Places to see in Pattaya

[AbhiNeh]

Good evening everyone on the forum.
We are three families going on holiday to Pattaya in Thailand. The families consist of 7 adults including a senior citizen and seven kids from ages six years to 15 years old.

The main reason for joining the forum is to find out the places to visit in Pattaya. As we have a group of people of different age groups, we would be interested in visiting a variety of places, which also includes parks. I have seen some adverts about some really good parks in Pattaya.

I would also like some recommendations on which beach we should visit while in Pattaya?

 

[briannagodess]

Hello there, welcome to the forum!

Pattaya is on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It is approximately 160 kms away from the South of Bangkok. It is considered as a resort city in the country and has a thriving tourism industry. The attractions in Pattaya range from traditional, historical and modern ones. There's certainly something for every member of the family to enjoy here.

Gardens

• Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden - This is owned by Pisit and Nongnooch Tansacha, who intended to build a fruit plantation on the supposed land. However, they then decided to just plant flowers around the area and develop it as a wildlife conservation project. It was opened to the public in 1980. In 2001, ownership was transferred to their son, Kampon Tansacha. The garden has different divisions: French Section, European Section, Stonehenge Section, Cactus Section, Orchid Section and Butterfly Hill. The garden also has martial arts demos and elephant shows. You can also stay within the gardens by renting Thai style houses or staying in the hotel within it.

• Herb Garden Pattaya - This garden has a wide variety of exotic plants and flowers. On the first Saturday of every month, the garden hosts an herbal market where guests can buy different kinds of plants and herbs. On usual days, the garden is a favourite spot for picnics for families and friends alike.

Museums

• Art in Paradise - This museum has 3D art paintings which are equally entertaining and fun. Through the use of bordering and shading, artists were able to trick the eyes of the audience into funny optical illusions in the gallery. Here, friends and families can have fun taking pictures of animals that are smashing through the walls or friends balancing over raging waterfalls.

• Mini Siam and Mini Europe - Mini Siam was opened in 1986 and features miniature replicas of the favourite tourist attractions in Thailand and in the world. You can find mini replicas of Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and even relics from Egypt and Rome.

• Teddy Bear Museum - This is also known as Teddy Island. You can find this at the end of Beach Road. It features cute stuffed bears in different settings like ancient Egypt civilisation, the dinosaur era, under the water and a Thailand Zone featuring the bears in national costumes. You need at least two hours to cover the entire museum which kids will surely enjoy.

• Ripley's Believe It or Not - This is located on the third floor of the Royal Garden Plaza. The museum features exotic exhibits like a mask made from human skin, primitive torture devices and a real shrunken human head. There are over 300 exhibits inspired by Robert Leroy Ripley’s books Believe it or Not! Other attractions in the museum are The Infinity Maze, Ripley’s 4D Moving Theatre, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Tussauds Wax Museum. Because of the numerous attractions and activities here, allot at least a day for this museum.

• Tuxedo Magic Theatre - This museum was founded by Pairoi Itthiawashakul. It has collections of items related to magic and illusion. The Tuxedo Team of Thailand is supposed to be the only international representative of the country and has performed with other renowned magicians as well. The museum also holds daily magic shows for guests.

Religious

• Big Buddha - This is also known as the Wat Phra Yai. It is located on top of the Pratumnak Hill. There's an 18-metre tall statue of Buddha here, visible even from a distance from the temple. This is the biggest Buddha image on the province of Chonburi. The statue is also known locally as the Phra Buddha Sukhothai Walai Chonlathan. You'd have to climb a long staircase before reaching the temple where the Buddha statue is located. At the entrance, statues of two golden naga snakes will greet you. Around the bigger Buddha statue, there are also smaller images of Buddha.

• Anek Kuson Sala - This is also known as Viharn Sien Pattaya, due to the Chinese saints housed in the temple (sien means saint). This is a three-storey Chinese temple with exhibits about Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist sects. It houses rare artefacts like earthenware pottery, ancient musical instruments, a golden throne of an emperor and the horse soldier figurine (about 2,000 years old) excavated from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb in Xian.

• Wat Chai Mongkon - This temple was built around the year 1937. It consists of a prayer hall, housing the Chinarat image of Buddha and a Chai Mongkhon Buddha image from the Sukhothai Period, which is over 350 years old already. It also has the hall of the three era Buddha with an image of Buddha that is about 49 inches lap and 160 inches high.

• Wat Photisamphan - This is located in the heart of the province of Chonburi. It is the home to the Luang Pho Na Lan Ta, which is the stone image of Buddha. Another statue that you can find here is the Phra Sang Ka Jai, which most locals pay homage and respect to.

• Wat Nong Yai - This temple was renovated in 1906 although it is believed to have existed for a much older time than that. Evidence suggests that the temple was built during the period of the Ayutthayas but it was abandoned thereafter. When Chao Khun Yai came to Pattaya, he restored the abandoned temple and added in a prayer hall.

• Wat Yansangwararam - This temple was built in the year 1976 as homage to Somdet Phra Yanasangwon. The temple has a replica of the Buddha's footprints, a large stupa with the relics of the Lord Buddha and his disciple, Phra Yanaret Vihan.

• Sanctuary of Truth - This is also known as Wang Boran or Prasat Mai. The temple is an all-wood building, with sculptures based on both Hindu and Buddhist motifs. It was Lek Viriyaphant who initiated its building on the year 1981 and it was completed on 2005. The architectural style of the temple is of Khmer. Its four gopuras reflect both the Buddhist and Hindu religions along with mythologies of Cambodia, China, India and Thailand.

Theme Parks

• Ramayana Water Park - This is located in the Silver Lake area in the South of Pattaya. It is the biggest water theme park in Thailand. A unique feature of the park is that they use fresh water for their pools, through on site wells. Hence, the water here is potentially safe for drinking and of course, swimming. There are over 50 slides and rides that kids and adults can enjoy in here. They also have a special section just for kids, which has its own slides, rain shower and shallow water.

• Cartoon Network Amazone - This is located on Sukhumvit Road, about 20 minutes away from Pattaya Beach. The water theme park has 10 zones featuring characters from Cartoon Network like Ben 10, Gumball, Darwin and Powerpuff Girls. Its Cartoonival area has about 150 slides that kids can enjoy. The Omniverse area has adventure rides for the thrill-seekers. It also has a food court with offers international cuisines to guests. Mascots also roam around the area, which are usually characters from major Cartoon Network shows.

• Pattaya Dolphin World - This park has been opened to the public since 2011. The park features dolphin shows which are about 45 minutes long. There are 5 shows daily starting from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. There's a show as well that features a swimming with a dolphin theme.

• Thunder Rock Dinosaur Park - This is located on Sukhumvit Road, about 4 kms from Pattaya. This park features life size replicas of dinosaurs. Some of the replicas of dinosaurs that you can see here are Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor and Petinosaurus. It's a fairly small park and you can finish exploring it in two hours or less.

• Pattaya Underwater World - This is the first tourist attraction in Pattaya featuring creatures from under the sea. There's a long tunnel here where you can view the aquatic animals. It also has a Touch Pool Zone where guests can interact with turtles, fishes, seaweeds and corals. Another attraction here is the feeding time, when the feeder gets swamped by fishes that you cannot see him fully. The park is located in the Sukhumvit Road about 200 meters from South Pattaya Tesco Lotus.

Beaches

• Jom Tien - This is one of the less crowded beaches in Pattaya. It is about 3 kms South of Pattaya. Despite the relative seclusion, there are plenty of restaurants and accommodations nearby the beach. Water sports facilities are also available like jet skis, scuba diving and parasailing. The sands here are powdery white and the water is clean and safe for swimming. On the Northern end of the beach, there's an amusement park that kids can enjoy. One stretch of the beach is called the Dongtan Beach, which is the only gay beach in Pattaya.

• Wong Amat - This can be found on the Northern end of the Pattaya Beach. It is the most secluded beach in the region. There's also an array of five-star resorts and hotels here which gives its surroundings a posh vibe. It's the perfect beach for those who want some privacy and serenity.

• Pattaya Beach - It's difficult to go to Pattaya and not visit this beach. It can get crowded especially during weekends and peak season but it's part of its charm. There are plenty of restaurants and hotel nearby that you can stay in. Water sports are one of the major attractions of the beach and you'll find just about every equipment for any adventure here.

• Coral Island - This is also known as Koh Lan. You can find it offshore in the South of Pattaya. It's the best area for snorkelling as the water here is very clean and clear. Some tourists opt for glass bottom boating to be able to see the corals easily. Or you can just enjoy the seclusion here and lay around the sandy shores.

• Bang Sae Beach - This is about 13 kms away from the city of Chonburi. It's a favourite among locals but tourists have not yet discovered this hidden gem. There's not many accommodations or restaurants here. But there are some beach shacks offering fresh seafood dishes that you can enjoy.

Wildlife

• Elephant Village - This is where the elephants retire after being the backbones of heavy work in the jungles for a time. It's really a haven for the elephants and visiting them helps for their care and pays for their meals as well. You can witness how elephants are trained and how they are bathed and how they live their daily lives here.

• Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm - This is a 28-acre wildlife theme park established in the 1990s. The park has a rock garden and a section with rare plants. Aside from crocodiles, albino bears, horses, white tigers and camels also reside in the park. There are also shows showcasing the intelligence of these animals.

Other

• Pattaya Floating Market - To explore the floating market, you can hire a man-powered boat, which can fit up to four persons at a time. There are over 114 shops here, divided into four sections, which represents the different parts of Thailand and their commodities. You can buy souvenirs, fruits, vegetables and visit galleries as well here. The authentic Thai dishes sold here are also one of the major attractions of the market.

I hope this helps!

P.S.

I've included the best beaches in Pattaya above already.