Sights in Chonburi Province
-
Mini Siam
Mini Siam is - you guessed it - a scaled-down set of replicas of Thailand's ancient and famous sights. It's about 1.5km east of town.
reviewed
-
Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Monastery
The Buddhist Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Monastery is built around several meditation caves running into the island’s central limestone ridge, and offers fine views from its hilltop chedi (stupa). Monks and mâa chee (nuns) from across Thailand come to take advantage of the caves’ peaceful environment, and foreigners wishing to sample monastic life are also welcomed. Studying at the monastery is free of charge (phone ahead to make sure there’s room and bring your passport), but you’ll be expected to follow the monastery’s strict code of conduct. Whether you visit for an hour, or stay a month, leave an appropriate donation (roughly equivalent to basic food and lodging if st…
reviewed
-
Hat Tha Wang Palace
At the western end of the island (2km from the pier), you can visit Hat Tha Wang Palace. The carefully managed lawns are a prime picnic spot for visitors from Bangkok, who share the gardens with foraging white squirrels. The palace was once used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied the island in 1893. The main throne hall – a magnificent golden teak structure known as Vimanmek Teak Mansion – was moved to Bangkok in 1910. The Fine Arts Department has since restored the remaining palace buildings.
reviewed
-
San Jao Phaw Khao Yai Chinese Temple
The most imposing sight on the island is the ornate San Jao Phaw Khao Yai Chinese Temple. During Chinese New Year in February, the island is overrun with Chinese visitors from the mainland. This is one of Thailand’s most interesting Chinese temples, with shrine caves, multiple levels and a good view of the ocean. It’s east of the town, high on a hill overlooking the sea.
reviewed
-
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
A popular attraction located south of Pattaya. The perfectly manicured grounds feature four daily elephant and Thai dancing shows (between 09:00 and 15:45). The dancing shows demonstrate different movement styles from around the kingdom, and the elephant spectacles display the gentle giants' hidden talents, such as picture painting, bike riding and basketball.
reviewed
-
Wat Atsadang Nimit
Overlooking Hat Tha Wang is a large white stupa that holds Wat Atsadang Nimit, a small, consecrated chamber where Rama V used to meditate. The unique Buddha image inside was fashioned more than 50 years ago by a local monk. Nearby is a stone outcrop wrapped in holy cloth, called Bell Rock because it rings like a bell when struck.
reviewed
-
A
Pattaya Elephant Village
The Pattaya Elephant Village is a non-profit sanctuary for former working elephants. There’s a 2.30pm elephant show (adult/child 500/400B), which demonstrates training techniques, and one-hour (adult/child 900/700B) and 3½-hour (adult/child 1900/1300B) elephant treks. The elephant village is 7km off Th Sukhumvit.
reviewed
-
Offshore Islands
The islands of Ko Larn, Ko Krok and Ko Sak are around 7km offshore and have some popular beaches - especially Hat Ta Waen on Ko Larn. Boats leave Pattaya's South Pier every two hours between 08:00 and 16:30 (20B). The last boat back from Ko Larn is at 17:00. A daytrip including viewing from a glass bottom boat costs ฿150.
reviewed
-
Hat Ta Waen Beach
The island of Ko Larn is around 7km offshore. It boasts the popular beach Hat Ta Waen. Boats leave Pattaya's South Pier every two hours between 08:00 and 16:30 (20B). The last boat back from Ko Larn is at 17:00. A daytrip including viewing from a glass bottom boat costs ฿150.
reviewed
-
B
Pattaya Park
Pattaya Park has three different ways to exit the 55-storey tower in its water park. Once the kids (and Mum and Dad) have recovered, get them all excited again on the roller coaster and dodgems in the venue’s Funnyland Amusement Park.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
C
Hat Pattaya
Hat Pattaya is the city's showcase stretch of sand, sporting sunbathers, souvenir sellers, and buzzing jet skis and speedboats. The sand is reasonably clean and the water is calm. If you get bored there's good shopping over the road.
reviewed
-
Sanctuary of Truth
Made entirely of wood (no metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, the Sanctuary of Truth is best described as a visionary environment: part art installation, religious shrine and cultural monument. The ornate temple-like complex was conceived by Lek Viriyaphant, a Thai millionaire who spent his fortune on this and other heritage projects (such as Ancient City near Bangkok) that revived and preserved ancient building techniques and architecture in danger of extinction. In this case, the building will continue to support hand-hewn woodworking skills because it has been under construction for 30 years and still isn't finished.
The sanctuary is constructed i…
reviewed
-
San Jao Phaw Khao Yai
The most imposing sight on the island is the ornate Chinese temple, dating back to the days when Chinese traders anchored in the sheltered waters. During Chinese New Year in February, the island is overrun with visitors from the Chinese mainland. There are also shrine caves, multiple platforms and a good view of the ocean. It's east of the town, overlooking the modern-day barges waiting silently in the sea.
reviewed
-
D
Thai-Chinese Buddhist Temple
Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple can be found on Ko Loi, a small rocky island connected to the mainland by a long jetty at the northern end of Si Racha’s waterfront, which is fun to explore.
reviewed
-
E
Underwater World
Escape the heat and sun at Underwater World with acrylic tunnels that make up a walk-through aquarium. It’s 200m past the Tesco-Lotus shopping centre on the main road south.
reviewed
-
Cholatassathan Museum
Just before you reach the palace, this aquatic museum has a few marine exhibits and a dash of English-language signage. The touch tank is interesting because Thais stand around remarking about which animals are delicious to eat. The Aquatic Resources Research Institute conducts coral research here.
reviewed
-
F
Hat Jomtien
Hat Jomtien, about 1km south of Pattaya, stretches for 6km and is quieter than its northern neighbour. You're relatively removed from Pattaya's sex scene at this beach.
reviewed
-
Tham Saowapha
Near Wat Atsadang Nimit a large limestone cave, Tham Saowapha, plunges deep into the island. Have a peek inside if you’ve got a torch.
reviewed
-
G
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! puts a Disney-esque spin on the world’s oddities and includes high-tech theme rides.
reviewed
-
H
Hat Naklua
Hat Naklua, a smaller beach north of Pattaya, is quiet and a good choice for families.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Hat Dongtan
At the northern end of Hat Jomtien, Hat Dongtan is a hub for gay travellers.
reviewed
-
Wat Tham Yai Phrik
This Buddhist monastery is built around several meditation caves running into the island's central limestone ridge and offers fine views from its hilltop chedi (stupa). Monks and mâa chee (nuns) from across Thailand come to take advantage of the caves' peaceful environment. Someone is usually around to give informal tours and talk about Buddhism; you can also arrange multi-day meditation retreats.
reviewed
-
Phra Chudadhut Palace
This former royal palace was used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied the island in 1893. The main throne hall – a magnificent golden teak structure known as Vimanmek Teak Mansion – was moved to Bangkok in 1910.
What remains today are fairly subdued Victorian-style buildings indicative of the king's architectural preferences. Ruen Vadhana and Ruen Mai Rim Talay contain historical displays about the king's visits to the island and his public works programs, including a lecture to the local people on Western tea parties. Up the hill is Wat Asadang Khanimit, a temple containing a small, consecrated cham…
reviewed
-
Ko Loi
This small rocky island is connected to the mainland by a long jetty at the northern end of Si Racha's waterfront and lauded as a local highlight. It has a festival atmosphere centred around a Thai-Chinese temple, decorated by a couple of giant ponds with turtles of every size, from tiny hatchlings to seen-it-all-before seniors. This is also where you can catch the boat to offshore Ko Si Chang.
reviewed
-
Ko Lan
Day trippers flock to this small island, 7km offshore of central Pattaya, for sun and sand. On weekends, Bangkok's visiting party people bake off hangovers in beach chairs, and the aquamarine sea is sliced and diced by jet-skis, banana boats and other marine merriment. There are about five beaches on the island, easily accessible by motorcycle, but don't expect to find complete seclusion. Boats leave Pattaya's Bali Hai pier (30B, five daily departures) at the southern end of Walking St. The last boat back from Ko Lan is at 6pm.
reviewed
