PATTAYA

Located 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok or only about two-hour drive, Pattaya is Thailand's premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourist from allover the world.

Visitors can windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbath, snorkel, sail, or take trips to offshore coral islands. they can rent water scooters to explore Pattaya bay, and motorcycles and jeeps to explore neighbouring-beaches such as the increasingly Hat Chom Thian just south of Pattaya, where accommodation is also available.

Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leadings hotel's courts, and golfers can visit beautifully0landscaped and challenging golf courses around Pattay.

Bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery offer further entertainment while Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night shows with broad popular appeal.

Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket. Facilities range from air-conditioned opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private-beaches ; bayside hotels and bungalows ; and "inland" economy-class hotels and guest houses.

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, Moslem, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisines.

From families to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.

- Departure from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to the Pattaya Bus Station on North Pattaya Rd, Daily at 05.00 hrs. and every 30 minutes until 22.00 hrs.

- Departure from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to the Pattaya Bus Station on North Pattaya Rd. Daily at 05.00 hrs. and every 30 minutes until 19.00 hrs.

- Departure from the Bangkok Airport to Pattaya daily at 9.00, 12.00 and 19.00 hrs. Thai Airways, arrival lounge, Bangkok Airport Tel. 5352801,5352803 Pattaya Tel. (038) 423140

- Departure from any hotel in Bangkok to Pattaya daily at 9.00, 11.30, 14.30 hrs.

There is a train leaving the Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) to Pattaya daily at 7.00 hrs. Call 2237010, 2237020 for further information.

Travel within the resort is most convenient by minibuses that continually ply the Beach Road Pattaya 2 Road in counterclockwise circuits. Fares are 5 baht per person per ride. Fares beyond the main bay area are negotiable.

Those who wish to be independent, and explore Pattaya's surrounding countryside and beaches at leisure, can hire motorcycles, jeeps or cars. The visitor is advised to shop around, and consult local tourism publications, for different companies offer different prices and conditions.

Pattaya Beach - about 4 kilometers long, has a beach road running parallel to the beach from the north to the south. The northern part is a more quiet area of the resort while the southern part is hustling and bustling and lively section, where on both sides of the street line up with shops of all kind, department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs. Shopping can be as just fun as in Bangkok

Mimi Siam & Mini Europe - Located near pattaya Klang, is Thailand's first wonder 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 the ancient time till present. More than 100 models, each on a scale of well selected trees. Open from 7.00-22.00 hrs. Admission fee is 200 Baht person. Call (038) 421628 for more details.

Ripley's museum Believe It or Not - is located on the 3 rd floor of Royal Plaza Building, Beach Road. Odd stories and objects are collected from around the world and exhibited here. The museum is open daily during 11.00-24.00 hrs.

ฺBottle Museum is situated on Sukhumvit Road. Here, famous architecture of the world a as well as boats finely crafted in miniature in glass bottles by a Dutch craftsman. Mr. Pieter, are put on display. The museum is open daily during 10.00-21.00 hrs. Admission fee 100 baht each.

Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm - located some 9 kilometers from Pattaya township, comprises breeding pens with 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 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.30, 17.00 hrs. For more information please contact Tel. 5795033 (Bangkok), (038) 249381-3 (Pattaya)

Siam Country Club - Located at km. 145 on Sukhumvit Highway, with the left turn about 11 kilometers. With 6,448 yards, par 72, it is one of country's most challenging courses with lots of wooded hills. The course offers accommodation in a hilly photogenic landscape. For more information Tel. 2153124, 2802532 (Bangkok), (038) 249381-3 (Pattaya)

Pattaya Elephant Village - is on the road to Siam Country Club Golf courses. the village shows elephant displaying forestry skills, playing football and re-enact of war elephant parade. the village also demonstrates how wild elephants were captured in the northeastern part of Thailand. Daily shown time is at 14.30 P.M. Tel. (038) 428645

Panarak Park - 5 kms. off Pattaya City on the road to Siam country Club Golf Course, offers a tropical garden setting. The park equip with fishing gears for a well-stocked fishing pond. the place also facilitate with bungalow accommodations, restaurant, jogging and cycling paths, boating and water-cycling. It gives up-country experience for staying overnight there. Further information please contact Tel. 5210763, 5211665

The Bira international Circuit - Located at km. 14 on Route 36 to Rayong, offers international motor and motorcycle racing occationally. The 2.4 kilometers circuit is ideal for formula 3 races. For the one who loves speed and would like to experience real thing on the racing track, the circuit opens every day. For more details Tel. 5877448

Hat Chom Thian - Located 2 kilometers from south Pattaya, is good for swimming. The beach has become more and more popular for water sports and activities because it has a long straight coastline and there are less boat anchored in the area. Reasonable accommodation is also available.

Pattaya Park - Between south Pattaya and Hat Chom Thian, is a water amusement park with water sliders, whirlpools and large pool for children. Open from 9.00-18.00 hrs. Accommodation is available, contact Tel. 511017 or (038) 251201-8

Hat Sai Thong - 7 kilometers from Pattaya, is a peaceful beach with accommodation which can be booked at Golden Beach Resort Tel. 2588452

Suan Nong Nooch - about 15 kilometers from South Pattaya, is a Thai-village-style recreation and vacation park. The entire area of some 500 acres is beautifully landscaped with orchid nursery and other botanical gardens. There are also cultural and traditional performances and and elephant show. Accommodation the park is available. Call 2541786, 038-238158-9 for further information.

Wat Yansangwararam - A temple under the king's patronage is unique for it's modern Thai architecture. Here meditation course is offering at 6.00 and 18.00 hrs. The temple is 12 kilometers south of Pattaya of only 3 kilometers from Nong Nooch Village. Call (038) 237642 for further information.

Nearby is a chinese-style building called "Wihan Sian" - housing antiques and art objects from China. Admission fee is 30 baht per person.

Bang Saray - a fishing village located 2 kilometers off the main highway at km. 164, offers deep-sea fishing opportunities. There are also other recreational facilities at Bangsaray Fishing Inn (Tel. 038-436095) Bangsaray Fishing Lodge (038-436757) and Sea Sand Club (Tel. 2555960, 038-435171)

Ko Lan - 45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minutes by speed boat, is the largest of Pattaya's archipelago. Major attractions include viewing coral reefs from glassbottomed boats, snorkeling. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island's main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Ko Lan's neighbourign islands such as Ko Khrok and Ko Sak.

Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is Ko Phai - and island currently under the care of the Royal Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day.

All the nearby islands are easy to get to and charters can be arranged through the hotel tour desk or by negotiating a price direct with the boat owners.

Boat charter cost 1,000-5,000 baht per day depending on the season and size of the boat.

Pattaya Festival - Thailand's world-famous seaside resort puts on its most festival face for this annual event, held in April at the height of the summer season. Food and Floral Floats, beauty contests, stalls selling local delicacies, and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only a few of the highlights that attract merry-makers.