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Koh Larn:situated
to the West of Pattaya Strait, about 7.7 Kilometers from
the shore, covering an area of about 4 square kilometers.
There are beautiful
beaches, clear water, and an abundance of coral. Visitors
can view the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by
diving down directly. A well-known beach is at Ta Waen Beach
in the northern part of the Island, a 750 meters stretch
of white sand with many stalls andshops. Sightseeing boats
mostly dock in this area. There are also Laemtien Beach
and Samae Beach on the south-western side, each beach spanning
a length of 700 and 100 meters respectively.
Both are regarded as
beautiful and interesting sports, especially Laemtien Beach
which has remainedexceptionally clean and tranquil. There
are now a few stores servisitors. Ta Pan Beach on the western
part of the island is 500 meters in length with make-shift
lodging available. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, sightseeing
boats usually dock along this beach all the way to Laemtie
where there is coral. On the southern part is Nual Beach
450 meters in length. On this beach a hotel which accommodates
a large number of tourists. This is another good place for
viewing coral.
Koh
Sak some 10 kilometers west of Pattaya Strait
or 600 meters away from Koh Larn. Koh Sak is another small
island shaped like a horse shoe with an area of 0.05 square
kilometers. It has two beaches, one on the northern cover
250 meters in length, an area in which boats usually stop
for tourists to swim and another one on the southern part
of the island opposite the first island, with a pathway
linking the two beaches, a small beach 80 meters in length.
A coral reef is found at the area in front of the beach.
Skin-diving is also possible in this vicinity.
Pattaya Beach
some 4 kilometers long, this beach faces Pattaya
Bay, the major venue from where boats visit Pattaya’s offshore
islands. The beach curves from north to south and is largely
paralleled by a tree-lined promenade and beach road which
is lined, in the northern and central parts, by hotels and
restaurants.
The northern section
of the beach is largely tranquil, while the central and
southern parts become increasingly lively, thanks to a juxtaposition
of shops, department stores, boutiques, beauty salons, supermarkets,
bars, discotheques, restaurants and nightclubs.
The central area of
the beach is a major nightlife shopping areas, while the
southern end is one of Pattaya's major nightlife areas
Wong Prachan Beach is on the northern
side of Pattaya Bay. The 1 kilometer beach shares the same
entrance as the Central Wong Amat Hotel. A quiet spot, the
beach is ideal for swimming and relaxation.Apart from these
beaches, there are also Laem Hua Khon Beach on the back
and front sides, Laem Lamrae, etc., which are also interesting
tourist spots. Popular activities on Koh Larn include swimming,
coral viewing, para-sailing, water-skiing, water scooter
riding, etc.
Koh Krok:A small
island covering an area of 0.05 square kilometers, approximately
8 kilometers from the shore. The island comprises mostly
rocks. Only one sandy-beach on the east of the island is
Koh Krok beach which is only 100 meters in length. This
is an ideal place for coral viewing
Koh
Phai Group of Islands are comprised of Koh Phai,
Koh Manvichai, Koh Leom, Koh Klung Badan etc., Koh Phai
being the largest. The islands are presently under the supervision
of the Toyal Navy. The Koh Phai group of islands are situated
at a distance about 13 kilometers from Pattaya and takes
2 hours to reach by boat. There is a light house on top
of a hill at Koh Phai. Visitors can enjoy relaxing-moments,
swimming, fishing and diving down to view the coral.
Tourists
interested in visiting all the island mentioned here can
arrange to hire boats from the promenade or pier at South
Pattaya. Large boats can carry between 20-80 passengers,
speed boats carry 10-15 passengers. Rental fees cost between
1,000-5,000 Baht, depending on the spot one intends to visit
as well as the size and type of boat
Suan Chalermprakiat (Fitness
Park)
is at foot of Pattaya hill on Phra Tamnak Road. This small
park, covering an area of 15 rai, was dedicated to commemorate
His Majesty the King?s sixtieth birthday on December 5,
1988.
The gardens of the
park boast a wide variety of flowering plants. There are
also multipurpose grounds and winding trails for walking
or jogging and standard exercise facilities. On any given
day, a large number of people will relax, jog, exercise
or simple enjoy the scenery of Pattaya in this park.
Mini
Siam is on the left hand side at kilometer 143
on Sukhumvit Highway. This miniature
city offers replicas of 80 sacred places and important historical
sites around Thailand at a scale of 1 to 25. Some examples
are the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Srisanpeth,
Anantasamakom Throne Hill, Phra Puttha-yodfah Bridge, the
Bridge over the River Khwae, the Golden Stupa and Phimai
Khmer Sanctuary. Replicas of places of world significance
are also displayed in the ?miniworld? area such as the Eiffel
Tower, the Statue of Liverty, Tower Bridge, Trevi Fountain.
Open daily from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. There is also a MiniRace
Course (Gokarts) for visitors wishing to try their hand
at racing fast cars.
Phanarak Park
situated on Pornprapanimitr Road turning left on Sukhumvit
Road at Kilometer 145 for about 5 kilometers. A Privately-owned
resort, the garden has maintained a natural atmosphere with
fish ponds and fishing equipment available for rent.
A swimming pool and accommodation in the form of tents and
bungalows are on hand to serve visitors.
The
Million Years Stone Park And Pattaya Crocodile Farm
is at number 22/2 Mu 1, Tambon Nong Pla Lai, Banglamug,
From Sukhumvit, one turns left at kilometer 140 close to
the pedestrian bridge in front of Wat Sawangfah along Chaiyaporn
withi Road (State High way 3024) in the same direction as
Mab Prachun Reservoir for another 5 kilometers. This
is an other popular attraction with Thai and foreigner tourists.
Covering an area of close to 100 rai, the compound comprises
rock gardens and a botanical of rare plants and beautifully
land scaped grounds. Interesting sights include, for example,
fossiizedplants over a million years in age, 200 years old
Thai style bonzai, crocodile pools and a collection of rare
animals such as albino bears, elephants and horses. Crocodile
round-ups, magic and animal performances are also a major
attraction. Daily admission from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Khao Pattaya (Khao Phra
Baht) a small hill with an asphalt road leading
to the top. From its peak, one has a panoramic view of Pattaya
City and Pattaya Bay. Currently, Kho Pattaya has been developed
and is now the site of the Naval Sor Tor Ror radio station.
A sacred Buddha image is also enshrined on the hilltop.
Elephant Village
situated on Pornprapanimitr Road on the same directions
as Phanaraks Park and Siam Country Club Golf Course. The
elephant village is a popular tourist spot for Thai and
foreign guests alike. Daily performances by elephants and
wild elephant round-up shows are held at 2.30 p.m. Shows
last about 1 hour. Elephant jungle rides are also available.
Additional information may be obtained by calling 01-2123225
or from the front desk at the Tropicana Hotel
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