Highlights of Pattaya
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Sawasdee – Greetings and welcome to Pattaya, the city of variety, where anything goes!
Pattaya, one-time fishing village and R&R venue of the US military, is now one of the most popular tourist resorts in Thailand. Located about 1.5 hours east of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi international airport, this cosmopolitan city, where English is widely spoken, abounds in attractions to suit all tastes. Miles of golden beaches host a multitude of water-sports. Another plus are the 25 first-class golf courses designed by such notables as Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.
Things to See & Do
• Visit Wat Khao Prayai on Pratumnak Hill with its 10m-tall Golden Buddha. About 20 minutes
away is Thailand’s largest religious complex, the Royal Wat
Yansangwararam and the nearby, spectacular Virahana Sien Chinese
Temple
• The botanical gardens of Nong Nooch boasts its own elephant show with cultural performances, which is always a pleasure.
• Sri Racha Tiger Zoo and Alligator Farm is a wonderful day out.
• Visit “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” in Royal Garden Plaza.
• Two of the best world-class transvestite cabaret shows in Asia are presented at the Alcazar
and Tiffany theatres.
• The Alangkarn Extravaganza Show & Theme Park, with its revolving stages, laser- light shows and acrobatics, melds the best in Thai tradition with contemporary spectacle.
• Pattaya Elephant Village stages jungle elephant treks, and there is a snake show nearby.
• Stroll through Khao Kheow Open Zoo Mini Siam and Mini Europe are popular replica parks.
• Underwater World aquarium is educational and entertaining.
• Pattaya Park Tower & Water Slide Park can be fun.
• See the wooden, temple-like structure called Sanctuary of Truth that an eccentric billionaire built to show the architectural heritage of Thailand.
SHOPPING
Ultra-modern shopping malls like Royal Garden, Central Festival, and the new Avenue mall, house a myriad of stores; Tukcom computer and mobile phone superstore rivals Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza, and all the major supermarkets, including Villa Market (for the best western brand-name foods) are open 24/7. Check out the farmers’ markets in Soi Buakhao on Tuesday & Friday, and Thepprasit weekend night market; all offer bargains by the score.
THE GAY SCENE
Pattaya’s gay scene is exhilarating and thriving. There are 3 main areas; the first is Pattaya’s long-established gay venue in Pattayaland Soi 3 aka Boyztown, where male go-go bars and nightclubs seduce you into their neon-lit party dens, also the next two sois (1 & 2) have many gay offerings. Another close by is Soi Day-Night and Sunee Plaza (which is more down market with cheaper prices) with many outdoor bars. The more subdued is the Jomtien area, mainly in Jomtien Complex, a nice mix of bars and restaurants. During the daytime, check Jomtien Dong Tan Beach aka the “Gay Beach” just past the public restrooms.
WHAT’S SPICY?
Several bars offer good cabaret shows for the price of a drink. For gay late-nite action after the bars close, check out Body Language near Sunee or X Ray club across from Big C Central Festival Center in North Pattaya.