| Pattaya,
147 km southeast of Bangkok and faces the hai Gulf is Asia's
premier beach resort, and caters with equal appeal to families,
couples and single visitors. Pattaya has been transformed from
a sleepy fishing community into an international resort often
referred to as the 'Thai Riviera' and is literally a place where
East meets West, both in colour and character, and is probably
the most cosmopolitan place in Thailand after Bangkok.
Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambiance is synonymous with every
ingredient for memorable holidays. Sporting opportunities
abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest
golfing, game fishing and scuba diving anywhere in Asia. Theme
and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens
offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment
for all family members. And, after dark, Pattaya offers all
the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular
variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail
lounges and cabarets. Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful
and bucolic, and offers everything an authentic international
beach resort can.
Pattaya Beach
The major venue from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore
islands. 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.
The central area of the beach is a major shopping area, while
the southern end is one of Pattaya's major nightlife areas.
Jomtien Beach
This 6-kilometre long beach, south of Pattaya, is the most
notable of several beaches south of the resort. The beach
is popular with windsurfers and water sports enthusiasts,
largely because the area enjoys brisk and fresh breezes sweeping
inland from the Thai Gulf, and because the seas are less congested
with boats than is Pattaya Bay.
Shopping
South Pattaya is the major shopping area for beachwear, souvenirs,
films, tapes, pharmaceuticals and liquor. The resort's major
gems, jewellery, silk, cotton and handicraft shops, tailors
and boutiques are located in the vicinity of, or adjacent
to, major beachside hotels. The Pattaya 2 Road is also a favourite
haunt for hoppers with several handicraft and Thai silk shops.
Department stores and allied bazaars in Central Pattaya offer
other shopping experiences.
Gourmet Delight
Some of Thailand's choicest seafood is found in hotel buffets
and several specialty restaurants. Steakhouses, coffee shops
and fast food outlets provide attractive alternatives. Gourmets
and gourmands alike find satisfaction in numerous restaurants
featuring regional Thai cuisine French, Swiss, German, Italian,
English, Scandinavian, Indian, Arabic, Indonesian, Japanese,
Chinese and Korean food.
|
