Pattaya Attractions - Pattaya Photo Gallery (if no javascript click here)

Pattaya is 147 km. southeast of Bangkok and adjoins the Gulf of Thailand. It is Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors from all over the world.

Being close to the sea, the adjoining beaches of Pattaya City, from Naklua Bay to Wong Phrachan (Crescent Moon) and Wong Amat beaches in the north down to Jomtien beach in the south, cover a total length of about 15 km. But only the area of Pattaya Bay plays an important role in the tourism aspect, and this area is called "Pattaya Beach".

For the past centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But after its beauty was discovered by the first group of American servicemen from Nakhon Ratchasima in 1961, the sleepy Pattaya gradually became a famous beach resort. Fishermen's huts along the beach were replaced by a full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses. And the quiet powdery golden beaches are frequented by swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world.

Moreover, with the recent establishment of the industrial estates of Laem Chabang to the north and that of Map Ta Phut to the south, Pattaya has been developing to be a major business centre and pleasing residence for western expatriates.

The Place for All Tastes

For sun lovers and water-sports fans, Pattaya's sunny climate provides ideal conditions for swimming and all other imaginable water activities, including fishing, boat sailing, speed-boating, water-scooter riding, water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and windsurfing.

For those who do not want to get drenched, Pattaya also has gyms and health clubs for exercise and many kinds of land sports and games to choose from, such as shooting, car racing, horse riding, archery, golf, bowling, tennis, go-kart, paintball, etc.

For shoppers, fashionable boutiques and shops of ready-made garments, silk, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewelry and trinkets are centred in the main street of Central and South Pattaya and also in the luxurious hotels. And the prices are fair.

For gourmets, Pattaya's cookeries offer at reasonable prices a wide range of superlative fresh seafood and various styles of cuisine -- Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, German, Scandinavian, Mexican, American, Indian, Russian, etc. And for night owls, Pattaya's lively nightlife caters for every taste. The most brightly colourful spot is South Pattaya where all kinds of nightly entertainment are offered.

In short, Pattaya is the place for all. No wonder it has remained popular among those who come to spend their holidays from far and near alike.

The northern part is a more quiet area of resorts while the southern part is a place of hustle and bustle, where both sides of the street are lined up with department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs and shops of all kinds.

 Pattaya Beach Bus

Jomtien Beach

The former paddy fields have turned into a thriving beach. Only 3 km. down Pattaya Beach, Jomtien is highly recommended to those who seek a quieter resort, where the golden sand, bright sun and blue clear sea are always pleased to welcome all vacationers.

It is a good place for relaxation with modern comforts and accommodation. Its long straight coastline of 6 kilometres with a fringe of coconut and palm trees offers vacationers a pleasant atmosphere for relaxing and viewing the sun setting in the sea. Its calm sea is also suitable for swimming and playing all kinds of water sports for the whole year. Jomtien Beach is especially the best spot for windsurfing and instruction is widely available for beginners.

Paradise Island, better known as Koh Samet

Koh means island in Thai, and Samet is tree that grows in abundance on the island, famed for its bark which is used in traditional medicine and boat building. Koh Samet is a national park, althought the beach strip is nicely maintained. This land is reached by ferry from Banpae.

An Island getaway southeast of Bangkok. Part of a national park area. By some considered to have the nicest sand in Thailand.
Very popular destination among thai-people and also visited by many foreigners.

Naga Beach is the most popular to young party people with several bars and hut-type hotels. The rest of the island consist of smaller beaches with a selection of lodging and resorts in different price categories. Some place get full during weekends so it is advised to arrive mid-week since many places do not offer advance bookings.

To enter the nice parts of the island you have to pay a fee to the national park authority which is ten times higher for foreigners as it is for thai guests, so if you are asian looking and speak a bit of thai you can easily pay the smaller fee. Local transport consists of pick-up trucks with seats that costs some money to use. There is plenty of bus connections to Ban Phe where you take a boat to the island. If you buy your ticket from Koh Sahn Road the boat fair is usually included and if there are few passengers you they might use a van instead of a bus. An alternative is to take the cheaper busses from Bangkok Ekkamai and buy boat fare when you arrive, to do this you should preferable speak a little bit of thai since the bus station can be very confusing.

Since it is a national park you are allowed to set up at tent anywhere on the island (several places rent out tents) even if there is a sign saying it is not allowed. At Naga beach there is a small shop, a book exchange and internet cafe. There are ATMs on the island so you don't need to bring cash, some places accept credit cards but with an extra fee.

From the island there is plenty of daily boat trips and also the possibility to learn scuba diving. The diving on the island can be very special and a great experience. Many bars offer nightly movies when you are tired.

Mini Siam

Thailand's first place to display more than 100 objects in miniature size from Thailand and several other countries. The Temple of dawn, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Royal Palace and other important monuments from Thailand are on display. Cambodia's Angkor Wat, the Opera House of Sydney, Atomium in Brussels, Tower Bridge of London, Mount Rushmore from South Dakota in the United States, the Neuschwanstein Castle from Germany, Abu Simbel from Egypt and many more. Fascinating craftsman ship to make them look like the originals.

Mini Siam has been open for 15 years and in that time has attracted international visitors from all around the globe. The attraction is also fascinating to Thais. The concept of Mini Siam is designed to give visitors, both foreign and local, a chance to see Thai cultural architecture and the kingdom’s ancient heritage in a way that is cheap and easy. Traveling to all the places which are replicated in the park would be impossible for some people. Visitors get to see a wondrous display of the beauty that Thailand has to offer on a smaller scale.

Mini Siam is an important tourist attraction to Pattaya as it attracts many thousands of foreigners and locals every year.

Mini Siam management announced that the theme park now offers a new minibus service, which will pick up visitors and bring them back to their hotels for free.

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Underwater World Pattaya

The largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia. Walk through an undersea world in the 100-metre-long, 6.4-centimeter-thick Plexiglas tunnel and view a unique underwater world filled with dozens of marine species. Discover more than 4,000 marine animals, in the aquarium. Open daily from 9a.m. – 6p.m.