Phuket

History

In the 17th century, the Dutch, the English, and from the 1680s the French, competed with each other for trade with the island of Phuket (the island was named Junk Ceylon at that time), which was valued as a very rich source of tin. In September 1680, a ship from the French East India Company visited Phuket and left with a full cargo of tin. In 1681 or 1682, the Siamese king Narai, who was seeking to reduce Dutch and English influence, named Governor of Phuket the French medical missionary Brother René Charbonneau, a member of the Siam mission of the Société des Missions Etrangères. Charbonneau held the position of Governor until 1685.[2]
In 1685, king Narai confirmed the French tin monopoly in Phuket to a French ambassador, the Chevalier de Chaumont.[3] Chaumont's former maître d'hôtel Sieur de Billy was named governor of the island.[4] The French were expelled from Siam in 1688 however, following the 1688 Siamese revolution. On April 10, 1689, the French general Desfarges led an expedition to re-capture the island of Phuket in an attempt to restore some sort of French control in Siam.[5] The occupation of the island led nowhere, and Desfarges returned to Pondicherry in January 1690.[6]
The Burmese attacked Phuket in 1785. Captain Francis Light, a British East India Company captain passing by the island, sent word to the local administration that he had observed Burmese forces preparing to attack. Than Phu Ying Chan, the wife of the recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook(คุณมุก) then assembled what forces they could. After a month-long siege, the Burmese were forced to retreat March 13, 1785. The two women became local heroines, receiving the honorary titles Thao Thep Krasatri and Thao Si Sunthon from King Rama I. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Phuket became the administrative center of the tin-producing southern provinces. In 1933 Monthon Phuketwas dissolved and Phuket became a province by itself. Old names of the island include Ko Thalang

Geography

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand. The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of the Phuket mountain range, which ranges for 440 km from the Kra Isthmus. The highest elevation of the island is Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes), at 529 m above sea level. It is estimated that Phuket has a total area of approximately 570 square kilometers (including the provinces other islands). The main island’s total length, from north to south, is about at 50 kilometers and approximately 20 kilometers wide.
Forest, rubber and palm oil plantations cover 60% of the island.[citation needed] The western coast has several sandy beaches, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy. Near the southernmost point is Laem Promthep (Brahma's Cape), which is a popular sunset viewing point. In the mountainous north of the island is the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-hunting Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest. The three highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 m), Khao Bang Pae (388 m) and Khao Phara (422 m). The Sirinat National Park on the northwestern coast was established in 1981 and protects an area of 90 km² (68 km² marine area), including the Nai Yang beach where sea turtles lay their eggs.
One of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket is Patong Beach on the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in Patong, and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in Thai. Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Rawai. To the north of Patong are Kamala Beach, Surin Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong. There are many islands to the southeast, including Bon Island, just a short boat trip away. There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the Similan Islands lie to the north west, and Phi Phi Islands to the south east. Islanders engage in a lively tourist trade, catering to snorkellers and scuba divers.

Economy

Tin mining has been a major source of income for the island since the 16th century. Chinese businessmen and Chinese workers were employed in the mines. Most were Hakka Chinese, and their influence on Phuket culture and cuisine can still be felt today.[citation needed] With falling tin prices, the mining has now all but ceased. In modern times, Phuket's economy rests on two pillars: rubber tree plantations (making Thailand the biggest producer of rubber in the world) and tourism, with a thriving diving industry attracting thousands of divers each year. Sex tourism and prostitution, though illegal, take place in Phuket.[citation needed]
Since the 1980s, the sandy beaches on the western coast of the island have been heavily developed into tourist centers, with Patong, Karon and Kata being the most popular ones. Since the 2004 Tsunami, all damaged buildings and attractions have been restored. Phuket is currently going through an intensive period of leisure urbanization with many new hotels, apartments and houses under construction. In July 2005, Phuket was voted one of the World’s Top 5 retirement destinations by the acclaimed Fortune Magazine.[7] There are thousands of expatriates living in Phuket, many of them retirees. A favourite spot for them is Phuket Beach, as it is very convenient. Costs in Phuket have shot up over the past decade, making it one of Thailand's more expensive retirement destinations.

Attractions

Hat Patong 15 kilometres from town, Patong is Phuket's most developed beach which offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3-kilometre long crescent bay. Windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing, swimming and sunbathing number among the many popular daytime activities. Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife, among which seafood restaurants feature prominently.
Laem Phromthep Phromthep Cape is a headland forming the extreme south end of Phuket. "Phrom" is Thai for the Hindu term, "Brahma," signifying purity, and "Thep" means 'God.' Local villagers used to refer to the cape as "Laem Chao", or the God's Cape, and it was an easily recognizable landmark for the early seafarers traveling up the Malay Peninsula from the sub-continent.
Hat Karon The second largest of Phuket's tourist beaches, some 20 kilometres from town. Large resort complexes line the road behind of the shoreline, but the long, broad beach itself has no development. The sand is very white, and squeaks audibly when walked upon. There are plenty of restaurants and tourist stores right across the street from the beach. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island. There is also its sister beach Karon Noi.
View Point This is located mid-point between Nai Han and Kata beaches. The scenic Kata Noi, Kata and Karon beaches, and Ko Pu Island can be viewed from this point.
Wat Chalong This is where stands the cast statue of Luang Pho Cham, who helped the people of Phuket put down the Angyee, or Chinese Coolie Rebellion, in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues of Luang Pho Chuang, and Luang Pho Cham, abbots of the temple during later times.
Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Centre Its duty is to promote, distribute and wildlife within Khao Phra Thaeo wildlife park. The park is full of virgin forest and also actively conserves a number of wild animals; they would otherwise be extinct in Phuket. It is a center for study of the environment and the forest vegetation is spectacular. Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every description.

Local Culture

Events and Festivals
Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon Fair is held on March 13 every year to commemorate the two great heroines who rallied the Thalang people to repel Burmese invaders.
Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th lunar month (end Sept or early October). Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves to a 9-day vegetarian diet, a form of purification believed to help make the forthcoming year “trouble-free”. The festival is marked by several ascetic displays, including fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed ladders.
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Kata Beach Resort hosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring countries who compete in the Kata Beach area for royal trophies.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon (a 1,800 - metre swim, a 5.5 -kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre run and a 6 –kilometre fun run) attracts many athletes from all over the world.

Phuket Travel Fair starting from November 1, is usually called the Patong Carnival, from the place where celebrations occur. Colourful parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists are major activities.
Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The sea gypsy villages at Rawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrates on the 14th; and Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket’s northern tip) on the 15th. Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and bring good luck.

Lamphun


LAMPHUN's ATTRACTIONS : In The City, Along The Route to Pa Sang(Road No.106) ,Amphoe Mae Tha , Amphoe Li
Lamphun, formerly Hariphunchai, is another historical sites. The town was founded in the year 1663 and the first ruler was a Queen called Chammathewi. This charming province is also noted for its beautiful women and tasty longans.
With an area of 4,506 sq. kms., the province has 7 Amphoes namely: Muang, Pa Sang, Ban Hong, Mae Tha, Li, Thung Hua Chang, and Ban Thi. The town is about 670 kilometers from Bangkok by car.
LAMPHUN's ATTRACTIONS
In The City :
Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai This monastery is in the township area, built in the reign of King Athittayarat and has been repaired, renewed, and enlarged from time to time. Phrathat Hariphunchai Pagoda is currently 46 meters high having nine tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6,498.75 grams, placing on the top. The base is of square shape with 20 meters in length on each side. On every full moon day of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration of this Wat Phrathat in term of the annual fair.
Hariphunchai National Museum which houses numerous Lanna antiques found in the region. The museum is open to public everyday except Monday, Tuesday and official holidays from 09.00 -16.00. Admission fee is 10 baht.
Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamma Thewi (Swan Changkot Chedi) This monastery was built around A.D. 755 by Khmer artisans. The pagoda structure is of the square Buddha Gaya Characteristics as seen in India. Three standing Buddha images, in the attitude of blessing are enshrined on each level of the pagoda base of each side totaling 15 images for one side of five levels, grand totaling 60 Buddha image d the pagoda. Relics of Queen Chammathewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai housed inside the pagoda. The pagoda top was originally covered with gold but later, was broken and disappeared thus giving to the name "Ku Kut" or Pagoda without top.
Other temples in the vicinity include Wat Mahawan , noted for sacred amulets, Wat Phra Yun or Wat Buddha Maha Sathan built by King Thammikarat about one thousand years ago.
Along Highway to Chiang Mai is located the village of Nong Chang Khun which is noted for the biggest plantations of longans in the country.
Along The Route to Pa Sang(Road No.106) :
Amphoe Pa Sang is about 10 kilometers from Lamphun. It is noted as the centre for local handicrafts and also for its beautiful and charming women.
Tak Pha Buddha Footprints The footprints are located on the top of a small hill in the area of Tambon Makok, Amphoe Pa Sang, 16 kms. from the township area. The legend says that Lord Buddha left his footprints during his visit to that locality for Lawa tribal people to pay their homages to in lieu of he himself. He also dried his suffron robe on the cliff where one, at present, can see a mark like a piece of suffron robe being dried there thus originating the name of Tak Pha Buddha Footprints or Drying Suffron Robe Buddha Footprints. Annual celebration takes place on the eight day of warming moon of the sixth lunar month of every year when inhabitants of Lamphun and neighbouring provinces flock to the annual fair.
Amphoe Mae Tha :
Doi Khun Tan National Park Doi Khun Tan is located on a mountain range bordering on both Lampang and Lamphun Provinces. There is a 1,362 meter long tunnel, regarded the longest in Thailand, for railroad underneath the mountain. There are accommodations, which belong to the Royal State Railway of Thailand, a missionary party, and the Royal Forestry Department, on top of Doi Khun Tan.
Amphoe Li :
Mae Ping National Park situated at km. 47 on Lamphun - Li - Thoen route, (Highway 106) the park covers a lake and a forest above Phumiphol Dam. Attractions in the area of the park are : Namtok Ko Luang , Tham Yang Wi , and Kaeng Ko, etc. Langan Fair.
Langan Fair This fair, held in August every year, features a contest to judge the best fruit and select Miss Lamyai (Langan) for each year.

Pattaya



The city of Pattaya is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri.
Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province.

HistoryPattaya was a small fishing village until it was discovered by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighbouring Rayong province began using the area for "rest and recreation" (R&R), causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis.
The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a Council-manager government. However, many argue that this administration system has drawbacks (for example, the mayor may disagree with the city manager). Critics have recommended abolishing the system.
In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, however the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most visited party destinations. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's raison d'être

GeographyPattaya, located off the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 145 km south of the city of Bangkok.
"Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus the Buddha Hill headland (immediately south of Pattaya Beach), and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (which lies directly south of Buddha Hill) including Dongtan Beach. Jomtien's beaches are much broader and generally in better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented, than at Pattaya Beach.

Administration
Pattaya city has been administered under a special autonomous system since 1978. It has a status comparable to a municipality and is separately administered by the mayor of Pattaya city who is responsible for making policies, organizing public services and supervising all employees of Pattaya city administration.

Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach at sunset.
Pattaya Beach is situated alongside the city centre. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along the beach, as has the practice of dumping sewage into the ocean. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area. Most sections of the beach are covered by rented deckchairs run by local beverage vendors during daylight hours.
Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach (Thai: หาดจอมเทียน) is divided from the main part of Pattaya by Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city. Jomtien is essentially a residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. A wide array of watersport activities can be found, including jet skis, parasailing and small sail boat (Hobie Cat) rental. Dongtan Beach, just past the Avalon Beach Resort in Jomtien, is known as the gay beach, and is busy every day of the year.
Jomtien's most visible landmark is the 56-story Pattaya Park tower, part of the Pattaya Park entertainment complex which also features a water park, roller coaster, monorail. This may soon be overshadowed by the proposed 91-floor Ocean One Tower ("O1") Tower[3]. With an overall height of 367 meters, it would be the tallest building in Thailand and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world[4]. The Jomtien district is already home to one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room Ambassador City Jomtien.

Islands

Off Pattaya there are some small islands and island groups. They are the primary scuba diving destinations in and around Pattaya, especially the "Far Islands":
Mu Ko Lan (หมู่เกาะล้าน): The "Near Islands", Ko Lan (main island), Ko Sak and Ko Krok located 7.5 Km from the western shores of Pattaya.
Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่): The "Far Islands", Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands".
Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai.
Ko Lan

Ko Lan (Thai: เกาะล้าน), or "Coral Island", is a small island situated 7.5 km west of Pattaya. Ko Lan is accessible by speedboat and ferry. The ferry departs hourly, and is a 45-minute ride costing just 20 baht each way. Speedboats are more expensive, but can reach the island in less than 15 minutes.
Note: The "Near Islands", "Far Islands" or "Coral Island" denominations are used for touristic purposes. They don't correspond to any traditional naming of the island groups and are not to be found in any of the Charts published by the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Thai Navy.

TransportationPattaya is about 1½ hours, or 120 km by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Pattaya is also served through U-Tapao International Airport which is 45 minutes drive from the city. By road, it is served by Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Intercity transport is usually through one of two bus stations, one for Bangkok and one for other destinations.
Until recently the only transport within town were private or shared songthaews and taxi via motorbike. However, a public bus service has begun in 2006, and a metered taxi service began in late 2007.
Roads
By the Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya Motorway (Highway No.7) The motorway is linked with Bangkok’s Outer Ring Road., (Highway No. 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.
By Bang Na-Trat Highway (Highway No. 34) From Bang Na, Bang Phli, across the Bang Pakong River to Chon Buri there is a Chon Buri’s bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road., (Highway No. 3, passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.
Pattaya roads
Pattaya 1 Road ("Beach Road"): this street runs parallel to the beach
Pattaya 2 Road: this street runs approximately 400 meters parallel to Pattaya 1 Road.
Pattaya 3 Road: this is Pattaya’s outer-ring road which connects North, South and Central Pattaya.
Thap Phraya Road: this street connects Pattaya 2 to Jomtien Road.
Thep Prasit Road: this street connects Sukhumvit to Jomtien Road.
Rail There is one train a day to Pattaya leaving from Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.
Monorails The city plan to contruction 3 lines of monorail system, by a budget of 4,000 million baht.
Air There is no public airport in Pattaya city. The nearest airport to Pattaya city is U-Tapao.
Bus Buses to Pattaya leave very frequently from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Morchid) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekhamai). There are buses from Pattaya which go to every nearby provincial town. There are also some buses available to major towns in the north-east.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle) Popularly nick-named ‘Baht-buses’ in Pattaya, songthaews are the most popular mode of public transportation in Pattaya. Normally, the price is different for locals and foreigners (double the local price). However, the cost is still comparatively low and foreigners are advised to avoid confrontation with the drivers.
Motorbike-taxi These are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for very short distances

EconomyOnce a sleepy fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R spot during the Vietnam War and got itself a bit of a bad image, but things have certainly improved since then and the city has been turning its location into a family-orientated destination. So besides only bars and pubs, there is plenty more to do and see these days. Currently, Pattaya is booming again: TAT claims 5,338,000 visitors for 2005 (up 6.5% from 2004), of which two-thirds were foreigners who came to enjoy the exciting sea-shore activities.
Other activities include golfing at the area's many golf courses, and there are 21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya, go-cart racing, visiting the construction site of an elaborate private wooden temple known as Sanctuary of Truth, and different theme parks and zoos such as Mini Siam, and Elephant Village.
The national symbol of Thailand, these amazing animals have been part of Thai culture for centuries. Demonstrations of training methods and ancient ceremonial re-enactments plus entertaining performances and wild elephant round-ups daily between 2:30 and 4:00.
The private Sri Racha Tiger Zoo features several hundred tigers and thousands of alligators as well as some other animals. It has often been criticized for the animals' living conditions, and a worker was killed by tigers in 2004[5]. There was a major bird flu outbreak at the zoo later that year[6].
The Vimantaitalay tourist submarine takes customers underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. There are many boat trips from an hour to all day trips available, mostly leaving from Bali Hai Pier, near Walking Street.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is located some 15 kilometers east of Pattaya. The 500-acre (2.0 km2) site has well maintained botanical gardens and an orchid nursery. Moreover the facility has lively cultural shows in a Thai village setting. In addition trained chimpanzees and elephants are seen at the garden.
Other attractions in Pattaya: The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Elephant Village, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park and Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya (world class aquarium), Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya(cultural show), Bottle Art Museum, Mini Siam, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and Walking Street.
Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya presents Thai performing arts in a panoramic concept. The entire project includes a prototype Hexa Stage Theater with 2,000 seats in tiers, Cultural Rostrum and a Restaurant with 1,000 seating capacity. Open daily except Wednesday, show time 18.00 hrs.
Underwater World (อันเดอร์วอเตอร์ เวิลด์) is an aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand. The tunnel is 105 metres long divided into 4 zones. The aquarium is home to a multitude of local marine life, including sharks and stingrays. Moreover, there is marine life feeding shows, both on the surface of the water and underwater in each zone.
Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat (เขาพระตำหนัก หรือ เขาพระบาท) This small hill is located between South Pattaya and Chom Thian. It is a vantage point for a panoramic view of the whole city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. Locals and visitors come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is resgared the “founding father of the modern Thai navy.” and Suan Chaloemphrakiat (สวนเฉลิมพระเกียรติ) Khao Phra Tam Nak Road., This is a fitness park at the foot of Khao Pattaya.
Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม) This gigantic wooden structure is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North Pattaya. The sanctuary of Truth was first built in 1981. With exquisite architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.
Mini Siam (เมืองจำลองพัทยา) is located at km. 143 on Sukhumvit Road., Highway No. 3, North Pattaya, Mini Siam is one of famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai etc. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called “mini world”.
Cabaret Shows (คาบาเร่ต์โชว์) There are two venues of transvestite cabarets (lady boys) in Pattaya.
Alcazar Cabaret (อัลคาซ่าร์ คาบาร์เร่ต์), Pattaya 2 Road
Tiffany Show (ทิฟฟานี่ โชว์), Pattaya 2 Road
Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร) covers an area of 366 rai. It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and later was supported by His Majesty the King. Within the compound of the temple are the Mondop where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined, a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha, as well as, his enlightened followers, and Wihan Phra Yanaret.
Koh Larn is a little tropical island located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach. The Island is around 4km long and 2km wide and is home to approximately one thousand residents. Most of the locals reside in the main village, Naban. There are six beaches on the island that has white sand and clear blue water. The terrain is mainly mountainous which is covered in most part with jungle.
Some tourists take daytrips to nearby Rayong for beautiful beaches, as well as Koh Samet island. Activities

Bungee Jump:
Jungle Bungee Jump (จังเกิ้ล บันจี้ จั๊ม) has arrived in Pattaya and is found near the fishing pond of the Jomtien Fishing Park.
Flying for entertainment: at major places such as
Pattaya Air Park (พัทยา แอร์ พาร์ค)
Chon Buri Flying Club (ชลบุรี ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)
CMT Flying Club (ซีเอ็มที ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)
Horse Riding:
Jo Jo Horse Club (โจโจ้ ฮอร์ส คลับ) is a training place for horse riding.
Horseshoe Point Club (ฮอร์สชู พอยท์ คลับ) is a place of horse riding training and accommodation. 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. The Thai Polo Club offers polo lessons and opportunities to play polo.
Motor Sports: Car Racing Circuit
Pattaya Cart Speedway (พัทยาคาร์ท สปีดเวย์) is a cart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs.
Thailand International Motor Sport Complex (TIMC) (ศูนย์กีฬายานยนต์ TIMC)
Pira International Circuit (สนามแข่งรถพีระอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลเซอร์กิต)
KR Go-cart Grand Prix (สนามแข่งรถเล็ก เค อาร์ โกคาร์ท กรังปรีซ์)
Fitness and sports:
Fairtex Sport Club and Hotel (แฟร์เท๊กซ์ สปอร์ต คลับ แอนด์ โฮเต็ล) is a sports complex comprising artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash, tennis court, etc.
Spa Pattaya has an abundance of massage shops. The most common types of massage include Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.
Proper spas however, of a very high world-standard can be found at the city’s top resorts and hotels.
Diving The most popular destination in Pattaya for diving buffs is the Hardeep Wreck which was sunk by the allies in the Second World War. The wreck lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 26 meters. Other popular dive destinations near Pattaya include:

Shopping

n recent years, new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have opened up. Among the shopping malls are:
Central Center Pattaya (formerly Central Festival Pattaya), Pattaya Second Road – Indoor mall anchored by a Big C; also has a SF Cinema City branch.
Hypermarkets
Carrefour - Pattaya Central Road
Big C - Pattaya Second Road
Tesco Lotus - Pattaya North Road
Local Products
Local products in Pattaya consist of:
Chaeng Lon: This is a local delicacy where coconut is hand molded into small buns on a stick and charcoal-grilled.
Hoi Cho: This Chinese delicacy is Chon Buri's famous dish because a special kind of sea crabs is used as the main ingredient.
Khao Lam: This specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo rods.
Shopping Malls
The Village Shopping Centre, Sukhumvit Rd - Pattaya's newest shopping centre due to open in October.
Mike Department Store , Beach Road
Royal Garden Plaza, Beach Road – Three-story indoor mall with a Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum and an SF Multiplex cinema. Also has a Sizzler restaurant, Au Bon Pain, KFC, McDonald's, Auntie * Anne's Pretzels, ZEN Japanese restaurant, Swensen's, Haagen Daz, Pizza Company, Delice de France, and a large food court. The Marriott Hotel is adjacent.
Central Festival Pattaya Beach (Opened on January 23, 2009)
The Avenue, Second Road (near Royal Garden) is in the midst of a soft opening with the following either open or their spaces being fitted out: a 22 lane Bowling Alley, Au Bon Pain, McDonalds, Thanachart Bank, 8 Major Cineplex theatres, Boots, California Wow! a major gym/fitness spa (open for subscriptions), Shenanigans, Iberry, Pizza Pizza, 20 Nails Spa, Starbucks, Kasikorn Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya, and a 24/7 Villa Market, which carries imported goods difficult to find in other supermarkets.
TukCom, Pattaya Tai (South) Road, boasts a large computer/IT complex offering reasonable prices.
An outlet mall is next to the Tesco Lotus selling discount clothing from many European and American brands.
At least one other new large mall is under construction between sois 9 and 10..
Pattaya has many large home improvement stores including Home Mart, HomeWorks, Home Pro, Kanyong and True Value.
The closest department store to Pattaya is Robinson's, located about 30 minutes away in Sri Racha.
There are several large nightly markets in different parts of town.
There are big Thai markets at soi bua kao each Tuesday and Friday.

Nightlife

A Korean dance performed by transsexual artists in Alkazar theater in Pattaya
Pattaya is known for its nightlife. The city has hundreds of beer bars, go go bars, and night clubs/discotheques. The world famous Walking Street is the center of Pattaya's nightlife.
Many bars, discos and nightclubs, as well as several large massage parlours, are venues for sex workers. Other massage parlors exist which provide traditional non-sexual Thai massages.
Since the "social order" crackdown of 2004, there are fewer sex shows (such as the ping pong shows). Depending on the enforcement climate, go go dancers may be seen fully nude, topless or in bikinis on different days or weeks. However, with the political crisis, there is little incentive to be strict about the former laws.
Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches aimed at tourists can be seen at several open-air beer bar complexes.

Famous Alkazar show in Pattaya, Bangkok
Boyztown (Pattayaland Soi 1-3), Sunee Plaza, and the Jomtien Complex are famous for their many beer bars, cabarets and go-go clubs catering to a gay clientele. Pattaya has the second largest concentration of gay oriented establishments in Thailand with about 110 venues, after Bangkok with about 200 venues. Many bars specialize in specific types of hosts (slim, muscular, effeminate, etc.), while others have a broad range of men available. There is very little in the way of gay nightclubs or bars in the Western sense; the vast majority of places are no different than the venues that target heterosexuals, both feature sexual entertainment.
Pattaya is known for its cabaret revues featuring kathoeys (male-to-female transsexuals), with Alcazar and Tiffany's being the largest and most elaborate.
Major Hotel operates restaurants, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer food, drinks, music and international entertainment.

Local Culture

Life-style
Most of the officially registered Pattaya folk are of Thai-Chinese ancestry. However, due to the tourist industry many people from the north-east have come to work in Pattaya (north-east is the poorest region of Thailand). So, there is as much chance of hearing spoken Isan dialect (similar to Laotian) as you have Thai, especially in the shops and bars, etc.

Events & Festivals
Pattaya's Songkran Festival is different to the rest of Thailand, it runs on 18-19 April. Pattaya Carnival/Festival is held annually at Pattaya Pier and it is a colourful event which includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks and water sports competition. Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of M arch. On different stages, there are a bandwagon of several styles of music performed by both Thai and international artists.

Creative Arts
Pattaya's Western creative arts are growing daily as the number of expat residents continues to climb. Art galleries are numerous and other arts oriented programs and organizations are starting to thrive. Among these is the highly successful community theater group entitled the Pattaya Players. The Pattaya Players are a troupe of amateur thespians recently established in January 2008. The organization was created to provide an artistically adventurous environment that attracts and excites diverse members of the Pattaya community by providing theatrical productions that entertain, inspire and inform. You can visit their website and find out more information at: www.pattayaplayers.org

A restaurant in central Pattaya.

Local Food
Chonburi has a lot of fresh seafood and dried fruits. As there are a lot of people from the north-east (Isarn) living and working in Pattaya, there is an abundance of north-eastern favourites such as Spicy Papaya Salad (Somtum) and Spicy Sour Chopped Pork Salad (Larb).