Sailing and Leisure Cruise in Pattaya

Pattaya is one of Thailand’s premier sailing destination, attracting both domestic and international sailing crowd. The sailing season in Pattaya lasts from November till April when the weather is at its best. A number of yacht and boat agencies organise charters, with or without crews, joining leisure cruises and even basic training for would-be yachtsmen.

Boat Rental Agencies
Ocean Marina
274 Sukhumvit Road, Chomthian, Pattaya, Chon Buri
Tel: 0 3823 7310
The Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Chomthian Beach, just south of Pattaya, offers jetty, pontoon berths, and onshore facilties for skippers and crew members with hotel, restaurant and other relevent services.
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Children’s activities in Pattaya


By Laura Parr
There is plenty of day time action in Pattaya, weekends
There is plenty of day time action in Pattaya, weekends

Families visiting Pattaya won’t be stuck for things to do. From beach activities to elephant rides, from museums to theme parks, this tropical paradise has an abundance of entertainment. Small enough that you can squeeze most activities into a one-week holiday, yet large and varied enough to hold even the most fickle minded of children’s interests, a holiday to Pattaya is sure to be family-friendly.

Visitors’ first stop is usually one of Pattaya’s long sandy beaches, and here children can play volleyball, cricket and beach tennis when they tire of building sand castles. The clear blue sea can be explored in all its glory with snorkelling. Children over 13 years can learn to scuba dive, although this sport can be costly.

Close to Jomtien Beach is the popular Jungle Bungy Jump, set among a scenery of lakes. Run by a New Zealand qualified jumpmaster, jumping from the 165 foot high bungy tower is a must for more intrepid children.

For even more excitement, take the family to one of Pattaya’s many go-kart tracks, to watch an international event or have a go yourselves. There are different tracks for beginners, advanced and off road go-karters, so whatever your skill you will be sure to enjoy the experience.

Animal lovers should head for one of Pattaya’s three horse riding centres, where even the most inexperienced rider can participate. Choose between a pleasant early morning or sunset beach ride, or a cool jungle ride. To enjoy life at a more leisurely pace try an elephant trek. Traipsing through the jungle atop one of these noble beasts is an experience your children will find hard to forget. Even if you don’t fancy riding, simply meeting and feeding the animals can be a lot of fun. Don’t leave your hotel without your camera!
Several themed parks are found in Pattaya
Several themed parks are found in Pattaya

A great escape from the beach is the Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm. Located within a stunning 40 acre garden, the park boasts some beautiful 200 year old bonsai trees and impressive giant stones and is home to a number of crocodiles, which can be seen in their natural habitats.

Pattaya is home to a number of theme parks, with perhaps the most popular being Pattaya Water Park Beach Resort. Containing whirlpools, waterslides and some shallow pools, the park is suitable for people of all ages. Located between Jomthien beach and South Pattaya beach, those who love to swim in the sea don’t have far to go. Near Pattaya Klang is Mini Siam, the third largest miniature attraction in the world. With its tiny representation of Thailand’s heritage, it proves a popular attraction among children of all ages.

A fantastic day out for all the family can be had on a sailing boat. Private boats can be chartered, while there are a number of tour operators offering organised excursions within the area. Some tours offer fishing, snorkelling, or other activities, and most include lunch and drinks. Brave older children and adults can try parasailing, which is popular between November and April. Look out for operators along the beach.
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Wining and dining in Pattaya


By Mark Bentley
Pattaya is an exciting city by night
Pattaya is an exciting city by night

Pattaya sees its fair share of visitors as well as having a considerable expat population, ensuring the city has no shortage of demand for good eating and drinking venues. Western consumer demand aside, let’s not forget that food and drink play an essential role in Thai culture and that the locals were taking care of their own dining needs long before establishments catering to outsiders began to pop up.

Such places still exist and have not lost their share of the market to tourist-oriented bars and restaurants; rather the city’s selection of venues has increased significantly so that customers in Pattaya can now choose between traditional fare at economic Thai prices or a mix of higher priced international and Thai food at venues geared towards overseas visitors.

Few hotels offer anything other than breakfast as part of their packages, leaving most visitors seeking somewhere to dine at both lunch and dinner times. Lunch, for many, can be a relatively cheap and simple affair; a sandwich, a salad, some spring rolls or a plate of French fries. However, for those wanting to tuck into something a little heartier, there are plenty of options available.

Holidaymakers favouring English fare will find the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 a good bet at lunchtime, with traditional favourites such as ploughman's lunch and shepherd's pie gracing the menu. Equally attractive for a midday slap-up is Pat’s Restaurant on soi 3, where roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are up for grabs, alongside classics such as fish and chips and pie and chips.
Lunch or dinner al fresco is a popular option
Lunch or dinner al fresco is a popular option

For lunch with a more American flavour, head to Bob's BBQ & Grill, holder of the official record for the world’s largest cheeseburger and dishing up smaller versions of the same along with barbecued ribs and authentic Texas wagon wheel burgers. The City Grill restaurant on Walking street provides typical but tasty fast food fare along the hot dog and burger lines, while Subway on Pattaya Klang road dishes up some impressive chunky sandwiches.

As the afternoon draws on and sunset approaches, holidaymakers head out for evening meals. Choices are abundant, covering all budgets and tastes. It’s really a matter of what you’re in the mood for and how much you are willing to pay.

If it’s traditional Thai food that takes your fancy, then venues such as Somsak on soi 1 and Baan Thai on Central road present authentic cuisine at both ends of the price scale (the former being the cheaper). Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village on Sukumvit road and PIC Kitchen on soi 5 both offer good quality Thai food which can be enjoyed to the accompaniment of live entertainment at various restaurants. Recommended restaurants.

Going international for dinner is a good option for visitors needing a change from the intensity of Thai food, and with venues offering English, Belgian, French, Scandinavian, Mexican, Italian, German, Indian and Japanese cuisine, there’s certainly no shortage of choice.

A good bet for French food is Au Bon Coin on soi 5.
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Finding a girl for the night in Pattaya - how it works, how much?


By Austin James

You’ve come to Pattaya for the beaches and food and culture, right? No you haven’t, admit it, you’ve come for the girls! It’s okay, many other men have too, and the girls are one of Pattaya’s key attractions. And the good news is you’ll more than likely go home with some fun memories with one or more sexy girls. It doesn’t cost that much either.

Pattaya is Thailand’s sex capital - it also has other tourist attractions - and not only does it attract punters by the busload, but it also has plenty of young sexy girls who come here to earn a living off the visitors. It all happens in a pretty open and honest way that is tolerated by the typically accepting way that Thai officials approach law enforcement. Everyone in Pattaya understands the deal.
Pattaya is all about go go girls and beer bars
Pattaya is all about go go girls and beer bars

Pattaya has been a place for visiting men to meet girls since thousands of GIs on R&R from Vietnam started coming in the 1960s, and the city owes its prosperity to the girls. Therefore, by the time you get here, 40 years of sex tourism would have shaped Pattaya, and the system is well developed for the maximum benefit of both the punter and girl. It is less sleazy than your average city red light district, far more relaxed and friendly, cheaper and open for business.

First, finding a girl in Pattaya is easier than finding a tourist map! There are whole areas packed with bars full of girls, both during the day and evening, and you can literally walk out of your hotel and have a companion within 30 minutes, no complications, rip offs or misunderstandings. Of course, remember that these girls are earning money and should be treated with respect and dignity. Also, Pattaya is a vacation town for many regular people who haven’t come for the sex and wish to enjoy it without sleaze everywhere they look, so be mindful of that.

Areas where you will find girls include; the lanes between Beach road and Second road - you really can’t miss them, along the famous Walking street, selected lanes in Jomtien, body massage and some karaoke venues farther out nearer the Sukhumwit road, in discos and some of the hotels ‘massage services’ (not all massage ladies are ‘available’ but some services are set up exactly for that).

The easiest first step for finding a girl in Pattaya is to wander among the beer bars of the sois (lanes) off Beach road. It has a festive atmosphere; the girls might accost you with ‘hello, welcome’, but mostly they are harmless. Away from this ‘party central’ you will find less ‘in your face’ beer bar areas where you can sit and enjoy a drink while sizing up the girls, without any obligation to buy ladies drinks. The girls vary from very young and very sexy (costing £20 and up) to the tired has-beens in the quieter bars (costing as little as £10 out of season).
Some go go girls can really cost!
Some go go girls can really cost!

The sexiest girls are found in the go go bars, which are more discreet and not opened up to the street-front. Here you will find girls in bikinis, sometimes topless or even naked dancing on the stage and these girls too can be taken home, but they are more expensive (£40 and up). The atmosphere here is less down to earth and these girls are ‘in it for the money’. There is another level of girl altogether which is provided by private escort services, which can be ordered over the internet and can come directly to your room - they are true professionals but are over-priced. If you need to be discreet, this is one option.

You can also go to body massage and karaoke bars (ask the taxi driver), if you are sneaking away from your wife for the evening. Here you get to select a lady from behind a ‘fishbowl’ and for about £30 you get 2 hours of bath, massage, soapy ‘experience’ and sex. But be warned, these women go with a lot of men and the whole thing is rather ‘mechanical’. A better bet is the karoake bars with lots of pretty women outside to choose from, and they cost about £5 an hour to be your hostess on comfy sofas and often can be taken out to a short time motel or back to your hotel, but these girls like to think of themselves as premium and charge a lot more (about £40).

Then there are the freelancers who work outside of the bars for the freedom. These girls can be cheaper and often more fun since some of them are just regular girls or students looking for a fun evening with a handsome foreigner who will give them some pocket money. They haven’t slept with dozens of men and become bored with sex, so can be more genuine. Some hang out on the promenade along Beach road. You will also meet them in the discos a lot.

How it works is like this; when you’ve found your sweetheart for the night, and after a few drinks to loosen things up, you needn’t hesitate in asking her if she wants to leave - of course she’ll say yes, but first comes the sudden serious look, and ‘how much you pay me?’ Well, that’s up to you, depending on how sexy she is and how generous you are, but expect to pay between 1,000 and 2,500 baht. You’ll also be expected to pay the bar fine, which is between 200 and 500 baht, so you can take her away. This is paid immediately, the girl is paid in the morning, but make sure you have the exact amount. Hopefully your hotel doesn’t kick up a stink bringing her back, sometimes this can be settled for another 500 baht. If they ask for more, raise hell and they’ll back down. She gets to leave her ID at reception as security.
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A day in Pattaya - what to do?


By Dave Besseling

Pattaya is a city with a certain reputation, and one that is not always flattering. Having grown from a tiny fishing village in the Gulf of Thailand, to a beach retreat for Bangkok residents, a notorious R&R outpost for American soldiers, and then the adult amusement park it is today - the city thrives under lax policies and a nightlife scene known worldwide for its lasciviousness.
Pattaya has plenty of family-friendly attractions
Pattaya has plenty of family-friendly attractions

Though many visitors to Pattaya are male, often seeking cheap thrills and debauchery, there is much more to do in this coastal city than trawl for streetwalkers. Even if you’re coming to Pattaya to live out a spring break Girls Gone Wild type holiday, there are plenty more wholesome distractions to keep you occupied during throughout the day, with loads of theme parks for the whole family.

Being situated on the coast, Pattaya has its share of beachfront; but if you’re looking for the idyllic environment of white sand and palms to shade you while you drink a cocktail from a coconut, you are courting disappointment. Depending on the previous night’s efforts, Pattaya Beach can be one of two things: sprawling in a rented chaise lounge for some solitary R&R of your own or, if you’re feeling a bit more perky, jet-skis are available for rent - a popular activity for cutting wakes in the blue waters.

Visitors looking for a more family friendly environment are advised to head farther south to Jomtien Beach. There is an equal amount of water sport options here and the beachfront is well developed with restaurants, bungalows and hotels. The most recognisable landmark in this area is the Pattaya Park Tower. Located in the complex of the same name, a host of family fun is on offer such as a water park, a roller coaster and many other rides and activities to keep young ones happy.

There are dozens of parks, museums and shows suitable for families like the Underwater World Pattaya Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, Sriracha Tiger Zoo, Elephant Village, Pattaya Crocodile Farm and many more.
A day tip off-shore to Koh Larn offers the best beaches
A day trip off-shore to Koh Larn offers the best beaches

One advantage of Pattaya’s location is the easy access to groups of small islands just a few kilometres from the mainland. To escape the crowdedness of Pattaya Beach and experience clear blue waves, head to nearby Koh Larn, easily accessible by ferry. After the 45-minute ride, you’ll be padding across any one of the idyllic white sand beaches away from Pattaya’s bustle.

Thousands of westerners call Pattaya home, and as such there are plenty of western sport and leisure activities available. Golf is understandably popular with residents and visitors, and there are no less than 21 golf courses in and around the city.

As you would expect from a city that earns its keep predominantly with tourism, there is no shortage of dining options to satisfy you after you’ve worked up an appetite taking in the sights and sounds of the city, or after you’ve spent the day recovering from the previous night’s revelries. Virtually any type of international cuisine is available as well as all the local Thai specialties you could hope to find. Prices vary greatly depending on where you eat, so any palette or budget should have no trouble finding solace in gastronomy here.

When the sun sets, a trip up the hill of Khao Pratamnak affords great panoramic views which are all the more beautiful with the setting sun over the ocean. Depending on what you spent the day doing, you could call it an early night, or will curiosity get the best of you and lead you down ‘the strip’ to take in the neon clutter of pubs, clubs and go-go bars? Be warned that a taste of Pattaya’s naughty nightlife could turn you into one of Pattaya’s favourite statistics: two out of every three visitors extend their stay in this ‘sin city’.
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