Pattaya
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country known for its tropical beaches, ancient Buddha temples, beach resorts, Cabaret shows and more tourist attractions. I was on a 10days trip to Thailand with a stay of 5Nights in Pattaya city and 4Nights in Bangkok city. I reached Don Mueng International Airport (Thailand) from Chennai International Airport (India) in 3houirs 30mins by direct flight. I chose this airport as we get buses from here (airport exit) to Mo Chit Bus Station (30minutes) where you can board bus to reach Pattaya (3hours). This is an easy way to reach at a budget price. You need to pay for baggage in bus.
Thailand feels hot always but can be managed with sunscreens and hats. The national currency of Thailand is ‘Baht’ and it's good to take currency exchange in India itself. You can buy Thailand sim card in Airport for 300 Baht.
On reaching Pattaya bus station, you can see a lot of vehicles bargaining to drop tourists in their respective hotels. Whether your hotel is at a 2km or 5km distance, they charge the same 50 Baht for the door drop at the hotel. I stayed at ‘Centara Pattaya Hotel’ as a couple travellers as this locality is free from noise and close to main road to take easy commute. Take some rest and explore the surroundings by walk. You’ll find many ‘Seven Eleven’ stores in Pattaya to stock up water, drinks and snacks in your room. You’ll find travel agencies everywhere around in which you can get ticket passes for all the activities and shows in Pattaya at a discounted price whereas, buying over the counter in the tourist spots is expensive. You can purchase tickets for shows or activities you want to do for your convenient date and it goes invalid if you don't use it. So, I suggest buying tickets a day prior to the schedule..
Travel is very easy in Pattaya city to reach all the spots. The vehicle you took from bus station is good to reach all the sports. It’s a shared vehicle in which you can travel in straight directions at 10 Baht (short distance) or 20 Baht (long distance). The point at which he takes diversion you can press the bell button about your seat to get down and catch other vehicle running in your designated direction. If you want to have a private travel in the vehicle, you’ll be charged high however the driver wants.
When you enter the place, you may think "Why don’t I see anything interesting?”. But when you enter into the tunnel, you will feel that you are under the sea surrounded by marine giant fishes. You’ll see the small fish species like Clown fish (as in ‘Finding Nemo’ movie), Neon fish, giant fishes like Stingray, giant crab and jelly fishes too. This is a must visit place in Pattaya. You’ll get tickets at 450 Baht (through travel agencies) and 600 Baht (direct at counter). Please check on the images and videos of the tunnel.
Walk to the beach anytime you feel like during early day or late evening. You’ll get snacks sold by sellers on the shore from early in the morning. Satisfy your hunger and swim as you are in Pattaya. The beach is clean and with protection barriers to avoid swimmers going more deep and drown accidentally. Let the swimmer swim and non-swimmer enjoy snack watch the scenic beauty.
This is another must-do when you are in Pattaya. You’ll enjoy a boat ride of 30mins from Pattaya beach to Coral Island but a few stops for water sport activities such as, parasailing, undersea walk, etc. You can pre-book activities while booking tour ticket from agencies or at the sport activity point directly. It’s the aqua blue sea and upon reaching the island, enjoy the waves and scenery around. Keep your backpack safe and take a waterproof pouch to keep your valuables with you in water.
OMG! Talented beauties in the well-composed show and so it is called the world famous show. This show is well directed considering the audiences from different countries while the artists perform music, song or dance in different languages including Indian dance song. True, how can they miss Indian song when Thailand has most Indian tourists throughout the year. I really loved the sound in the auditorium which is the most important aspect.
The Walking Street is colourful and lined with bars, nightclubs, eateries, etc. The street is closed to vehicles at night making it a place for nightlife. You can walk through the street and eat a lot of street food and a do a little shopping. This is a crowded street and beware of pick-pocketeers. You can walk on the street and find some fine dining restaurants and try ‘Slingshot’ rid e and walk till the Pier to capture your photo with the popular signboard ‘PATTAYA CITY’ which can be seen at a far distance.
You’ll find a big-roof market space with 100s of shops selling clothes, shoes, luggage, jewellery, Thai souvenirs and other gifts. If you are good at bargaining, you can do a lot of shopping here. You can do some shopping in malls around your hotel at an affordable price too. Shopping mall is best for all the innocent faces that go clueless in bazaar.
Pattaya city is the best for street food due to availability of fresh sea food like, whole salted and grilled bass fish, scallops (yummyyyy!!), shrimp, oysters, crabs, squid, sea shells, etc. You’ll find eateries besides road having seating for 100 people in an open space where they keep live fishes and cook upon your order. You’ll find the food section here with pictures of food including crepes, pineapple fried rice, sticky mango rice, green papaya salad, etc. Whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, you’ll get to eat a variety of Thai cuisines. It’s all cooked by elder women with traditional cooking practices thus serving the real taste of Thailand.
