops of ready-made garments, silk, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellery and trinkets are centred in the main streets of Central and South Pattaya and also in the luxurious hotels. And the prices are fair.

For gourmets, Pattaya’s cookeries offer at reasonable prices a wide range of superlative fresh seafood and various styles of cuisine — Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, German, Scandinavian, Mexican, American, Indian, Russian, etc. And for night owls, Pattaya’s lively nightlife caters for every taste. The most brightly colorful spot is South Pattaya where all kinds of nightly entertainment are offered.

In short, Pattaya is the place for all. No wonder it has remained popular among those who come to spend their holidays from far and near alike.

Pattaya Beach 
Starting from Dusit Resort Hotel in the area called North Pattaya to the small hill in the South, Pattaya beach and its parallel beach road is about 3 kilometres long. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, the beach also offers excellent facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all kinds.

The northern part is a more quiet area of resorts while the southern part is a place of hustle and bustle, where both sides of the street are lined up with department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs and shops of all kinds.

 Jomtien Beach

The former paddy fields have turned into a thriving beach. Only 3 km. down Pattaya Beach, Jomtien is highly recommended to those who seek a quieter resort, where the golden sand, bright sun and blue clear sea are always pleased to welcome all vacationers.

It is a good place for relaxation with modern comforts and accommodation. Its long straight coastline of 6 kilometers with a fringe of coconut and palm trees offers vacationers pleasant atmosphere for relaxing and viewing the sun setting in the sea. Its calm sea is also suitable for swimming and playing all kinds of water sports for the whole year. Jomtien Beach is especially the best spot for windsurfing and instruction is widely available for beginners.

Dong Tan Beach

Adjacent to Jomtien Beach (to the north), the quiet 1-km-long Dong Tan Beach is situated. The plants found here are tropical almonds.

Wong Amat Beach

Wong Amat beach is recommended for those who are seeking for a nice place to relax and sunbathe, since it is one of the cleanest and most secluded beaches in Pattaya. The beach is adjoining to the north of Pattaya beach

  The most visited places

Pattaya Hill (Khao Phra Bat)

Pattaya Hill is a vantage point to get the best panoramic view of the curved bay of Pattaya either in the day or at night. On the top of the hill are situated a statue of HRH Prince of Jumborn, the father of the Royal Thai Navy and the RTN Broadcasting station (FM 104.75 MHz) as well.

Phra Tamnak

Phra Tamnak Hill is another hill nearby. You can go up to its top to pay homage to the Buddha images enshrined here.

Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm

An over-100-rai park & farm, 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Pattaya, featuring curios and beautiful things of different types: crocodiles in their natural surroundings, a zoo of wild animals, award-winning trained trees, a million-year-old petrified tree and hundreds of huge, grotesque rocks.

Cabarets

Fantastic, exquisite and unique, the cabaret shows are famous throughout the country an are known worldwide. Here, female dancers are so pretty, lovely and attractive.

 But they aren’t female at all! Their performances are so magnificent and amusing and the settings so fascinating that the show is a must for all visitors to Pattaya. 
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Located on the 3rd floor of Royal Garden Plaza Building in Central Pattaya. A fascinating assortment of weird but wonderful exhibits from all parts of the globe can now be found at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! here.

They include genuinely puzzling facts, curios, illusions, etc. proving once again that fact is stranger than fiction. Also enjoy the hi-tech simulator ride in the moving theatre and hi-tech laser game.

Excursions from Pattaya

Most foreign visitors to Pattaya seem unaware that there are many other attractions nearby that should not be overlooked and they should include some of them in their itinerary if time is available. All the following spots are located in Chon Buri Province, to which Pattaya also belongs, so they are suitable for a one-day outing.

Bang Saen

Located only 14 km. from Chon Buri town, this is among the oldest beach resorts of Thailand.

Lined with sling chairs and colourful umbrellas and lots of food shops across the road from the beach, Bang Saen is highly popular among local tourists who come to relax and picnic.

The Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth, a gigantic carved wooden pavilion built to revitalize and carry forward ancient Thai wisdom, is prominently situated on Ratchawet Point, Chon Buri Province (81 km east of Bangkok). This enormous sacred architecture is carved in Ayutthaya style over 100 m. in height and 100 m. in width aiming to represent Phra Sumeru Mount, which is believed to be the centre of the earth and universe in ancient Thai myth. Human virtues as well as the relationship between human beings and the universe are illustrated by exquisite carving embellishments in and around the pavilion.

Sammuk Hill

This small hill just a short distance from Bang Saen beach features a shrine of the Goddess of Sammuk Hill which is worshipped by local people. There are also cactus gardens and lots of monkeys on the hill.

Marine Science Institute 
Located on the campus of Burapa University at the entrance to Bang Saen Beach, it is divided into three components: Marine Aquarium, Marine Science Museum and Marine Science Laboratories. The aquarium has a large selection of fishes and other marine animals which are to be found in the waters around Thailand.

Bangphra International Golf Club is about 7 km. off Sukhumwit Highway at km. 113. This 18-hole international standard course offers accommodation facilities as well as a well-run club house with tasty food.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is about 19 km. from Bangphra Golf Club. Covering an area of some 2,000 acres, the zoo is a habitat for more than 100 species of wild life and also contains a spectacular aviary. Visitors are allowed to get close to animals which are not kept in cages. Some kinds of animals are allowed to be fed by visitors. Night Safari available here is fast becoming popular with tourists.

Ko Si Chang is a big island off Si Racha county which is 24 km. from Chon Buri town. This scenic island is located 12 km. away from the coast. Its attractions are the remains of an old palace and some other residential buildings constructed by order of King Rama V (1868-1910) for use by himself and his royal children. Two temples were erected by the King on the island; one of which, Wat Atsadang Nimit on the top of the hill has its main temple and pagoda built in European style. The artistic Chinese Pavilion built as a shelter for the King is also interesting to visit. Chakkraphong Cave which houses a Buddha image has a chimney rising to the top of a mountain where one can overlook the scenery of the island. Hin Klom Beach or the Round Stone Beach is another attractive spot which is covered by innumerable pebbles resulting from long years of exposure to the strong waves caused by the southwest wind from February to September. Motorized tricycles and bicycles are two means of transport on the island. A few accommodations are available on the island.

Ko Si Chang

To get to Ko Sichang, there are ferry services from Ko Loi pier and Tha Charin pier in Si Racha town providing a total of 10 trips a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes.

Ko Lan (Coral Island)

Located about 7.5 km. west of Pattaya and 45 minutes by tourist boats, it is the largest of the archipelago off Pattaya. There are beautiful sandy beaches, clear water, and an abundance of coral, especially on the western part of the island. Visitors can view the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by diving. It is also an ideal place for water sports — snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing and parasailing. You can find a hotel on Nuan Beach in the southern part and a lot of seafood restaurants and souvenir shops on the main beaches.
The ferry to Ko Lan leaves the pier in South Pattaya several times daily, taking about 45 minutes. Speed boats are also available for hire.

Ko Sak, about 600 meters away from Ko Lan, is a small island good for swimming and snorkelling. There is a coral reef around the southern coast.

Ko Khrok is another neighboring island of Ko Lan. Comprising mostly rocks, it is an ideal place for coral viewing.

Ko Phai Group of Islands

About 13 km. from Pattaya, they are currently under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but can enjoy relaxing and swimming on their tranquil beaches during the daytime. All the islands are accessible by boat and charters can be arranged through your hotel tour desk or by negotiating directly with the boat owners at South Pattaya. Rentals are between 1,000 – 5,000 baht depending on the spot as well as the size and type of boat.

Rayong

Rayong is a province on the eastern seaboard just to the east of Pattaya. It is only 179 km away from Bangkok. Newly developed, it has clear sea water, fine beaches, colourful coral formations and several beautiful islands. The following islands are parts of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park of Rayong Province.

Ko Samet

The place is tranquil, the climate is mild and the scenery is beautiful. Along the seashore, there are many beaches, which make the island famous among Thais and foreign tourists. Tourist attractions on Samet Island are Hat Sai Kaew Beach, Ao Luk Yon, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Wai, Ao Kaew, Ao Pakarang, and Ao Phrao Bays.

Ko Thalu

The fine white sand beaches and unspoiled underwater world here make the serene island an interesting place and a good spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Beautiful corals and many kinds of fish can be seen under the sea not far from the island. During June and July, sea turtles will come up on the beach to lay their eggs. Another famous attraction here is a natural arch that the sea water can flow through. However, there are no accommodations on this island. Only a snack stall and a few toilets are available.

Ko Kudi

This island has peaceful scenery and beautiful beaches. Marine life here is stunning with coral reefs in perfect condition and an abundance of fish, giant clams, and sea anemones. Therefore, The Kudi Island is a wonderful place for diving and camping lovers.