What ever the reason you go to Pattaya you will have a good time if you go with the right attitude. There is plenty to keep most people occupied for a short stay. Day time activities include local temples, museums and theme parks. However it is at night where Pattaya really shines. The nightlife continues until after the sun rises in the morning, if you have the stamina.
Although the majority of hotels have good restaurants the general trend is to eat out. Local claim that it is possible to eat in a different restaurant every night of the year and still miss some! Lobster Pot, opposite Soi 14, south Pattaya. Located on the old fisherman's wharf, this is possibly the best seafood restaurant in Pattaya, and definitely the most popular. They serve a fine selection of seafood dishes as well as steaks and local food, all at reasonable prices.
Print and digital film can be developed virtually anywhere in the area. but if you have trouble finding one you'll find one directly opposite the dive centre :)
There are three main hospitals that serve Pattaya city:
Pattaya Memorial Hospital , tel (038) 422741-2/429422-4
Pattaya International Hospital , tel (038) 428374/428375/422774/fax (038) 422773
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital , 301 Moo 6 Sukhumvit Road , KM. 143 Muang Pattaya, Chonburi, 20150; tel/fax (038) 427777; email: inquiry@bph.co.th ; www.bangkokpattayahospital.com
The nearest recompression chamber is part of the Badalveda Diving Medicine Network and is located in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital , email: vedainfo@badalveda.com ; www.badalveda.com . Sattahip Naval Base, Sattahip – direct line to chamber tel (038) 437171, Operator tel (038) 438457 ext. 0684549.
Tourist Police: Tel (038) 429371, Pattaya Police Station tel (038) 428223, 428967; Pattaya Sea Rescue tel (038) 423752
Pattaya is notorious for its nightlife but there is wide a variety of entertainment, suitable for the entire family, which are often overlooked. There are a number of good excursions in the area aimed at the tourist.
Every Wednesday there is an interesting scheduled tour of the eastern seaboard which visit Buddhist Temples, Thai silk factories, an orchid farm, Ang Sila stone masonry, a cave of giant bats and a village that still maintains the ancient art of brick carving. Khao Khiao Open Zoo in Chonburi is reputed to be one of the largest open zoos in South East Asia , covering 1,200 acres of forest. At Elephant Village , exhibitions show the role of elephants in everyday working life, with examples of round-ups, training and feeding.
Burapha University is located on the road that leads to Bangsaen Villa Resort Hotel. There are three separate departments: a museum, an aquarium and science laboratories. The main feature is the impressive aquarium which has over 45 indoor display tanks with over 150 species.
Pattaya is famed for its shops and there are plenty of them. Popular bargains include cheap swim-wear, leather goods, gemstones, inexpensive silk suits, copies of western designer clothes, video and audio cassettes. On the whole shops will take credit cards but the majority will employ a surcharge for their use. There is the usual range of high street banks. The following provide a currency exchange service: Bangkok Bank tel (038) 422801; Krung Thai tel (038) 429275-6; Siam Commercial tel (038) 428700; Thai Farmer tel (038) 422335-6.
Apart from obviously Scuba Diving Pattaya has just about every sports activity in the city with tennis courts, golf courses, game fishing tours, go-kart tracks, horse riding stables, shooting ranges and a bungee jump. Indoor facilities include darts, ten pin bowling alleys, badminton courts, table tennis and snooker tables. There is also a large selection of health clubs and gyms.
All of Pattaya's highlights and facilities are listed, along with several other informative articles, in a number of regular tourist periodicals which can be picked up literally anywhere in the city. The noticeable ones are Explore Pattaya and the east coast, what's on Pattaya, Guide to the east and the Pattaya pocket guide. Pattaya also has its own radio station broadcasting in English on 107.5 FM, which announces forthcoming attractions, special events and new services.
At the many cars rental agencies in Pattaya an international driving licence will be required and in some cases the agency will ask for a passport as deposit. Pre-rental vehicle checks should be undertaken as hirers will be charged for any damage that was not present when the vehicle was taken. Two of the better agencies are Pattaya Vehicle Rental Service, tel (038)425700 and Prapat, tel (038) 429854. Most visitors rent motorbikes, of which there is an enormous selection.
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