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Pattaya

The Destination

Pattaya is a city that has it all - Beaches, Nightlife, Shopping, Adventure, Entertainment. Pattaya is a city that doesn't disappoint.

It is a city that is for all kinds of travelers

whether one travels single or with a bunch of friends;
as a couple or with kids;
on a budget or want to splurge.

The city has everything for a complete holiday, offering budget to luxury resorts; throbbing nightlife; great shopping; entertainment, engrossing theme parks; cuisines from across the world, adventure and a lot more. Tourist of all kinds can travel to Pattaya for a holiday for all budgets and ideas.

This module talks about activities and places beyond just the Coral Island - which can be cliched. You will be able to create a 4-5 day itinerary of Pattaya, including theme parks, museums, cultural activities, and more

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Location	Pattaya
Time Required	4 – 8 hours depending upon the tour chosen
Nearby	Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark

One of the most famous tourist attractions in Thailand, that opened to the public in 1980. It is a beautiful tropical garden with ornamental flowers and plants it is fully equipped with accommodations, swimming pool, restaurants, and few MICE facilities. Tourists can experience an Elephant show and a Thai Cultural show within the theatre. It is a significant botanical garden with the concept of "a garden for all people of this world", recognized as one of the top 10 most beautiful gardens in the world. There are four different kinds of accommodation options. Thai cultural show and elephant show happen five times a day. First show starting 10:30 AM and the last at 5:00 PM Tourists can also enjoy paddle boat and elephant riding.

The sections in the garden include –

A Cars Exhibition with a variety of over 60 fantastic cars.
Horticulture workshop
Dinosaur valley
Plants exhibition
Animals Kingdom
Different gardens like – Cactus Garden, French Garden, Italian Garden, Stonehenge Garden, Butterfly Hill, Cycad Valley, Flamingo Garden and more

Coral Island Pattaya

Also Known as	Koh Larn / Koh Lan
Location	The island is about 30 – 40 minutes ferry ride from Pattaya Pier
Time Required	Minimum 4 Hours

Most commonly recognized as The Coral Island Pattaya, Koh Larn is a beautiful little island about 7.5 kms off the coast of Pattaya beach. With several white Sandy beaches and a bunch of coral reefs, visitors can get a combination of relaxation and adventure together on this Island.
Activities include snorkeling, viewing corals from glass-bottom boats, and a lot of other water sport activities like parasailing, banana boat ride, jetski etc.

Travel to coral island

Ferry services operate between Laem Bali High Pier and The Coral Island from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Speed boats for up to 10 people are also available.
Stops include Na Ban Pier, Ta Waen Beach and Thong Lang Beach

Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark Pattaya

Location	Bang Saray Area (20 min from Pattaya City)
Time Required	Approx. 8 hours (consider full Day)
Nearby	Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Based on the world's favorite kids channel The Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark is the world's only Cartoon Network themed water park and one of the top 10 water parks in Asia.

The water park has 10 different cartoon-themed entertainment zones including Ben 10 on high-speed water rollercoaster, Jake from Adventure Time, Powerpuff Girls, Gumball, Darwin and more.

The waterpark has over 25 exhilarating rides and 22 captivating live shows with acrobats and digital light. The kids can also meet and dance with their favorite cartoon network characters at the Cartoonival - the world's largest Aqua playground.

For surfers, there is Surf Arena and Mega Wave.

For dining Cartoon network Amazon offers culinary adventure at Foodville, Toonalicious, and Dexter Ice Cream Lab.

A stay at one of the below resorts can help you get discounted tickets to Cartoon Network Amazone for your guests -

- Sea Sand Sun Resort And Spa Jomtien Beach
- Centra Maris Resort Jomtien
- Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya

The Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark is a fun adrenaline inclusive entertainment for guests of all ages.

Tiffany Cabaret Show

Location	Bang La Street, Chonburi province
Time Required	1-hour show - 3 Shows Every Night (6.00 pm., 7.30 pm. and 9.00 pm) 2 extra shows on public holidays at 4.30 pm and 10.30 pm
Theme	Thai Culture, humour, with more Asian elements
Nearby	Teddy Bear Museum, Alcazar Show, Art in Paradise, Tuxedo Illusion Hall

The first Transvestite Cabaret Show in South East Asia – The Tiffany Show – has been operating for almost 40 Years. It is proudly called The Original Transvestite Cabaret of Thailand. It is also the biggest Cabaret Show in Asia and voted among the Top Ten Best Shows to See Around the World.

It is indeed a spectacular show with dazzling costumes that range from Sweeping Ball-gowns to skimpy Swimwear

The Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya

Location	Pattaya \|\| Road, Chonburi Province
Time Required	70 Minute shows - 5:00 p.m, 6:30 p.m, 8:00 p.m and 9:30 p.m.
Theme	Dance forms of various countries across the world.
Nearby	Teddy Bear Museum, central Marina, Pattaya Night Baar, Tiffany Show

Often considered as more entertaining and popular than Tiffany Show, The Alcazar has been given equal acclamation to both Lido and the Moulin Rouge of Paris. It has up to 17 different shows performed by approx. 100 professional performers and staff. The theatre has a seating capacity of 1200 seats.

It blended the art of acting, stage design, costumes and performance so well that all ages can enjoy the spectacular show.

KOH SAMAE SAN

Category	National Parks & Marine Reserves, Islands
Location	An island about 30 – 40 minutes ferry ride from Thai Island and Sea Natural History Museum
Time Required	Approx. 4 Hours

One of the less-known tourist islands, and hence more pristine. Samae San Island is under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Visitors can take ONLY DAY TRIP to the Island. Staying overnight is not allowed.

It is one of the 9 islands under the Plant Genetic Conservation Project. The conservation has resulted in some impressive views of white sand, clear water, and beautiful coral reefs. The number of visitors is limited by 500 persons/day.

Tickets can be bought on the spot at the reception building of the Natural History Museum. The Que card is given starting 6 AM every day.

Activities available are –
Snorkeling, glass-bottom boat ride, kayaking, and biking around the island. Of the five beaches on the island, Visitors can go Swimming only two beaches - Hat Thien and Hat Luk Lom

Facilities like snorkel sets, life jackets, bathrooms, showers, and restaurants are available on the Island.

Adventure and Adrenaline

FLYBOARD Pattaya –

Get an opportunity to fly with Flyboard and feel like “iron man”. Located at Banglamung Muang Pattaya, Chon Buri.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing Club - Banglamoong, Chonburi

PATTAYA BUNGY JUMP & HUMAN SLINGSHOT -

Threppassit Road Soi 9 – Bunjee jumping dates back to an ancient tradition from the village of Bunlap on Vannatu Island.

Bungee jumping off a 60-meter high platform over a lake
Be launched on the Human Slingshot over 90 meters, reaching a breath-catching 150kph in just a second.
Both activities have safety measures of international standards. They are fully licensed and Insured.,

Floating Market

Location	About 9 Kms south of Pattaya City
Opening Hours	9am-8pm

A quick experience of Thai culture of market on a stream and shops on a boat.
One can find the best quality of fruits, vegetables and flowers in the market. Visitors can indulge in Interesting activities such as sailing on the rowing boat, Amphibian boat trip, herb garden, herbal ball massage demonstration, monkey show, branch of the Royal Craftsmen college, Agri-nature Learning Center

Art In Paradise

Location	Pattaya ii Road, Chonburi Province
Time Required	1 hour only – Open from 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Theme	Illusion/ 3D Art

Become a part of the scenery by getting clicked inside the frame. The paintings/ art is made in a way to give a feeling that the visitor is in the photograph. There are over 10 exhibitions with themes such as Underwater World Hall, Wildlife Hall, Dinosaur Hall, Waterfall Hall etc.

Mini Siam

Location	Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya City
Time Required	2-3 Hours – Open from 9 AM – 10:00 PM
Theme	Miniatures Museum
Nearby	Bottle Art Museum Pattaya

Miniatures of architectural marvels across the world are ready to welcome the visitors on one land.

Divided into sections, starting mini Thailand with replicas of Thailand’s most famous attractions. Replicas of Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and more are placed in the Mini world area.

The park recreates various periods of history from the Ayutthaya Kingdom to its descendants. It replicates the whole country’s history in miniatures. The Visitors are welcomed by a traditional dance ritual and a small train takes them around the campus. The journey shows the amalgamation of Hindu traditions and Thai rituals.

Teddy Bear Museum

Location	Pattaya ii Road, Chonburi Province
Time Required	1 hour only – Open from 9 AM – 10:00 PM
Theme	Museums, Art & Craft Centres,

Come to see an exhibition of Teddy bears of various sizes at Teddy Bear Museum – the only one of its kind in South East Asia.

There are activities to enjoy at Inca zone, Pop art zone, Dinosaur zone, Safari zone, Funny zone, Underwater world, Christmas, Space, Fairytale Zones etc.

It comes with a gift shop for those lovely souvenirs.

Underwater World Pattaya

Location	Sukhumvit Road, Chonburi
Time Required	2 hour – Open from 9 AM – 06:00 PM
Theme	Aquarium, Kids and Ocean

The Underwater World is an aquarium you can walk inside. Home to marine life from the Gulf of Thailand, walk though the 105-meter long glass tunnel with sea fish and other marine species gliding above you.

It has 5 zones - Coral Zone, Shark and Ray Zone, Giant of Siam Zone, Jellyfish Zone and Reptile Zone.

One can also dive into the water tank with a driving instructor to experience fishes up close. Oh! And don’t forget to watch the Otter Show.

Take a Quiz

Best Time to Visit

Pattaya is hot, all year round, with relief during the annual monsoons.

The best time and also the busiest time is between November to February, when the average high temperature is about 31 degrees Celsius and evenings can be as low as 21-22 Degrees Celsius.

The second choice of season is during the rains. The bars are relatively less crowded and the prices are lower. However, it is also an infamous time for mosquitoes and water sports are not that much.

The months of March-May are the most uncomfortable ones with high humidity and scorching sticky heat.

How to Reach

BUS	A two hour journey from Bangkok Ekmai Bus Terminal will take you to Pattaya. The buses operate everyday.
Train	Not a very recommended option, though. However, visitors can board a train from Bangkok’s Hua Lumphong Station at 7 AM and reach Pattaya in about 3 hours for just 40 THB
Air - U-Tapao Airport	U-Tapao Airport is approx. 43 kms from Pattaya city, and can take close to 1 hour to travel the distance. It is connected to Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Macao Kuala Lumpur, Shenzen and more cities by Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Lion Air and Donghai Airlines.
Air - Bangkok Airport	Passengers arriving at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport can board a bus/ taxi/ self drive to reach Pattaya in 1.5 – 2 Hours.

Getting Around

Rentals	- Bike rentals start as low as 150 THB per day. - International License Mandatory. - Helmets are mandatory. - Examine rental motorbikes and cars thoroughly before renting.
Tuk Tuk	- One of the most exotic ride experiences for any tourist. - The Tuk Tuks are NOT metered. - Hence, a price has to be negotiated with the driver prior. - Ensure to fix the price and negotiate well.
Bike Taxis	- Good choice if your client is traveling alone. A commercial bike can take your client from one destination to another. - The operators can be easily identified with their colorful vests. - Considering the traffic Bike taxis can work out to be a faster and cheaper choice for a single traveler. - There is no meter, the price would need to be negotiated upon.
Songthaew	- These are dark blue pick-up trucks with seats at the back. - They are also called Baht Buses. The fares range from 10 – 20 THB. - Most of these operate like buses on fixed routes. However, they can be hired to go to a specific location at a negotiated price.
Taxis	- They usually charge a round trip fare. - The price would need to be negotiated in advance.

Things to know

Before entering Buddhist temples, dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and legs.
Tourists have often been subject to certain scams, pick-pocketing, theft etc. It is suggested that they follow their instincts and be careful. The precaution also needs to be applied to certain entertainment venues with poor signage etc.
Be respectful to the Thai people and Thai culture. Be polite while haggling with small shopkeepers and street vendors.
It is good to ask the price while ordering food, taking a massage, renting water sports equipment.
Contrary to popular belief, prostitution is NOT legal in Pattaya.

Nightlife

The city of Pattaya has its name synonymous with Nightlife. The first thing all tourists and locals will talk about is the “Walking Street” – a single destination offering all sorts of nocturnal entertainment.

Pattaya, however, has many more clubs to entertain its visitors – including Ladyboy Bars, GoGo Bars, Gay Bars.

BEST NIGHTLIFE AREAS IN PATTAYA -

Walking Street, South Pattaya
Soi LK Metro, South Pattaya
Pattayaland, South Pattaya
Soi 6, North Pattaya
Sois 7 and 8, Central Pattaya

Shopping

Shopping opportunities in Pattaya may not be as extensive a in Bangkok, but it does have enough for the tourists and locals. The venues range from multiple street markets to lush malls.

BARGAIN HUNTERS can explore anything from discounts to cheap copies as well. They can explore the street markets like Thepprasit Road Night Market – one of the best options located in Jomtien and Pattaya Night Bazaar in South Pattaya. Another great option is The Outlet Mall in the Jomtien area. The outlet mall offers great bargains of up to 70% offs.

Central Festival Pattaya Beach – a perfect venue for all the branded shopping, with over 300 outlets ranging from fashion to electronics and many dining options.

Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya – Located in Chonburi district, this is another popular option to shop high street brands. But also the house for the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum.

Dining

Pattaya has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars suitable to all kinds of travelers and budgets. Ranging from national cuisines to specialty restaurants, one cannot go wrong with the choices.

Even the experiences of these dining areas are varied, right from eating like a local at a street corner joint to terrace restaurants with breath-taking views to seaside cart serving dishes made with fresh produce.

Vegetarians might find it a little difficult to find experiential Dining. However, there is no scarcity of vegetarian food. Specialty restaurants can also be found in Pattaya for all sorts of cuisines. At last, if nothing else works - Pizza places are always a saviour.

MUST TRY THAI DISHES -

Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Yum Woon Sen (Spicy Glass Noodles)
Khao Niaow Ma Muang (Sticky Mango Rice)
Pad Thai (Thai-style Fried Noodles) - Made for vegetarians as well

Pattaya Beach

Good for party, busy and bustling city life. One can find the liveliest environment, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, dining – basically everything a tourist can ask for. Backpackers, solo travelers, the young group may love this area.

The only not so good thing is that due to its popularity, the beaches can be very overcrowded and dirty. People looking for a relaxing vacation, should not be suggested this. Even families with kids might want to avoid the area, as the nightlife here is notorious for adult themes.

Jomtien beach

This area is perfect for families and couples. Having a long and pleasant beach with plenty of activities, Jomtien has a variety of fine-dining options as well. The budget-conscious travelers can also find relevant accommodation. The region is surrounded by various cultural attractions and theme parks.

There are not many cons to be here, except that it can get very quiet after dark and public transportation can be difficult to find.

Naklua & Wong Amat

This region is perfect for Beach lovers and luxury Travellers. The region has a traditional touch of Thai culture. It has a variety of luxury resorts and high-end dining options. Wong Amat Beach is one of the most exclusive in Pattaya.

The flip side is the distance from major attractions and that it can get very quiet after dark.

Recommended travel plan

Visitors can plan a stay from minimum 2 nights to even 4 nights, depending upon their interest.

Day 1	Arrival in Bangkok. Transfer to Pattaya (approx. 2.5 hrs journey) Check in to the hotel Evening at leisure. Recommend – Walking Street and theme attractions located here.
Day 2	Coral Island half day tour Evening at leisure Recommend – Any Cabaret show
Day 3	Any Water Park Evening at leisure Recommend – Art in Paradise, Teddy Bear Museum, underwater world
Day 4	Nong Nooch Village Half Day Floating Market Evening at leisure for shopping and party
Day 5	Check out Transfer to Bangkok Airport / Bangkok Hotel (2.5 hr journey) OR transfer to U-Tpao Airport, in case flying to any other city.