Friday, February 1, 2008

Bangkok Or Pattaya - Decisions, Decisions

by Lawrence Westfall

Bangkok or Pattaya - Decisions, Decisions
I visit a lot of Thailand Forums and very often a newbies will ask if he should go to Bangkok or Pattaya or both. He will also want to know how long he should stay at each place - if he goes to both.

As a season traveler to Thailand for over 30 years, I tend to be a bit cynical and advise most to just go straight to Pattaya. But, there are arguments to be made to stop by and visit Bangkok for a few days too.

I have toned down my advice a bit usually tell the newbie to visit Bangkok for 2 to 3 days at the beginning of his trip and then spend the rest of the 2 or 3 weeks in Pattaya. Everyone should see Bangkok at least once.

There is a lot to see in Bangkok if you can ever get to where you want to go. Traffic is usually moving along at a snail's pace and the meter in the taxi keeps ticking away. Walking around is hot and the streets are lined with vendors that block the sidewalk and will try any tactic to get you to stop and buy something from their stall. And, if you are walking around at night, you will have to watch out for the lady-boys and the muggers (as you would in almost any large city).

Once you suffer taxis and heat, there are numerous clubs, bars, and restaurants that would rival the best anywhere in the world. With prices being extremely low (despite the strengthening of the Baht), you can have a great night out on the town for a minimal amount of money.

Throw in inexpensive hotels, excellent shopping, and the friendliest people in the world, and you will have an experience unlike any you have ever had. Then, on your second visit to Thailand, you can just go straight to Pattaya.


About the Author
Larry Westfall is the owner of - Pattaya-Crazy - Newbies Guide to Pattaya

Day Trip To Koh Larn

by Lawrence Westfall

Was talking to a girl in a bar and the conversation came around to what other places in Thailand had I visited other than Pattaya. I rattled off a short list - Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Si Thammaratt, Phuket, Koh Samui, Had Yai, Korat, and a few others. She asked me if I had ever been to Koh Larn. I told her "No" and she told me she had never been either.
Well that did it. I immediately invited her to go the next day. She was beside herself and, at first, did not believe me. I promised her that I was telling her the truth. She came home with me and spent the night and the next morning we grabbed some breakfast and booked our day trip.

We only had to wait about 15 minutes and were escorted to a meeting place near Beach Road. It was within walking distance and we were there in about as long as it takes to smoke a cigarette. A few more folks joined us and about 10 minutes later, we were heading for the beach to meet our boat.

We were taken down to the water and a long boat was waiting for us. It was very narrow - just enough room to sit 2 across. There were about 15 of us in the boat and it could have held twice as many.

We chugged out to a square pier about 15 minutes from shore. This was the para-sailing station was. I wanted no part of this and neither did the young lady with me. We just sat and watched the others on their 30-second trip that cost about 10 dollars.

From there we embarked on a two-story boat. This one had a covered area and a place to sit topside along with some room in the back of the boat. About 30 of us were on this leg of the trip. The ship chugged along at a nice, slow pace and after about 45 minutes we were nearing Koh Larn.

Another small boat came out to meet us and this one had a covered, glass bottom. After we got closer to the island, we removed the wooden covers on the glass and made an attempt to see the coral bottom. But, the water was a bit murky and we could barely make out the bottom of the water. So, we headed for shore.

Since this little trip was impromptu, my girl didn't have any proper beach attire - so I got her a bathing suit, shower cap and a pair of flip-flops - all for about 10 dollars. We found a nice spot on the beach and picked out a couple of beach chairs (50 cents for the whole day's use) and staked out our turf. There were a few vendors but they didn't pester us much.

We were offered some of the paid activities - walking underwater, snorkeling, banana boat riding and a few others - not expensive - but really had nothing that I wanted other than to lounge on the beach. So, we just played in the water a bit and relaxed on the beach chairs for about an hour.

Then it was time for lunch. We were served soup, fried rice, fish and a few other Thai dishes and for some strange reason - french fries. The food was bland but edible. There was an Indian family in our group and they had a special meal because of their religion that looked a lot better than ours.

After lunch we walked around a bit, checked out the souvenir shops and went back to our beach chairs. Lounged a bit, played in the water and then it was time for a quick shower and back on the glass bottom boat for the return to Pattaya beach.

The glass bottom boat took us back out the bigger boat and we headed back to Pattaya. The girl I was with took out her cell phone and surprised me by dialing in some music on her FM radio. She had earphones and we each used one and listened to some soft rock while making our way back to the beach at Pattaya.

We slowly made our way back with a nice breeze and spectacular view. A few hundred yards from shore we were once again met by the long, skinny boat and made our way to shore.

All in all, a very pleasant day and the total cost for the two of us was 20 dollars. Amazing Thailand.


About the Author
Larry Westfall is the owner of Newbies Guide to Pattaya

Pattaya At A Glance

by Cyrille Hareux

Centrally located, Pattaya is one of the most enigmatic cities in Thailand. Touted as Asia's foremost beach resort, it accommodates with equal appeal to families, couples and single visitors. Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambiance is synonymous with every ingredient for a memorable holiday.

The city has undergone some massive changes over the years, which could not have possibly been foreseen by its founding fathers. It is no longer just an assortment of guest houses and cafes on a relatively remote beach; it is now a sophisticated city which prides itself as having some of the best value for the money entertainment venues, hotels and resorts in the world.


Accommodations range from luxurious hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia.


Every night can be a party if you so desire, or you can dine in a wide range of elegant restaurants that are second to none. There are also dozens of interesting outdoor pursuits such as water sports, aerial events, zoos, golf courses etc, which will satisfy visitors who crave some real action at very affordable prices.


Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and blossoming botanical gardens offer abundant forms of pastime activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. When the sun sets, Pattaya provides all the allure and magic of a truly vivacious nightlife with an impressive variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.


Multifaceted Pattaya is a bustling city, but at the same time it offers peaceful tranquility. This city quite literally provides something for everyone.


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About the Author

Cyrille Hareux is the Managing Director of Company Vauban Thailand. His 10 years of accumulated experiance in the nternational Real Estate Market, qualifies him as an expert in the field.

Pattaya travel guide - top 10 recommendations

by Andy Burrows

With its large expatriate community and diverse attractions, Pattaya has gained a reputation as one of Thailand's leading international communities. Its other reputation as Bangkok's playground and the capital of the sex industry, it attracts a very specific sort of tourist. No matter what your reasons for visiting, you'll find an exhausting list of attractions, theme parks and entertainment to keep you busy while you're here. In Pattaya gay travellers are also welcome and made to feel comfortable. Thailand is very tolerant of gay activities, Pattaya is no exception.
Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm The Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm is a great place to take in some of the indigenous plant and animal life of Thailand. More than 1,000 crocodiles are kept and bred on the grounds and there are some elephants and rare albino bears. Elephant shows are held every day, as is the crocodile roundup. The grounds also have some beautiful landscaping, most outstanding of which is the bonsai garden. The park can be reached via a 15-minute drive from Pattaya city centre.

Ripley's Believe It or Not This one-of-a-kind museum is located on the third floor of the Royal Garden Plaza building in Pattaya. The facility contains over 300 unusual exhibits exploring the whole gamut of weird and unexplained phenomena. Some of the more popular attractions include the Infinity Maze, an immersive, walk-through sound and light show that tests the limits of perception; and the Haunted Adventure, a resurrection of an old real-life mystery set at the Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company and brought to life with live actors, special effects and animatronics. Despite its emphasis on the odd, Ripley's is Pattaya's most outstanding museum and a definite must-see.

Sriracha Tiger Zoo North of the city of Pattaya, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo can be found off Route 3241 via a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The subjects of this facility can be found in a variety of circumstances including in their natural surroundings as well as more interactive settings. Visitors will have the opportunity to bottle-feed young cubs as well as have their picture taken with them. The zoo is home to several other species including crocodiles, elephants and scorpions. Some of the more outlandish shows include elephants playing basketball and a woman wrestling a crocodile.

Mini Siam One of Pattaya's most well-known sites for tourists is Mini Siam, a 1:25 scale replication of some of Thailand's most popular sites from across the country. There are 80 buildings in the park representing periods throughout Thailand's history. Don Muang Airport is on-site, as is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok and the Temple of Phimai in Nakorn Ratchisima. The best time to visit is after dark, when the exhibits are illuminated and take on a new life.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Anyone who wishes to visit the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden can catch a shuttle bus that departs from in front of the Nipa Lodge Hotel in downtown Pattaya. This park covers more than 600 acres and hosts a broad spectrum of exhibits dedicated to Thai culture and history. The grounds include a cactus garden, an orchid nursery and a lake with canoes that can be hired. The arts and culture centre hosts daily exhibitions of Thai dance, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and elephant shows. There's also a zoo on-site and accommodation for overnight stays. Wat Yansangwararam Pattaya is not as well known for its temples and ancient architecture as Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Even so, the Yansangwararam is a temple worth checking out while in the area. It's located a few miles south of Pattaya and was built in 1988 to commemorate the 42nd year of King Bhumibol's reign. On-site is a lake with Chinese pavilions and a building that houses several art exhibits and antiques of Chinese origin. The temple itself sits at the apex of a flight of 299 stairs hemmed in by snakes.

Pattaya Elephant Village Visitors who want to get an up close look at the iconic Thai elephant can do so at the Pattaya Elephant Village. These animals have served the country in a variety of roles over the centuries, spanning war times and more recently, teak harvesting. The elephants in the village are protected and perform daily educational and entertaining feats showcasing their forestry and football skills. Visitors can also ride the elephants into the forest and listen to English language explanations of this beast's history in Thailand.

Pattaya Beach While it may be saturated with visitors and a little polluted, Pattaya's beachfront property continues to be its greatest draw. Visitors come to enjoy the beach in any number of ways, whether it's a walk on the tree-lined promenade; a relaxed seafood dish eaten on an outdoor veranda or simply a laid-back afternoon spent on a deckchair. Charter boats head out to some of the nearby islands where further exploration and snorkelling is available. There's not too much actual swimming in the water, though it's bustling with jet-skis, banana boats and motor boats.

Amusement parks The constant flux of tourists through Pattaya has given way to a variety of amusement parks. Pattaya Water Park is a huge facility with water slides, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and a children's wading pool. Staggering towers at the Pattaya Park Resort and Amusement Park are capped by revolving restaurants with impressive views of the city and sea. The Funny Land Amusement Park has all sorts of carnival and theme-park style rides including a roller coaster and a pendulum Viking ship. Asia's largest aquarium is also located in Pattaya--Underwater World, with an impressive walking tunnel allowing visitors to walk in among the aquatic life.

Nightlife and gay activities Anyone visiting Pattaya will at some point be confronted with the city's notoriety as a part of the sex industry. While it's true that sex tourism is in full force in the go-go bars along Walking street, it's easy to find more family-oriented locations across town where you can get a bite to eat or relax in the evening. There are a couple of Irish pubs, an English pub and a blues bar where tourists can enjoy a relaxed evening without the risqué atmosphere. On the whole, the nightlife in Pattaya spans all interests and there's something for everyone to enjoy. Pattaya is also a popular gay destination. Gay Pattaya is centred on Boyztown and is very welcoming. Gay travellers feel very comfortable in Pattaya and have plenty of options for fun.


About the Author

Web travel writer Andy Burrows knows Pattaya inside out and suggest the following web resources for a thorough virtual tour; http://www.1stoppattaya.com/ and http://www.1stoppattaya.com/hospitality/gays/

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Pattaya Thailand

by Robert Rystrom

Pattaya is one of the largest cities for tourism that can be found in the country of Thailand. Physically, Pattaya is located in the Gulf of Thailand and is Southeast of the country's capital, Bangkok. With wonderful attractions offered, much of this city's economy consists of tourism. If you are interested in visiting Thailand, chances are that you may want to think about visiting the city of Pattaya. This city is known to have a lot to offer to its tourists, which is the reason that it has become such a popular tourist attraction recently. Here, we will take a much closer look at some of the main attractions that Pattaya has to offer to its tourists, in order to help you determine whether or not vacationing in this city may be a decision which you may want to make in the future.

Pattaya Beach is a favorite spot of many tourists, and it is also the most popular beach that Pattaya Thailand has to offer. Since it is located near shopping centers, bars, and hotels, it has become very popular among tourists. Unfortunately, it is often hard for many to get a spot on the sand, due to its popularity. Jomtien Beach is another one of the beaches which Pattaya Thailand has to offer. While it does offer some hotels and restaurants, Jomtien is mainly an area where people own summer homes. It is typically easier to find a spot on the sand at this beach than at Pattaya Beach. Jomtien Beach is especially loved by who enjoy taking part in water sports. It has a large entertainment center which offers water park attractions, a roller coaster, a monorail and fun attractions for children - which has helped with it become a popular area for people who are vacationing as families to want to visit. Of course, the beautiful beaches that Pattaya Thailand has to offer is not the only thing that this city has going for it.

There are many other attractions which Pattaya has to offer that tourists all find to be quite appealing. Some of these attractions include golf courses, places for go-cart racing, the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, Pattaya Beach Resort Water Park and Funny Land Amusement Park, a submarine, a crocodile farm, and various museums. There are also various shopping centers and stores which anyone may be interested in visiting while they are in Pattaya. Go go bars and strip clubs occupy the time of many tourists.

As you can see, there are so many different tourist attractions that Pattaya Thailand has to offer. Ranging from its beautiful beaches where you can spend the day relaxing, having fun in the sun, or taking part in water sports to its amusement parks and other entertaining activities that the city of Pattaya has to offer, there is no doubt that Pattaya has gained some much well deserved appeal from tourists. No matter what you are interested in doing while you are visiting Thailand, Pattaya has just about everything that you could possibly be interested in to offer. There is no doubt that Pattaya Thailand is a city which you may definitely want to think about visiting.


About the Author

Robert Rystrom is living in Pattaya, Thailand. He is running several websites where http://www.pattayalinks.net is one of them