Travel Guide Of Pattaya

Pattaya (sometime spelled "Pataya" or "Phattaya")

Pattaya lies around 150km to the southeast of Bangkok, Thailand. This is Less than 2 hours by road, and stretches for some 15km along the Eastern Seaboard. Thailand 's Largest resort, it shares the coast with traditional a fishing villages, other resorts such as Bang Saen and Rayong, new industrial centers, the town of Chonburi and Sriracha, and the port and naval base of Sattahip.

Pattaya in the past was just a little fishing village. Until 1960s, American servicemen form the U.S. Air Force base at Utapao in neighbouring Rayong Province began using the area for "Rest and Recreation" (R&R) , causing a huge boom in entertainment business. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis. However, modern mass tourism brought a new life to Pattaya. The city is considered heaven or hell on the Earth, depending on how you look at it.

More than 35,000 hotels' rooms were available in Pattaya. It is an eapecially popular vacation destination for families from Russia, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and other countries. It also a large international expatriate population and many services meet international standards In recent years, new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have sprung up like mushrooms, which have helped in increasing the length of stay of visitors to the city.

Pattaya's main attractions are its beaches. Pattaya Beach stretches out along the central city close to shopping, hotels and bars. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches.

Pattaya is now a city in its own right, with its own mayor and its own administration. This is not all due to tourism. The government development programmed for the Eastern Seaboard has transformed the region, and this rapid industrial and commercial expansion has led to many expatriates coming to live in the area. There is a new deep-sea port at Laem Chabang, 20 km north of Pattaya with a vast industrial estate, and another development zone at Map Ta Phut near Rayong to the south. Pattaya city is well located to be a major business centre serving these two giant industrial communities. There are five international schools and four international hospital in the area.

However Pattaya has multi-cultural quintessentially Thai visitors, and although the convenience foods of the West are readily accessible, the Thai culture is everywhere and most visitors embrace the easy-going way of life readily. Over 95 per cent of people who live and work here are Thai and even a couple of blocks away from the beach the culture takes over from the holiday atmosphere by the sea and the beach. Despite this, the ex-pat community here is a perhaps the least assimilated of all the foreign communities in Thailand, and you're more likely to feel like you're in Tenerife than Thailand, with all the footage on TV, English style pubs and nary a word of Thai spoken in the many bars that service the full-time early retirees who favor this atmosphere.

Accomodation In Pattaya Thailand

During the Thai economic boom of the middle of 1980s to 1990s, hotels have been over-built in Pattaya, Chonburi. As a result, prices are very reasonable compared to most other countries given the high quality of accommodations and services offered.

But if visitors plan to visit Pattaya, it is highly recommended to make hotel reservations well ahead of time, since most hotels there are fully overbooked in these popular tourists destination.

Pattaya has an excess of accommodation in every price bracket. Yet tourist are advised to always take a look at the room (or better still several rooms) before agreeing on a price. However, tourist can see hotel review in more internet websites.

Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit for every traveler. Facilities range from luxury hotels with private beaches to bayside hotels and bungalows, and inland, economy class hotel and guest houses.

For backpackers and adventurous tourists, guesthouses are usually the cheapest option, costing fewer than USD 10 per night (or less for a dorm bed). This gets you a room with a fan, a squat toilet (often shared) and not much else.

Pattaya hotels start around USD 10 and go up to around USD 300. The upper end of this range will be air-conditioned or more facilities , the lower with not. The primary difference is that with a hotel room, your bathroom should be more private, beautiful, luxurious, bed linen and towels should be provided and there may be a hot shower. Moreover, some hotels provide other facilities such as satellite televisions, WIFI internet and more.

Tourist hotels are generally around USD 25-40 and offer the basics for a beach vacation: swimming pool, room service and cable television. Business and luxury hotels, more than USD 50, offer every modern amenity you can think of and are largely indistinguishable from hotels anywhere else in the world.

Some notably Pattaya's The Hard Rock hotel are the world's best hotels which is win the award "Hard Rock Hotel of The Year". The most luxurious resorts also fall in this price category, with some of the very best and most private.

With a projected 15 millions plus visitors to Thailand predicted in 2006, it is expected that many of the hotels in Pattaya will have high occupancy rates throughout the year.

For those who are not familiar with the Pattaya geography. The South and Central Pattaya located hotels are the ones to choose if you are looking to be in the center of the "action". There are lots of restaurants, bars, shopping and etc.

For those looking for perhaps a quieter night's sleep chose North Pattaya or Naklus, where there are several quality hotels down by the beach at Wongamart.

The beach is better than that in Pattaya and the congestion of both people and vehicles is a lot less than in Pattaya. It is however, easier to travel to Pattaya for the evening by taking one of the many "baht buses" which is Thai people called "Song-Thaew". They congregate at several points along the Pattaya Beach Road.

The Past And Present Of Pattaya Thailand

The word "Pattaya" was originated long time ago. In 1767, while Phraya Tak was the King rulers of Khampaengpetch province aware that the former capital would be captured by the Burmese Invaders, since the troops fighting against they were getting too weak to fight against the invaders. Due to the fact that Phraya Tak decided to escape from Wat Pichai camp forwarded to southeast and fight against Burmese Invaders that the lasted 4 times. Then the troop forwarded in advance to Chonburi Province. The Khampaengpetch King took his troops taking rest along the Wat Yai Intraram and moved the troops forwarded to Chanthaburi Province. Between the ways of the troops, they rested at Ban Nong Pai which is located in the Pattaya Provincial Police Station (at present), along Sukhumvit Road, Na Klua, Banglamong, Royal chronicle, Royal writings, Book to mentioned that "Nai Klom was gathering his troops to intercept.

After the Phraya Tak rode his elephant holding with gun trigger to swap with his private surrounded over the troops of Nai Klom. This was awed by dignified manner and surrendered without a fight. Then the troops rested at the Nongnam.

The next day, fall on Tuesday, 6th day of the waning moon, second lunar noon, Nai Klom brought his one thousand troops to rested in one district for one night The next day the troops approaching Jomtien Beach and Tung Kaitiya, Sattahip and stay overnight each place. Then the next district natives which is called "Thap Phraya" then later changed to Phatthaya" containing the word T. means army and T. Flag. Since considering that the place where Phraya Tak camped was a good site, with seabrace, the names of wind were called Phatthaya were the wind from the southwest to the northeast the beginning of rainy season.

For decades, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But a big change occurred on 29 April 1961 when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors.

Pattaya's popularity grew so rapidly that the local government couldn't cope with its administration. So in the 1976 Pattaya and nearby Naklua became one administrative district. Then in 1978 Pattaya was declared a city in its own right.

Nowadays, Pattaya integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort in Thailand, city-like dining, shopping and night life entertainment facilities with more than 500 hotels, thousands of shopping center, restaurants and bars.

In addition, there are an array of sports and recreational activities including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, ATV, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing, jet-ski, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or aerial sports such as flying motor-propelled gliders.

On the other hand, in the night time, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely incredible shopping which is available non-stop both day and night.

Leisure Activities In Pattaya Thailand

Besides beaches, shopping centers and night-life, Pattaya also offers a great number of interesting sports and other activities for foreigner, especially those who plan to have a long stay in Pattaya. Here are some of interesting activities.

Water sports such as parasailing, sailing, snorkeling, diving, and swimming.

For parasailing, the boats will pick you up from the Bali Hi Pier and take you out to the pontoons where instruction to novices and experts alike will be given. This pursuit cannot be undertaken on windy days, and safety is a key factor.

Sailing in Pattaya is very popular, where various national and international regattas take place. Many sailors sail over to Koh Lan or one of the smaller islands for the day and return in the afternoon.

Snorkeling is the activity which is popular Diving is a very popular pursuit on the Eastern seaboard and Pattaya has several specialist companies with instructors and supervisors. There are many dive sites around Pattaya, the profusion of coral and fish, a sea temperature of around 28 degrees and cheap prices, this is a favorite venue for many international divers.

Swimming in the sea is very popular with both Thais and Europeans. Don't be surprised if the Thais go in the sea with their clothed. They are not used to showing in public, and it's warm enough to dry off very quickly when they get out.

Go-karting at the Pattaya Kart Speedway

One of the tracks is 800 meters long, nicely design with water waiting for the clumsy. Moreover there are a few types of karts to choose from and all of them are very good and well maintained.

Golfing courses in Pattaya

Playing Golf in Pattaya can totally spoil you for returning home. You can play golf at a different course every day of a two week holiday and you still won't play all the international standard courses within an hour drive of Pattaya.

Many of Pattaya's courses are Country Clubs and designed by Nicklaus, Faldo, Thompson, Wolderidge, Dye and Trent Jones.

Gyms, spas, and massage

Pattaya has a tropical climate is therefore ideal for the pursuit of outdoor activities. However, for an indoor healthy lifestyle, Pattaya is also among the best. The vast number of 5 star health massage organizations, beauty parlous, spa and fitness centers mean that Pattaya really is the place to improve you overall and look

Other activities in Pattaya

The Pattaya Bridge Club for the more leisurely.

Wandering along Walking Street and its many beer bars, girlie bars, music venues, cabarets, and restaurants.

Day trips to the Tiger Zoo, alligator and elephant farms, sapphire mines, orchid gardens, and culture villages at Mini Siam and Nong Nooch Village; countless other places of interest in the Pattaya area.

Latest Hollywood movies a the Big C and Royal Garden shopping centers; or purchase DVDs at bargain prices from street vendors.

If you're creative, build a studio to write, paint, or invent things or join a writers group and write about your travels.

Attend an international convention at one of the big hotels.

Numerous places of religious worship: temples, churches, and mosques.

Are You Ready To Retire In Pattaya?

Here are some factors that will "Pre-qualify" you and help you decide whether or not you are a retiree candidate for Pattaya Thailand

1. You have to be open to new adventurers; Pattaya is a fantastic beach for visitors. There will be many new things for your experience. It's a unique country in Southeast Asia, with its own culture quite difference from other countries in Asia.

2. You love to travel. There are countless things for you to see and do in Pattaya, Thailand.

3. You have to be able to adapt to a new lifestyle and be tolerant of others. Your life and the people around you will be very different from you as at your country.

4. You have to be enthusiastic about new things in a different culture. Thais people have their own way and their own culture. You will have to learn to adjust. Many foreigners are shocked when they discover that things are done in a certain way in Thailand. You have to be open-minded.

5. You should be able to make and enjoy with your new friends. This is important point for you. You will need new comrade so you won't feel bored.

6. You should have to learn the basics of the Thai language. Try to be fluent, or at least competent, in the types of phrases you'll need it in you new life.

7. You have to be healthy enough mentally and physically. Living in Pattaya is hard for foreigners at first. You will need to be strong in both body and mind to make the most of your time.

8. You have to accept your status of being a foreigner in Pattaya, Thailand. You won't be able to vote, and the Thais are not usually interested in listening to your point of view on the country's politics or economy.

9. You should appreciate a slower pace of life if you choose to retire in one of the smaller towns. Boredom is not something you often find in the Land of Smiles, but when you are away from the cities, you will find life moves more slowly. Make sure you are involved in enough leisure activities to avoid boredom.

10. You have to be optimistic minded. Foreigners who don't know Thailand may try to talk you out of moving there. Studying as much as possible before you go. Don't let negative opinion like prostitution, the insufferably hot weather, or dirt and disease turn you off. Pattaya is rich in beauty and culture and famous for its friendly people.

11. You will have to deal with a different type of bureaucracy. It takes longer to get simple things done in Thailand. You'll have to get used to its ways.

12. You must be financially stable without needing to work. If you want to work part-time in Pattaya, make sure you are up to date on the continually changing laws regarding work permits or business ownership, and have a good fall-back plan for your future life in Pattaya, Thailand.