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Families looking for fun-filled, exciting vacations quickly discover why Pattaya continues to be one of Thailand's top international seaside playgrounds with over five million visitors a year. Extensive investment in recent years has given Pattaya a new face as a dynamic and friendly resort that has something for everyone.
"Pattaya is a place for outgoing people who like something to do. It's an exciting destination where the fun and action never stop," says Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Central Region Three, adding: "Great restaurants, great shopping, a wide range of accommodation, and great value for money."
The city fathers are pouring money into beautifying the resort, creating an attractive seaside promenade with clean beach and sea, improving infrastructure and even adding a tourist bus service. Investment from the private sector is developing high-end property and hotels, classy restaurants and entertainment, new attractions and sporting activities.
Pattaya already has 28,496 hotel rooms ranging from one to five star, and more are expected. The influx of international chains that currently includes Hard Rock, Marriott, Mercure and Sheraton. InterContinental, Hilton and Sofitel are likely to add to the mix. This will go a long way towards raising the profile and credibility of the resort on the international market.
There's a host of water sports -- sailing, yachting, scuba diving, parasailing, jet skis, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing. Then, depending on stamina, visitors can move on to various adventure activities, such as skydiving, flying microlights, bungy jumping, go-karting, horse and elephant riding, and paintballing.
On the Water
You have to get on the sea around Pattaya because it looks so inviting. A good place to start is Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the only full-fledged marina in the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to offering a host of professional services plus accommodation in its 51-room luxury hotel, Ocean Marina has three boats for private charter to the nearby islands for picnic outings or sunset cruises (4.00 to 6.00 pm) complete with champagne and canapes.
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Under Water
For underwater adventures, the Yellow Submarine, a purpose-built tourist submarine called "Pirom" from Belgium provides a unique opportunity. The Yellow Submarine seats 48 people, who view the spectacular underwater world of fish and coral through windows along the sides. The reception area for passengers is opposite Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya.
Currently, the Yellow Submarine makes three dives daily, to be increased according to demand. Passengers go by speedboat to Lan island, where they transfer to the submarine for a 45-minute dive to depths of up to 30 metres.
Pattaya is growing in stature as a dive destination, thanks to favourable weather conditions enabling all-year-round diving unlike other areas of Thailand. The sport is encouraged by more than 12 PADI-affiliated dive centres in the resort offering various levels of diving instruction.
Golf
Pattaya is one of Thailand's great golf destinations with 19 outstanding courses within a 40 kms radius. "The quality is top international standard, but the prices are not," explains Carl-Fabian Arp, Managing Director of Thai-Ger Line Golf. Some of the courses were designed by golf's top names, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Pete Dye. Nicklaus's Laem Chabang is rated as the premier course in the region. Popular courses include the "old lady" Siam Country Club, Bang Phra International, Phoenix and St. Andrews 2000 with its infamous par six.
Shopping
Topping the list is Royal Garden Plaza, an attractive mall with three floors of boutique shops selling clothes, shoes, antiques and sporting goods plus kiosks that offer many locally made items. There are also lots of global brand coffee and fast food outlets affording refreshing shopping breaks.
Wherever they are in the world, factory outlets never fail to attract attention. Fly Now next to Cholchan Resort has export-quality clothing, household items, bedding and baskets that are not available in department stores, many at discount prices. Alternatively Outlet Mall on the corner of Thepprasit Road is packed with brand-name boutiques selling clothes, sports goods, shoes and kitchenware. If that sounds a little pricey, walk down the road to the Thepprasit Night Market, where you can pick up inexpensive items every weekend.
The opening of giant superstores such as Tesco Lotus, Carrefour and Big C has heralded Pattaya's entry into big league shopping, replacing street hawkers with brand name goods and air-conditioned malls.
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Dining Out
Quality restaurants have mushroomed in Pattaya over the past decade, offering an enormous range of cuisines. On every street signs with flags proclaim French, British, Scandinavian, Italian, Belgian, Dutch, Indian and other notable cuisines. There's food for every taste, including the remarkable A La Turca, Thailand's first Turkish restaurant serving up not only good ethnic fare but also belly dancing every Friday night.
In the Pattaya chapter of Thailand Tatler's popular annual publication Thailand's Best Restaurants 2005, Dr Iain Corness notes the extraordinary increase of fine dining restaurants in recent years, beginning to rival those found in Bangkok. He then details his Pattaya Top Ten. This includes the celebrated Bruno's, fine dineries Casa Pascal, Mata Hari and Indian By Nature, Paradise specializing in exotic meats like crocodile, kangaroo, and ostrich, as well as the Royal Cliff Beach Resort's Grill Room, winner of the prestigious Wine Spectator award for its food and wine cellar.
Freshly caught seafood from nearby fishing villages is a must. Recommended places for live seafood are Si Nuan and Preecha in Ban Amphur, Bang Saray Seafood on the fishing pier at Bang Saray, Loong Sawai and Nai Glae at the end of Jomtien Beach, and Shell Tangkay Seafood on Naklua Soi 12 next to the Sanctuary of Truth. A little extra driving is needed for Grand Seaside, a lovely old house at the end of a long pier in Sri Racha bay.
Simpler dining options abound, like the trendy Food Wave on top of Royal Garden Plaza, a food court operation with everything from noodles to spicy northeastern dishes that can be enjoyed with superb panoramic views of Pattaya Bay. Big name fast food outlets abound serving up pizza, fried chicken, sandwiches and burgers. For a challenge, try the gigantic wagon-wheel burgers at Bob's Burger - eat two, pay for one.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Pattaya is world famous and Beach Road and South Pattaya in particular are home to large numbers of beer bars and night clubs offering go-go dancing, movies, beer, and companionship. Watch your wallet and beware of Pattaya's many transvestites.
For those seeking less hectic entertainment, there are plenty of excellent alternatives. Vying for attention are the Irish pubs Jamesons, Shenanigans and Kilkenny, all offering a mix of pub grub, easy listening music, sports TV and friendly people to talk to. Henry J. Beans is the American equivalent with a Cajun food touch, while Moon River Pub is still the top spot for hot live bands. Elvis is in the house every Thursday and Friday at Jomtien Boathouse, while a popular trio thrills aficionados at the Jazz Pit nightly.
If you like your music hot and loud, Hard Rock Cafe vibrates with a lively house band and high decibel atmosphere. Saturday nights are party time at Hard Rock Hotel's notorious foam pool. The milder version for families is 5.00-6.30pm, while the Beach Foam X party for adults from 9.00pm has everyone dancing in foam up to their necks!
For the younger set, North Pattaya is where the new hip nightspots are located, like the popular Differ Pub on the Beach, or Bar KuBa, The Cottage and H2O on Pattaya Three Road. All offer a mix of food, cool drinks and hot DJs.
Click here for a list of tourist attractions in Pattaya.
Text by John Leicester
Text (c) Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room
www.TATnews.org
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