Located 147 kilometres 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 all over 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 (จอมเทียน) just south of Pattaya, where accommodation is also available.

Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leadings hotel’s- courts, and golfers can visit beautifully-landscaped and challenging golf courses around Pattaya.

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 airconditioned opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private-beaches ; bayside hotels ar© bungalows ; and “inland” economy-class hotels and st: houses.

Pattaya offers some of Thailand’s choicest seafood in several specialty restaurants. Steak houses and fast-food outlets provide attractives alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring Freneh, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian, Eiglish, 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.

How to get there

By air-conditioned bus (Duration 2 1/2 hrs.)

- 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. One way fare : 66 baht.Reservation: Rung Ruang Tour Tel. 3901230

- 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. One way fare : 67 baht (from Pattaya to Airport 150 baht) Reservation : Rung Ruang Tour Tel. 2712962

- Departure from the Bangkok Airport to Pattaya daily at 9.00, 12.00 and 19.00 hrs. One way fare : 180 bant Reservation : 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. One way fare is 200 baht. Reservation : Bell Travel Tel : 7474675-6

By non air-conditioned bus

Departure from the Eastern Bus Terminal, Tel. 3912504

Daily at 05.00 hrs. and every 30 minutes until 21.00 hrs.

One way fare : 37 baht

By train

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

Local Transportation

Travel within the resort is most convenient by mini­buses that continually ply the Beach Road and 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.

Attractions

Pattaya Beach ( หาดพัทยา ) about 4 kilometres 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.

Mini Siam & Mini Europe ( เมืองจำลอง ) 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 1:25, are displays in an area of 29 rai, surrounded by natural scenaries blended with different types 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 orNot( พิพธภัณฑ์ริบลีย์ เชื่อหรือไม่) is located on the 3rd 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. Admission fee 150 baht each.

Bottle Museum ( พิพิธภัณฑ์ขวด ) is situated on Suk-humvit Road. Here, famous architecture of the world 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 ( อุทยานหินล้านปี และฟาร์มจระเข้พัทยา ) located some 9 kilometres 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. Admission fee is 250 baht per person For more information please contact Tel. 5795033 (Bangkok) or (038) 249347-9 (Pattaya)

Siam Country Club ( สยามคันทรีคลับ ) 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 (หมู่บ้านช้าง ) 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 show time is at 14.30 P.M. Tel. (038) 428645

Panarak Park ( สวนป่าพนารักษ์ ) 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 ( สนามแข่งรถพีระอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลเซอร์กิต ) 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 ( หาดจอมเทียน ) 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 ( พัทยาปาร์ค ) Between south Pattaya and Hat Chom Thian, is a water amusement park with water sliders, whirlpools and large pool for children. Admission fee is 100 baht. Open from 9.00-18.00 hrs. Accommodation is available, contact Tel. 5110717 or (OSS’) 251201-8

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

Suan Nong Nooch (สวนนงนุช ) about 15 kilometers from South Pattaya, is a Thai-village-style recreation-cum-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 an elephant show. Admission fee is 200 baht per person. Accommodation in the park is available. Call 2521786, 038-238158-9 for further information.

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

Nearby is a chinese-style building called “Wihan

Sian” ( วิหารเซียน ) housing antiques and art objects from China. Admission fee is 30 baht per person.

Bang Saray ( บางเสร่ ) 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 ( เกาะล้าน ) 45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minuses by speed boat, is the largest of Pattaya’s archipelago. Major attractions include viewing coral reefs from glassbottomed boats, snorkeling, scuba diving, wind­surfing, skiing and parasailing. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island’s main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Ko Lan’s neighbouring islands such as

Ko Khrok and Ko Sak.

Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is Ko Phai (เกาะไผ่ ) an 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 charters cost 1,000-5,000 baht perday depending on the season and size of the boat.

Pattaya Festival ( งานเทศกาลพัทยา ) 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.