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Pattaya is now a city in its own right, with its own mayor
and its own administration.
This is not all due to tourism.
The government development program for the Eastern
Seaboard has transformed the region and this rapid
industrial and commercial
expansion has led to many
expatriates coming to live in the area. There is a new
deep-
sea port at Laem Chabang, 20 km north of Pattaya with a
vast industrial
estate and another development zone
at Map Ta Phut near Rayong to the south.
Pattaya City is well located to be a major business centre
serving these two giant
industrial communities. There are
five international schools and four international
hospitals in
the area.
Fun for all:
As a beach resort with city status, Pattaya has something for everyone. Whereas
most other beach resorts rely
simply on natural surroundings for their charm,
Pattaya makes an all out attempt to provide the best of
everything. There is just
about everything you can think of for recreation, entertainment, sightseeing and
fun. Pattaya can be whatever you want it to be. Such is it variety that it is ideal for
all kinds of visitors. While
there is plenty to keep the children happily occupied, there
is also everything for the sports enthusiastic, for
couple of all ages seeking rest and
relaxation and for those who are simply looking for warm sunshine.
After dark options include open-air bars, nightclubs, cabaret shows and discos. The
nightlife centre is South
Pattaya, popularly known as "The Strip". but if this is a trifle
brash and noisy for some tastes, there are
alternative quieter spots for evening fun
in a more relaxed style. Shopping too, can be an evening attraction.
Most
establishments close late and the dedicated bargain hunter can find all of Thailand's
best buys - silk, gems
and jewellery, tailor made clothing, handicrafts and more.
Business Venue:
Pattaya is increasingly popular venue for international conventions, conferences and
seminars. Several of the
larger hotels are fully equipped to host meetings or
receptions for a thousand of more people, and even smaller
properties off a range of
well appointed function rooms. Complementing the luxury of sheer space is a
comprehensive selection of state-of-art equipment for audio-visual presentations
and other conference related
activities.
Accommodation:
Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket.
Facilities range from luxury hotels
with private beaches to bay-side hotels and
bungalows and inland economy class hotels and guest houses.
Getting There:
The easiest and most popular way to reach Pattaya is by bus. From the Eastern Bus
Terminal (Ekamai) on
Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, there are departures every 30
minutes by air conditioned bus from 5 am until 10 pm.
The one-way fare is Bt 100.
From the Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit II) there are departures again every
30 minutes from 5 am to 7 pm with a one way fare of Bt 105. Few visitors to
Pattaya are aware that the city
does have a railway station. It is north of
Sukhumvit Rd close to Siam Country Club. One train a day leaves
Bangkok's
Hualamphong station at 7 am and takes up to five hours to reach Pattaya stopping
at many stations
along the way. U-Tapao, which is located near Sattahip, has very
few scheduled flights. Most visitors travelling
this way are on chartered flights.
Alternatively for those who prefer to arrive with more comfort and style, Taxies
and limos are available direct from the Bangkok airport 24 hours a day.
Getting Around:
For getting around the main bay area, the minibuses and baht buses charge a flat
fare of Bt 10. The run to
Naklua is also Bt 10 and to Jomtien Bt 30. Drivers usually
ask for Bt 40 to travel up the hill to Royal Cliff Beach
Resort. Motorcycle hire will
cost you between Bt 150 and Bt 700 a day, depending on size. Be very confident of
your ability to handle the bigger bikes, including your skill in taking swift evasive
action. Wear a crash helmet. A
jeep from a beachside vendor is about Bt 1000 a
day. Check that you have enough gasoline in the tank to get
yourself to the nearest
filling station and satisfy yourself that the brakes are sharp. You will not be asked
to show your driving license, but most of these beachside hire places will ask that
you deposit your passport with
them. Ask where they are going to keep it because it
may simply be placed in the attendants pocket or houlder
bag and travel around
with him. Bicycles can be hired from beachside vendors at Bt 100 a day or Bt 20 an
hour. If you prefer to drive reputable vehicles with full insurance cover, and it is
strongly advised, Pattaya has a
choice of car rental companies. Two leading names
are Budget Car and Truck Rental at Thip Plaza and Avis which
is located at the Dusit
Resort in North Pattaya. In addition to international standards of service, these
companies
will also offer you special deals, tour ideas, maps and other attractions to
make your stay easier. If you prefer
not to self drive you can hire cars with drivers
to drive you to the destination of your choice for an agreed upon
price.
Climate:
Pattaya has three seasons. November to February, when it's hot; March to May,
when it's hot and humidl and
June to October, when it's hot and wet.
Clothing:
Dress as lightly as possible. Because of the heat and humidity, man-made fibres are
not recommended. Pack some
cool cottons, and if you find that you are changing
your clothes at an alarming rate you will be able to buy locally
made clothing very
cheaply. Shorts and sandals are the usual daytime wear. In hotels and more
upmarket
restaurants, wear smart casual. If visiting a temple the usual dress rules
apply; gentlemen, no shorts please, and
long sleeves are preferred; ladies, no
shorts, short skirts, or halter-tops.
Post and Telecommunications:
The Post Office and international telephone office are together in South Pattaya on
Soi 15, known to all as Soi
Post Office. There are several private run long-distance
phone centres, most notably along Beach Road. These
will be slightly more
expensive than the government service.
Internet Services:
As in Bangkok, the number of internet cafes seems to increase every week. Most will
post their rates in the
window, and as competition is intense the prices are
invariably low.
Health and Safety:
Never drink tap water, and don't even gargle with it. Always use bottled water,
which is readily available and
inexpensive, particularly if you choose a local brand.
The sun is strong, even during the rainy season and when
there is cloud cover, so
use a good sunscreen and limit your exposure time. Malaria is no threat, but
mosquito
bites can be a major irritant. Seafood is mostly caught locally and is of
high quality, but given the spicy
ingredients to almost any meal, the occasional
upset stomach is a possibility. The most likely way of slowing
down your vacation is
by having an accident, so watch your step when crossing the road, even
(or especially) at
traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Medicines for minor ailments
are readily available at the many drug stores
in the city, and high standard of
medical treatment for more serious problems can be expected from most of the
clinics and hospitals. General ractitioners, dentists, opticians and pharmacies are
readily available.
Each of the private hospitals has its own ambulance service and 24-hour mergency
facilities. Most medical
specialties are represented: neurology, orthopedics,
obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine,
surgery, urology, dentistry.
Cardiac patients will usually be referred to Bangkok. Note that an ambulance
is not routinely called in the event of an automobile accident, and if you require
assistance from the government
service a Thai speaking person should dial 191 in
Pattaya or 193 on the highway to arrange an ambulance
service.
For information and advice, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Central Office:
Region 3 (Pattaya) is open
seven days a week throughout the year, including public
and national holidays, from 8:30am until 4:30pm.
Tel (038) 428 750 or 429 113.
Residents and Lifestyles:
Pattaya has many expatriate residents, and is essentially an international tourist
resort and expanding city, so
the Thai population is itself very internationalised.
Most notices are in English as well as Thai, and you will find
plenty of signboards in
German and even Russian. Most vendors are used to non-Thao speakers and are
ready with at least a smattering of English or German, vigorous miming, a smile, and
an ever-ready calculator.
Few of the Thai residents can claim to be natives of the
locality. Even so, they haven't abandoned their
traditional culture, and beneath the
glossy city veneer you will still find evidence of underlying ethnic beliefs and
customs.
Action Attractions:
Pattaya is one of the oldest diving centres in this part of Asia. It has a year-round
diving season with good
visibility, the waters have a mean temperature of 28
degrees C, and there is a rich variety of marine life and
coral. There are also two
wreaks which experienced divers can explore: The Bremen, a 300-foot boat, lies
upright in 24 meters of water off the Thai navy town of Sattahip, while the freighter
Hardeep rests in 30 meters
of water in a channel between two islands off Samae
San, not far from Sattahip. Pattaya offers a wide choice of
well-stocked and safe
PADI and NAUI operators, with competitive prices and deals. Most of them have
offices
along the waterfront. Costs average at about 1,500 baht per day, including
transportation, food and equipment.
Visitors can windsurf, water ski, sea walk, 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 popular Hat Chom Thian just south of Pattaya.
Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy
themselves at the courts of leading hotels. Further
entertainment includes bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting
galleries and archery.
Attractions outside Pattaya City:
Pattaya Elephant Village is on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Course. The
elephants displaying their forestry
skills, perform cute tricks, and even play football.
Daily showtime is 14:30pm. Panarak Park is on the road to Siam
Country Club Golf
Course, and has a tropical garden setting. The park is equipped with fishing gear and
a well-
sticked lake. There is also bungalow accommodation, restaurants, jogging
and cycling paths, boating and water-
cycling. Bira International Circuit located at
KM14 on Route 36 to Rayong, offers international motor and
motorcycle racing. The
2.4 kilometre is ideal for formula 3 races. If you want to experience speed, the
circuit is
open everyday. Hat Chom Thian, located 2 kilometres from South Pattaya,
is good for swimming. The beach has
become popular for water sports and activities
because it has a long straight coastline and there are less
boats anchored in the
area. Pattaya Park is between South Pattaya and Hat Chom Thian, and is a water
amusement park with water slides, whirlpools and a large pool for children. Open
from 9:00 - 18:00 hrs. Nong
Nooch Village is about 15 km from South Pattaya, and is
a Thai village style recreation park. |
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