Chonburi Pattaya

Chonburi
Bangkok’s nearest seaside destination is almost an extension of the capital only with much greener suburbs, beaches and a pace of life a notch or two more sedate. The nearest beaches from Bangkok are just 90 kilometres away making it a very popular weekend or day trip destination for Thai’s, with many other attractions apart from just sand and seafood.
Chonburi is by no means just a tourist destination though; it also has a huge industrial and manufacturing sector and is home to Thailand’s most important deep sea port Laem Chabang.
So with its prominent location, mind boggling range of leisure activities and important industrial status it is Thailand’s most significant province.

Bang Saen Beach
One of Thailand’s oldest and most popular beach resorts, with loads of activities such as banana boating, plus lots of local restaurants offering fabulous seafood.
Although the beach is nothing special it’s a very well established resort and the infrastructure is well laid out, and with so many attractions near by it is really worth at least a day trip.
The palm tree lined promenade can get extremely busy on weekends and Thai holidays.

Marine Science Institute
At Burapha University near Bang Saen Beach is the Marine Science Institute comprising of an interesting marine museum, marine laboratory, and an aquarium hosting a sizeable number of fishes and other marine creatures. The big tank displays some beautiful giant cod whilst another pool houses some small black tip sharks.
The construction of a new building due to be finished in August 2008 will see the facilities significantly upgraded.
Closed Monday Call: 038 391 671 Admission: Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 100 Baht
Museum Admission: Free

Ang Sila
A few kilometres from Bang Saen is this fishing village not only renowned for bringing in the catch of the day but also for handcrafting quality stone and granite products. One of the most popular and practical souvenirs for locals is the pestle and mortar, for others a simple elephant figurine.

Khao Sam Muk
Sandwiched between Bang Saen and Ang Sila is Sam Muk Hill where legend has it that a beautiful poor Thai girl named Sam Muk jumped to her death when her rich Thai sweetheart was forced by his family to marry another woman. Many Thai’s visit the shrine dedicated to Sam Muk to pay homage or simply to enjoy the colourful Chinese architecture featured within the holy place.
The hill also offers great views, fetching gardens, interesting rock formations and loads of monkeys looking for the next banana bearing tourist.

Khao Khiao Open Zoo
Around 20 kilometres inland of Bang Saen this open zoo covers 2000 acres and is home to many species of wildlife, some of the animals roam free and animals such as giraffes can be hand fed.
Although you can drive your car around the zoo we recommend you hire a golf cart or bicycle for a more up close and personal feel.
Daytime visits are between 8am and 6pm, and the night safari is 6pm to 9pm.
Admission: Thais: 70 Baht Foreigners: 100 Baht Car: 50 Baht Call: 038 298 187

Pattaya
From what was a small fishing village back in the early 1960’s, Pattaya has emerged as probably the most famous and popular tourist destination in South East Asia.
It all started when around 100 American servicemen arrived during the Vietnam War for some R&R, and soon went on to become Thailand’s premier holiday destination.
Surprisingly Pattaya’s coastline is just 15 kilometres long, however within that space and the surrounding area this resort city has packed in attraction after attraction, offering the 5 million or so annual visitors far more action and adventure than any other Thai resort.
First class hotels, superb dining, water sports, elephant riding, aerial sports, cabarets, fishing, shooting firearms, are just a few of the things

Pattaya Beach
No doubt the busiest beach offering everything from numerous water sports to shopping complexes, bars, restaurants and a haven for sunset exercisers.
The northern and central areas of the 4 kilometre beach and road are much quieter whereas, the southern end which culminates with Walking Street tends to have a lot more bars many of which are adult orientated.

Wong Amat Beach
One of the cleanest and least developed beaches in the area, just north of Pattaya Beach, it’s not so easy to find access to but if you head for Wong Amat Resort there is a path down the side of the resort.

Jomtien Beach
Fast becoming one of Pattaya’s most popular beaches for its cleaner water’s, Jomtien is also popular with families as the night scene is not so raucous. And although there is plenty to do Jomtien seems to have a slightly cosmopolitan vibe with a number of boutique hotels and trendy eateries popping up in and around Jomtien.
A number of tourist activities like golf, karting and bungy are conveniently located nearby.

Island Life
There are several offshore islands around Pattaya the most popular being Koh Lan, here there are many restaurants and beach activities like parasailing, coral viewing on glass bottom boats and of course good old fashioned swimming.
Other islands including Koh Krok and Koh Sak are much quieter and popular for scuba diving.
To reach the islands take the ferry from Balihai Pier or rent a speed boat on South Pattaya Beach next to the Tourist Information before Walking Street.

Places to Visit
Away from the beaches another world of excursions awaits you with attractions such as museums, crocodile farms, monkey training centres, an aquarium, go karting, water cable skiing, cabaret and theatre.

Phra Tamnak Hill (Pattaya Hill)
For superb views of Pattaya then head to Phra Tamnak Hill where the Royal Navy Radio is south of Pattaya Beach, here you can witness panoramic views of Pattaya day or night.
The adjacent hill hosts a temple with an impressively huge Buddha statue at the summit and beneath there is a scenic park which becomes an exercise haven in late afternoon.

Khao Chee Chan
Another hill this time with the view being a giant Buddha image lasered into the hill’s face, the surrounding gardens are a good place for relaxation and opposite the site is an elephant sanctuary where you can feed the pachyderms or take a twenty minute ride.
Admission: Free

Silverlake
Adjacent to Khao Chee Chan is Chonburi’s only vineyard, a most scenic location covering 488 acres and offering visitors horse and carriage tours, ATV or bicycle hire.
It’s a great place to sit and admire the view, and on Saturday and Sunday there is live music between 3pm and 7pm.
At this time there is no wine but other products are on sale like juice, jam and surprisingly delicious grape ice cream.
Admission: Free

Alangkarn
The Extravaganza Show at Alangkarn Theatre is a show that takes you through Thai history with a dazzling array of special effects supported by a huge cast, elephants and pyrotechnics.
Admission: Thai 600 Baht Foreigners 1000Baht Call: 038 256 000 www.alangkarnthailand.com