Pattaya, part 7
Horseback riding
Equestrians will enjoy the steeds at the Reo Ranch, 5km (3mi), along Sukhumvit Highway. Trail riding in the neighboring countryside is available on thoroughbreds imported from Australia.
Horses can also be rented from a stable on Pattaya 2 Rd opposite Palm Garden Hotel near the North Pattaya circle.
Jogging
A track is laid out at Pattaya Fitness Park at the foot of Pattaya Hill. The park has a beautiful garden, offers plenty of shade from trees and has a refreshing hill breeze. Jogging is also popular on some hotel jogging tracks, along the 4km Pattaya Beach Rd and along the 6km Jomtien Beach Rd.
Motor Sports
Bira International Circuit
This international speedway for both, cars and motorcycles, is about 15km (9mi) from Pattaya City on Highway 36 (Pattaya-Rayong). Racing days are Saturday and/or Sunday. The 2.4km (2mi) circuit is ideal for formula-3 races
Those who want to try their driving skill on motorcycles or cars need to be in possession of an International Drivers?License. The cost of rental of vehicles depends on the size of the vehicle and the capacity of the engine.
The fee for driving with the driver’s own car is 500 Baht for 2 hours. Motorcycle owners can use the track from 8:00 to 12:00 at a price of 300-500 Baht.
The circuit is open every day. For more details Tel 587-7448.
Pattaya Kart Speedway
400 meter track for go-karts
212 Mu 9, Pattaya 2 Rd, Tel 42-3062
Places of Interest around Pattaya & Jomtien
Mini Siam
Mini Siam near Pattaya Klang is a theme park displaying Thai heritage in miniature. It brings together models of important buildings and objects of Thai culture and civilization of various periods from the ancient time till present.
More than 100 models, each on a scale of 1:25, are depicted on a 1.8 hectare (4.4 acre) plot, surrounded by a beautiful park with a total area of 4.6 hectares (11.4 acre) with many different types of trees. It is the third largest such miniature park in the world (after similar parks in Holland and Taiwan). Admission fee is 200 Baht per person. Tel 250-1866 or (038) 42-1628 for more details. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 30 Baht from North Pattaya, 40 from Central Pattaya and 50 from South Pattaya.
Pattaya Elephant Village
The elephant roundup at the elephant village is literally a big gathering. The gigantic beasts have long been the backbone for heavy work in the forests and jungles of Thailand. The village has shows of elephants at work, elephants playing football, demonstrations on the daily life of pachyderms and their masters, feeding and care of the animals and the use of elephants as the predecessors of tanks in warfare, as well as in ceremonial rites. Another demonstration gives a fair account of the happenings during an elephant hunt.
Pattaya Elephant Village is on the road to Siam Country Club Golf Course, about 5km (3mi) from Pattaya, near Reo Horse Riding Park. Daily show time is 14:30-16:30. Tel Novotel Tropicana (038) 42-8645. 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.
Pattaya Elephant Kraal
The Kraal demonstrates elephants at work, elephants showing obedience to mahouts?orders, and other performances of pachyderms. The Kraal is behind the Pattaya Orphanage on Sukhumvit Highway, near Central Pattaya Rd. Shows are daily at 10:00 and 14:30. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 30 Baht from North Pattaya, 40 from Central Pattaya and 50 from South Pattaya.
Hill Tribe Village
The hill tribe village on North Pattaya Road, about 3km (2mi) from the city center, attempts to give the atmosphere of Northern Thailand. The area of more than 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) is decorated with houses of 6 hill tribes and has restaurants as well as souvenir shops selling hill tribe products. There are daily shows of customs and traditional ways of hill tribe life at 14:00, 16:00, 19:00 and 21:00. The admission fee including one drink is 250 Baht per person. (This compares with about 1000 Baht in fares for a return trip to the actual hill tribe villages in Northern Thailand.)
Pattaya Park
This park between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach is for water amusements. It has colorful water slides, whirlpools and large pool for young children. The park facilities include a restaurant, fast-food corner, game room and lockers.
Suan Nong Nooch
Suan Nong Nooch is a Thai village theme park, about 15km (9mi) south of Pattaya towards Sattahip (the Navy Base). Demonstrations include sugar making, elephant bathing, an elephant show and cock fighting. There are also a so-called Thai Handicraft Center and cultural and traditional performances (shaped to what is believed to appeal to tourists) including Phuthai Dance and Thai Boxing. The entire area of 200 hectares (500 acres) is beautifully landscaped, with separate coconut and mango plantations, an orchid nursery, cactus garden, and other botanical gardens. Accommodation can be booked by calling 252-1786 (Bangkok) or (038) 42-9321 (Pattaya). The village is extensively marketed and half-day tours that include this village and provide round trip transportation can be booked at practically any travel agency.
A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 200 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya. Those who want to visit the place, probably do so best in organized tours.
Wat Yansangwararam
This unique temple in modern Thai architecture is under the patronage of King Bhumiphol. It is situated 12km (8mi) south of Pattaya and 3km (2mi) from the Nong Nooch Village. A meditation course is offered for men at 6:00 and 18:00. A special trip per passenger pickup (during which the driver will not pick up additional people) costs 200 Baht from North Pattaya, Central Pattaya or South Pattaya.
Ko Larn (Coral Island)
Ko Larn is the biggest of Pattaya’s offshore islands. The major attraction is watching fish and coral from glass-bottom boats. Small boats for 12 person can be rented for 600-1500 Baht. Big boats for up to 100 persons cost 3,000 Baht.
A Bor Kor Sor ferry departs for Ko Larn daily from the fishing pier at 9:00 and 11:00; return is at 15:00. Round trip fare is 40 Baht.
A ferry of the Sailing Club leaves daily at 9:30 and 11:30 and returns 16:00. The price per person is 250 Baht with lunch or 120 Baht without lunch. Most travel agencies organize daily trips at 280 Baht or more.
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