Pattaya

Pattaya is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 147 km southeast of Bangkok in the province of Chonburi. It is one of Thailand’s major and famous beach resorts and it is the closest to Bangkok. Pattaya’s population counts over 100,000.

Pattaya’s beautiful beaches are certainly a main point of attraction, but there’s so much more to the city than meets the eye. Apart from sun bathing, water sports, swimming and a famous nightlife, Pattaya offers its visitors countless possibilities when it comes to attractions worth visiting, entertainment, shopping, dining, and accommodation. If you want to relax and sunbathe, but also have some fun and do some sightseeing, this is the perfect resort for you. It has a little bit of everything. It is a destination appropriate for everyone from couples, children and families to businessmen.

The most famous beach in Pattaya is of course Pattaya Beach. It does not only rely on its natural beauty and on the relaxing powers of its sand, sun and sea, but offers a cosmopolitan mix of everything you could possibly want. Pattaya Beach is lined up with amazing hotels, restaurants, bars, discos, market stalls, and shopping malls and offers a wide range of leisure activities. If you’re looking for an active, vibrant beach filled with energy, this is the place for you. There are plenty of things to do and see on Pattaya Beach. One of them is the observations spot Khao Pattaya View Point and Wat Khao Phra Bat located on the Phrathamnak Hill and offering a breathtaking view over the ocean and over Pattaya City. And if you’re there, don’t miss the statue of the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai.

Another hot spot is the Underwater World Pattaya, which is one of the largest aquariums in Asia. And if you feel like seeing something out of the ordinary, visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. You will see some strange items on display in the 300 exhibits organized in 10 galleries, each with its own theme. Robert Leroy Ripley’s books “Believe It or Not!” were the ones that inspired these galleries that will shock and amaze you at the same time with their beauty and bizarreness. You might find yourself wondering whether the objects and people you see in the museum are real or not.

If you’ve had enough of Pattaya Beach and want a more peaceful décor, you can go to Jomtien Beach, which has a quiet charm and is less crowded than Pattaya Beach. One of the main attractions on Jomtien Beach is the Pattaya Floating Market, which houses over 110 shops and stalls. After you spend a few lovely hours at the market, you can go to the Three Kingdoms Theme Park and to Wat Yansangwararam, a royal temple nearby the park. Another theme park is the Nong Nooch Garden, which offers a variety of shows, restaurants and accommodation as well as individually themed gardens. And if you’re still hungry for beautiful things, visit the Siriporn Orchid Farm.  It is no secret that Thai orchids are famous for their beauty and this garden is there to prove it. You can see some of the most beautiful varieties that you’ll surely fall in love with. What can be more beautiful than an exotic afternoon in a flower paradise?

Another attraction that cannot be missed, especially if you’re an animal lover, is the Pattaya Elephant Village. The highlight of the village is the ‘Glong Sabad Chai’, which is a victory drum ceremony with a war elephant, but there are other shows and demonstrations as well. And if elephants are too soft for you, visit the Crocodile Farm, which hosts a collection of rare animals, fossilized plants and beautiful bonsai trees.

If you’re more of a solitary person and you’re looking for a less chaotic and serene beach, than Pattaya is definitely not for you and you should head to the more quiet Naklua and Wong Amat beaches. While you’re here, you can’t miss the Sanctuary of Truth, a one of a kind construction made entirely out of teak wood. Its amazing wooden sculptures are a reflection of the “Ancient Vision of Earth”, “Ancient Knowledge” and “Eastern Philosophy”. The beauty and serenity of the sanctuary might not make you understand ancient life and the relationship with the universe, as advertized in the brochure, but it will surely inspire you to admire the work put into this enormous project.

After you finish taking in the wonders of the Sanctuary of Truth, it’s time to visit Mini Siam. This is a different adventure, a Gulliver’s Travels-like adventure. Mini Siam, which is divided in two different areas, Mini Siam and Mini Europe, contains almost a hundred miniature versions of famous world sites displayed at a scale of 1 to 25. You will see replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, Trevi Fountain and famous structures from around Thailand, such as The Emerald Buddha Temple and the Bridge over the River Kwai.