Pattaya, part 5
Jomtien
Jomtien, a few kilometers south of Pattaya, is one of the best beaches along the Eastern Coast. While during its early development, it was much oriented towards Pattaya it has long since become a resort in its own right.
Nevertheless, the closeness to Pattaya has its advantages, not because of the notorious nightlife of Pattaya (which meanwhile has turned out rather a disadvantage than an advantage for Pattaya itself) but because the Jomtien visitor can make wide use of the non-nightlife infrastructure of the sin resort.
A large number of sports facilities which have been built around Pattaya in recent years, such as golf courses, a race track and horse riding stables are all within easy reach from Jomtien.
While hotels and resorts in Jomtien have fine Thai as well as international restaurants, those who prefer a wider selection can easily travel the short distance to Pattaya. Public transportation is available day and night.
While Jomtien does benefit from its closeness to Pattaya, it hasn’t inherited Pattaya’s problems. Unlike Pattaya, Jomtien is no nightlife district. There also is little pressure at Jomtien to come up with nightlife establishments as those guests who search for them can easily make the short trip to Pattaya; a result is that Jomtien has less nightlife, not only than Pattaya but also less than some of the beaches on Phuket.
Jomtien has long been a favorite destination for foreign residents in Bangkok - rather those with families than those single (and male). Still today, there are many more people on Jomtien beach over the weekends than during the week and a number of hotels and resorts charge higher rates for the nights from Friday to Sunday (though this won’t affect those staying at Jomtien for longer than just two days).
Jomtien beach is much cleaner than Pattaya beach, and it’s more pleasant because it’s by far not as crowded with anchoring boats of all sizes. As Jomtien beach is much longer than Pattaya beach, it’s also much better suited for civil water sports like windsurfing (water scooters are chiefly found on Pattaya beach).
Restaurants
Most hotels have restaurants. Those who want to dine out for special treats can always go to the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers north, where they find a large number of specialty restaurants.
Entertainment
As the actual Pattaya is just a few kilometers north, those who want to visit entertainment establishments have them nearby while those who do not want entertainment infrastructure, families for example, are far enough away not to be disturbed.
Shopping
Jomtien doesn’t have many shops, aside from those attached to hotels and a few supermarkets, but a wide selection of goods is available in the actual Pattaya, just a few kilometers to the north.
Sports
Many sports facilities, ranging from diving to golf and from bowling to motor racing, are offered in the Pattaya and Jomtien area. Information on sports facilities are given in a special chapter following this chapter on Jomtien.
Places of Interest
The Pattaya / Jomtien area has a large number of places of interest, many especially designed for Westerners. Among them are two elephant show grounds and several theme parks. Information on this kind of places of interest are combined for Jomtien and Pattaya in a special chapter following this Jomtien chapter.
Transportation
Jomtien shares in the transportation infrastructure of Pattaya. Many buses from Bangkok proceed to Jomtien after passing through Pattaya. Otherwise, one can always take a bus from Bangkok to Pattaya and just hop on a passenger pickup at any bus stop in Pattaya and proceed to Jomtien on one’s own.
To get from Jomtien to Bangkok, one best catches a bus at the bus terminal in Pattaya.
Passenger pickups from Jomtien to Pattaya are 20 Baht. Special trips are more expensive.
For more information on transportation to and from Pattaya and Jomtien, as well as in the Pattaya area, please see the separate chapter after this Jomtien chapter and the chapters on Sports and Places of Interest in the Pattaya area.
Sports & Games in / around Pattaya & Jomtien
Scuba Diving
Pattaya was Thailand’s original dive center. American servicemen based in Thailand during the Vietnam War discovered that the seas off Pattaya offered fine diving opportunities and would charter boats from fisherman to explore the nearby islands and their rich marine life.
Today, of course, diving has become a much more sophisticated business with a number of well-managed dive schools and centers offering a variety of courses for beginners as well as experienced divers, along with day trips and longer excursions.
Because of its good accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most important and popular dive centers. The resort town provides high standard accommodation at rates lower than at most seaside resorts in the country; furthermore, there is a wide selection of other water sports facilities.
More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km (30mi), from around Si Racha in the north to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species, among them mushroom coral, lettuce coral, staghorn and brain coral to name but a few. Tropical fish which can often be spotted include white tip and black tip sharks, stingrays, angel fish and huge sea bass.
Approximately one hour by boat are Ko Sak, Ko Khrok, and Ko Larn. These three islands are known as the inner islands. The coral and marine life here has been greatly damaged by pollution and heavy boat traffic. While there are still some coral reefs remaining at depths from 5-15m, marine life is sparse and visibility usually low (3-6m). The large numbers of speedboats and water scooters passing over the dive sites can make diving in this area a hazardous activity.
The outer ring of islands, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the mainland includes Ko Rin, Ko Phi, Ko Man Wichai, Ko Keung Baddan and Ko Leaum. These islands have been protected from development by the Royal Thai Navy and are much more suitable for diving than the inner islands. Coral reefs range from 5-30m depth, with visibility from 5-15m. Ko Rin is especially good for photography, with generally clear water and many varieties of soft and hard coral.
Dive trips to the outer islands depart from various sites at around 8:00. Usually, a mid-morning dive is conducted upon arrival at one of the island reefs. This is followed by a lunch, either on board or on one of the island beaches. A second dive is made in the afternoon at a different reef site. The boats then return to Pattaya, arriving back at about 17:00.
There are also two shipwrecks within reach of the Pattaya/Jomtien area. The Petchburi Bremen is a freighter that sunk in the mid-1930’s after engine trouble and an explosion. The Bremen is 100m in length, and lies on a sandy bottom in 23m of water It is located just off the island of Ko Khram in the Sattahip area about 2hrs sailing time from Jomtien beach or about 2:20hrs from Pattaya.
The wreck provides the opportunity to see large schools of barracuda and jacks, as well as many varieties of stingray in the sand surrounding the wreck. The ship itself is upright, and fairly intact with some opportunities for wreck penetration available to trained divers.
The Hardeep is a cargo ship which was commandeered by the Japanese during World War II and sunk by the Allies in the 1942-1944 period. It lies in 27m of water off the island of Ko Chuang in the Samae San area. This ship is lying on its side and is intact. Divers on the Hardeep often tour inside some of the large cargo holds, or search the surrounding area for the bombs responsible for the ship’s sinking.
The Hardeep is reached with an hour taxi ride to the Samae San Village pier, followed by a 45min boat trip. Tours to this wreck site are generally done on a small fishing boat with 6 divers maximum. The islands surrounding the Hardeep offer diving opportunities similar to the outer ring of islands previously described, with the nearby Shark Fin Rock being the local favorite.
Many of Pattaya’s diving schools and centers have PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) qualified personnel, plus a full range of equipment for rent. They also have workshops for repair of diving equipment. A number of languages are spoken at these schools, including English, German, Dutch, French, Japanese and Thai.
Windsurfing
Most popular for windsurfing is the 6km Jomtien Beach, 4km south of Pattaya. There are also several windsurf schools, and the Pattaya Windsurf Club on Jomtien Beach stages regular competitions. Typical rates for boards are 150-200/hour.
Sailing
Boats can be rented at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and from Sundowner Sailing Services. Typical rates are: 14ft Hobie Catamaran 250/hour; 16ft Hobie Catamaran 300/hour
Parasailing
Parasailing is offered along Pattaya Beach, along Jomtien Beach and at Ko Larn. A common rate is 250 Baht per round.
Water-skiing
Water-skiing is offered along Pattaya Beach, along Jomtien Beach and at Ko Larn. A common rate is 800 to 1000 Baht per hour (including hire of boat, driver and skis).
Game Fishing
Game fishing expeditions are organized by several operators. The waters around Ko Manwichai, Ko Rin and Ko Khram are popular for fishing of marlin, king mackerel, sharks and baracudas. Addresses to contact are:
Fresh-water Fishing
This is offered at Panarak Park on the Siam Country Club Road, Jomtien Fishing Park on Jomtien Beach Rd and at the Banglamung Shrimp Farm.
Jomtien Fishing Park
The park is just a few hundred meters from Jomtien Beach and features a fresh-water fishing pond and has fishing equipment for rent. The park is open between 8:00 and 24:00. A good restaurant provides lunch and dinner.
Panarak Park
A fisherman’s delight as this park on the road to the Siam Country Club Golf Course features a well-stocked fishing pond in a tropical garden setting. Fishing gear is also available. For non-fishers there are a mini golf course and jogging and cycling paths. Facilities also include bungalow lodgings and a restaurant. For further information Tel Bkk 521-0763. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 100 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya.
Other Water Sports
Water Scooter costs 250 Baht per hour (self drive).
Golf
Siam Country Club
6,448 yards, par 72
A short distance from Pattaya (11km, 7mi off km 145 on Sukhumvit Highway), Siam Country Club offers one of the country’s most challenging courses with lots of wooded hills and awkwardly placed stretches of water, all set in 200 hectares (500 acres) of beautiful countryside. The fairways are wide and lead to greens that test the most accomplished putters. The par-3’s here are particularly difficult, along with the 207-yard 8th which is intersected by water running the full width of the course.
Green fees weekdays 660 Baht
weekends 660 Baht
Caddy fee included
Clubs for rent 150 Baht (half set), 250 Baht (full set)
Open 6:00-18:00
50 Tambon Pong, Banglamung
Office: 865 Rama 1 Rd, Pathumwan, Bkk
Resv Tel Pattaya (038) 41-8002
Bangkok Tel (02) 215-3124
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