Pattaya Overview
Pattaya
Located 140 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, about 1 1/2 hours drive, Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort city and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure seeking tourists from all over the world. Being a fully fledge city on the beach ensures the comforts, shopping and entertainment facilities of a
major metropolis plus all the delights of sun, sea and sand. It is only a 30 minute drive from Dok Krai and we will be happy to organise transportation for you.
Pattaya offers some of Thailand’s choicest seafood in several specialty restaurants. Steak houses and fast-food outlets provide attractive alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Muslim, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisines. Available from multi-star restaurants down to street stalls.
Pattaya offers something for everyone; from families to individual visitors.
Sights, Scenes & Sports
As a beach resort, Pattaya misses no opportunity for taking full advantage of sandy beaches, a warm sparkling sea and year-round sunshine. There are ample provisions for all kinds of water sports; swimming, sunbathing, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and more. Not only is all the necessary equipment available, there is also expert instruction.
Pattaya Beach is today a hive of activity, but four kilometres to the south lies Jomtien Beach. Here is a beautiful stretch of sand, less crowded than Pattaya though still have all the water sport options. To the north there are smaller beaches which offer a more tranquil retreat.
You can enjoy idyllic cruises to various offshore islands. A 45-minute boat ride away from Pattaya are Koh Lan and Koh Sak, where there are full facilities. An hours drive away is Koh Samet, set in a National Park.
You can rent water scooters to explore Pattaya bay, or rent motorcycles, cars and jeeps to explore inland attractions or neighboring beaches.
Golfers can visit the many international standard courses including the beautifully-landscaped and challenging Siam Country Club and Bangphra Golf International Courses, both within 30 minutes off Pattaya. Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leading hotel’s courts (where international tournaments are held). Bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery offer further entertainment; while Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night shows with broad popular appeal. For the kids (or kids at heart) there are 3 cinema complexes, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Underwater World, Mini Siam, mini-golf, Go-carts, Thunder Rock Dinosaur Park, Crocodile Farm, Elephant Village etc.
Close to Pattaya is the Bira Racing Circuit, the only FIA track in Thailand, which offers various car and bike race programs. You can also do track days. Further north of Pattaya is the Sriracha Tiger Zoo. Also at Sriracha is the Thai Flying Club.
Dining Shopping & Entertainment
Pattaya, unlike other beach resorts, does not slacken pace after sundown. South Pattaya, popularly referred to as ”The Strip”, is packed with all kinds of restaurants, bars, discos, and shops. This is where the famous Walking Street is located, following along the sea shore at the end of Beach Road. It becomes pedestrians-only after 5 pm daily, and is abundant with street bars, Seafood Restaurants and go-go bars teeming with local girls which Pattaya is famed for. Walking street gets quieter the further down you walk, and there you can find some fine restaurants and bars offering good food and a pleasing atmosphere.
If South Pattaya is a trifle overwhelming, those seeking quieter opportunities for shopping, dining and evening entertainment will not be disappointed. Such has been the development of the resort in recent years that full amenities are now to be found throughout Pattaya which extends well inland from the bay. Shopping possibilities are as varied as Pattaya’s other attractions; Souvenirs, handicrafts, gems and jewellery, ready-to-wear and custom-tailored clothing, paintings and more are all to be found along ”The Strip” and increasingly at smart shops and department stores throughout the resort. Along Beach Road (and the parallel Second Road are many Shopping Centres selling Brand Name items. The interconnecting Sois (laneways) have restaurants, hotels, shopping areas, bars and clubs.
Jomtien district
Mostly favoured by the person seeking a ”quieter” place to holiday, is separated from the other sections of Pattaya by the hill rising to the back of South Pattaya. Jomtien Beach is six-kilometers long which has some fine eateries and beer gardens, and during certain times of the year is popular for windsurfing due to brisk and fresh breezes from the Gulf of Thailand. Again, lively night life is available here, but at a slower ”family style” pace.
Getting Around
Of course we are happy to arrange transportation to and from Dok Krai, and can drive you around. Otherwise Soong Taew (covered pickup taxis) regularly ply the main routes within Pattaya, stopping on request, for Baht 10 to 20. There are also taxis and motorcycle taxis. Buses and minibuses can get you to places outside Pattaya. There are also plenty of places where you can hire a car or motorbike.
Attractions
Pattaya Elephant Village
Home to a few dozen elephants that are trained to do all sorts of tricks including playing football. Daily shows at 2.30pm. There is also the opportunity to do a spot of jungle trekking on elephant back.
Pattaya Mini Siam
Open from 7am until 8pm daily. Situated in North Pattaya opposite Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Mini Siam & Mini Europe
Displaying Thai and European heritage on a miniature scale. This is the third miniature town in the world after the Netherlands and Taiwan that brings together models of important objects and historical sites of different culture, and civilizations of various periods from ancient times till the present. More than 100 models, each on a scale of 1:25, are displays in an area of 29 rai, surrounded by natural sceneriesblended with different types of well selected trees. Open from 7.00-22.00 hrs.
Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm:
Located about 9 kilometers from Pattaya township, it has more than 1,000 crocodiles, a zoo and a bonsai garden decorated with rock formations. Open daily from 8.30-18.00 hrs. There are crocodile shows at 11.00, 14.00 and 16.30 hrs.
Wat Yansangwararam
A temple under the king’s patronage, it is unique for it’s modern Thai architecture. A meditation course is available to those are interested. 16.00 and 18.00 hrs. The temple is 12 kilometers south of Pattaya and only 3 kilometers from Nong Nooch Village.
Ban Ampur Fishing Village
On the main Sukhumvit highway from Pattaya to Sattahip this fishing village is full of seafood restaurants, Seafood food stalls and shops selling dried products to take home. Entrance to the beach leads down to the Lighthouse restaurant where the beach sprawls for miles.
Bang Saray
6 kilometer further toward Sattahip is Bang Saray ,a bit more ”up market” but similar to Ban Ampur. The beach seems to run for miles, plenty of places to relax under trees, lots of beach restaurants
Chinese Temple
Vihrara Sein Temple Chinese Temple is an interesting afternoon out at little cost, with a selection of the Terracotta Army found buried in China but mainly full of bronze statues. It sits beside a lake overlooking a Thai Temples.
Horseshoe Point
Horseshoe Point is for both serious horse riders and novices. There is also other attractions such as Three Kingdoms Park and the Thai Polo Club.
Khao Chee Chan (Buddha Mountain)
”Golden Buddha” The biggest Buddha image in the world. Lasered by the Americans in 1996 to commemorate King Bhumibol’s Golden Jubilee. It only took 2 days to laser, but several months to fill with gold leaf at a cost of over US$3 million. A Striking image leading to lovely gardens and situated very close to Silver Lake Vinery.
Silverlake Vineyards
A working vineyard overlooking Silverlake. Its cellar sells wine and other grape products. There is also a restaurant built into the hillside. Free entry, you can relax listening to music played on the hillside, walk in the gardens or take a tour on Silverlakes coach tours or amble in a Pony and Trap.
Nong Nooch Garden Centre
If gardening is your thing, then Nong Nooch is your Eden. But it’s not just a big garden centre, there are many beautiful gardens, featuring the largest variety of Palm’s and Cycad’s in the world, along with the greatest selection of Orchid’s in Thailand. Also Thai Culture shows, elephant shows and a sports car collection!
Floating Market
A recent attraction to Pattaya is the Floating Market situated on the Sukhumvit Highway just south of Pattaya with lots of stalls selling a variety of items.
We will be delighted to take you to any of the places listed above.