I'm sitting here in my apartment house in Pattaya is a struggle to write what is perhaps the 32nd Celsius outside (late August), with a gentle breeze. I have a choice if you want to write this article, 50m walk, go swimming in the pool or a lazy stroll on the beach 80m. In all honesty, I'd rather stay here and the wonders of Pattaya with you, then I'll work for lunch one or two hours before he did for a bite.
Pattaya. For those of you who do notknow, Pattaya is located around 120 km ( 75 miles ) / 90 minutes from Bangkok, in the province of Chonburi. This beautiful city lies on the East coast of the Gulf of Thailand; a true city of the Eastern Seabord. A cosmopolitan town that has grown from a coastal village favoured by the American Forces for much needed R & R ( Rest & Relaxation ). Pattaya is now a city with millions of inhabitants, a sizable proportion of whom are International ExPats.
In the North is Pattaya Nua where you will find high-rise condominiums and family orientated hotels, most of which have direct access to semi-private areas of beach. In the centre is the retail area where just about anything can be purchased if you're prepared to look for long enough. Here you will find, amongst others, Central Festival Shopping Plaza, a large Mall that caters to locals, Tourists and ExPats alike. I've travelled fairly extensively and would say that this mall is as good as any that I've seen in a mid-size city. Condominiums are something that most foreigners purchase in Thailand as the law states that there are up to 49% foreign ownership allowed in a building. Many foreigners also use the name of their company to purchase a house, land or commercial listings as the law states that only a Thai name or a Limited company may purchase these properties. Many of the agencies in Pattaya will be Delighted to give you advice on the city's Real Estate.
Further South is what is considered a selected area, the hill of Pratamnak, now home to some tasteful low rise (no more than 7 floors) developments. On the hill, the two adjacent peaks, the Naval Station is seen from where you will find a beautiful view along the coast and islands. Also on the second summit, see what the locals called "Big Buddha" - a Buddhist shrine and a tourist attraction, surrounded by a beautiful park and exerciseStructures.
South Jomtien is a stretch of public beach available, which stretches for miles and miles. On the opposite side of Beach Road are Sois (roads), the home of local suppliers, hotels, massage shops, hotels, etc., in fact, a city Jomtien could be considered in isolation.
The main north-south street called Sukhumvit is located several kilometers in the country. The area east of these contains a number of different developments, from smallclusters of (or individual) villas, to walled and gated villages. Golf is big in this part of Thailand and there are many Country Clubs and golfing venues that cater to this. I'm told that the attraction is that this area is quieter and subject to less hustle and bustle than city living on the coastal side of Sukhumvit, but with easy access to the Super-Stores on Sukhumvit Road (we have a Tesco Lotus, Big C and Carrefour to name the big three) and an extra 10 minutes to get to the beaches.
Attractions
O.K. Let's get one issue out of the way. You tell your friends/relatives that you're going to Pattaya and their immediate reaction is, "But, that's the sex capitol of Asia!". My reply to this is "Amsterdam is the sex capital of Europe, but has much to offer in the way of culture and tourist attractions, that are not sex related." Yes, if you want Adult Entertainment, Pattaya and its environment have much to offer. There are also plenty of other Attractions such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Mini Siam, Tiger Zoo, Elephant Safari, Jet Ski, Safari Submarine, Black Hills Winery, the floating market, Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens ... and the list is endless.
Food
There is literally something for everyone. If you fancy a bag of fried insects, one of the vendors we are pleased to offer this. Most malls have a food court, where a selection of dishes you can get money for surprisingly little. Onthe time of writing, I get 50 Baht for a British Pound (GBP) or 30 Baht for a US dollar; in the food court at Central Festival Plaza I can get a main course meal and a drink for less than 150 Baht (£3 / $5). From a Street vendor I can get a snack meal for 20 to 30 Baht, or an entire barbecued chicken for only 120 Baht. If you want to spend more, there are a plethora of mid-range and upscale restaurants to choose from anywhere in the city.
Whatever you're looking for, you'll likely find it here in Pattaya; and it will probably be affordable!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go for a gentle stroll along the promenade, and perhaps grab a bite of lunch with a great sea view.
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