Looking for a more coastal taste of Thailand without the barflies and Go-Gos? Well, your destination may be closer than you thought. Just a two-hour ride from Bangkok will have you on holiday in one of the countries most controversial vacation locations.
The truth is, Pattaya has long been know as a prime R&R destination. During the Vietnam War, the United States had a number of army bases in Thailand. When the soldiers went on leave, they quickly found their way to Pattaya, forcing it to develop from a small fishing community into a bustling beach town with hookers and booze on tap.
While Pattaya is still thought of by most as more of a place to enjoy copious amounts of alcohol while propping up a barstool and ogling a cattle-market of scantily-clad single-mothers from the poorest regions of rural Thailand, this city hangout has gone through a renaissance of late in a bid to attract a “better clientele”.
With huge foreign investment, and a helping hand (ahem) from the TAT, Pattaya has been seeing a much needed reprieve. That said, if you stepped out of your taxi from the airport straight onto Beach Road, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there's nothing to do there except engage in a bit of “how's your father”.
For those looking for a bit of substance out of their trip rather than the commonplace Chang beer, Go-Go bars and naughty massages, you'd do well to start here.
I've assembled 21 great sights for you to explore that don’t include holding down a bar stool or a carnal encounter.
Let's begin…
1. Art in Paradise – Pattaya
In north Pattaya, you’ll find an art experience like no other – the art of illusion. This museum presents Anamorphosis art. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the museum interactively by touching and taking photos with 3d illusion paintings. This stop is great for all ages, especially kids. Make sure you keep your selfie stick handy!
Image credit: www.artinparadise.co.th
2. Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Out of the places to see animals in Pattaya on this list, Khao Kheow is arguably the most ethical because the zoo is the only one of it’s kind in Thailand where the over 8,000 animals are free to roam the grounds of the Wildlife Reserve.
Khao Kheow has received international recognition for its set-up, and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. You can choose to walk or drive through the observation areas to check out the animals up close, but if you don’t have a car or feel like a hike, take their tram service instead, which is also offered for a night safari.
Image Credit: www.journeytothejungle.com
3. Underwater World – Pattaya
You can leave your water wings behind for this one. You’ll be staying dry as you walk though a 100 meter long, acrylic tunnel viewing over 500 different types of fish and other sea animals in a natural environment.
You can relax while feeding the beautiful Koi fish, or if you’re down for an adrenalin rush, you can take a dip with some sharks and rays. While perhaps in a way this is educational for kids, it's kinda disturbing to see animals like this out of their natural environment.
Image credit: www.underwaterworldpattaya.com
4. The Sanctuary of Truth (Prasat Satchatham)
This sprawling temple, constructed in an ancient style using entirely wood, is covered with elaborate carvings throughout the entire structure. Its spire reaches about 105 meters high. With it’s beautiful location right by the sea, this holy place is said to reflect the importance of religion in our world. This award winning attraction is sure to have you in awe.
Image credit: www.sanctuaryoftruth.com
5. Baan Sukhawadee (Eden House)
If decadence is what you seek, Baan Sukhawadee or Eden House mansion will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. This huge beach house was built in the year 2000 with a Romanesque style architecture. Both European and Asian sculptures adorn the mansion’s interior and garden.
Image credit: http://www.tapoma.com/eng/thailand-pattaya-ticket/baan-sukhavadee.html
6. The Monkey Training Center
The Monkey Training Centre shows just how smart our primate cousins are. You’ll see them pluck coconuts from the tree, as well as some other monkeying around that will surely bring a smile to your face.
Though, like the aquarium, the reality probably isn't a happy one. It takes a lot of man-handling to train monkeys to do these things, and in some cases mistreatment. I'd sooner see them free in a national reserve park, or better, completely free in the wild.
Image Credit: Pattaya Monkey Training Centre
7. Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not' Museum
The world famous Ripley’s Museums never disappoints when you’re looking for the weird and wondrous. Pattaya has a collection of more than 300 mystical, exotic and unusual items from all over the world, including optical illusions, primitive torture devices, masks made from human skin, humans with 4 eyes, horses with 3 legs, a replica of the Titanic made from a million matchsticks and way more.
If you have a weak stomach, it may be best to go before you eat lunch.
Image credit: www.ripleysthailand.com
8. The Bottle Art Museum
Peter Bedelais has some very skilled hands. He has brought Thailand it’s first exhibition of Art in the Bottle, or in this case, many bottles.
There are more than 300 pieces of miniature art constructed in bottles at the exhibit. You’ll find tiny replica of tourist attractions as well as Buddha images, Thai houses, windmills and Chinese palaces. You may just feel the need to take one home with you if you have some cash at hand.
Image credit: www.bottlemuseum.net
9. Phratamnak Hill, or Khao Pattaya
The top of Phratumnak Hill is one of the best vantages for checking out the crescent bay of Pattaya. The most popular times to take in the view are during sunset and at night when the city is lit up.
Go before night fall and you’ll be able to check out a few monuments of some famous Thai figures, as well as an image of Buddha in Subduing Mara gesture. As you can see from the picture below, this is a popular selfie spot.
Image Credit: Flikr – Roger ML
10. Bali Hai Pier
How about some live aquatic action, as opposed to the somewhat fake aquarium? At the new Bali Hai pier, check out life below the surface on the “Yellow Submarine”, which is an underwater sightseeing a tour company.
If you fancy it, you could hop a speedboat to nearby Koh Larn, or perhaps the lethargic ferry is more your speed…
Image credit: http://wikimapia.org/341582/th/
11. Ang Sila Oyster Farm
Ready to get down and dirty? Learn how the farmers breed and nurture oysters and mussels. Take a stroll down a ten-kilometer walking bridge straight out into the sea and check out how they raise these mucky mollusk as they are hung under bamboo scaffolds.
12. Pattaya Elephant Village
Image credit: www.elephant-village-pattaya.com
For those wanting to snap the proverbial tourist selfie with a pachyderm, this sanctuary provides a more ethical option than the elephants you'll encounter in the tourist hotspots of Bangkok. Pattaya elephant village is home to former working elephants, but these big guys do still perform, including a parade and war re-enactment.
The elephant trainers, “mahouts,” will show you how they teach these gentle giants; though they probably will not show you the initial “breaking the spirit” torture they endure as young elephants that makes them passive enough to enslave.
Of course, if you need a lift, there is an elephant trek through a small jungle in the village. If not, you can just watch them take a bath.
13. Nong Nooch Garden
If you are a fan of Asian gardening, then this park is exactly your vibe. Tropical plants from all over the world line every path, and you’ll also find the largest variety of orchids in Thailand. From flowers to fruit, this park has it all, as well as a unique skywalk from which you can see the gardens from an arial view.
If you want wildlife, there's a mini zoo you can visit on-site. Stick around to see the Thai cultural performances on offer too.
Image credit: www.nongnoochgardenpattaya.com
14. Siriphon Orchid Farm
If you haven’t gotten your fill of Pattaya’s natural beauty, Siriphon Orchid Farm will take you over the top. As you can imagine, this farm has a massive variety of nature's artistic blooms. So bring your wallet because they are also for sale. Also remember that Thai women love orchids, so if you have a date, this isn't a bad call!
Image credit: Siriphon Orchid Farm
15. Three Kingdom Theme Park (Sam Kok)
Need some tips on Feng Shui? This park was constructed based on the Chinese philosophical system of harmonising everyone with their surrounding environment. It boasts some very distinctive Chinese-Thai architecture and landscaping, where you'll learn the epic story of Sam Kok on the wooden patio and delicately painted veranda displays.
One of the park’s goals aims to help people understand and appreciate Buddhism, as well as both Thai and Chinese culture and philosophy.
Image credit: Sam Kok
16. Thai Alangkarn Theatre
With a Las Vegas show style and flare, this complex has every intent on entertaining you. The hexagonal staged theatre, cultural rostrum and a restaurant of 1,000 seats will dazzle and dine you, but not 69 you: you'll need to catch a Tuk-Tuk back to walking street for that!
Equipped with a state-of-art sound system, pyrotechnics, multi-dimensional coloured laser system and lavish traditional Thai style decor, the performances include 9 sets of imaginary historical performances set in different time periods. Thai boxing and sword fighting are also part of the show.
Image credit: www.alangkarnthailand.com
17. The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm
I have to be honest, I'm not a fan of these Tiger zoos/temples and crocodile farms, and would prefer these animals to be in the wild where they belong. But to give a comprehensive and varied overview of attractions in Pattaya, it is necessary to include them.
The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm consists of a rock and rare plant garden, a one million year old petrified wood exhibit, 200-year-old plants and a zoo featuring some seriously wild animals, including saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. The picture below says it all really…
Image credit: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk
18. Sri Racha Tiger Zoo
Home to over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers, the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo was established to conserve and breed wildlife such as the Bengal Tiger, giving visitors the opportunity to feed a tiger cub. The zoo also has it’s own crocodile farm and a plethora of animal shows featuring super smart pigs, elephants, crocodiles and a very interesting/disturbing demonstration of the cohabitation of tiger, pig and dog.
19. The 133-year-old Ang Sila Market
Founded in 1876, this market has been a shopping centre for longer than most of us have been alive. Interestingly, for generations this market has operated in nearly the same way since its inception.
You’ll find yourself wondering archaic, two story wooden houses, finding an array of foods from land and sea, delightful desserts, signature Ang Sila woven textile, stone mortars, and all the souvenirs you can carry back to your hotel.
Image credit: http://www.phuplaces.com/en/angsila.html
20. Pattaya Floating Market
No Pattaya trip is complete without a visit to this increasingly popular gathering of venders. Picture this: Thai style houses built with different regional architectures, constructed in the middle of a large pond.
This pond has canals and wooden bridges that allow you to walk from shop to shop and check out the wares from the various regions of Thailand.
Don’t feel like walking it? How about boating it? For a usually negotiable price, you can get a boat service where you sit down, cruise along and experience traditional Thai “floating” life. Come hungry. The food sellers are everywhere and they don’t break the bank.
Try out the adventure sling where you can hang yourself across one of the waterways. There’s also a wood carving museum, traditional Thai dances and a sea boxing show.
Image credit: http://pattayafloatingmarket.com/
21. Water Park and Fun Park, Pattaya Park Beach Resort
You guessed it; giant water slides, a whirlpool by a private beach, and tons of fun in the sun for kids and adults alike. Check out some of these ride names: Tower Shot, Slalom Roller Coaster, Family Swinger (no dirty jokes in the comments section please!), Demolition Derby, Samba Tower. Morning until night, you’ll find adventure here. Who doesn't like a water park?
Image Credit: www.pattayapark.com
It's no secret that Pattaya has a sordid side, but don't let this put you off a place that has plenty more to offer than a financial fumble.
Pattaya is full of warm and welcoming locals and has a ton of stuff to do outside of the main strip. Indeed, outside of this list of 21, there's also Thepprasit Market, The Market Pattaya, Mini Siam, Bangsaen Walking Street, Ang Sila Stone Mortar Market, and the Tuxedo Magic Theatre
Whatever you decide to do, as always, be smart and be safe. Have fun out there.
Thia Tourist says
It wood have been good if they published a link to their web sites and a map to how to get there and what tie is best.
It would also be helpful is the Bart Taxis had a map showing their route and a route color system to help you get around.
Apr 08, 2017 at 1:45 pm
jekita says
I have been Pattaya maybe more than five times, but I’ve never known these places before. I thought that it has only walking street, so thank you for your suggestion!
Sep 30, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Synnikal says
Art in Paradise is superb, as is the Sanctuary of Truth. No hesitation in recommending both, must sees if visiting Pattaya.
Sep 02, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Paul Underwood says
Thank you for the information. I have been avoiding Pattaya due to its reputation not offering what I look for . I did,however, visit recently for a couple of hours as a friend of my wife was there with her visiting husband. It was while travelling that the driver-my brother in law- told me that there were “low class” and “high class” area (My wife has applied these words to farangs). With this in mind I will visit some of the places you have mentioned. Thank you for all the info which I am reading more as I plan to move to Thailand.
Paul.
Aug 08, 2016 at 9:26 pm
TheThailandLife says
Hi Paul, I am not a huge fan of Pattaya either, but have found there to be pleasant areas close by, such as Jontiem for example. There’s always more to do than just the bars, but at first it feels like this is all that’s going on there, and beach road can seem like hell on earth at some points. But as the list shows there’s plenty of attractions and activities. I always try to consider that it is home to hundreds of thousands of native Thais too, of whom pretty much all of them live their lives without ever going down walking street. All the best!
Aug 09, 2016 at 1:28 am
Ken says
Well, I don’t think that anyone who has spent any time in Thailand will be surprised by the fact that some Thais might refer to parts of Pattaya and the people who frequent those areas as “low class”. Still as blatantly offensive as what your brother-in-law (and wife) said seems to be, he may not have meant it that way at all. The problem is, many Thais are probably very insecure when it comes to their image abroad because they know that many Westerners see Thailand as nothing more than a big brothel. So its only natural for some Thais to refer to these areas as “low class” in an attempt to distance themselves from this aspect of their society when showing visitors around their country. Basically the red light districts are just an embarrassment to some. And naturally many Westerners also actively try to distance themselves from the sex tourist scene as much as possible by constantly putting down such people and places.
Actually, this behavior reminds me a lot of the way I used to view American military personnel when I lived in Japan in the early 90’s. I just felt like they were an embarrassment to all the rest of us because all they seemed to do is get drunk, starts fights, and generally make jack asses out of themselves. I remember I would sometimes even take offense when a Japanese person would ask me if I was in the military – kind of like how the Brits and Canadians would often take offense when asked if they were Americans. And of course the snobbish American bankers in Japan thought that all the English Teachers, like me, were total losers because we didn’t’ make any “real” money (whatever real money is). I think to them anyone who makes under six figures a year is considered to be a looser.
The point is I am very familiar with this way of thinking – of looking down on people, either because you feel superior to them, or because you are so intensely insecure that you worry that others will make negative assumptions about you simply based on the behavior of a few “bad seeds” in your group (race, nationality, etc.). In fact, the first time I went to Pattaya in 1990 I remember thinking that all the westerners seemed to be sex tourists and that I therefore didn’t want anything to do with them. I was also constantly worried that Thai people might mistakenly think that I was one of “those people”. Fortunately however I have grown up considerably since then and have left all my insecurities in the past so I no longer feel this way. And I certainly don’t give a rat’s ass if someone thinks I’m a sex tourist.
Getting back to your brother-in-laws statements though, its also possible that him and your wife are just stereotypical upper class elitist Thais. And these types of course look down not only on prostitutes but also on anyone from the poorer parts of the country (namely Issan). Fortunately however none of the many Thai people that I have associated with over the years have ever displayed this attitude – not even the highly educated ones from very good families. And if one of them ever did put down someone simply because of their race or socioeconomic background that would be the end of the relationship right then and there. I simply have no time for these kinds of people.
As for Pattaya itself it is either your cup of tea or it is not and it’s as simple as that. And to refer to it as being a “bad” place, as many people do, is kind of like saying that chocolate is a terrible flavor of ice cream. Obviously it’s all very subjective and whatever flavor of ice cream taste good to you is “good” ice cream. And it’s the same with a city. If you love a very busy and active nightlife, enjoy crowded places and people watching, and don’t mind settling for a so-so (at best) beach then you might actually enjoy Pattaya. And by the way, you do not have to have any interest in bar girls in order to enjoy the nightlife there. While its true that most of the girls who frequent the large nightclubs on walking street are freelancers there are also plenty of regular Thai women with respectable day jobs who go out to these places at night as well. I realize that it can often be nearly impossible to tell the difference but I can assure you they are there. And if all these nice and proper Thai girls are not put off by all the prostitutes around them and can have a fun night out with their friends on Walking street then there is absolutely no reason why you cannot do the same.
And as for the beer bars you can sometimes meet some very interesting westerners in them as well. Sure I’ve come across plenty of guys in these places that made my skin crawl, but I’ve also met some really great guys in these places that I would be more than happy to call my friends. I also have a lot of friends who are past or current bar girls and these particular girls are more good hearted and genuine than half of the so called “good” Thai women that I’ve met – and I have dated a LOT of regular Thai women. And for this reason I tend to take a VERY dim view of anyone who puts down either the girls or the men who frequent these bars.
Anyway, I would personally likely choose hanging out with people in the beer bars of Pattaya over a bunch of stereotypical elitist upper class Thais every day of the week and twice on Sundays (even though I no longer hit the bar scene and haven’t for a very long time). In fact, this comparison reminds me of a similar comparison that Hunter S Thompson once made between some new drinking buddies he had met earlier in the evening at this bar and a bunch of sports fishermen he had to spend time with during the day. At the time he was doing research for an article he had to write about this big sportfishing tournament. Anyway what he said mirrors my thoughts exactly about some of the better people that I have had the pleasure to meet in the bars of Thailand:
“From somewhere deep in my memory, I heard a snatch of some half-remembered conversation between a construction worker and a bartender at a bar in Colorado. The construction man was explaining why he shouldn’t have another drink: ‘You can’t wallow with the pigs at night and then soar with the eagles in the morning,’ he said. I thought briefly on this, then shrugged it off. My own situation was totally different, I felt. In about three hours, I was supposed to be down on the docks with my camera and tape recorder to spend another day on one of those goddamn boats. No, I thought, that geek in Colorado had it all wrong. The real problem is how to wallow with the eagles at night and then soar with the pigs in the morning.” — Hunter S. Thompson, “The Great Shark Hunt”
Aug 11, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Mandy says
Saactuary of truth is the beat place in Pattaya..
Calf
Serine atmosphere..
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Michael M says
I just got back from my trip to Pattaya and we went to a few of the places that you have listed here. The Sanctuary of Truth was an amazing place. It is well worth the price of admission. (I think 500 baht). If you have any appreciation of the culture, religion and of amazing woodworking, you will find it very worthwhile to go here. I paid for an English speaking tour guide and that was definitely worth the additional 500 baht. I also went to the Pattaya floating market that was a fun place to wander around, buy a few souvenirs and eat some great Thai food. Also, we went to Khao Pattaya. It was a cool place to visit too. We also went to the giant Buddha which wasn’t on the list and it was a very interesting place and had great views. Thanks for putting this list together, it was very useful.
May 10, 2016 at 3:26 am
TheThailandLife says
Thanks for reporting back with your experience Michael; it’s always nice to hear that a post has been of use. I think 500 Baht for the guide is very reasonable. I had one in Phuket once for a boat tour and it made all the difference to getting the historical insight on the islands. I shall add the giant Buddha to the list as an extra when I get a chance.
May 10, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Ken says
Great list! I didn’t even know about some of these, and I’ve spent a lot of time in Pattaya. I’ve always enjoyed the water park of course but I sometimes wonder how long they can afford to keep it open. When I first went there in the early 90’s when the park was brand new it was so busy on weekends that every square inch of concrete was covered with people laying on their towels and you had to step over people to get across the park. For the past 10 or 15 years though it has been like a ghost town and I never see more than about 20 or 30 people there at a time. I’m guessing the park must be subsidized by the hotels or some other businesses because otherwise I honestly don’t see how they could afford to even keep it open. Still, while its kind of sad seeing it so empty, its nice not having to wait in line for the water slides or to get something to eat.
Anyway, one of my personal favorite things to do in Pattaya, which apparently did not make your list, is kart racing. I have been racing cars here since I was a teenager but the only way I can get my speed fix while in Thailand is to rent a racing kart at one of the many tracks there. There are 3 tracks that I know of in Pattaya alone. The only downside is that the full race karts are extremely expensive to rent by Thai standards. In fact, based on our respective economies, its actually like you are paying 2 to 3 times more over there than you would here in the States for the same thing. Still, it’s a fun thing to do if you are on vacation, even if racing it’s not a regular hobby of yours.
Apr 13, 2016 at 5:13 pm
TheThailandLife says
I didn’t come across the Go Karts in my research, so thanks for adding that here in the comments. I’ve been a few times in the UK and loved it. Sounds expensive though, and I’d definitely be inspecting the safety standards first!
Apr 15, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Ken says
Yes, checking your equipment is very good advice indeed and I really should have brought that up before. In fact, the second time I rented a Kart in Thailand I had a bad crash when, after barreling down the straightaway and going into a tight hairpin turn, I found that I had NO brakes whatsoever. The brake master cylinder was leaking like a sieve, and probably had been for some time but nobody had ever bothered to fix it. I really should have checked it myself before racing. Some places use carts with mechanical brakes of course but I don’t really like these.
By the way, when I said it was “expensive” I meant expensive for the average Thai person. I think the full on racing Kart with the 2-stroke Yamaha KT100 engine, or equivalent, is about 1000 or 1200 Baht for ten laps (can’t remember) and that’s not much at all for someone on vacation. This one is really the only proper racing Kart and in fact you cannot even rent these in the States and you have to own your own if you want to race one. The next one down has a 4-cycle Honda Engine, which has about 40% less power and it is also cheaper to rent. This incidentally is also the fastest one you can possibly rent here in the States. Then there is one more below this size I believe. Anyway, if you have no racing experience it would probably be better not to go with the biggest engine on your first time out.
Apr 15, 2016 at 5:56 pm
Michael M says
I am going in late April/early May and was looking for something other than golfing, eating and drinking. Thanks for the great list!
Mar 10, 2016 at 4:11 am
Adnan says
I went to pattaya for ten days I never saw these places haha
Jan 08, 2016 at 2:13 am
TheThailandLife says
Haha. Not many people do!
Jan 08, 2016 at 4:24 am
Terry KRenz says
Coming there in Feb , thanks for the info. Priceless
Nov 28, 2015 at 10:47 pm
Johnny says
Man, I’ve been here nearly 2 years and didn’t know half this stuff. Cheers geezer! Something to do other than beer and football and bars 🙂
Oct 15, 2015 at 11:48 am