Now, with the opening of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport 90 minutes from the resort, the town is experiencing another resurgence of growth. Although the town has a long way to go in order to shake of its considerable reputation as the capital of nighttime entertainment, the authorities are currently making considerable inroads to raise the profile of Pattaya.
Set beside a glorious sweeping bay and a white sand beach, Pattaya is a favourite destination for those wishing to flee Bangkok at weekends and for long-haul travelers seeking fun in the sun. Fabulous Thai and international restaurants provide world-class dining opportunities.
The city offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets, from simple guesthouses to luxurious five-star resorts. There are also many quality houses and condominiums available and the resort towns continued popularity has seen many foreigners decide to make Pattaya their second home.
Pataya has undergone a face lift in the last few years as more and more boutique hotels have sprung up as have a number of fashionable shopping malls and high-end condo developments all in an attempt to lure tourists who may have been put off by it's red light area. As a result, you really have two Pattayas; one for families who want a resort getaway close to Bangkok, and the long-established Pattaya with it's adrenaline-pumping, action-never-ending entertainment area
Highlights and Attractions in Pataya
For the best view in Pattaya, check out the Pataya Park beach Resort&Tower in Jomtien. It has an observation deck on its 55th floor: It's a one-minute express elevator ride to the top, or you can take a leisurely cable car ride. The complex it is situated in also has a water park the kids love.
Underwater World is located on the Sukhumvit–Nong Prue Road. Visitors can walk through the acrylic tunnel and see various kinds of fish swimming. The tunnel is 105 metres long and divided into four zones; the first zone includes angel fish, cleaning wrasse and butterfly fish, the second displays sharks and stingrays, while the third has Napoleon fish, groupers, pomfrets, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles swimming around a replica of shipwreck. The fourth zone is a special one where fish from the Amazon River are on display. Underwater World is open daily from 9.00 a.m.– 6.00 p.m. Entrance fee is 400 baht for the adults and 200 baht for children. For more information visit www.underwaterworldpattaya.com
Mini Siam is located at Km. 143 on Sukhumvit Road, Highway No. 3, North Pattaya and is one of the most famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritage of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai and many more. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called "miniworld". The compound is open daily from 7.00 a.m.-10.00 p.m. Admission: 250 baht for adults and 120 baht for children.
Pattaya Park Beach Resort and Tower at Chom Thian features a large whirlpool with giant sliders and a tower with a revolving restaurant. Visitors can also enjoy several games and rides on the tower and in its playground. A ticket for tower visit costs 200 baht. The park is open daily from 10.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m. Visit www.pattayapark.com for more information.
Silver Lake Vineyard in the Sattahip District grows 12 kinds of grapes on an estate covering over 400 rai. Visitors can taste and purchase fresh grapes, juice and wine. The vineyard is open every day and there is no entrance fee. The vineyard provides the ATV for rent for 200 baht for 20 minutes and 600 baht for one hour. For more information, Tel. 08 1700 4527 Bangkok Tel. 0 2261 2278-9 ext.100
After Dark Tuxedo Magic Castle on Pattaya Soi 2 Road is a magic theatre and split-level restaurant. A great place to take the kids, the castle has daily performances of magic at 7.00 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. On Saturday and public holidays, there is also a 5.30 p.m. round. Admission fee is 450 baht. For more information visit www.tuxedo-magic.com
Tiffany is the first ever truly transvestite cabaret show in South East Asia. With over 28 years of stage experiences, the fame of Tiffany has spread around the world and is a highly recommended tourist attraction. Millions of international visitors from every part of the world had experienced our spectacular performances and enjoyed our marvelous, talented and beautiful Tiffany performers. The venue is located on Pattaya 2 Road. Showtimes are 6.00 p.m., 7.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. Admission is 500, 700 and 800 baht. Visit www.tiffany-show.co.th for further details.
Arts & Culture
To learn more about Thai culture while in Pataya, it is best to go out and explore cultural attractions, watch a traditional Thai show, visit an art exhibition or celebrate with the locals during its many festivals and events. Some of the notable cultural sights are the sanctuary of truth with its intricate and elaborate carvings; Mini Siam and Mini Europe for its model village consisting of Thai and European buildings in a miniature scale; Anek Kuson Sala, a Chinese temple which contains precious antiques, pottery items and paintings; and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden for its sprawling garden and park with traditional Thai houses.
Nong Nooch Garden
Activities
Tennis courts, go-kart tracks, fitness centes and Thai-boxing gyms are all available in Pataya as are elephants rides, motorscooters, monster motorbikes, and convertible Jeeps. To keep the adrenaline pumping shooting ranges are available as is scuba(there are many ship wrecks in the area), snorkelling, jet-skiing, game fishing, cable skiing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, speed boating, water-skiing, parasailing, and aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders. You can even rent a sail boat from Gulf Charters at nearby Ocean Marina and sail to a few of the local nearby islands like Koh Rang.
The city also has its own Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, bungee jumping, an open-air zoo(outside of town), a seperate tiger zoo, and an aquarium. There are also numerous restaurants, bars, theatres, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billard & snooker clubs, discos, saunas & massage parlors.
This area also has one of the greatest concentrations of good golf courses in the world and as such has been dubbed a "Golfer's paradise". You can play on a different spectacular course each day, without having to change hotels.
Dinning Out
Pataya has all the famous western fast food restaurants as well as numerous individual fine western and Thai food eateries. If you get a chance see a dinner show, usually consisting of a three-course meal with some authentic Thai dancing.
Nearby Environs
The lesser known Koh Si Chang, accessed by boat from the town of Sri Racha, features Hat Tha Wang Palace, the former summer palace of King Rama V. Summiting its Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Monastery, you can get a great view of the surrounding ocean, which is full of tankers on one side and glorious empty ocean on the other.
Nearby Chantaburi is known for its gemstones, as it is the centre for buying rubies and sapphires from across Southeast Asia. The town also has a significant Vietnamese population with their own fasinating history. And if you happen to be in Chonburi in October check out the water buffalo races, great fun for all involved.
Koh Samet, which is only a short drive from Pattaya, and accessed by the pier at Ban Phe, has some of the finest white sand in the country and many Bangkokians chose to make this their weekend getaway because of its accessibility.
Walks
Pattaya is a great town to walk around at its Walking Street attests and if you are up for a good challenge try walking the entire Beach Road in Central Pattaya.
Shopping
If it's not for sale in Pattaya. It's basically not for sale. And you can get lots of practicing bargaining, because almost all the open-air vendors will negotiate their prices, but it's best to bring a smile and a sense of humour when you start negotiating.
Free of Charge
Pattaya is basically a town built for tourists: so pretty much everything you need for a beach holiday is on offer and you can browse to your heart's content from any of the beachside kiosks to the myriad of western shopping malls lining Pattaya town.
Festival in Pattaya
April: The festivities begin with a car parade contest wherein cars are beautifully adorned with flowers, ribbons, etc. and they drive from North Pattaya to South Pattaya. This parade usually consists of 30 cars which are displayed in front of the city hall after the event. Other highlights include exhibition, oyster rearing and fishnet weaving demonstrations and sports competitions such as water skiing and motorcycle racing.
October: Buffalo Racing Fair
This is an annual event wherein the buffalos are bathed and adorned with elaborate headdresses and accessories as they take part in races and contests. The race is held in front of the City Hall where visitors can enjoy a country girl's contest, buffalo health and dress contest. They can make merit at a nearby temple or find entertainment at the open theaters at the fair.
Local Knowledge
It is possible to go around Pattaya by foot where the beach, hotels, clubs, bars, and shops are condensed in one area. There are also an abundance of songthaews, the most common made of transport. There is an official fare rate for the usual routes but for other destinations, a price can be negotiated. Motorcycle taxis and taxis also abound in Pattaya, it is also possible to rent a car or motorcycle and renters are expected to have a valid driver's license.
Area code: 038 is the local area code used to dial to Pattaya.
Seasons: Pattaya has a pleasant year-round tropical climate that can go hot. The coastal areas benefit from the cool sea breeze. It is subject to annual monsoons and experience three seasons- Cool season (November-February). Hot season(March-May), Rainy season(June-October).
Getting There
It is possible to make the trip from Bangkok to Pattaya by car in ninety minutes. Nearby U-Tapao Airport services international and domestic flights to Pattaya and you can actually catch a train from Bangkok as well, but the trip is slow. Buses to Pattaya from Bangkok leave regularly from Ekamai, Mochit and the Southern bus stations and from the bus terminal attrached to Suvanabhumi Airport. And for those of you enjoying your time in Thailand who want to remain in the country, but need a new visa to do so, the most convenient border run is to Aranyaprathet, about three hours by bus from Pattaya.
Time to Visit Pattaya is a year-round destination but the high season runs from October until February.
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