Scuba Diving Pattaya - Dive Thailand - Dive South East Asia

Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok or only about two-hour drive, Pattaya is Thailand's premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourist from all over the world.

Visitors can windsurf, water ski, 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 Hat Chom Thian just south of Pattaya, where accommodation is also available. Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leadings hotel's courts, and golfers can visit beautifully-landscaped and challenging golf courses around Pattaya.

Bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery offer further entertainment while Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night shows with broad popular appeal.

Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket. Facilities range from air-conditioned opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private-beaches; bay side hotels and bungalows; and "inland" economy-class hotels and guest houses.

Pattaya offers some of Thailand's choicest seafood in several specialty restaurants. Steak houses and fast-food outlets provide attractive alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Moslem, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisines.

From families to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.

Attractions:
Pattaya Beach about 4 kilometres long, has a beach road running parallel to the beach from the north to the south. The northern part is a more quiet area of the resort while the southern part is hustling and bustling and lively section, where on both sides of the street line up with shops of all kind, department stores, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs. Shopping can be as just fun as in Bangkok.

Mini Siam & Mini Europe - Located near Pattaya Klang, is Thailand's first wonder displaying Thai and European heritage on a miniature scale. This is the third miniature town in the world after the Netherlands and Taiwan that brings together models of important objects and historical sites of different culture, and civilizations of various periods from the ancient time till present. More than 100 models, each on a scale of 1:25, are displays in an area of 29 rai, surrounded by natural sceneries blended with different types of well selected trees. Open from 7.00-22.00 hrs.Admission fee is 200 Baht person.

Ripley's Museum Believe It or Not is located on the 3 rd floor of Royal Plaza Building, Beach Road. Odd stories and objects are collected from around the world and exhibited here. The museum is open daily during 11.00-21.00 hrs. Admission fee 100 baht each.
Pattaya Park - Between south Pattaya and Hat Chom Thian, is a water amusement park with water sliders, whirlpools and large pool for children. Admission fee is 100 baht. Open from 9.00-18.00

Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm located some 9 kilometres from Pattaya township, comprises breeding pens with more than 1,000 crocodiles, a zoo, and a bonsai garden decorated with rock formations. Open daily from 8.30-18.00 hrs. There are crocodile shows at 10.00, 11,00 14.00, 15.30, 17.00 hrs. Admission fee is 250 baht per person.

Siam Country Club - Located at km. 145 on Sukhumvit Highway, with the left turn about 11 kilometres. With 6,448 yards, par 72, it is one of country's most challenging courses with lots of wooded hills. The course offers accommodation in a hilly photogenic landscape.

Pattaya Elephant Village is on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Courses. The village shows elephant displaying forestry skills, playing football and re-enact of war elephant parade. The village also demonstrates how wild elephants were captured in the north-eastern part of Thailand. Daily show time is a 14.30 P.M.

Panarak Park 5 kms. Off Pattaya City on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Course, offers a tropical garden setting. The park equip with fishing gears for a well-stocked fishing pond. The place also facilitate with bungalow accommodations, restaurant, jogging and cycling paths, boating and water-cycling. It gives up-country experience for staying overnight there.

The Bira International Circuit - Located at km.14 on Route 36 to Rayong, offers international motor and motorcycle racing occasionally. The 2.4 kilometres circuit is ideal for formula 3 races. For the one who loves speed and would like to experience real thing on the racing track, the circuit opens every day.

Hat Jomtien located 2 kilometres from south Pattaya, is good for swimming. The beach has become more and more popular for water sports and activities because it has a long straight coastline and there are less boat anchored in the area. Reasonable accommodation is also available.

Suan Nong Nooch about 15 kilometres from South Pattaya is a Thai-village-style recreation-come vacation park. The entire area of some 500 acres is beautifully landscaped, with orchid nursery and other botanical gardens. There are also cultural and traditional performances and an elephant show. Admission fee is 200 baht per person.

Wat Yansangwararam - A temple under the king's patronage is unique for it's modern Thai architecture. Here meditation course is offering for common men at 6.00 and 18.00 hrs. The temple is 12 kilometres south of Pattaya and only 3 kilometres from Nong Nooch Village. Nearby is a Chinese-style building called "Wihan Sian" housing antiques and art objects from China. Admission fee is 30 baht per person.

Bang Saray a fishing village located 2 kilometres off the main highway at km. 164, offers deep-sea fishing opportunities.

Ko Lan 45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minutes by speed boat, is the largest of Pattaya's archipelago. Major attractions include viewing coral reefs from glass bottomed boats, snorkelling, scuba diving, wind-surfing, skiing and parasailing. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island's main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Koh Lan's neighbouring islands such as Koh Khrok and Koh Sak.

Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is Ko Phai an island currently under the care of the Royal Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day.
All the nearby islands are easy to get to and charters can be arranged through the hotel tour desk or by negotiating a price direct with the boat owners.

Boat charters cost 1,00-5,000 baht per day depending on the season and size of the boat.

Pattaya Festival Thailand's world famous seaside resort puts on its most festival face for this annual event, held in April at the height of the summer season. Food and floral floats, beauty contests, stalls selling local delicacies, and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only a few of the highlights that attract merry-makers.