Jomtien, Family Friendly Beach

Although the beautiful beach in Pattaya has been spoiled by unregulated growth and pollution, about 2 kilometers from south Pattaya, Jomtien Beach remains relatively clean and unspoiled.

Jomtien Beach is a destination of choice for family. Jomtien beach is more peaceful and has lesser outrageous night life activities compare to Pattaya beach. Pattaya beach is more for party animal.

Jomtien offers more family activities such as jet skiing and wind surfing because it has a long straight coastline with less boat anchored. With water that is considerably much cleaner, it is also an attactive location for swimming.

Here's a list of things to do in Jomtien, (Note: rates are normally negotiable)

• Banana Boat - About 5-10 people can get on this both at a time. It is not really a boat but a long straight balloon that floats on the water. The speed boat will pull this banana boat in the sea. It is fun. Rates 700 Baht/ 30 minutes
• Jet Ski - You can rent a jet ski for about 1,200 Baht/ hour
• Water Ski - About 500-1,000 Baht, depending on availability.
• Parasailing - 300 Baht for about 5 minutes or a round in the sea, not a very big round.

Almost inevitably Jomtien also has many hawkers, plying anything from ice cream and fruits right when you're trying to relax by sitting on chairs along the beach. This can be quite annoying but again Jomtien beach is more pleasant than Pattaya beach.

There are many nice restaurants offering cuisine from various places of the world. At Pattaya Park in Jomtien area, you can also find the famous revolving restaurant, from this place you can see 360 degrees view of Pattaya from top of the tower, This place keeps rotating. Don't miss the chance to take few pictures.

Pattaya Attractions

Here, I have compiled a list of things to do in Pattaya.

NOTE: that prices quoted in this article may not be accurate, but they are there to give you a rough idea, so that you can estimate your cost.

Recommended activity: Kiteboarding in Pattaya

Cabaret Show

Pattaya is famous for the beautiful lady boy. There are 2 main cabaret shows venue which are performed by lady boys.

Tiffany
Great shows from this old establishment, Usually shows are available 3 times a day at 7pm, 8.30pm and 10pm. On holiday there may be an extra show at 5.30pm
Rates for Thais – about 200- 300 Baht
For foreigners – about 500 – 600 Baht
Location: Pattaya 2nd road
Tel: (038) 421700-5, 429642

Alcazar
Beautiful show, huge hall. Shows are available 3 times a day at 6.30pm, 8pm and 9.30pm. Extra show on Saturday at 11pm.
Rates for Thais – about 200- 300 Baht
For foreigners – about 500 – 600 Baht
Location: Pattaya 2nd road
Tel: (038) 410225-7

Ripley's Believe it or not
Ripley's is located inside Royal Garden Plaza on beach road. I think it is on the top most floor, 3rd floor. If you can find your way to Royal Garden Plaza, you can never miss Ripley's. Here there are more than 300 of extraordinary items from all over the world that is sure to leave you amazed.
You may also want to try Ripley's motion master theater, this is a high tech movie system that will make your senses believe you are in the movie with all sound affects and specially created movie.
Recently they've just started Ripley's haunted adventure. This is not just a normal haunted house, my personally advice is that this is not a place for soft hearted ladies and kids. Go with your girlfriend :D.
Ripley's laser trek, another adventure by Ripley's. The objective is to use laser gun shooting at each other, even the arena will shoot back at you. Its fun but I recommend you to go in as a group of 5 or more up to 26 people. They only allow 26 people. You can go in alone too, but its not going to be fun.

Mini Siam
Located on the outskirt of Pattaya in Sukhumvit road. Here you can find many small creation (mock up model) of famous places like various temples in Thailand, Statue of Liberty, Eiffel tower, etc.

Bottles museum
I guess this is the only bottle museum in the world. It is located in Sukhumvit 6. Here you can find miniature artwork such as Thai temples, palaces, both Thai and foreigners artwork, contain inside a bottle. More than 300 bottles can be found here.

Alangkarn Pattaya show (Alangkarn = Huge and amazing)
This place showcase Thai culture, Thai handicraft with state of the art theatre that has been decorated in Thai-modern style. It is a modern Thai Multi-Dimension Extravaganza show. There's also a restaurant that serves both Thai and International food with a capacity of 1,000 seats. ALANGKARN is located 155 kilometers on Sukhumvit road Jomtien.
Pattaya: Tel: +66 (0) 3825-6000 Fax: +66 (0) 3825-6005
Bangkok: Tel: +66 (0) 2216-1949 Fax: +66 (0) 2216-1872 (Apparently they also have a Bangkok office that you can call to find out more information)

Nong Nooch (pronounce Nong Noot) Garden
Nong Nooch garden is the place for seeing scenery of the tropical garden. It has artificial waterfall and lake that you can go canoeing. Its a nice place with many different plants like orchid or cactus garden. Its easy to find many animals, from birds to butterfly and many other animals in this garden. You can relax and watch Thai traditional dance show, which is available 3 times a day, martial arts, and the Thais favorite cock fighting everyday. You can even ride and elephant or watch elephant shows. Nong Nooch garden also has accommodation for overnight stay with traditional Thai bungalows.

Sri Racha Tiger zoo
Sri Racha is a small town located about 30 minutes drive away from Pattaya. You can find lots of tigers and many other animals in the zoo. It is open from 9.30am - 6pm everday.
http://www.tigerzoo.com for more information.

Wanasin farm
Another traditional Thai farm that exhibits Thai handicrafts and Thai arts together with boat museums and floating market. This place is an escaped away from the busy lifestyle of Pattaya. They try to create the atmosphere of the olden days where you can find real people living the old lifestyle.
Located in Pornprapanimit road. It is open daily from 9am - 6pm. It has cultural shows 4 times a day at 9.30am, 11am, 3pm and 4.30pm

Million years stone park - Crocodile farm
This place has both a park (rock garden) and a zoo. It has been open for over 20 years. It has the famous crocodile shows where the guy put his head in between crocodile mouth while it is open. Also Thai martial arts and magical shows. You can go elephant riding or have your picture taken with tamed tiger, lion or even bear and many more animals.
Open from 8.30am - 6pm

Monkey training and Cobra show
I guess there's going to be monkey shows and cobra shows here. Never been there before. If you want to find out more about this, just ask anybody in Pattaya, when you get there. They should know. :P

Elephant village
Here you can go elephant trekking throughout the day. It also has elephant training shows at 2.30pm everyday. Located on Sukhumvit roadFor those of you that believes Thailand is famous for white elephants, well I don't mean to disappoint you but I don't know a place where you can actually see white elephants here. This doesn't mean that white elephants don't exist in Thailand. They do, but in a reserved area that people are not allowed in.

Siriporn orchid farm
This farm is located in NuenPraWan road. Many different kinds of orchids can be found here. Open daily from 8am - 5pm.

Miniature Racetrack (Thais called it Go-Kart)
Go-Kart is the word for driving small little vehicle in the race track. Fun for people who like the thrill of speed. Two main places to go Go-Kart (ing)
Here's a bit of a story about Go-Kart. I was told that once a girl who had a very long hair when for a Go-Kart drive. Her long hair got stuck in the wheel and it pulled her hair of, left her with only her skull. Eventually she died. So if you have long hair you might want to tidy it up first. Nevertheless it is fun.

Siam karting circuit
Located in the same area with Mini Siam, so you can do both things in one place.
Very fast car - 450 Baht/10 minutes
Medium speed - 350 Baht/10 minutes
Cars for kids - 250 Baht/10 minutes
Tel: (038) 727410

Pattaya kart speed way (not recommend)
Open from 9.30am - 6.30pm
250 Baht/10 minutes
Kids race track and for trainers 150 Baht/10 minutes

Here you can also enjoy a game of Paintball
This is a real life game that assume you are trap in the war zone. Players have to wear masks and coat. The weapon of choice is gun with plastic bullets that once hit the target will be smashed into colors. Now if you are shot, you're suppose to pretend you're dead and is not allowed to participate for the rest of the game. Players are divided into 2 teams. The objective of the game is to capture the flag of the other team and bring it back to the base. It is fun and does not hurt.
Located in Theppasit between Sukhumvit and Jomtien.
Pattaya Kart speed way Tel: (038) 422044
Paintball Tel: (038) 300608

Pattaya park
Pattaya park is a fun park located in Jomtien. The famous Pattaya park's swimming pool, whirlpools that are huge with big sliders. Have to buy a ticket to get in, 100 Baht for an adult and 50 Baht for a kid below 120cm tall. There's a lot more things to do here like, tower jump, sky shuttle, monorail and a lot more in Pattaya park funny land. Here you can also find the famous revolving restaurant, from this place you can see 360 degrees view of Pattaya from top of the tower, This place keeps rotating. Don't miss the chance to take few pictures.
Tel: (038) 364110-20
http://www.pattayapark.com for more detail

Lakeland water cable ski
The name says it all, water cable ski at the lake. Located in Sukhumvit road about 5 kilometers away from Pattaya. Rates: 300 Baht for 2 hours, 500 Baht for the whole day. Open from 10am - 9pm. But I guess the best time to go is during the day or before sunset.
Tel: (038) 232690-2

Underwater world (not recommend)
Underwater aquarium, You can walk along the tunnel under the water to see many different marine animals. Located 200 meters away from Tesco Lotus in south Pattaya. Rates 360 Baht for foreigners , 130 Baht for Thais.

Wind surfing, paragliding
One of the place I know that you can go wind surfing, paragliding, canoeing, kayaking, etc is Bamrung Sailing and Paramotor Centre, located at 150 kilometers on Sukhumvit road.

Things you can do at the beach
Pattaya has many beaches, but the most famous one is probably Jomtien beach. Here is a list of things you can do
Banana Boat - About 5-10 people can get on this both at a time. It is not really a boat but a long straight balloon that floats on the water. The speed boat will pull this banana boat in the sea. Its fun. Rates 700 Baht/ 30 minutes
Jet Ski - You can rent a jet ski for about 1,200 Baht/ hour
Water Ski - About 500-1,000 Baht, depending on availability.
Parasailing - 300 Baht for about 5 minutes or a round in the sea, not a very big round.

Introduction to Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya beach - taken from beach road.

Although the beach here is not that great but you will not get bored walking down the long beach here because it is full with shops and people. A lot of times you will get people approaching you trying to sell something while you're trying to relax on the beach.

These vendors come hassling you trying to sell everything ranging from clothing to ornaments or just about anything that you can name. This happen a lot in Jomtien beach. Jomtien beach in Pattaya is probably the most famous beach. It attracts a lot of locals as well as foreigners or "Farang" as the Thai would call anyone with a Caucasian race.

Don't be surpise to find the Thais sitting under a big umbrella at the beach all day afraid of the sun. This is because they do not like sun tan and people with dark skin get are look down in the society. Let me tell you a bit more about the Thai people so you understand them a bit more.

The Thai people are very shy, most of them are probably at the beach or swiming in the sea with T-shirt on. It is far more common for Thai to swim in T-shirts than they do in bikinis. This doesn't mean that as a "Farang" you are not allowed to wear bikinis or swimming trunk. Definitely you can, nobody minds.

Pattaya has a famous reputation as one of the sex capital in Thailand or even Asia. Almost every where you go you will find prostitutes or agogo bars. Especially in South Pattaya, down walking street. I almost forgot to mention, be really careful who you hook up with! A lot of the pretty girls here are actually lady boy, you really have to be careful.

There are a lot of lady boy around Pattaya and it seems as if it is common in Thailand for lady boy. By Lady boy I mean, guys that have had their operation to turn their bodies to look more like women. Some of them have done a really good job.

Alright, you're probably wondering how to get around Pattaya. Its not hard, just get on one of the "Songtaews". Just flag down the Songtaew you see, hop in. Just press one of the buzzer when you want to get down. The fare is usually 5 - 20 baht depending on the distance. Sometime you may be ask to pay more but as of now this is the current fare.

This is a fare for the regular route, I mean with other people in the Songtaew as well. Now the fare will be different if you hire a Songtaew to go from specific place to another, this is where you really have to negotiate the fare. Don't let them over charge you. To avoid all of this, just get in the (regular route)Songtaew and see where it goes and just get off where you like or (specific point)discuss the fare first before you go anywhere.

Song taew

Motor cycle taxi

Accomodation - make sure you book early because it can be really competitive during a festival such as New year, or Songkran ( the water throwing festival also known as Thai new year on April 13th). For a guest house the price range is about 300 - 500 Baht for a night. For hotels the price range is normally 600 baht up depending on the location and season.

Booking are usual seldom but be better during festival. One of the best thing about hotels in Pattaya is that buffet breakfast are usually good and are at a competitive price. Some even offer a 80 baht buffet breakfast with bacon, bread, milk, coffee all you can eat. So make sure you do ask for the buffet breakfast.

Restaurants - Thailand is famous for its food. Pattaya offers a varierty of restaurants ranging from Indian to the original Thai food. Prices are not high but again if you're paying more than a 100 baht per plate then you're being over charged. Do try out the vendors on the foot path that sells noodle or rice, they are pretty cheap and nice. I'm not quite sure if it is clean but who cares. :P

Shopping - This is a one of the things that you will definitely be doing in Thailand. Not so much in Pattaya when compare to Bangkok, but nevertheless here's the picture of what all you can shop for.

Featured Hotels

	from THB 2700 Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa Beach Road, Pattaya (Cholburi) Relaxation and rejuvenation are awaiting you when visiting this picturesque resort, situated on the southern tip of Pattaya Bay between Walking Street and Bali Hai pier.
	from THB 3300 Amari Orchid Resort & Tower 240 Moo 5, Pattaya-Naklua Road, Banglamung,, Pattaya (Chonburi) Set amid beautifully manicured gardens at the quiet northern end of Pattaya Bay, this resort is ideal for both business and leisure travellers, including families.
	from THB 2300 A-ONE The Royal Cruise Hotel 499 North Pattaya Beach Road Road, Pattaya A-ONE The Royal Cruise Hotel is a unique hotel in the heart of Pattaya.
	from THB 3450 Amari Nova Suites 254 Moo 9, Soi Petchtrakool Nongprue, Banglamung Pattaya City, Chonburi, Pattaya (Chonburi) Ideally located in Pattaya city centre, this complex boasts a unique serviced apartment suite concept with impeccably furnished accommodation and superb services.
	from THB 2600 Siam Bayview Hotel Beach Road, Pattaya (Cholburi) Bask in the warm, friendly ambience of Siam Bayview Hotel, perfectly placed in the centre of Beach Road, facing beautiful Pattaya Bay in the heartbeat of Pattaya’s shopping and entertainment.
	from THB 2250 Nova Platinum Hotel 562 Moo 10 Pratumnak Road, Nongprue, Banglamung,, Pattaya (Chonburi) This stylish 4-star hotel is conveniently located in south Pattaya, near the entertainment and shopping districts as well as the pier, which provides access to nearby islands.