Pattaya sight seeing
Pattaya’s sights are mainly modern, much reflecting the town itself. Sights often double-up as activities but there’s still an array of interesting things to see, especially if you’re willing to travel a little. The beaches, several impressive temples and entertainment venues all combine to make Pattaya sight seeing a worthy activity.
While it may not have the traditional grandeur and historical relevance of many places in Thailand, Pattaya has a lot of more contemporary attractions to keep travellers amused. Some popular outings include Underwater World (marine aquarium – 22/22 Moo 11, Sukhumvit Rd., Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260, Tel: 038 756 879, Fax: .038 756 875, Email: marketingd@uwp.hawpar.com), the Museum of Bottle Art (near bus station, Thanon Sukhumvit Tel: 038 422 957), showing miniature art such as Dutch windmills and Thai temples, all inside the confines of glass bottles. The entertaining Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum (Royal Garden Plaza, 218 Moo10, Beach Road, Pattaya, Chonburi 20260, Tel: 038 710 294-8, Fax: 038 710 487) is home to host of exhibits from the traditional to the bizarre.
There is something of a replica theme in Pattaya, for besides the bottle art, there are several other attractions which are miniature replicas of larger, well-known architectural feats. The first is the hugely ambitious Sanctuary of Truth (206/2 Moo5, Naklua 12 Naklua Rd, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Tel: 038 367 229, 367 230, 367 815, Fax: 038 367 845, Email: info@sanctuaryoftruth.com). Built on a 1:1 replica scale, the structure is designed to mirror the great buildings of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The work is still in progress but, visitors are permitted. The daw dropping beauty of the main temple makes it worth the hefty entrance fee. The other main replica tourist sight is that of Mini Siam (387 Moo6, Sukhumvit Rd, Pattaya City, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150) – a 1:25 scale collection of both Thailand, and the world’s most renowned monuments. Come along and have yourself pictured in front of the Statue of Liberty.
For more traditional cultural sightseeing in Pattaya, you can travel 18kms down Thanon Sukhumvit to Nong Nooch Village (Head Office: Tel: 038 709 358-61, 238 158, Fax: 038 238 160, Pattaya office: Tel: 038 429 321, 425 748, Fax: 038 422 958) where you’ll be met by traditional dancers, pleasant natural scenery and playful elephants who’ll be willing to let you enjoy the thrill of a ride. The orchid garden here is reputed to be the world’s largest, so if you like flowers, it may be worth the trip for this alone. The Elephant Village (48/20, Moo 7, Tambol Nong Prue, Pattaya City, Chonburi, Tel: 038 249 818, 249 853, 734 380, 734 470, Mobile: 081 811 4249, 081 865 7745, 081 295 7231, Fax: 038 249 657, Email: info@elephant-village-pattaya.com) provides more long distance travel via elephant back, offering 90-minute mini-treks around its own park, and offers whitewater rafting also.
Most hotels, guest houses and travel shops in Pattaya offer trips and tour packages to almost anywhere within reason, and usually at a reasonable rate. For a half-day trip like Nong Nooch Village (Head Office: Tel: 038 709 358-61, 238 158, Fax: 038 238 160, Pattaya office: Tel: 038 429 321, 425 748, Fax: 038 422 958), you can expect to pay around 500 baht for transport from your hotel, entrance and lunch. Other Pattaya sightseeing tours are on offer like the Pattaya Discovery Tour, which takes in a Buddhist temples, Monkey mountains, beaches, aquariums, stonecutting villages, and orchid farms. For information on these trips and more, contact your hotel or local travel shop on arrival in Pattaya.
Pattaya’s sights may not be complete without a trip to Koh Larn. Only 40 minutes from Pattaya by boat, the island has beautiful white sand, and clear blue swimming water. A day trip here is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the Pattaya town while still offering good facilities and activities. You can relax on the beach, or go swimming, snorkelling, water skiing, or even parasailing here. There are also several decent restaurants serving a variety of cuisine.
Updated and correct: November 2008
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