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| Pattaya | ||
| province | Chon Buri | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 115.840 (2015) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Pattaya(Thai: พัทยา) is a well-known seaside resort on the Gulf of Siam. The city is southeast of Bangkok in the province Chon Buri in Eastern Thailand. It is one of the most well-known destinations in Thailand and, due to the large number of expats, is certainly the most international one.
The place extends along the coast. The districts of North, Central and Southpattaya get their names from the respective beach sections. It so happens that Naklua is further north than Northpattaya. The southern Jomtien is considered in some texts as an independent place. A separation can still be seen on Pattaya Hill. In a few years, however, all of the properties along Thappraya Road will probably be fully developed.
background
In an article in the Bangkok Post [1] wrote the author of the "special administrative zone of Sodom by the Sea". That contains a lot of correct information: Pattaya, like the capital Bangkok, actually has an administrative status that differs from the usual structure. Then one finds the reference to the city's image as the center of commercial nightlife and body-hugging services.
In fact, this article was about the percentage of real estate owned by foreigners. The upper limit of 49% for condominiums owned by foreigners could be raised to 70% in Pattaya. The former fishing village turned into a recreation center for American soldiers during the Vietnam War and later a hotspot for sex tourism. The city continued to grow and change rapidly. Today, apart from hotels, apartment buildings determine the cityscape. Held by Western Europeans as well as more and more Eastern Europeans, especially Russians. Next to it is a district in which Arabs or another ethnic group from the Eurasian double continent make up the majority.
So today Pattaya is an international city. The residents: Depending on their perspective, they are attracted by the low prices. The good location for vacation or weekend break near Bangkok and its airport. Or from the better earning opportunities than in the respective home.
getting there
By plane
The U-Tapao Airport
(IATA: UTP) is about 40 km south of Pattaya, towards Sattahip and Rayong. Flies since November 2015 Air Asia (or Thai AirAsia) daily with direct flights from Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Singapore and Macau; four times a week from Has yai (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat), Kuala Lumpur (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) and Nanning (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat) and three times a week from Nanchang in the Chinese province Jiangxi (Wed, Fri, Sun). Bangkok Airways offers daily flights from Ko Samui and Phuket. With Kan Air you can go three times a week (Mon, Thu, Sat) from Chiang Mai fly (as of December 2015).
_AN1906182.jpg/350px-Rayong_-_U-Taphao_International_(UTP_-_VTBU)_AN1906182.jpg)
The Suvarnabhumi Airport is the closest major airport with flights from Europe. From there it is 120 km (approx. 1½ hours drive) to Pattaya / Jomtien. There are hourly bus connections for 122 THB per seat (AirportPattayaBus, As of December 2015).
By train
Monday to Friday there is a morning train from Bangkok (06:55 from Hua Lamphong), which is on its way to Sattahip Reached Pattaya at 10:39 am. The return journey is 14:21, arrival in Bangkok 18:25. A single trip in 3rd class costs 31 baht (as of Feb 2013). Transporting a bicycle should cost an additional 80 baht.
The train station is located near the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and Central Road.
By bus
Long-distance buses from Bangkok start at the two bus stations Mo Chit (north) and Ekkamai (east). Departures every hour or sometimes more often, the travel time is approx. 2½ hours. A ticket costs something around 120 baht. Incoming buses have a few scheduled stops to get off before their actual end point. For departing buses it is necessary to go to the starting point, the intermediate stops of the arriving buses are not made.
The end point of these lines is the bus terminal on North Pattaya Road (Pattaya Nuea). You can use one of the shared taxis to get to your destination in town or to the last few meters from here. This is how it works: inquire until you find the vehicle that is driving in the desired direction. A note with the address of the hotel, preferably in Thai, is a good help. Tell the driver again exactly where you want to go (the note helps again). This is also important for the driver, because despite several passengers it is something like an agreed private trip. The price at which you now say yes or nod, it will be. For example 50 baht to South Pattaya. Nonsensical asking prices as well as unnecessary haggling at this place are probably rather uncommon. And now all you have to do is get in, hold the suitcase while driving and have confidence. It will work.
From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport leads another line to Pattaya and Jomtien (departures every full hour, approx. 2 hours travel time, ticket 122 baht). Some of the stops to get off in Pattaya are on Sukhumvit Road. The end point is at the north end of Jomtien on Thappraya Road at the junction with Thepprasit Road. Tickets can be purchased up to two days in advance at the bus company's office here.
Door-to-door service: The same company that operates the state-licensed bus routes just listed offers under the label Bellbus a service where you are picked up at the hotel in Bangkok in comfortable minibuses at the agreed time and brought back to the hotel in Pattaya. Of course, this also works in the other direction, as well as to the airport. The actual journey between the two cities takes place in a coach. The ticket to be booked in advance costs 345 Baht per person online, 375 Baht at the counter and is issued in the name of the passenger. However, a one-time registration on the website is required for online booking. Often, however, the hotels or guesthouses are registered. It may be worth asking whether the hotel can take over the booking. Another problem arises when the flight arrives late. If you miss the departure time, the ticket will not be refunded.
In the street
The distance Bangkok - Pattaya is around 150 km or around 2 hours' drive. There are two suitable ways to get here:
- on the Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway (Highway 7) or
- on the Bang Na-Trat Highway (Highway 3 or 34)
Both routes are subject to tolls.
By boat
Every day at 3.30 p.m., a high-speed ferry leaves in just over two hours Hua Hin at the price of 1250 Baht (price Jan. 2017).
mobility
Shared taxi
Almost all local transport is done with the shared taxi. These are pickups that have been converted for passenger transport, with two roofed benches arranged lengthways to the vehicle for the passengers on the former loading area. In Thai Songthaeo (speak: sɔɔ̌ng taä̌o), also known as "two rows", often referred to as the "baht bus" by tourists and expats. All vehicles in Pattaya have a clearly visible registration number, a license is stuck on the window behind the driver, legible for the passengers.
The vehicles run in close succession on fixed routes. The vehicles are stopped with a show of hands. If you want to get off at your destination, you have to press the doorbell in the passenger compartment. After getting off, go to the front passenger side to pay the standard price of 10 baht. This price is independent of the distance traveled.
The most used line runs along the coast. Start at the South Pattaya Road junction and follow Second Road north to Dolphin Circle. From here south again along the entire Beach Road back to South Pattaya Road and the few meters along to Second Road. At the junction on the left the round starts again or it goes right at the junction to Jomtien and along the Beach Road there. Baht buses also run less often on Pattaya's three main roads across the coast (Pattaya- North / Nua, Central / Klang, South / Tai). Vehicles also drive beyond Dolphin Circle to Naklua.
This is a bit confusing at first. In practice, fully occupied vehicles usually drive through. Empty, but also almost empty vehicles turn at some points such as South Road. Unfortunately, because even then the 10 Baht will be due early. Such slight annoyance can be avoided, for example, by going to the assembly points of the blue Songthaeo in the evening and getting on there. For a drive to Jomtien, the one at the junction of South Road and Second Road is heading south. In the evening it often only takes 2 minutes for a vehicle to be fully occupied and to leave.
It is also confusing that it is not customary to discuss the destination with the driver before boarding. However, this prevents the question from being misunderstood as a question of a private trip at a significantly higher price (100 baht or more). Drivers of vehicles that are not yet fully occupied briefly tap the horn to draw the attention of potential passengers. Once you have seen through the game, you can use it for yourself. Because an occupied Songthaeo will also stop for a show of hands, you then have to stand on the open platform at the back.
White Songthaeo also run throughout the town along Sukhumvit Road.
taxi
For some years now, classic metered taxis have also been operating in Pattaya, but in small numbers. Taxis may be available at the bus station or similar locations. It is seldom possible to stop a free vehicle on the road.
Motorbike taxi
For short distances or off the routes of the baht buses, motorcycle taxis are waiting at certain street corners. Because of the driving style and other adversities, the motorcycle taxi is only an alternative for the adventurous. The helmet requirement for motorcyclists is enforced through controls, not only against foreigners. The increasing use of helmets, also by Thais, shows that the police in Pattaya are increasingly being monitored. If the driver of a motorcycle taxi has a helmet ready for the passenger, it should also be used. It used to be the custom that motorcycle taxis could pass unhindered checkpoints where helmets were compulsory, but this no longer applies.
Tourist Attractions
Buildings
- 1 The Sanctuary of Truth. - Wooden construction showing the different styles of Thai carving. The offer includes tours with horse-drawn carriages, working elephants or rental quads as well as a visit to the carving workshops.Price: Admission: THB 500.
- 2 Big Buddha (on a mountain above Pattaya). - It offers a leisurely excursion and beautiful views of the city and the beach.
- 3 Park Tower. - 240 meter high tower with a panoramic view of the coasts of Jomtien and Pattaya, as well as the surrounding islands.
Churches
In Pattaya there is the German-speaking Catholic community that meets in St. Nikolaus Church.
Castles, chateaus and palaces
Monuments
Museums
Streets and squares
Parks
.jpg/300px-Nong_Noogh_Garden(1).jpg)
About 20 km south of Pattaya is the tropical garden Nong Nooch (read: Nong Nut) Paradise. Aside from the gardens, there are elephant shows, demonstrations of Thai culture, a mini zoo and a collection of sports cars. (Entry 500 baht)
various
activities
shop
Malls
- 1 Central Festival (between Beach Road Soi 9 and Second Road). Open: daily 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- 2 Mike's Shopping Mall (Second Road between Soi 11 and 12).
- 3 Royal Garden Plaza (next to the Pattaya Marriott Hotel, Beach Road between Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2) and Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3).
- 4 Tuk.com Center (South Pattaya Road). on the upper floors mainly electronics, clothing, supermarkets and some chain restaurants.
- 5 Pattaya Outlet Mall (Sukhumvitroad, corner of Thepprasit). - Real brand clothing at affordable prices.
Many small shops and small malls can also be found on Central Pattaya Road at the corner of Second Road.
kitchen
- Kiss food. In Pattya on Second Road across from Mike Shopping Mall, on Naklua Road and in Jomtien on Second Road. Cheap and good food. Thai and other.
- Jomtien Night Market. From around 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., many food stands with low prices.
- Central Festival, Basement, food court. Many different food stations, also Italian, Indian, Japanese.
In the city there are also some restaurants with German, resp. Swiss cuisine.
nightlife
In Pattaya Nightlife there are numerous restaurants, bars and discos, especially in the south of Beach Road in the well-known Walking Street.
Discos:
- Marine disco - Club known beyond the city limits.
- Tony's disco
Live music:
- Hard Rock Cafe
Travesty:
accommodation
Cheap
• Malee House and Restaurant, 312 / 51-52 Moo 9, Soi Leng Kee 1, Pattaya Sai 3 Rd. Price: from 450 THB
• BB Grand Residence, 159/287 Moo 9, Nongprue, Bangramung, Pattaya. Price: from 500 THB
medium
There is one hotel after another along most of the Beach Road.
- Pinball Lodge Hotel, Soi 8. Price: from THB 750 (double room with A / C).
- Pinball house hotel, Soi 7.
- Eastiny Inn Hotel, Soi 8.
A little quieter and away from the city center, there are hotels on Jomtien Beach, about 5 km south of Pattaya's center and north on Wongamat Beach and Naklua Beach.
Upscale
•Grande Center Point Pattaya, Price: from THB 3000
Learn
Work
security
There is an important point of contact for foreign tourists who should also be sought in case of problems. The officers from the Pattaya Tourist Police have been specially trained to deal with tourists. As a rule, most of them speak good English, some police officers also speak German, which makes communication much easier. The tourist emergency number is 1155.
health
Practical advice
trips
literature
Web links
- - DER FARANG magazine - Well-known German-language newspaper with the highest circulation in Thailand.
- - Official website of the Pattaya Tourist Police
media
German-language magazines
The magazine DER FARANG, headquartered in Pattaya, has been published in Thailand since 1993 and is considered the best-known and highest-circulation German-language newspaper in Thailand. DER FARANG is published every 14 days in print and PDF format. The target group are predominantly German-speaking people interested in Thailand, expats, vacationers and residents. The publication, together with the associated news portal, offers a wide variety of topics about Thailand, neighboring countries and worldwide events. The website is updated several times a day with new news and topics. A newsletter is offered.
Individual evidence
- ↑http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/284846/ Bangkok Post on 3/18/12
