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Pattaya Travel Guide - Do
Beaches
The three kilometers long, main Pattaya Beach, runs along the
city centre. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants,
shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. The street
along the beach – Walking Street – comes alive with rock music
as the night sets in. People throng the street to experience the
night life, which is unique in all respects. There are hundreds
of beer bars, go-go bars, discotheques around the area. Muay Thai,
the Thai Boxing, an open arena in some of the beer bars are exciting
to the hilt.
Another beach in Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, more popular among family
vacationers, is on the Southern part of the city, and separated
from the main Pattaya Bay by a hill. Jomtien is more calm and
serene compared to the crowded Pattaya Beach and a paradise for
water sports enthusiasts. Jomtien is also popular for its amusement
park and tower, to keep children entertained. The one km long,
Wong Phrachan Beach, situated on the Northern part of the Pattaya
Beach is a favourite among swimmers.
Pattaya's main beaches are popular and busy places. For the thrill-seekers,
activities include banana-boat rides, jet-skiing, water-skiing,
parasailing, windsurfing, and the like; and anyone who just wants
to enjoy a simple swim or a good splash around with a frisbee
or rented inner tube will always find themselves with plenty of
company. However, while in and beyond the surf, a wary eye does
need to be kept on the more frenetic elements of the passing traffic.
For those more interested in inactivities there are acres
of sand jam-packed with recliners and umbrellas (usually with
an "in-house" supply of drinks), serviced by an army of laid-back
but tenacious hawkers offering anything and everything from food
(especially seafood, fruit, ice cream) to massage, manicure/pedicure,
tattoos, lottery tickets, newspapers, herbs, flowers, gems, perfumes,
sunglasses, CDs, watches, lighters, clothes, toys, souvenirs,
handycrafts (it's a bit like TV shopping - as soon as you've declined
one offer, it's time to consider another) and so on. Eventually
you buy a very dark pair of sunglasses, and after that you just
pretend to be asleep.
Beware of dirty, unclean, unknown objects in the beaches and
sand, and pay attention to your children. There have been some
cases where needles and injections have been found at morning
on beaches when the night before teenagers or adults have been
intoxicating themselves. But most of the time beach cleaners will
clean and sort out the beaches early at the morning. But still
pay attention.
Pattaya Bay
Pattaya Beach (Hat Pattaya) is 2.9 km long and bordered by Beach
Road. Due to its central location and extreme proximity to several
hundred hotels, and because it's a relatively narrow strip of
sand, it's crowded at the best of times (and even more so at high
tide). Hefty fines for littering help keep the sand neat and tidy,
however the sea is not so clean around here.
The northern end of Pattaya Bay (Ao Pattaya) is occupied by Wong
Amat Beach, which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern
end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay
from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.
Jomtien ("Chom Thian", etc) Beach is a 10-15 minute (10 baht)
songthaew ride south from the centre of Pattaya. Some 6 km long,
it is especially popular with Thai families enjoying day outings.
Places to eat and sleep line the opposite side of Jomtien Beach
Road and the many sois that lead from it.
Dongtan Beach, at the northern end of Jomtien Bay, has a traffic-free
promenade, and the area in front of the Avalon Beach Resort is
popular with gay visitors.
Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate
Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach, to the far north, is the
main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach and then Palm
Beach further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies
the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua.
All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation
than Pattaya Beach.
Islands
- Ko Laan (or Lan or Larn, or Coral Island) is 7.5 km
west of Pattaya. It covers an area of 5.6 sq.km and has six
popular beaches with a decidedly "touristic day-trip" flavour,
offering banana boat rides, jet-skiing, parasailing, and the
like. Also available from and around Ko Laan are various underwater
activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, seabed walking
and submarine rides; there are also numerous restaurants, some
accommodation, and a shooting range. Regular ferries from Bali
Hai Pier to Nabann Port costs 20 baht and take 30-45 minutes
- departure times: from Pattaya 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00,
15:30, 17:00, 18:30; from Ko Laan (Nabann Port) 06:30, 07:30,
09:30, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00, 18:00. Ferries from Bali Hai Pier
to Tawean Beach take 30-45 minutes - departure times: from Pattaya
08:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00; from Ko Laan (Tawean Beach) 13:00,
14:00, 15:00, 16:00. Alternatively speedboats can be chartered
just about anywhere along the main beaches, typically for 1500-2500
baht; or you can book a day trip via an agency - expect to pay
500-600 baht for minibus collection from your hotel around 09:00,
ferry from Bali Hai Pier direct to one of the main beaches (taking
about half an hour), lunch, soft drinks, return ferry around
16:00, and minibus back to your hotel.
- Ko Saak (or Sak), less than 1 km north of Ko Laan,
is a small horseshoe-shaped island with two interconnected beaches.
The northern beach is popular for swimming and snorkeling, and
the southern beach is a good place to see coral.
- Ko Khrok (or Krok), 2 km east of Ko Laan, is an isolated
rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to
the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.
- Ko Phai (Bamboo Island) and other islands in the Ko
Phai group - Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom),
Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations
for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation,
fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled
by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted.
For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches
or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km / 2 hours), expect to pay 2500-4000
baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.
Entertainment
Cinemas in Thailand tend to be severely air conditioned
- bring a long sleeve shirt, or jacket, or both! Otherwise, the
three large mall cinemas in Pattaya are mostly up to Western standards.
Some (but by no means all) Thai-language films are subtitled in
English (check the billing at the theater) and some films will
have both subtitled and non-subtitled showings.
Cinema patrons must stand during the King's anthem; singing along
is generally frowned upon.
- SF Multiplex - Central Festival (Big-C) - tel.
+66-38361500. Has six theaters with ticket prices around
90 baht, slightly more at weekends.
- SF Multiplex - Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Brand new multiplex with 10 theaters. Regular ticket for 120
baht, sofa seat 500. One theater has first class seats 600 baht
(including popcorn and soft drink).
- Major Cineplex - The Avenue Pattaya Second Rd
and Soi 13
Video games are a popular pastime in Thailand, hence PlayStation
and computer game shops are everywhere in Pattaya. The usual rate
is 20 baht/hour, making for pretty cheap entertainment, but expect
things to get very crowded and loud in the hours after school
lets out. There's a big shop on Soi Chaiyaphum (right off Soi
Buakhao across from Soi Diana Inn) that's open 24/7 and has more
comfortable chairs.
Arcades can be found lurking behind the cinema at Central
Festival (Big-C) and in the Tesco-Lotus complex on North Pattaya
Road (but neither is worth getting excited about) and touch-screen
amusement machines are scattered throughout the shopping malls.
Massage
Pattaya has an abundance of massage shops; some are strictly
non-sexual, others are not. The most common types of massage include
Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.
Three large "soapy massage" parlors clustered on Second Road,
near Big C, offer a combination of bathing with a girl, body-to-body
soap massage and sex.
- Serenity Massage (across from LK Pavilion, South Pattaya
Road and Third Road, tel. +66-087-538-6120) One of the few massage
shops in this section of Pattaya. It offers a clean. comfortable
and quiet atmosphere inside, combined with talk and laughter
with the girls outside. Massage services include Foot, Thai,
Oil, Powder, Salt Body Scrub, Aromatherapy, Four Hands massage
and more. Of course water, teas or coffee is available afterward.
The overall experience is fun, unrushed and relaxing. [41]
- Spa View (at the Mark-Land Hotel, soi 1, tel. +66-38411203)
One of the largest massage and spa complexes in Pattaya, offering
aromatherapy oil massage, herbal steam sauna, skin whitening
treatment, body treatment with aroe vera herbal, mineral water
treatment, body treatment with milk & honey, milk bath treatment,
physical massage, foot massage etc. Facial treatments: hair
wash & care, nail care & treatment, hand & foot
therapy by soaking with herbal water and wash and foot massage,
facial massage/scrub/ozone/fruit skin treatment/lotion etc.
Sports
Pattaya can provide for an entire holiday of sports and activities.
Pattaya Sports Club, tel. +66-38361167, [42]. Primarily an organisation
for local sportsmen/women and has good online resources for those
seeking to play golf or other sports while in the area.
Pattaya Marathon 2009, [43].
The Pattaya International Marathon is one of the most famous marathons
in Thailand and this year Pattaya Marathon will fall on Sunday
July 19, 2009.
Aerobics
- A free open-air aerobics class is held alongside the
beach next to the junction of Beach Road and Soi Yodsak (Soi
6) daily at 6PM.
- Aqua-aerobics exercise classes are held at the Dusit Resort
Sports & Fitness Club (next to the Dolphin Roundabout) tel.
+66-38425611 ext.226
Badminton
- Ambassador City Sports Center, 21/10 Moo 2, Sukhumvit
Road - tel. +66-38231501 /4. good for badminton.
- Pattaya Badminton Club, 390/10 Moo 10, Soi 17 (near
Third Road, South Pattaya) tel. +66-38425397 / +66-38429532
Billiards / pool / snooker
- Hot Tuna Pool Club, Walking Street (opposite Tony's
Entertainment Complex) has 4 pool tables in an open-fronted
non-aircon bar setting and charges 20 baht/table/game; open
daily 18:00-04:00.
- Match Room, P.S. Plaza (junction of Central Pattaya
Road and Second Road) has 9 pool tables (80 baht/table/hour),
1 full-size snooker table (100 baht/table/hour), and air-con;
open daily, 12:00-01:00.
- Megabreak Pool Lounge [44] on Soi 13 (Soi Diana Inn),
between Second Road and Soi Buakhao, advertises itself as the
most expensive place to play pool in Pattaya. 11 9-ft pro-tournament
tables, air-con & lounge area, open daily 12:00-01:00, 9-ball
handicap competition on Sundays from 15:00; prices start at
120 baht/per person/hour, evening/weekend rates are even
higher.
- Tim Bar Beer, on Second Road (opposite Soi 12), [45]. Has twelve tables and
air-con and is open 12PM-1AM or later - 75 baht/table/half-hour,
140 baht/table/hour.
- There are three full-size tables at the very back of the cluster
of outdoor beer bars on Soi Made In Thailand (next to the Made
In Thailand Night Plazar, on Second Road) - 20 baht/table/game
or 60 baht/table/hour.
Bowling
- Bowling Plus (previously "Pattaya Bowl") is on Second
Road, at the junction with Soi Regent Marina (North Pattaya);
tel. +66-38429908 / +66-38429466 - 20 lanes, Mon-Fri
10:00-17:00 70 baht & 17:00-02:00 80 baht, Sat-Sun-holidays
10:00-02:00 90 baht (all prices per person per game); shoe rental
30 baht (largest size US14/48). Also has 6 pool tables plus
2 full-size snooker tables; air-con, open daily 10:00-02:00,
120 baht/table/hour.
- O.D. Bowl is on Pratamnak Road (South Pattaya) - open
daily 08:00-01:00.
- P.S. Bowling [46], P.S. Plaza
(junction of Central Pattaya Road and Second Road, above TOPS
supermarket); tel. +66-38420965 /6 - 32 lanes, Mon-Fri
11:00-18:00 70 baht & 18:00-02:00 80 baht, Sat-Sun-holidays
11AM-2AM. 90 baht (all prices per person per game); shoe rental
30 baht (largest size US14/48).
Bridge
- Pattaya Bridge Club, tel. +66-38423108 /9 [47] meets at the Mercure Hotel,
Soi 15, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1PM.
Bungee jumping
- Bungee Jump, 248/10 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road; tel. +66-38300608
- open 08:00-18:00.
- Jungle Bungy Jump (15 minutes from town centre)
tel. +66-78336655 [48]. Located in a beautiful tropical
setting, 165 feet (50 metres) over a jungle lagoon. Will provide
collect/return transport anywhere in Pattaya; open 09:00-18:00.
Cycling
- Budget bicycles (from around 2000 baht for something
basic but usable) plus a very limited selection of accessories.
- LA Bicycle, 300/31-32 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road; tel.
+66-38300606 / 953 - open 09:00-20:00 (mid-range selection)
- Chaw Numchai [49] 474 Moo 4, Sukhumvit Road (opposite
Siam Commercial Bank) tel. +66-38222018 - open daily
9AM-7PM (NB: closed all day on the last Sunday of every
month). Well-stocked bicycle retail/parts/repair shop.
- S.V. Bike Shop, 62/1-3 Soi 8, Thepprasit Road; tel.
+66-38300378 - open M-Sa 8AM-7PM. (2006 model Trek
4300 = 13500 baht; this costs around 10000 baht in Bangkok).
Well-stocked bicycle retail/parts/repair shop.
Fishing
- Deep Sea Fishing excursions by Nature Service Tour
(tel. +66-38427660) leave Bali Hai Pier on Saturdays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9AM, and return at 5:30PM. The 1220
baht/person price includes breakfast, lunch, a visit to a nearby
island beach and swimming opportunities.
- North Pattaya Fishing Park (pictures [50])
also known as "Soi 3 Fishing Park" charges 100 baht/house rod,
bait 20 baht/packet - and serves food and drink and has live
music after dark.
Flying, paragliding & skydiving
- Chonburi Flying Club [51] (CMT [52]) airstrip is 5 km east
of Bang Phra, on the Chonburi-Pattaya bypass road (Highway #7).
- Eastern Flying Club [53] airstrip is 5 km east
of Pattaya, off Sukhumvit Road Soi 87.
- Pattaya Airpark [54] airstrip is 20 km south
of Pattaya, adjacent to the Phoenix Golf Club.
- Thai Flying Club [55] is based at Bang Phra Airport,
just north of Si Racha, about 30 minutes
drive from Pattaya. Their website is a good resource for further
information on recreational aviation in Thailand.
Golfing
Golf is
a speciality of the region, with more than 20 courses within an
hour's drive (most within 30 minutes) of Pattaya, many designed
by some of golf's most famous names, including Nick Faldo (Great
Lakes), Jack Nicklaus (Laem Chabang), Gary Player (Sri Racha)
and Robert Trent Jones (Eastern Star Resort and Country Club).
All offer good facilities and value for money in the 500 baht
(green & caddy fee) to 2500 baht range.
- Laem Chabang International Country Club is considered
the finest golf course in the area and ranked in Thailand’s
Top 3 best courses.
- The Golf Club, 33/133 Soi L.K. Metro (near Soi Diana
and Soi Buakhao, about 100 yards from the Areca Lodge),
tel.(66) 085 434 3377, (fax:(66) 038 720 602, e-mail: pattaya4golf@gmail.com),
[56]. A popular sports bar
& restaurant that runs regular golf competitions on Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They have contracts with the local
courses and offer highly discounted green fees either through
the Pattaya Sports Club or they can book your private tour of
up to 120 golfers. They are the only bar golf society with a
T.A.T. License. Transportation, club rentals, free WiFi and
golf lockers are available.
- International Pattaya Golf Club [57] is non-profit organisation (membership
500 baht for 2 years, 1000 baht for 5 years) comprising five
local golf societies, some of which rent clubs and footwear.
One of these, The Pattaya Golf Society (PGS), has a website
with useful general information and course guide [58].
Membership is open to all, regardless of gender, age or handicap
(bring proof of your current handicap with you).
Other well-known popular courses in the area Pattaya include:
Siam Country Club, Siam Plantation, Khao Kheow, Rayong Green Valley,
St. Andrews 2000, Mountain Shadow, Burapha, The Emerald, Eastern
Star, The Phoenix, Crystal Bay, and Pattaya Country Club.
For more
information see the "Eastern region" section of the Golf in Thailand
guide.
- The Mini Golf Pub, Thappraya Road, Buddha Hill - on
the left just past the flyover when headed to Jomtien). - 18
holes, refreshments available; 100 baht/person, open 10:00-23:00.
Their cat sometimes acts as a self-propelled obstacle (no extra
charge).
- Pattaya City Golf, (at the Nova Lodge Hotel on Beach
Road, next to the junction with Pattaya Central Road), [59]. - 18 holes, plus chipping,
driving and putting areas for the more serious golfer; refreshments
served at the waterfront bar; 140 baht/person, open 9AM-1AM.
Caddy service available!
- Golf Amphoe Bang Lamung and Pattaya
Driving ranges:
- Diana Driving Range [60],
209/112 Moo 6, North Pattaya Road tel. +66-38415212 /23.
Open daily 6:30AM-11PM.
- Harold's Golf Driving Range & Pro Golf Shop [61], Pratumnak Soi 4, tel. +66-38250658.
- Green Way Driving Range, Sukhumvit Road - tel. +66-38232083.
- Pattaya Driving Range, Third Road - tel. +66-38370462
/3.
- Pride Driving Range, Sukhumvit Road (previously "Dono"
- directly opposite Pattaya Central Road) tel. +66-38488349.
- Tommy Driving Range, Thepprasit Road - tel. +66-38251564.
Fitness centers
- Castra Praetoria Gym & Fitness. 61/17 M.10, Soi
Khao Talo, East Pattaya, near Siam Royal View. info@thecastra.com, [62]. Heavy weight gym, cardio, aerobics,
yoga, circuit training, power pace, personal training, sauna,
discount supplements. 4,999 baht/year.
- Central Pattaya Gym, Pratamnak Road (next to Central
Pattaya Hotel) tel. +66-38364573 /80. A small non-aircon
weights-orientated gym, open daily 8AM-11PM; 60 baht/day, 250
baht/week, 700 baht/month (includes limited free use of swimming
pool), 7000 baht/year (includes unlimited free use of swimming
pool).
- Sitpholek World Class Fitness Centre, 217/10 Sukhumvit
Road (North Pattaya); tel. +66-99345001 (English) / +66-95055840
(Thai) / sitpholek_frank@hotmail.com
- attached to a Muay Thai (Thai boxing) centre, friendly and
helpful staff, air-con. Open daily 9AM-12AM; 120 baht/day, 400
baht/week, 600 baht/fortnight, 1000 baht/month, 1750 baht/2m,
2000 baht/3m, 4500 baht/6m, 8000 baht/year - or any 10 days
for 750 baht (no expiry date).
- Tony's Gym & Muay Thai Academy, Third Road (340/6
- two blocks north of the junction with Pattaya South Road);
tel. +66-38414058 /9. Modern air-con gym oriented more
towards the body-building brigade, also offers spa/sauna/steam
room & "Japanese style" massage as well as Muay Thai training
facilities. Open 24/7; prices 150 baht/visit, 790 baht/week,
1290 baht/2w, 1490 baht/3w, 1590 baht/month, 3990 baht/3m, 5990
baht/year, 18000 baht/life - or 1200 baht for 10 visits within
one 30 day period. see also the "Muay Thai" section (below)
- Tony's Tennis Club & Fitness Center, Third Road
(313/5 Moo 10 - just south of the junction with Pattaya South
Road); tel. +66-38488548 /9. Modern air-con gym and
general keep-fit facility, also offers aerobics, yoga, tennis,
swimming pool, spa/sauna/steam room & "Japanese style" massage,
as well as tennis facilities. Personal trainers also available,
from 500 baht/hour. Open 24/7, except for the swimming pool
which is closed 11PM-6AM. Prices - gym: 180 baht/visit, 2000
baht/2w, 2200 baht/3w, 2400 baht/month, 6000 baht/3m, 7500 baht/6m,
12000 baht/year, 29900 baht/life - or 1600 baht for 10 visits
within one 30 day period; aerobics: 950 baht/month; swimming:
180 baht/adult, 99 baht/child, swimming lessons 2200 baht/10hrs,
4000 baht/20hrs. see also the "Tennis" section (below)
Horseback riding
- Horseshoe Point, 100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong; tel. +66-38735050
[63]. One of South-East Asia's
largest and most respected riding schools, catering to all experience
levels and offering private lessons for 1600 baht/hour (discounts
available for groups of 5+ and multi-lesson packages).
- Horse back riding, Highway #36 (near Bira International
Circuit - about 18 km from Pattaya) [64] willinetzer@yahoo.com tel. +66-13020814
- Pattaya Riding Club, 111/1 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road;
tel. +66-38255888
Hot air ballooning
- Funk's Ballonfahrten [65] offers a 4-5 hour hot air
balloon experience including collection at around 05:00, refreshments,
one hour baloon flight, champagne breakfast, certificate, and
transport back to your hotel around 11:00 for 8500 baht. Daily
from November through March.
Jet-skiing
- jet-skiing rentals are available along all the popular
beaches, with rates starting around 600 baht for 30 minutes.
A common scam involves some
operators attempting to collect surcharges for supposed damage
- call the Tourist Police (1155) if necessary. World Club Jetski
Competition is held at Jomtien.
Motorsports
- Bira International Circuit (tel. +66-22803547
/ +66-25221731 /8) is about 15 km from Pattaya on the
Pattaya-Rayong Road (Highway #36) and hosts 2 and 4 wheel race
events at weekends. Highside Tours [66] offers one day (16000) and
three day (60000 baht) motorcycle track-day packages at Bira
- see their website for details.
- A.N. ATVs & Motocross, Thepprasit Road (near
Pattaya Kart Speedway); tel. +66-46778452 / +66-52227882.
Small off-road circuit, open daily 09:00-18:00 (not floodlit).
- K.R. Go-Kart, 62/125 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road; tel.
+66-38300347 /9. Large tarmac circuit, refreshments available;
open Mon-Fri 10AM-7:30PM, Sa/Su & public holidays 9AM-10PM
(floodlit).
- Pattaya Kart Speedway, 248/2 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road;
tel. +66-38422044 [67]. "Beginner", "Professional",
and "off-road" tracks; open daily 09:30-18:30 (not floodlit).
- Siam Karting Circuit, 387 Moo 6, Sukhumvit Road (near
Mini Siam) tel. +66-38727410 open daily 9AM-9PM.
Muay Thai (Thai boxing)
Thai boxing matches can be seen at numerous locations,
including several of the beer bar complexes off Beach Road and
one complex on Walking Street.
He won!
- Fairtex Muay Thai Sportclub & Resort, 179/201 Moo
5, North Pattaya Road (just east of the Dolphin Roundabout);
tel. +66-38488196 / +66-38488657 /8 [68] [69]
- Pattaya Kombat Village (Muay Thai Training School),
Khaotalo Soi 8, Sukhumvit Road (opposite Thepprasit Road);
tel. +66-95433450 [70]
- Sitpholek Boxing Centre, 217/10 Sukhumvit Road (North
Pattaya); tel. +66-99345001 (English) / +66-95055840
(Thai) / sitpholek_frank@hotmail.com
Mon-Sat 14:00-20:00 (the attached gym is open 9AM-12AM seven
days a week). 270 baht/day, 1100 baht/week, 2000 baht/fortnight,
3500 baht/month - or 2250 baht for any 10 days (no expiry date).
- Tony's Gym & Muay Thai Academy, Third Road (see
"gyms" section, above, for details) is open 2:30PM-10:30PM.
Two prices for everything - the lower price if you're already
paying to use the attached gym, otherwise the higher price:
180/280 baht/day, 950/1400 baht /week, 1500/2400 baht/fortnight,
2000/1490 baht/3w, 2800/3900 baht/month - or 1500/2300 baht
for 10 visits (no expiry date).
- Paintball Park, 248/10 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road; tel.
+66-38300608 - open 8AM-6PM.
- Speedboat-towed parachute rides are available along the main
beaches, and in Pattaya Bay from several large floating platforms
with speedboats ferrying customers out from the shore - typically
about 500 baht per flight.
- Pattaya Panthers Rugby club - c/o Jameson's The Irish
Pub [71], 80/146 Moo 9 Soi Sukrudee
(Soi A.R.) - tel. +66-38415304 /8
- Pattaya Marathon (every year in June or July) websites:
[72] & [73].
- Blue Wave Watersports Asia (based at Ocean Marina Yacht
Club) tel. +66-816229372 [74] Day sailing trips
and boat charters.
- Gulf Charters Thailand tel. +66-38237752 fax.
+66-38237751 [75] manages a fleet of
ten 32 foot to 70 foot catamaran and keelboat sailing yachts
based at Ocean Marina (near Pattaya) and at Ko Chang. Bookings accepted
direct and via travel agencies.
- Ocean Marina Yacht Club, 274/1-9 Moo 4, Sukhumvit Road
(Sattahip); tel. +66-237310 /23 fax. +66-38237325
[76]
- Royal Varuna Yacht Club, 286 Moo 12, Pratamnak Road;
tel. +66-38250116 / +66-38306290 fax. +66-38250115
[77]
- YachtPro Sailing School tel. +66-816229372 [78] ASA (American Sailing
Association) Sailing Courses, based at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.
Quiz Nights
Quite popular in Pattaya. There is a Quiz League which operates
on Monday and Wednesday nights at various bars around town. Email
quizpattaya@hotmail.comfor details.
- Sportsman Inn, soi 13, has a very popular quiz night
every Thursday at 9:00PM. Free entry and a round of drinks for
the winners. Free pie and chips for all. Also has a "Jackpot"
round.
- Rin's Bar, Pattaya New Plaza, Second Road (opposite
soi 8), has a quiz afternoon, starting at 3:30 every Wednesday.
A round of drinks for the winners and free chicken Massaman
curry for all. This is an Australian bar, so some of the questions
will have an Aussie tinge.
Scuba diving
Scuba dive training and
trips for a wide range of ability levels and interests, certified
by a number of different organisations, including both NAUI and
PADI, are available through numerous dive shops. Dive sites: [79]
- Adventure Divers and Watersports (Adventure Scuba)
[80] tel. +66-38710899
(Soi Yamato (Soi 13/1)) / +66-38364453 (Tappraya Road)
- Aquanauts [81] tel. +66-38361724
(Soi Yodsak (Soi 6)) / tel. +66-38710727 (Soi Pattayaland
1 (Soi 13/3))
- Aqua Relax - tel. +66-38710900 (Soi Post Office
(Soi 13/2))
- Dave's Divers Den - tel. +66-38420411 (Central
Pattaya Road)
- Dive South East Asia [82]
tel. +66-38362300 (Nova Lodge Hotel, Central Road)
- Mask and Finns [83] tel. +66-890710941
(Soi 4, Jomtien Beach Road)
- Mermaids Scuba Diving Centre [84] tel. +66-38232219 /
220 (Jomtien Beach Road)
- Neptune Dive Centre [85] tel. +66-038-371141
(North Pattaya Road)
- Paradise Scuba Divers [86] tel+fax. +66-38710567
(Soi 10) / tel+fax. +66-38303333 (Jomtien)
- P J Scuba [87] tel.
+66-18644490 (Jomtien Beach Road)
- Seafari Dive Center [88]
tel. +66-38429060 (Soi 5)
- Siam Divers [89] tel. +66-38710329 (Beach
Road)
- Shark Diving - Underwater World Pattaya [90] tel. +66
38756977 (Sukhumvit Road)
Shooting
- Pattaya Shooting Club and Fishing Park, 1/6 Moo 4,
Soi Wat Huay-Yai, Sukhumvit Road (10 minutes from town centre)
tel. +66-38255488.
- Tiffany's Shooting Range, 464 Moo 9, Second Road (Tiffany's
Show building, ground floor) tel. +66-38421700 /5
fax. +66-38421711 tiffany@tiffany-show.co.th.
The only indoor shooting range in Pattaya - 19 lanes, minimum
age 18, open daily 9AM-9PM.
- Ko Laan has an outdoor shooting range located just
north of Naban Pier that's open daily 07:30-17:00, with prices
from 400 baht for six rounds with a handgun.
- Bamrung Sport Club (Huai Sak Nok reservoir, off Sukhumvit
Road - tel. +66-38249841) provides facilities for canoeing
and kayaking, horse riding, paragliding, sailing
(including catamarans), and windsurfing.
Squash
Swimming
- Honey Inn (Soi Honey Inn, off Second Road) has a fairly
quiet pool which is open 24/7. There's also a bar, a pool table,
and an assortment of sun loungers. Non-guests: 50 baht/day.
- Mike Shopping Mall has a large rooftop pool - take
the elevator or stairs up to the 10th floor (the escalators
don't go that far). There's a very small snacks counter and
a good view of most of Pattaya Bay. Get there early to grab
one of the sun loungers, and don't forget your swimming costume
(shorts are not permitted). Open 11AM-7PM, 80 baht/adult, 60
baht/child, or 1600 baht for a one month pass.
- Thai Garden Resort, 179/168 Moo 5, North Pattaya Road,
has a 25 metre Olympic-size indoor swimming pool.
Tennis
- Pattaya Tennis Association, [91].
- Tony's Tennis Club & Fitness Center, Third Road
(see "gyms" section, above, for details) is open 24/7
and charges 120/220 baht/daytime, 210/310 baht/nighttime (the
lower price if you're already paying to use the attached gym/pool/etc,
otherwise the higher price); 50 baht for racket hire, 100 baht
for locker/towel rental.
Waterskiing & wakeboarding
- Air-Time Watersports Camp, Dok Krai Lakeside Resort,
Dok Krai Reservoir (Rayong); tel. +66-18616736 [92]
- Club Taco Water Cable Ski (kilometre 14, Bang Na Road)
is open 12AM until dark M-F, 10AM until dark Sa-Su; 200 baht/hour,
300 baht/2h, 400 baht/3h, 500 baht/day.
- Lakeland Water Cable Ski (Highway #3 - tel. +66-38232690
/2) about 5 km from Pattaya has cable ski facilities on a large
freshwater lake. Open daily 10AM-9PM.
Windsurfing & kiteboarding
- Club Loong Chat Watersport Club [93] (on the beach by the Pinnacle
Hotel)
- Cuttlebone Kiteboarding School [94]
Jungle Bungee Jump (จังเกิ้ล
บันจี้ จั๊ม)
It is situated at Jomtien Beach, at Km. 3, near the fishing pond
of the Jomtien Fishing Park. It is a place suitable for those
who enjoy excitement. It is open everyday from 9.00 a.m.-6.00
p.m. It costs 1,800 baht. For more information, Tel. 08 6378 3880.
Pattaya Air Park (พัทยา แอร์ พาร์ค)
is located at Ban Amphoe, Bang Lamung District, on the way to
the Phoenix Golf and Country Club. It is a place providing lessons
of aviation and small airplane training to admire the panoramic
view around the city of Pattaya and Sattahip. It is 6,500 baht
for a round of 20 minutes or 14,500 baht for 5 persons per 1 hour.
For more information, Tel. 08 6374 1718.
Chon Buri Flying Club (ชลบุรี ฟรายอิ้ง
คลับ) is in Bang Phra District. Visitors can admire the
scenery of the city from the 500-1,000 feet bird’s-eye view
by a small airplane for 15 minutes a round for 1,500 baht per
person. For more information, Tel. 0 3829 8202, 08 1377 8447.
CMT Flying Club (ซีเอ็มที ฟลายอิ้ง
คลับ): This is a world-class sports flying complex at
Km. 10 of Highway No. 36 on the way to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
The CMT Flying Club provides a manicured turf runway for use by
both light and ultralight aircraft and has designated flying areas
for radio-controlled (RC) model aircraft flying. The club also
provides comprehensive facilities for its members and visitors,
including a government certified flying school, aircraft maintenance
centre and RC model shop. Visitors can enjoy a 15-minutes fly
on a light aircraft with skilled instructor, which costs 1,500
baht per person. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00
a.m.-5.00 p.m. Tel. 0 3827 3250-7 for more information.
Horse Club
Jo Jo Horse Club (โจโจ้ ฮอร์ส คลับ)
[95] is a training place
for horse riding. It is located at the entrance of the Marina
Inn, Na Kluea Soi 12 Road. The horse riding fee is 600 baht for
an hour, 4,000 baht for 10 hours. Tel. 0 3822 5149.
Horseshoe Point Club (ฮอร์สชู พอยท์)
[96] is at 100, Tambon Pong. It
is a place of horse riding training and accommodation located
on Phon Prapha Nimit Road., (the similar entrance as the Siam
Country Club), approximately 10km off Sukhumvit Road at Pattaya
Klang. It covers an area of 300 rai. There are horse riding training
fields for both indoor and outdoor, cross-country jumping and
polo, which are up to an international standard. Moreover, the
performance of the high-level art of Dressage or horse dance is
presented. For more information, Tel. 0 3825 3500.
Go Cart
Pattaya Cart Speedway (พัทยาคาร์ท สปีดเวย์)
is at 248/2 Mu 2, Thep Prasit Road which links between Sukhumvit
Road and Pattaya Hat Na Jomtien Road, 5km from the centre of Pattaya
to the south. It is a cart racing circuit where there are separate
lanes for professionals and amateurs. It is open daily from 9.00
a.m.-6.00 p.m. The fee is 250 baht, 300 baht and 500 baht for
10 minutes. For more information, Tel. 0 3842 2044.
Thailand International Motor Sport Complex (TIMC) (ศูนย์กีฬายานยนต์
TIMC) is 20 minutes from the center of Pattaya. There is a
4,200-metre-long road course and a 5,000-square-metre motor sports
complex, as well as, an industrial estate for motor sports.
Bira International Circuit (สนามแข่งรถพีระอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลเซอร์กิต)
is an international racing circuit, covering an area of 326 rai
on Highway No. 36, 15km from the centre of Pattaya. Races are
usually organized on Saturday and Sunday. For more information,
Tel. 0 2280 3547, 0 2522 1731-8, 0 2971 6450.
KR Go-cart Grand Prix (สนามแข่งรถเล็ก
เค อาร์ โกคาร์ท กรังปรีซ์)
is on Thep Prasit Road, prior to Jomtien Beach. It is a standard
circuit with a distance of 1,100 metres for professionals and
amateurs who are interested in speed challenges. The fees are
200, 300 and 500 baht per 10 minutes. Moreover, there are group
seminar rooms and restaurants. For more information, Tel. 0 3830
0347-9.
Fairtex Sport Club and Hotel (แฟร์เท๊กซ์
สปอร์ต คลับ แอนด์ โฮเต็ล)
is located at 179/201, Mu 5, North Pattaya Road. It is a sports
complex comprising artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash,
tennis court, etc. Contact Tel. 0 3848 8196, 0 3848 8657 or www.fairtexpattaya.com.
Volunteering
- Care For Kids Charity Drive , [97]. A
well established and respected group raising funds for worthwhile
causes and having as much fun as possible while they're at it.
Their events are always worth a visit - make contact through
their website. edit
- Fr.
Ray Foundation , ☎
+66 3871 6628 ( fax : +66 3871
6629 ), [98]. Manages
several social projects in Pattaya and volunteers (both short
and long term) are essential to their work. Donations and sponsorships
are also welcome and appreciated edit
- Pattaya Orphanage Trust , ☎ +66 3843 8717 ,
[99]. Welcomes volunteers of all ages (but must speak fluent
English and be prepared to stay 6 months or longer). Visits
can be arranged. edit
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Part 3 :: Article 7
