Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi.Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and pronounced "Putt-tuh-YAH", it ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with some 5.4 million visitors arriving in 2005. Increasing numbers of tourists come from the former Soviet Union and East Asia.
The city of Pattaya is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri.
Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province.
Pattaya is Asias premier beach resort, and caters with equal appeal to families, couples and single visitors. Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambience is synonymous with every ingredient for memorable holidays.
Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed backside hotels with superb convention facilities Water Skito simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia.
Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members.
And after dark, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers everything and authentic international beach resort can.
History
Pattaya was a small fishing village until it was discovered by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighbouring Rayong province began using the area for "rest and recreation" (R&R), causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis.
The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a Council-manager government. However, many argue that this administration system has drawbacks (for example, the mayor may disagree with the city manager). Critics have recommended abolishing the system.
In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, however the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most visited party destinations. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's raison d'être.
Demographics
The city had 104,318 registered inhabitants in 2007. But that figure excludes the large number of people who work in Pattaya but remain registered in their hometowns, and many long-term expatriate visitors. Including non-registered residents, the population numbers around 300,000 at any given time. Other estimates put the figure as high as 500,000.
Geography
Pattaya, located off the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 145 km south of the city of Bangkok.
"Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus the Buddha Hill headland (immediately south of Pattaya Beach), and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (which lies directly south of Buddha Hill) including Dongtan Beach. Jomtien's beaches are much broader and generally in better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented, than at Pattaya Beach.
Administration
Pattaya city has been administered under a special autonomous system since 1978. It has a status comparable to a municipality and is separately administered by the mayor of Pattaya city who is responsible for making policies, organizing public services and supervising all employees of Pattaya city administration.
Beaches
Pattaya Beach is situated alongside the city centre. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along the beach, as has the practice of dumping sewage in the ocean. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area. Most sections of the beach are covered by rented deckchairs run by local beverage vendors during daylight hours.
Bangsaen
Bangsaen Beach is a famous beach near Pattaya, Thailand, that has enjoyed lasting popularity. Approximately 13 kilometers from the city of Chon Buri, it branches off to the right-hand side from Sukhumvit Highway, at kilometers 104, for a distance of 3 kilometers. Stretching along the beachfront, is a 2.5 kilometer Road.
Bang Saen BeachAlong the beach, one finds vendors offering drinks and seafood snacks such as squid, mussels and spicy steamed-fish-cakes for sale. One can rent deck chairs and rubber rings for swimming. Fresh water bathing facilities are also available. The many restaurants that line the beach have recently been improved to become more neat and orderly.
Bang Saen is ideal for visitors with limited time who wish to relax with their family and friends. It also offers several hotels and bungalows for overnight lodging.
Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach is divided from the main part of Pattaya by Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city. Jomtien is essentially a residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. A wide array of watersport activities can be found, including jet skis, parasailing and small sail boat (Hobie Cat) rental. Dongtan Beach, just past the Avalon Beach Resort in Jomtien, is known as the gay beach, and is busy every day of the year.
Jomtien's most visible landmark is the 56-story Pattaya Park tower, part of the Pattaya Park entertainment complex which also features a water park, roller coaster, monorail. This may soon be overshadowed by the proposed 91-floor Ocean One Tower ("O1") Tower. With an overall height of 367 meters, it would be the tallest building in Thailand and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. The Jomtien district is already home to one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room Ambassador City Jomtien.
Islands
Island groups
Off Pattaya there are some small islands and island groups. They are the primary scuba diving destinations in and around Pattaya, especially the "Far Islands":
* Mu Ko Lan : The "Near Islands", Ko Lan (main island), Ko Sak and Ko Krok located 7.5 Km from the western shores of Pattaya.
* Mu Ko Phai : The "Far Islands", Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands".
* Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai.
Ko Lan
Ko Lan, or "Coral Island", is a small island situated 7.5 km west of Pattaya. Ko Lan is accessible by speedboat and ferry. The ferry departs hourly, and is a 45-minute ride costing just 20 baht each way. Speedboats are more expensive, but can reach the island in less than 15 minutes.
Transportation
Pattaya is about 1½ hours, or 120 km by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Pattaya is also served through U-Tapao International Airport which is 45 minutes drive from the city. By road, it is served by Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Intercity transport is usually through one of two bus stations, one for Bangkok and one for other destinations.
Until recently the only transport within town were private or shared songthaews and taxi via motorbike. However, a public bus service has begun in 2006, and a metered taxi service began in late 2007.
Roads
1. By the Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya Motorway (Highway No.7) The motorway is linked with Bangkok’s Outer Ring Road., (Highway No. 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.
2. By Bang Na-Trat Highway (Highway No. 34) From Bang Na, Bang Phli, across the Bang Pakong River to Chon Buri there is a Chon Buri’s bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road., (Highway No. 3, passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.
Pattaya roads
* Pattaya 1 Road ("Beach Road"): this street runs parallel to the beach
* Pattaya 2 Road: this street runs approximately 400 meters parallel to Pattaya 1 Road.
* Pattaya 3 Road: this is Pattaya’s outer-ring road which connects North, South and Central Pattaya.
* Thap Phraya Road: this street connects Pattaya 2 to Jomtien Road.
* Thep Prasit Road: this street connects Sukhumvit to Jomtien Road.
Car : Pattaya can be reached in a comfortable 2-hour drive from Bangkok. Drive along the Bang Na-Trat and Sukhumvit Highways (Highway No. & Highway No 3) via Bang Pakong, and Si Racha. One can also avoid a lot of traffic on Bang carNa-Trat Highway by opting for Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon Buri - Pattaya route).
Rail :There is one train a day to Pattaya leaving from Hualumphong Station in Bangkok. The State Railways of Thailand offers daily train service departing Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 6.55 a.m.
The journey takes about 3.30 hours. Tel: 223-7010, 223-7020
Monorails :The city plan to contruction 3 lines of monorail system, by a budget of 4,000 million baht.
Air :There is no public airport in Pattaya city. The nearest airport to Pattaya city is U-Tapao.
Bus :Buses to Pattaya leave very frequently from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Morchid) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekhamai). There are buses from Pattaya which go to every nearby provincial town. There are also some buses available to major towns in the north-east. Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned coaches regularly leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) and the Mochit 2 Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet Road throughout the day.
Departure times and fares may be obtained by calling the Eastern Bus Terminal (391-9829) for air-conditioned coaches and 391 -2504 for regular coaches and the Mochit 2 Bus Terminal at 936-3509 for air-conditioned coaches.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle) : Popularly nick-named ‘Baht-buses’ in Pattaya, songthaews are the most popular mode of public transportation in Pattaya. Normally, the price is different for locals and foreigners (double the local price). Yet, however the cost is still comparatively low and foreigners are advised to avoid confrontation with the drivers.
Motorbike-taxi : These are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for very short distances.
Tourism
Once a sleepy fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R spot during the Vietnam War and got itself a bit of a bad image, but things have certainly improved since then and the city has been turning its location into a family-orientated destination. So besides only bars and pubs, there is plenty more to do and see these days. Currently, Pattaya is booming again: TAT claims 5,338,000 visitors for 2005 (up 6.5% from 2004), of which two-thirds were foreigners who came to enjoy the exciting sea-shore activities.
Other activities include golfing at the area's many golf courses, and there are 21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya, go-cart racing, visiting the construction site of an elaborate private wooden temple known as Sanctuary of Truth, and different theme parks and zoos such as Mini Siam, and Elephant Village.
The national symbol of Thailand, these amazing animals have been part of Thai culture for centuries. Demonstrations of training methods and ancient ceremonial re-enactments plus entertaining performances and wild elephant round-ups daily between 2:30 and 4:00.
The private Sri Racha Tiger Zoo features several hundred tigers and thousands of alligators as well as some other animals. It has often been criticized for the animals' living conditions, and a worker was killed by tigers in 2004. There was a major bird flu outbreak at the zoo later that year.
The Vimantaitalay tourist submarine takes customers underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. There are many boat trips from an hour to all day trips available, mostly leaving from Bali Hai Pier, near Walking Street.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is located some 15 kilometers east of Pattaya. The 500-acre (2.0 km2) site has well maintained botanical gardens and an orchid nursery. Moreover the facility has lively cultural shows in a Thai village setting. In addition trained chimpanzees and elephants are seen at the garden.
Other attractions in Pattaya: The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Elephant Village, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park and Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya (world class aquarium), Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya(cultural show), Bottle Art Museum, Mini Siam, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and Walking Street.
Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya presents Thai performing arts in a panoramic concept. The entire project includes a prototype Hexa Stage Theater with 2,000 seats in tiers, Cultural Rostrum and a Restaurant with 1,000 seating capacity. Open daily except Wednesday, show time 18.00 hrs.
Underwater World is an aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand. The tunnel is 105 metres long divided into 4 zones. The aquarium is home to a multitude of local marine life, including sharks and stingrays. Moreover, there is marine life feeding shows, both on the surface of the water and underwater in each zone.
Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat : This small hill is located between South Pattaya and Chom Thian. It is a vantage point for a panoramic view of the whole city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. Locals and visitors come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is resgared the “founding father of the modern Thai navy.” and Suan Chaloemphrakiat; Khao Phra Tam Nak Road., This is a fitness park at the foot of Khao Pattaya.
Sanctuary of Truth : This gigantic wooden structure is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North Pattaya. The sanctuary of Truth was first built in 1981. With exquisite architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.
Mini Siam is located at km. 143 on Sukhumvit Road., Highway No. 3, North Pattaya, Mini Siam is one of famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages 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 etc. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called “mini world”.
Cabaret Shows : There are two venues of transvestite cabarets (lady boys) in Pattaya.
* Alcazar Cabaret , Pattaya 2 Road
* Tiffany Show, Pattaya 2 Road
Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan covers an area of 366 rai. It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and later was supported by His Majesty the King. Within the compound of the temple are the Mondop where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined, a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha, as well as, his enlightened followers, and Wihan Phra Yanaret.
Koh Larn is a little tropical island located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach. The Island is around 4km long and 2km wide and is home to approximately one thousand residents. Most of the locals reside in the main village, Naban. There are six beaches on the island that has white sand and clear blue water. The terrain is mainly mountainous which is covered in most part with jungle.
Some tourists take daytrips to nearby Rayong for beautiful beaches, as well as Koh Samet island.
Activities
Sports
Bungee Jump:
* Jungle Bungee Jump has arrived in Pattaya and is found near the fishing pond of the Jomtien Fishing Park.
Flying for entertainment: at major places such as
* Pattaya Air Park (พัทยา แอร์ พาร์ค)
* Chon Buri Flying Club (ชลบุรี ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)
* CMT Flying Club (ซีเอ็มที ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)
Horse Riding:
* Jo Jo Horse Club is a training place for horse riding.
* Horseshoe Point Club is a place of horse riding training and accommodation. It covers an area of 300 rai. There are horse riding training fields for both indoor and outdoor, cross-country jumping and polo, which are up to an international standard. The Thai Polo Club offers polo lessons and opportunities to play polo.
Motor Sports: Car Racing Circuit
* Pattaya Cart Speedway is a cart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs.
* Thailand International Motor Sport Complex (TIMC)
* Pira International Circuit
* KR Go-cart Grand Prix
Fitness and sports:
* Fairtex Sport Club and Hotel is a sports complex comprising artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash, tennis court, etc.
Spa Pattaya has an abundance of massage shops. The most common types of massage include Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.
Proper spas however, of a very high world-standard can be found at the city’s top resorts and hotels.
Diving : The most popular destination in Pattaya for diving buffs is the Hardeep Wreck which was sunk by the allies in the Second World War. The wreck lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 26 meters. Other popular dive destinations near Pattaya include:
* Ko Rin
* Ko Lan
* Ko Man Wichai
* Ko Hu Chang
* Ko Khrok
* The Wreck of HTMS Khram
* Ko Sak
Shopping
In recent years, new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have opened up. Among the shopping malls are:
* Central Center Pattaya, Pattaya Second Road – Indoor mall anchored by a Big C; also has a SF Cinema City branch.
Hypermarkets
* Carrefour - Pattaya Central Road
* Big C - Pattaya Second Road
* Tesco Lotus - Pattaya North Road
Local Products in Pattaya consist of:
* Chaeng Lon: This is a local delicacy where coconut is hand molded into small buns on a stick and charcoal-grilled.
* Hoi Cho: This Chinese delicacy is Chon Buri's famous dish because a special kind of sea crabs is used as the main ingredient.
* Khao Lam: This specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo rods.
Shopping Malls
* The Village Shopping Centre, Sukhumvit Rd - Pattaya's newest shopping centre due to open in October.
* Mike Department Store , Beach Road
* Royal Garden Plaza, Beach Road – Three-story indoor mall with a Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum and an SF Multiplex cinema. Also has a Sizzler restaurant, Au Bon Pain, KFC, McDonald's, Auntie * Anne's Pretzels, ZEN Japanese restaurant, Swensen's, Haagen Daz, Pizza Company, Delice de France, and a large food court. The Marriott Hotel is adjacent.
* The Avenue, Second Road (near Royal Garden) is in the midst of a soft opening with the following either open or their spaces being fitted out: a 22 lane Bowling Alley, Au Bon Pain, McDonalds, Thanachart Bank, 8 Major Cineplex theatres, Boots, California Wow! a major gym/fitness spa (open for subscriptions), Shenanigans, Iberry, Pizza Pizza, 20 Nails Spa, Starbucks, Kasikorn Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya, and a 24/7 Villa Market, which carries imported goods difficult to fi
nd in other supermarkets.* TukCom, Pattaya Tai (South) Road, boasts a large computer/IT complex offering reasonable prices.
* An outlet mall is next to the Tesco Lotus selling discount clothing from many European and American brands.
At least one other new large mall is under construction between sois 9 and 10..
Pattaya has many large home improvement stores including Home Mart, HomeWorks, Home Pro, Kanyong and True Value.
The closest department store to Pattaya is Robinson's, located about 30 minutes away in Sri Racha.
There are several large nightly markets in different parts of town.
There are big Thai markets at soi bua kao each Tuesday and Friday.
Nightlife
Pattaya is known for its nightlife. The city has hundreds of beer bars, go go bars, and night clubs/discotheques. The world famous Walking Street is the center of Pattaya's nightlife.
Many bars, discos and nightclubs, as well as several large massage parlours, are venues for sex workers. Other massage parlors exist which provide traditional non-sexual Thai massages.
Since the "social order" crackdown of 2004, there are fewer sex shows (such as the ping pong shows). Depending on the enforcement climate, go go dancers may be seen fully nude, topless or in bikinis on different days or weeks. However, with the political crisis, there is little incentive to be strict about the former laws.
Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches aimed at tourists can be seen at several open-air beer bar complexes.
Boyztown (Pattayaland Soi 1-3), Sunee Plaza, and the Jomtien Complex are famous for their many beer bars, cabarets and go-go clubs catering to a gay clientele. Pattaya has the second largest concentration of gay oriented establishments in Thailand with about 110 venues, after Bangkok with about 200 venues. Many bars specialize in specific types of hosts (slim, muscular, effeminate, etc.), while others have a broad range of men available. There is very little in the way of gay nightclubs or bars in the Western sense; the vast majority of places are no different than the venues that target heterosexuals, both feature sexual entertainment.
Pattaya is known for its cabaret revues featuring kathoeys (male-to-female transsexuals), with Alcazar and Tiffany's being the largest and most elaborate.
Major Hotel operates restaurants, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer food, drinks, music and international entertainment.
Major Events
● Wan Lai Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April comes. People of old were wise enough to initiate the Songkran festival to cool themselves off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai New Year. In the central region, the festival is usually held on the 13th, l4th and 15th of April while in the East there is a difference as the water throwing activities commence on the l6th or 17th, 18th or 19th known as "Wan Lai" (Flowing Day).
Chonburi Buffalo Races Pattaya City holds its Wan Lai festival annually on April 19th with activities such as water pouring for the elders, processions and the fun of dowsing and another with water, a time for Thais and foreigners alike.
● Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and Pattaya's reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the streets. The Miss Pattaya Beauty contest is held as well as traditional aquatic sports competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are also set off. Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale.
● Chonburi Buffalo Races
is held in Chon Buri during October every year. The water buffalo is one of the mainstays in the life of a Thai farmer, but in this annual event it is put to more amusing uses than ploughing the local fields, such as buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo and man. Beauty contests add to the fun a festival that attracts crowds from nearby seaside resorts.
