CONTENTS HISTORY OF PATTAYA
5
LEARNING THAI
6
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
7
GETTING AROUND
8
PATTAYA MAP
10
JOMTIEN MAP
12
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
14
MASSAGE IN A BOTTLE
30
NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
32
10 REASONS TO LOVE PATTAYA
38
KOH CHANG
40
OUTSIDE PATTAYA
42
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN PATTAYA
44
GOLF GUIDE
56
ACCOMMODATION
63
Email: thepattayaguide@gmail.com
HEALTH AND FITNESS
68
SERVICES GUIDE
70
Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions, we always like to hear from our readers.
VISA INFORMATION
82
SHOPPING GUIDE
86
REAL ESTATE GUIDE
90
4
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | contents
The Pattaya Guide is a monthly publication which is on display in many hotels, shopping centre’s, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout Pattaya, Jomtien and Naklua. Created & Published by: The Pattaya Guide Company Limited, 482/14 Moo 10, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Email or Call us if you would like to be added to our distribution list Telephone: 086 832 3967
All contents of this guide are the copyright of The Pattaya Guide Company Ltd, all rights reserved. Reproduction, use of editorials and use of pictures in any manner is prohibited without written permission of The Pattaya Guide Co Ltd.
HISTORY OF PATTAYA Pattaya - Thailand’s capital of fun is a popular resort on the North Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand, 150 km south-east of Bangkok. Once a sleepy fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R & R spot during the Vietnam War and has been a popular tourism destination ever since. Currently, Pattaya is booming and the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport has made visiting easier than ever. Pattaya is popular not only as a beach resort and for its entertainment, nightlife and shopping, but also for the broad selection of recreational activities it caters for, from golf and horseback riding to bungee jumping, karting and shooting - not to mention a wide variety of watersports such as scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Pattaya, unlike other beach resorts, shows no respite after sundown, Pattaya’s nightlife is unique and fascinating with Walking Street, South Pattaya in the centre of it all. This is the most popular place to go amongst tourists and expats here you will find many go go bars, beer bars, discos, street entertainers and the odd ladyboy. Food is another one of the highlights of any trip to Pattaya. From giant prawns to spicy som tam salad, there is every imaginable cuisine here. Cajun, Chinese, Indian, Italian, English, French, Vietnamese, German, Russian and many more. Today Pattaya attracts annually more then a million tourists from all over the world. Pattaya provides high standard hotels, restaurants, sports, entertainment and shopping. It really has it all and a whole lot more. history of pattaya | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
5
LEARNING THAI Always use
“KRUP” (for men)
One
“KA” (for women)
Two
KHORB KHUN
Three
Thank you Hello & Goodbye Goodbye See you again Good luck How are you? I am fine What is your name? My name is It’s ok I don’t want any don’t have any money Where are you going? I don’t believe you
NUENG SONG SAM
SAWAT-DEE
Four
SEE
LA-GON
Five
HAR
Six
HOK
LAO JER GUN
Seven
JED
SABAI DEE MAI
Eight
BAD
SABAI DEE
Nine
GAO
CHOK DEE
KHUN CHUE ARIA
SIB
Ten
PHOM CHUE.
Eleven
SIB ET
MAI BEN RAI
Twelve
SIB SONG
Thirteen
SIB SAM
MAI OW KHRAP/KA MAI MEE DTUNG
14 = 10 + 4
BAI NAI?
SIB SEE
15 = 10 + 5
SIB HA
MAI CHUE
20
YEE SIB
JING
21
YEE SIB ET
Expensive/Cheap
PANG/TOOK
22
YEE SIB SONG
Sorry
KHOR THOT
23
YEE SIB SAM
Really
(you will say it when you want to interrupt someone, when you want to pass by someone or when you do something wrong) Sorry
SIA JAI
(In this case it means a different thing. Like if someone died or got hurt, you say “phom di chan sia jai” which means “I am sorry”) 6
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Thai Phrases
24 = 20 + 4
YEE SIB SEE
25 = 20 + 5
YEE SIB HA
100 200 1,000 2,000 10,000
NUENG ROI SONG ROI NUENG PUN SONG PUN NUENG MUNG
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Pattaya City Phone Center
1337
Emergencies Police Emergency
191
Sawang Boriboon Foundation
038 488 882
1669
Tourist Police
038 425 937
1155
Pattaya Immigration
038 410 24
Police Station (Pattaya)
038 420 802-5
Police Station (Jomtien)
038 232 330-1
Police Station (Banglamung)
038 221 331
Fire Brigade (Pattaya)
038 425 943
Fire Brigade (Naklua)
038 221 000
Hospital (Bangkok- Pattaya) Hospital (Banglamung)
038 429 244
Hospital (Pattaya International)
038 428 374-5
Hospital (Pattaya Memorial)
038 488 777
199 1719
Transport Bus Station (to Bangkok)
038 429 877
Pattaya Railway Station
038 429 285
U-Tapao Airport
038 245 593-5
Bangkok Airways
038 412 382
Thai Airways International
038 425 934-7
Suvarnabhumi Airport Phone Centre 021 321 888 Please text any useful phone numbers that you come across to 086 832 3967 Useful Phone Numbers | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
7
GETTING AROUND Pattaya is a very easy city to get around although the busy traffic causes frequent hold-ups at peak times (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:00 – 18:30), particularly on the major roads. Unusually, for Thailand, there are no tuk-tuks in Pattaya, so everyone usually gets around on the baht-buses (songtaews) or on motorbike taxis. There are literally hundreds of both all over Pattaya. MOTORBIKE TAXIS Motorbike taxis are a way of life in Pattaya. They are your best bet of getting around if you want to get somewhere quickly or conveniently, particularly at busy times. On every corner in Pattaya, no matter how small the Soi (street), you will find a gathering of motorbike taxis. They are operate 24 hours a day 7 days per week and provide a very convenient service. However, this option is not for the faint-hearted and can be dangerous. These guys, and the occasional lady will take you anywhere but agree on a price first! RENTING CARS AND MOTORBIKES Another practical way to get around Pattaya is by renting a motorbike. Most people simply don’t have the nerve to tackle the traffic and bizarre driving habits here, but if you do, renting a motorbike is your best option for getting around Pattaya. You can rent a motorbike for around 200 baht a day or cheaper for longer periods. There are scooter type bikes which are actually extremely easy to ride, with no clutch when changing gears, and very reliable, larger motorbikes are freely available as well, but obviously more expensive. 8
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | getting around
In Thailand it is illegal to ride a motorbike or to be a passenger without a helmet, to ride with more than two passengers, to undertake in traffic, to go the wrong way down one-way streets, to exceed the speed limit, or, to jump red lights, which means very little to anyone in Thailand and driving habits here are dreadful. If you decide to rent a motorbike, make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date as accidents here are a daily occurrence. Cars can be hired too, but driving them in and around the city is likely to be a frustrating experience, particularly at school times, market days, rush hours and on Sukhumvit Road. There are many car rental companies around the city with prices starting at around 500 baht a day for the older cars, to a more realistic 1200+ baht for more modern or four wheel drive vehicles. WARNING… Driving habits in Thailand are appalling and most drivers are quite irresponsible and ignore simple safety rules. In contrast to the Thai’s usual polite and peaceful behaviour, they become quite inconsiderate behind the wheel. Be very wary of your speed and always look out for bad drivers, Pattaya is full of them. Unlike many Western countries, it’s very easy to pass a driving test here, so many drivers have little or no experience of driving either in town or on main roads. Many simply don’t have a licence at all or any awareness of road rules. Be prepared at any time for other drivers to suddenly pull out in front of you without even looking, stop without warning, overtake dangerously (and on the inside) and ignore motorcyclists. Some people just stop and park where it suits them, weave through the traffic with a death wish, ride the wrong way up the road into oncoming traffic and more. Do pay careful attention and drive conservatively. Accidents are regular in Pattaya and when they do occur, the offender is usually reluctant to accept any responsibility, should the worst happen however, the Pattaya police and ambulance services are exceptionally good, as well as being very quick to the scene. getting around | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
9
PATTAYA MAP
Mini Siam
Police Box
P
To Chonburi & Ba
A.R.C.
H Bangkok Pattaya
Air Con Bus Station to BBK
North Pattaya Road
ngkok
Police Box Tesco Lotus
Thai Garden Resort & Moon River Pub
P
3rd Road Soi 1
Easy Visa Big C
Best To Naklua
Sanctuary of Truth
Garden Sea View
Woodland
1 Dusit
Asiawan Resort Garden Cliff
10
P.I. Hospital
Amari
Long Beach Garden
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Pattaya Map
2
3
4
H
Soi Nern Pl ub wan
KCR Homefinder
Bus Station to Northern Thailand
P Police Box Sukhumvit Road Nick The Pizza Premi Air
Foodland
Soi Bongkot
Valentino Carrefour
Paradise City Properties
Modern Smile
X-Zyte Disco Newspaper Direct Soi Boukhao
Pattaya Memorial
H
Witherspoons
LK Metro
Take It Easy
Golden Homes
2nd Road
Big Horn Shenanigans
P
Tops 5
Soi Lenkee
TOT Telephone
Central Pattaya Road
Venus Lounge
Soi Diana
TBAC
Soi Chaiyapoon
KPK
6
Central Festival
Police Box
Sportsman Soi Yodsak
Siam Gentleman’s Club
Siam Country Club
Siam Golf
Tequlia Reef Nova Lodge
7
9 Police Station 8
P
Jewellery Zone-G/F 10
11
12
Beach Road
Five Star 13 Visa Runs
Pattaya Beach :- Real Estate
:- Shopping
:- Restaurant & Bar
:- Services
:- Activities
H :- Hospital :- Hotel
Pattaya Map | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
11
Soi Khaotalo
Soi Wat Tham Samakkee
JOMTIEN MAP Highway Police Station
P
P Police Box
P Police BoxTesco Lotus
Outlet Mall
d
Manhattans
Café des Amis
Roa
Thai Decor Beach Properties Pattaya Golf.com
Phr ata m
nak
Stork Club Ahaar Indian Soi Yamoto Soi Post Office
Open Advertising
Adventure Divers
South Pattaya Ro
7
Amor Restaurant Café New Orleans
Post Horn Bar
Walkin g
Blues Factory :- Easy Kart
Street
Siam Bayshore Mountian Beach
Ialand View
Sheraton Cosy Beach
12
17
d
i1
Roa
Northern Thai Reality & Export
So
7
asit
Soi Buakhao
P Police Box
pp The
ad
Big C
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Jomtien Map
Royal Cliff
Asia Pattaya
Pattaya Bay
Soi Norng Kraborg
Soi Chaiyapruk 2
To Rayong, Sattahip & U-Tapao Airport
Sukhumvit Road
Pattaya Properties
Simon’s Fish & Chips
Post Office
Grand Palace Hotel
Immigration
Shenanigans
Bus to Bangkok
9 5
7 ien Jomt
ad
h Ro
Beac
Pattaya Park
Police Box P
Jomtien Beach P
g
B tan
:- Shopping
Police Box
Adriatic
n Do
ruk
Welcome Jomtien
Soi Chaiyap
Royal Garden
n
North Shore
o at Bo Soi W
East Furniture & Interiors
Underwater World
e
h ac
:- Activities :- Real Estate :- Restaurant & Bar
:- Services
H :- Hospital :- Hotel
Jomtien Map | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
13
Maela Pla Phoa
A LA TURCA
Authentic Turkish Cuisine
FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE Pattaya’s most popular restaurants
lent l e c x E rvice! Se
Vientiane Restaurant
ight N e t La ill 3am T Menu
RUSSIAN RESTAURANT
Restaurant Bar Nong
Bar, Restaurant & Guesthouse
tequila reef cantina
Simply call: Order online: www.door2doorpattaya.com PATTAYA
&
J O M T I E N
ENGLISH, AMERICAN, MEXICAN, AND THAI FOOD
Globetrotter Black Bush Co,.Ltd.
YOUR LOCAL FROM HOME
For Home Deliveries Please Call Door 2 Door 038 720 222
Phone:- 038 710 609
KPK FOOD SERVICE KPK FOOD SERVICE Fine Quality English Foods - Both Wholesale & Retail KPK Foods have been delivering the finest foods to hotels and restaurants for the last 4 years. We supply a wide selection of quality fresh and cooked meats, savoury pastries and all the accompanying food products to Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard. As well as supplying hotels and restaurants KPK Foods also cater for your home cooking. Customers can buy direct from our retail outlet, located behind Carrefour, just off Soi Yume. The outlet is open from 10am - 6pm Monday to Saturday. There is plenty of parking space outside the shop. If you can’t get down to our outlet you can call our hotline 086 145 0147 and place an order. We have a comprehensive product and price list on our website www.kpkfoods.com All orders received will be delivered to you the next day and in perfect condition by our refrigerated vehicle delivery service. We will also do our very best to accommodate your needs in the case of any very urgent orders you may require outside this time-scale.
Some of our best selling products... Beef, Pork, Sausages, Burgers, Bacon, Gammon, Lamb, Veal, Pastry & Pies, also available Baked Beans (not Heinz but close to it) PG Tips, Tetley Tea Bags, Colmans Mustard, Branson Pickle plus new products every month!!!
www.kpkfoods.com 24-HOUR WHOLESALE HOTLINE - 038-416-470 (English : 086 145 0147) - Fax 038 416 471 Orders before 4pm - Guaranteed next day delivery Monday-Saturday Email us for more information - wholesale@kpkfoods.com - www.kpkfoods.com
KPK FOOD SERVICE FINE ENGLISH FOOD & FRESH MEAT Quality Assured Everytime
Wholesale & Retail Supplier to Hotels, Bars & Restaurants Bacon, Sausages, Black Pudding, Beef, Fresh Pork, Steaks & Imported Lamb
The Sportsman
FLAMBOYANT Creative Cuisine
Witherspoons
E-mail: info@kpkfoods.com Phone: 038 416 470 Mob: 086 145 0147 (English) Fax 038 416 471 www.kpkfoods.com
days a week Open t7ill 12 midnight n 12 noo One of the finest Indian Cuisine in the City of Pattaya Soi Post Office, off 2nd Road
Soi Post Office
Soi Yamoto
Tel: 038 711 151 Royal Garden Plaza
For Home Deliveries Please Call Door 2 Door 038 720 222
SERVING PATTAYA FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, OUR
EXTENSIVE MENU OFFERS FINE DINING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES. SITUATED IN THE HEART OF SOUTH PATTAYA. VISIT US AND EXPERIENCE ELEGANT DINING IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE!
% 2.5 ns et 1 ectio ed) g l d d an se clu ad enu ot in s i m t th all ns n sen nt on otio e r P cou rom dis cial p e (Sp
NO ONE MAKES ’ EM LIKE US!
RESTAURANT
Soi Pattayaland 2 (13/4) Between the Royal Garden & the Walking Street Phone:- 038 710 805/6 Fax:- 038 710 283 www.cafeneworleans.info cafeneworleans@csloxinfo.com
MANHATTANS COMPETITION Manhattans Restaurant & Bar is the hottest new venue in Pattaya for lovers of great live jazz. Co-owner Dave Bowers says ‘We have taken great care with every step of Manhattans from the ambience of the restaurant, the menu and wine selection through to Danny “Woody” Woodhams the teamwork in the kitchen and the service at the tables. We have now turned our attention to offering the finest live jazz entertainment in Pattaya. Enjoy live jazz in the restaurant every Saturday night with the resident Manhattans band. The entertainment starts at 7.30pm until 11pm. On the first Saturday of every month, Manhattans holds a very special event; A jazz concert in the restaurant featuring top-drawer guest singers and the superb Manhattans Band. Whatever style of jazz is your delight you can hear it at Manhattans, from cool and smooth to ‘le jazz hot’ and even with a delicious Latin twist. (Reservations recommended)
COMPETITION Win a dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine and complimentary pick-up for the next Manhattans jazz concert... Simply answer the following question, email your answer to thepattayaguide@gmail.com and be entered into our special draw. Lucky winners will be notified by email.
After 15 years of service as Frank Sinatra’s valet why was George Jacobs relieved of his duties?
Manhattans Restaurant & Bar
WORLD-CLASS CUISINE
Manhattans is famous for its top quality grain fed Angus steaks from the U.S. and Australia, flame grilled to perfection by their excutive chef. Also, recently introduced to the menu the famed Wagyu beef from Australia with more marbling, the flecks of fat within the beef, to ensure tenderness and flavour every time. But they have much more than just steaks, the seafood is fresh and succulent and the Thai food tantalizingly spicy. Other international dishes are superb, and the desserts are sinfully delicious. You’ll feel very relaxed in the stylish restaurant where the service is friendly and professional, and to complement your meal enjoy the extensive wine list, or the Wine by the Glass Menu. Enjoy a cocktail in the piano bar before dinner, or sit and relax with your favourite port or brandy after. Manhattans is also the hottest new venue in Pattaya for live jazz with Saturday night jamming sessions, in the bar and a jazz concert in the dining room on the first Saturday of every month. Discover us at Nirvana Place, The popular early dining menu is availiable Thappraya Road between Pattaya and Jomtien from 5pm with last food orders at 7.30pm. For more information and reservations Choose from 4 starters, 4 mains and 4 desserts. call 038 259 790 or visit the website 2 course 795 baht or 3 course 895 baht. www.manhattans-pattaya.com Manhattans has a complementary limousine Bar open 4pm - 00.30am to pick you up, and to take you home. It’s all Restaurant open 5pm - 10.30pm part of the service. Closed Monday’s
MASSAGE IN A BOTTLE I’m back in 1985 and I write to you from a parallel dimension. I just left the Garden of Eden massage parlor where khun Mai rearranged my spine and left me floating on a bed of rose petals…It felt a bit awkward the first time to undress in front of a total stranger and have jasmine oil spread where I normally put brut 33 and not possessing the torso of an Adonis (more like a doughnut) and with legs like Mr. Bean I stripped down ultra quick resulting in my toe nail getting caught in the gusset of my underpants and similar to hoping on a bed of hot coals I ended up performing a diving header through the curtains and into next doors booth … luckily it was empty and I managed to rectify the situation before my cute masseur returned. ‘are you ok she asked” …”yes” I grunted with my head buried in a pillow…with that she knelt down and began needing my back. I surveyed my location with revolving eyes like the organ player in Sparks .I was on a single bed draped in purple Thai silk with many scented candles flickering in the dim light, the air was sweet with joss ticks and gentle tones of Enya featuring some old monk rap/chanting in Latin not very oriental but soothing in its way. Massage first came to my attention at school when somebody asked if I wanted to see a book of Swedish massage…in fact Swedish massage is called classic massage in Stockholm, the name was invented by some French guy , anyway the book was full of hard core and not a masseur in sight, so when I first came to Thailand 25 years ago it took me 3 visits to pluck up the courage to go …and this is the tale …I had purposely picked a massage shop of high repute as many others offered extras …at first I wandered what it meant? Was it back walking whilst being fed grapes and copious goblets of asses milk, the lady at the desk told me it was 50 baht for 1 hour (1985). After 10 mins khun Mai removed the tea towel covering my bottom and began needing a
30
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Massage in a bottle
large loaf well that’s what it felt like but after 5 mins I started to relax ..in fact too much! Suddenly out of the blue a loud rasp interrupted the flow of the music ….had the tape snagged no unfortunately my stomach had kicked out an unwanted guest ..after what seemed like 10 years of silence I apologized and told her it was a complement from where I came from… she giggled into her hands and said ‘no problem farang man do many time”..I said oh that’s ok then and let out the last post in D flat minor…after my derriere she moved onto my legs, I must admit I grimaced a bit as she dug her boney fingers into the back of my calf’s but being British I just clenched my teeth and my cheeks and stood the torture…’turn over please khun Simon” ..I turned trying to position the tea towel over my middle, I said “sorry this is my first massage so I’m a bit shy.. she smiled and pulled a bath sized towel over my waist… she then began to pull my toes off one by one…did the Thais learn this from the jap’s in the war… coz it bloody hurt…then up my shins and then my thighs skillfully reaching the tops and turning like a slalom skier at the critical moment. After 3 mins the obvious happened. I kept thinking NO NO quick think of Hattie Jakes naked…too late the flag pole was already raised... seeing this she swiftly moved onto my upper body and put so much oil on my chest I felt like a jar of mackerel …..then onto my arms and again pulling my fingers off she moved onto my head which was most relaxing.. in fact I nearly fell asleep until the music changed to the ACDC followed by 3 German customers being herded into the room …the smell of alcohol and tobacco filled the room and reminded me I needed a cool Singha. khun Mai finished off by chopping me up karate style.. I thanked her and hobbled off to the shower with no toes ….after the shower I walked down stairs to the other stares of waiting masseurs I felt myself going red I’m not sure why as I was as innocent as OJ Simpson, never the less I paid my baht over and bowed like a clock work Japanese businessman instead of offering the Thai Wi and then stealthy flung myself into a Tuk Tuk feeling worn out but strangely relaxed. Rgds sg
Massage in a bottle | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
31
NIGHTLIFE GUIDE As you would expect from one of the most exciting vacation destinations in the world. Pattaya offers the visitor a kaleidoscope of entertainment possibilities. Live music & be enjoyed at several clubs around the city. These venues provide the visitor with wonderful atmosphere, cold beer & cocktails & the opportunity to see artists from various parts of the world playing a wide selection of popular & new music. There are also a number of traditional nightclubs in the city. These nightspots also offer live entertainment… the live music is usually performed by Thai singers & bands with regular interludes where the resident DJ will play a selection of dance/house or other forms of music. For visitors who like to sit back & watch a truly spectacular show, check out Alcazar & Tiffany’s located on 2nd Road, Pattaya. These are the lady-boy shows, where the singers perform in a vast array of costumes & sing their way through songs in several languages. A little outside Pattaya you will find the Alangkarn Extravaganza. A show which features animals, pyrotechnics, acrobats etc. Alangkarn is now creating itself as one of the “must see” shows for visitors. 32
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Nightlife Guide
location north pattaya road, in front of the thai garden resort type live music venue phone 038 370 614-8 contact danilo becker www.thaigarden.com
For reservations, please contact Danilo Becker on 038 370 614-8 or with
Open
from 2pm
SUKHUMVIT ROAD
TOT
2nd ROAD
PATTAYA KLANG
3rd ROAD
BEACH ROAD
On 3rd Road Central Pattaya
Thai : 083 English : 087
254 7036 617 4053
www.venusloungepattaya.com info@venusloungepattaya.com
Considered by many to be the No 1 live music venue on the Eastern Seaboard and with traditional and modern music it combines to make The Blues Factory a truly excellent night time venue. Our first band “The Blues Machine” feature USA’s BB King awarding winning guitarist Ken “The Snowman” Minihan and along with the wonderful Mary and drummer Oy who was the first Thai to ever play the Montreux Jazz festival they will have you dancing to great music ranging from BB King & Muddy Waters to Etta James and Tina Turner. Our second band features the “Guitar King of Thailand” the one and only Lam Morrison Thailands most famous Rock guitarist and along with “The Rock Machine” featuring Pattaya’s hottest new guitar sensation “Nueng” they play a wide range of Rock n Roll & Classic Rock songs along with modern hits in their own inimitable style. So for a wonderful night of entertainment check out The Blues Factory on Soi Lucky Star (just off walking street and Marine Plaza), perfect for couples or singles looking for a great hassle free night out.
Many Beautiful Hostesses
Bar open from 12 noon till late ٭ The Coffee Shop Now open from 9am ٭ All day & late night breakfasts
10 REASONS TO LOVE PATTAYA BY MARK VERRALL
MARKVERRALL@HOTMAIL.COM
Over the years, Pattaya has had to overcome a lot of adversity, 2008 being particularly difficult with the airport closure and the global economic meltdown. The latest this year is Swine Flu. But Pattaya somehow bounces back. What is it about the place that keeps people coming back for more? Here are some reasons in no particular order. 1/ There is something irresistible about a tropical seaside resort and the lifestyle that goes with it. It is an exciting environment. I have noticed in my travels that there is a unique relationship between the sea and those who choose to live next to it. 2/ Pattaya is a bizarre mixture of chilled and frantic and you can switch between either with extreme ease. It is also a totally different place at night, more of a transformation than anywhere else I have been. 3/ The Thais are generally the most laid-back people on the planet. Great if you are on vacation, not quite so great if they are your staff! For me though, the Thai people are what make this country such a joy to visit. 4/ The climate. I even enjoy the rainy season with its dramatic storms. I went back to the UK (Norfolk) last year for my first winter in many years. It was -7! Froze my lungs!…don’t miss that. What’s not to love about feeling warm every day? 5/ Company. There really is ‘someone for everyone’ in this town, with all 3 genders well represented. Be sure to check that you have the right one, it can be confusing. 6/ If you like bars or pubs, this is kind of a pre-heaven experience. Around 1,200 of them in a relatively small area! My personal favourite is The Sportsman in Soi 13. A great little pub with nice staff, superb pub grub, friendly regulars, wide selection of drinks, pool table and all the sport you can watch. What more could you ask?
38
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | 10 Reasons to Love Pattaya
7/ Food. If you like your food, there can be few places on earth that offer such a range of fantastic restaurants. Stick a pin into a map of the world and chances are you will find that country’s cuisine here. Everything from 5 star Western restaurants to great Indian and Mexican food, some of the best Thai cuisine and of course the Seafood is sumptuous. 8/ Activities. Where to begin? Apart from all the great bars and restaurants and the world famous nightlife and cabaret shows there are top quality golf courses, watersports, shooting, horse riding and so much more. Some examples can be found in this booklet. 9/ Fabulous beaches can be found not far from town if you really want to chill for the day. Cozy beach on Pratamnak hill is the closest and the Navy beach before you get to Sattahip is a beauty. 10/ Because Pattaya is always evolving (it can now really claim to cater for families particularly with the developments around Jomtien and beyond) there will always be that great mixture when you return of familiar faces and places and new and exciting things to see and do. That’s it for now. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Pattaya. If there is something I don’t know, I can find someone who does!
10 Reasons to Love Pattaya | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
39
KOH CHANG The island of Koh Chang is a tropical marine national park. It consists of over 70% rainforest and is the best preserved tourist holiday destination in Thailand. Situated 4 hours from Pattaya, it’s Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket. Recently, with the surge of development and popularity, it has been elevated to Thailand’s new tourist haven. Koh Chang has everything, white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests and abundance of wildlife and marine life, high mountain peaks, several scenic waterfalls, a rich variety of cuisine and great nightlife. Accommodation on the island ranges from simple beach huts and bungalows to luxury villas and apartments. If you drive, you can hire motorbikes, jeeps and cars to take you to any of the beaches along the coastal roads and, in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants, live music bars and nightclubs to choose from to spice up your stay. ACCOMMODATION Paddy’s Palms Resort, 32 room resort with hot water, air con, TV and fridge. The resort itself has a large swimming pool, excellent parking and is located 5 minutes from Whites Sands Beach. 1000 – 1300 baht Palm Garden Hotel, a small 12 room hotel with hot water, air con, TV and fridge. Just 50m from the beach in the heart of the main tourist spot, White Sands Beach. RESTAURANTS 15 Palms, a beautiful beach side restaurant on White Sands Beach serves European food with everything from pizzas, salads, pasta, burgers and of course Thai food. Paddy’s Palms, Koh Chang’s first Irish Pub is a well managed pub with a great atmosphere. They have a pool table, wireless internet, live sport on big screens, great Italian coffee, traditional Irish dishes, Kilkenny and Guinness on tap. The restaurant is the most popular on the Island and must be visited. 40
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Koh Chang
OUTSIDE PATTAYA SPONSORED BY KCR HOMEFINDER | PHONE 038 405 167-8 Life in The Jungle Once again the boy’s at the Guide have given me space to ‘wax lyrical’ about life out here in the jungle at Mabprachan. Again we have a couple of new boy’s on the block that are worthy of mention. A few kilometers from Sukhumvit we have a newly built place called the Rendezvous Bar and Restaurant. It has a great atmosphere, excellent food and right next door Gary’s bakery. Not just a bakery but also a pie shop with an excellent range of well filled home made meat pies and pasties. Great taste and great value too. The Outback Bar and golf tour outfit are still going from strength to strength with societies out most days and occasionally trips to courses around the country that you wouldn’t normally play. Great grub and lovely staff. The Courtyard just off Siam Country Club road does a brilliant Sunday lunch, a loaded plate cooked as it should be and served piping hot. Lamb, beef, chicken and of course roast pork with home made apple sauce. The Lakeside and Deli Bean now has the air conditioned non smoking dining room open with excellent food and service. In the deli they still have the most delicious quiche, pies and pastries to bust the waistline along with a nice selection of teas and coffees. Jame’s at the Road house, CC Bar has widened the menu and I would definitely recommend the double bubble whopper burgher with real chips but only if you are very hungry. The Birdie Bar sports and music pub is great. A bit dusty round the edges as it’s close to the road but a nice atmosphere and the staff are on the ball. Watch the sports via their South African uplink without the wretched adverts! If the Boors can get it right why can’t Murdoch’s crowd at Star? Get off the cross you say so, another plug for my mate at the 19th Hole. Fred has now just about got the place as he wants it, pool, darts and now snacks plus sport on the TV. Life in the jungle is bliss!
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THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Outside Pattaya
OUTSIDE PATTAYA SPONSORED BY KCR HOMEFINDER | PHONE 038 405 167-8 Feature Property A gratuitous plug for the sponsors. KCR Homefinder are holding on ‌ not an easy task in the current climate however there are signs that times they are a changing with slightly improved exchange rates, more sellers offering Easy Pay plans and quite a few positive buyers coming in. It’s been tough over the past year or two and we are very grateful to see the improvements. Our land sales continue even though land owners have not reduced prices by anything significant. House sales have been dreadfully slow but again there is renewed interest and we pray this continues. Condo sales are also picking up albeit at the lower end however, we are grateful to everyone who deals through our offices. Rentals are steady and it is interesting that a number of major corporations are again bringing families over on long term contracts. This tells me that confidence in Thailand as an industrial and manufacturing base is gradually recovering despite economic problems around the globe and stiff competition from the likes of China and India and more recently Cambodia and Vietnam. What do we do? KCR have been around a good number of years and have built a reputation for straight dealing with no nonsense pricing or loading. Being where we are we rely heavily on our website and most importantly referrals and recommendations from existing clients, you ladies and gents are great and we thank you. Our lovely staff are competent and well able to service clients needs not only with property requirements but also home and contents insurance, car, motorbike and health and accident cover. Call in and ask Poo for a quote at your next renewal time. You may well be pleasantly surprised. The new man in the group will shortly be here full time offering a home design and build service for those with specific requirements. Find us at www.kcrhomefinder.com and 038 405 167.
Outside Pattaya | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN PATTAYA The city of Pattaya has a wide variety of activities to suit all ages and preferences. If you want to try something new, Pattaya is a great place to start. Watersports are inexpensive and very popular, they include windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, parasailing, gamefishing, snorkelling and scuba diving. On land, high energy people can choose from tennis, go-karts, squash, badminton, bowling, horse riding and boxing! Lessons are available for most sports at reasonable prices also. We have put the following guide together for all your sporting needs‌ AEROBICS A free open-air aerobics class is held alongside the beach next to the junction of Beach Road and Soi 6 daily at 18:00. Aqua-aerobics exercise classes are held at the Dusit Resort Sports & Fitness Club (next to the Dolphin Roundabout) BADMINTON The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Pattaya Badminton Courts on Soi 17, 2nd road, they are open 1400 - 2400 daily, there are 4 courts. Hourly rates: 60Bt per hour, racquet rentals 20Bt, shuttlecocks 25Bt. Members fee is 500Bt month BOWLING There are 3 bowling alleys in the Pattaya area. 1) Pattaya Bowl is located on Pattaya 2nd Rd in North Pattaya (opp Big C) 2) PS Bowl is on the third floor of the PS Plaza (Tops) at the corner of the Central Pattaya traffic light between Central Pattaya Road & Pattaya 2 Rd. 3) The Avenue Shopping Centre plays host to a bowling alley
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THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Activities Guide
All alleys have a sufficient car parking, air-conditioning, snack bar and coffee shops, serving Thai and international dishes. Operating hours for all are from 10:00 am until late The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Pattaya Bowl, North Pattaya 20 lanes, price between 70-90 baht depending on the time of day. The complex also has 6 pool tables, 2 full-size snooker tables. 120Bt / table / hour It’sopen daily 10:0002:00, Tel: 038 429 908 FISHING For a quiet afternoon, you can fish in a local fishing parks; ponds or lakes which are all well stocked with local fish. You can hire equipment. The fishing parks charge around 80Bt / day and extra for rod hire, bait, etc., (Some parks also charge for fish caught by the kilo, if you want to take your fish away) The Pattaya Guide Recommends – North Pattaya Fishing Park also known as “Soi 3 Fishing Park” charges 100Bt / house rod, bait 20Bt / packet - and serves food and drink and has live music after dark. If you prefer to go for the big one! The waters around Manwichai, Rin and Kram islands are popular for marlin, king mackerel and barracuda. Offshore fishing trips are organised by many local operators. Enquire at the tour shops FITNESS You can keep yourself in shape during your stay here at one of the many gyms that admit people on a daily / weekly or monthly basis. Tony’s on 3rd Road, South Pattaya and also in Walking Street is the most famous and offers modern equipment, swimming, tennis, Thai boxing and more. GOLF / DRIVING RANGES Golf is a speciality of the region, with more than 20 courses within an hour’s drive (most within 30 minutes) of Pattaya, many designed by some of golf’s Activities Guide | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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most famous names, including Nick Faldo (Great Lakes), Jack Nicklaus (Laem Chabang), Gary Player (Sri Racha) and Robert Trent Jones (Eastern Star Resort and Country Club). All offer good facilities and value for money in the 500Bt (green & caddy fee) to 2500Bt range. For more details see our golf guide, if you can’t make it to the course but fancy hitting some balls, there are plenty of golf driving ranges in the area The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Siam Golf & Driving Range, Soi Siam Country Club Tel: 038 405 166 GO KARTING The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Easykart, Bali Pier (see map for location) There are 2 tracks 160 cc. (350 m.) for Kid and beginner, 270 cc. (750 m.) for Adult and advanced driver and the both track can be combined for the special event which support over 500 guest with the panoramic bar. Drivers are timed by special computerized equipment so you can also see who is the fastest in each lap. HORSE RIDING The Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club offers several kinds of riding, including dressage, trail riding, jumping, polo and pony club riding for children. Located on a ranch spread of 1,500 acres with trails, paddocks and beautiful tropical gardens, the owners have turned a passion for horses into a full-fledged riding academy. It is one of South-East Asia’s largest and most respected riding schools, catering to all experience levels and offering private lessons for 1600Bt / hour (discounts available for groups of 5+ and multilesson-packages) Horseshoe Point, Tambon Pong tel 038 735 050. JET SKIS Jet skis can be hired directly from most beaches in Pattaya for around 900Bt / hour and fast speedboats can be hired by the hour or day for 1500 to 5000Bt 46
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Activities Guide
MOTORSPORT The Pattaya Guide Recommends – HIDESIDETOURS.COM Ride a superbike around a full size track. The guys provide the bikes, instruction and all safety gear. 7000 baht for 3 hours which includes bike, fuel, instruction, safety gear and hotle pick up. Call 089 119 0000 for further details MUAY THAI Tony’s Gym & Muay Thai Academy, Third Road is open 14:30 - 20:30. Two prices for everything - the lower price if you’re already paying to use the attached gym, otherwise the higher price: 180 - 280Bt / day, 950 - 1400Bt / week, 1500 - 2400Bt / fortnight, 2000 -1490Bt / 3 weeks, 2800 - 3900Bt / month - or 1500 - 2300Bt for 10 visits (no expiry date). PARASAILING / PARASCENDING Speedboat-towed parachute rides are available along the main beaches and in Pattaya Bay from several large floating platforms with speedboats ferrying customers out from the shore - typically about 500Bt / flight SAILING The most popular boats for hire are small Lasers, Prindles and Hobie Cats, which can be rented by the hour. You can sail year round in Pattaya’s waters. For further information regarding charter, boat hire and weather conditions The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Serenity Shipyard Tel: 081 577 4428 SWIMMING Most hotels and condos of any size have at least one swimming pool. Alternatively, if yours hasn’t, others are happy to have you as a daily
Activities Guide | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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guest of their pool for a small charge. Most people who come to this seaside resort also enjoy swimming in the warm tropical sea. Mike Shopping Mall also has a large rooftop pool available for public use take the elevator or stairs up to the 10th floor.There’s a very small snacks counter and a good view of most of Pattaya Bay. Get there early to grab one of the sun loungers, and don’t forget your swimming costume (shorts are not permitted). Open 11:00-19:00, 80Bt / adult, 60Bt / child, or 1600Bt for a one month pass. SCUBA DIVING Pattaya is also one of the oldest diving centres in this part of Asia. It has a year round diving season with good visibility, & a sea temperature of around 28C which means that there is a rich variety of marine life & coral. Scuba dive training and trips for a wide range of ability levels and interests, certified by a number of different organisations, including both NAUI and PADI, are available through numerous dive shops. Several diving courses are available in Pattaya. These range from one to four days, depending upon the proficiency one desires to reach and the type of diving one wants to learn. The islands far from the shore take longer to reach but are lot quieter and do not suffer from the speedboat and jet-ski traffic of the islands nearer to Pattaya. The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Adventure Divers and Watersports Tel: 038 364 453 (Tappraya Road) For all your diving needs PAINTBALL PARK The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Paintball Park, Off Thepprasit Road Paintball Park is Pattaya’s premier paintball venue. Large, open playing area with state-of-the-art equipment. Ample parking facilities for cars and 48
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Activities Guide
coaches. Cold drinks available. Their facilities include both toilets and showers. Jump suits available for rent. TENNIS Most of the major hotels in Pattaya have tennis courts. Although the facilities are opened to everyone, guests are given preference on court bookings. Tennis coaches are in residence at courts in most of these hotels. Instruction fees range from 100Bt to 150Bt / hour. Court rentals vary in each hotel, but in most cases play is free for guests. If you are not able to use the hotels facilities The Pattaya Guide Recommends Tony’s Tennis Club, Third Road WINDSURFING October through June are the best months for professionals. Beginners have a better opportunity to get started when the winds are light during the morning. There are about 20 surf schools, mostly on Jomtien Beach. Winds vary throughout the year from 5 km in the morning with stiffer sea breezes in the late afternoon. International tourneys are held in early December, the Siam World Cup with national races is usually held in mid-April. The Pattaya Guide Recommends Club Loongchat, located 1Km from ambassador hotel. Call Pop on 081 340 2180 for further information or visit clubloongchat.com Activities Guide | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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For Taxi:
BE A GUERRILLA AND ENLIST NOW FOR TOTAL FUN! 70 Balls - 500 Baht
1.5 km
1.2 km
Sukhumvit Road Soi Ko Pai
Thepprasit Road
248/10, Moo 12, Thepprasit Road, Phone: 038 300 608 Mobile: 086 706 5926 Eng/Thai Email: pattayapaintball@gmail.com
Pattaya Kart Speedway Paintball Park
Thappraya Road Jomtien Beach Road
Write a Pat t aya G ui d e We are asking any budding writers out there to write a Pattaya Guide about any Pattaya related subject i.e. Guide to Walking street, Pattaya Nightlife Guide, Guide to Bar Girls, Guide to your favourite soi etc The Guide can not be any more then 800 words but feel free to add any pictures you wish Please submit entries through
www.thepattayaguide.com
Win a meal for 2 at The Sportsman Pub & Restaurant
Adventure Divers & Watersports organisation padi location thappaya road, between Pattaya & Jomtien phone 038 364 453 or 089 252 5026 contact Robert www.pattayadivers.com
GOLF GUIDE SPONSORED BY FAIRWAYS GOLF RANGE & RESORT | PHONE 038 413 636 1. Bangpra International | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 341 151 2. Burapha Golf Club | 36 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 345 153 3. Chonburi Century C.C. | 18 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 01 304 1545 4. Crystal bay Golf Club | 27 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 349 365 5. Eastern Star Golf Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 630 418 6. Emerald Golf Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 941 044 7. Great Lake Golf Club | 36 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 622 630 8. Green Wood | 27 holes par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 261 58 9. Khao Kheow C.C. | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 298 226 10. Laem Chabang | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 372 275 11. Mountain Shadow | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 389 210 12. Pattana Sport Club | 27 hole par 73,74 | Course 4 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 318 999 13. Pattaya Country Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 423 718 14. Phoenix Country Club | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 239 391 15. Rayong Green Valley | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 893 838 16. Royal Thai Navy | 36 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 701 843 17. Siam Country Club | 18 holes par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 249 381-6 18. St Andrews 2000 | 18 holes par 74 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 893 838-42 19. Treasure Hills | 18 holes Par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 488 349
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THEPATTAYAGUIDE | golf guide
To BANGKOK 34 7
To CHACHOENGSAO
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GOLF COURSE MAP
3
CHONBURI
331 344
7
SI RACHA 3241
3
3138
PATTAYA
GULF of THAILAND
3376
3375
36 3376
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BAN CHANG SATTAHIP
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To RAYONG
Siam Golf & Driving Range and Country Club is considered the number one driving range in Pattaya. It has the number one practice area for putting, pitching and sand practice and the number one fairway bunker, grass hitting facilities plus they use only the best golf balls. All areas are professionally kept to the very highest standards.
Plus Great Pro Shop!
Learn To Play Golf • The Swing • Addressing The Ball • Putting • Chip • Bunker • Fairway Driver With over 40 years experience within the golf profession, Harold is one of the best, most knowledgeable golf instructors in Thailand. Having played all the local (and not so local) courses hundreds of times gives Harold the unique insight into what each course has to offer any golfer, from beginner to professional.
Rates
One-to-One individual instruction 900 baht per half hour One-to-One individual instruction 1500 baht per one hour 2 Players 1600 baht per one hour 3 Players 2000 baht perone and half hours 4 Players 2500 baht per two hours
For Bookings Phone: Harold on 081 832 5338 or 038 405 166
FAIRWAYS GOLF RANGE AND RESORT Anybody that has played golf in Pattaya knows that the courses here are some of the best in the world. They are professionally run, well managed and well maintained establishments. One complaint I often hear when out talking to other golfers is the poor quality of the golf practice facilities in Pattaya, they do not really live up to the quality of the courses to be found here Well this month I visited the newly renovated, Fairways Golf Range and Resort (formally pride/paradise golf range). The range has a 26 Bay floodlit driving area, practice bunkers, chipping areas, putting green and is conveniently located at the top of Central Pattaya Road. Other facilities include a full size indoor air conditioned golf simulator which is used to play many of the world’s top golf courses including St Andrews, rates start at just 900 baht per hour, a typical round of golf with 4 players takes about an hour and a half. The simulator is provided by John Reeves, a PGA professional golfer from America who is available to offer golf lessons too. The simulator can also be used to offer professional video golf lessons where you can match your swing against Tiger Woods on the screen from just 1200 baht per hour . Every driving range needs a pro shop and this one is one exception. Mr. Scott (Chakaj Warunaprabha) a PGA professional from Thailand runs the onsite pro shop. Mr Scott has been a PGA in the local area for the last 6 years and is currently working on establishing a golf academy at the range for
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elite junior golfers. He already has 14 very talented young golfers who he teaches on a daily basis. Accommodation is also available. There are 20 rooms available for short and long term letting. Rates are 650 baht daily, 3400 baht weekly and 8500 baht monthly. Each room has cable TV, fridge, hot showers and air con and use of the communal swimming pool. There are also plans to run a golf society from the range when the bar and restaurant is finished For more information on anything from golf tours, to having lesson or or just wanting club hire, feel free to call Gavin or Shane at Fairways Golf Range & Resort on 038 413636 or check out their web-site at: www.pattayagolfresort.com.
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ACCOMMODATION For those who are not familiar with the Pattaya and Jomtien geography, the South and Central Pattaya located hotels are the ones to chose if you are looking to be in the centre of the “action”. Lots of restaurants, bars, shopping etc. For those looking for perhaps a quieter night’s sleep, choose North Pattaya or Naklua, where there are several quality hotels down by the beach at Wongamat. If you really want to get out the city, then stay at Jomtien. The beach is better than that in Pattaya and it is easy to travel to Pattaya for evenings by taking one of the many “baht buses” which congregate at several points along the Beach Road. The Pattaya Guide Recommends - Sandy Springs Hotel, Soi 13 Room range from 1200 (Basic room) - 2500 (Superior Suite) The hotel is very clean, the staff are excellent and is you will struggle to find better value for money elsewhere in Pattaya. Call 038 414 752-8 Accommodation | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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ACCOMMODATION A One Beach Road, Pattaya Asia Pattaya Phratumnak Hill Baiyoke Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya Bay Breeze Second Road, Pattaya Bella Villa Metro North Pattaya, Naklua Bella Villa Prima Soi 4, North Pattaya Bella Villa Serviced Apartment 3rd Road, North Pattaya Best Western Bella Villa Cabana Naklua, Banglamung Best Western Pattaya North Pattaya, Naklua Cosy Beach Hotel Phratumnak Hill Day Night Hotel South Pattaya Diamond Beach Walking Street Dusit Resort Beach Road, North Pattaya Flipper Lodge Soi 8, Pattaya Garden Lodge Second Road, Pattaya Grand Jomtien Palace Jomtien Beach Road Mermaid Soi 7, Jomtien Montien Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya Mountain Beach Phratumnak Hill Orchid Guesthouse Jomtien Palm Garden Pattaya-Naklua Marriott Hotel Second Road, Pattaya Royal Twin Palace Second Road, Pattaya Siam Bayshore Beach Road, Pattaya Silver Sand Resort Jomtien Beach Road Sugar Hut Thappraya Road Super Guesthouse Soi Buakhao, South Pattaya Garden Resort North Pattaya Tropicana Beach Road, Pattaya Welcome Hotel Jomtien Beach Road Welcome Plaza Second Road, Pattaya Woodland Resort North Pattaya Road The Residence Garden Thappraya Road Jomtien Boathouse Beach Road, between Soi 8 & 9
If you would like to add your hotel/guesthouse to this list please email thepattayaguide@gmail.com 64
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Accommodation
038 424 874-9 038 250 602-6 038 423 300-2 038 428 384 038 427 061-9 038 415 750-9 038 415 410-3 038 703 205-6 038 250 800-3 038 250 800-3 038 427 620-4 038 428 071 038 425 611-7 038 426 401-2 038 411 940-8 038 231 405-8 038 231 907 038 428 155-6 038 250 502-4 089 015 2119 038 429 188 038 412 120-3 038 420 260-4 038 428 678 038 231 288 038 251 686-8 038 723 491 038 426 009 038 428 645 038 232 707 038 424 765-7 038 421 707 038 364 314 038 756 143
FOR SALE Studio Condo
* In Star Beach Condotel, Pratamnak Hill * 32 Sq Metres * Magnificent View of The Bay and Koh Lahn Island * Recently Refurbished * Partly Furnished * Very Large Communal Pool * Air Con * Full Security & Services
Absolute Bargain at
1.5m bt Enquiries To 089 936 6236
Jomtien Beach Properties
Studios, 1 - 2 bedroom units for rent or sale We own and manage all our properties No agents - No commission
Tel: 085 697 8245
www.jomtienbeachproperties.com
HEALTH AND FITNESS A healthy lifestyle can be achieved anywhere in the world and Pattaya is certainly one of the most popular places people choose. Thailand has a tropical climate and is therefore ideal for the pursuit of outdoor activities: volleyball, soccer, sailing plus many more. However, for and in indoor healthy lifestyle, Pattaya is also among the best and the vast number of 5 star health massage organisations, beauty parlours, plastic surgery clinics, spas and fitness centre mean that Pattaya really is the place to improve your overall health and look. Many people now choose to partake of the various treatments from facials, to waxing and detox to botox in order to gain that healthier looking body and due to the current price of treatments in many western countries, Thailand has found itself an entire new market in patients arriving for plastic surgery treatment and general medical operations which in their own country would cost much more than locally in Thailand. 68
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122
T HO
E LIN
085
7-24
SERVICES GUIDE You will find during your visit to Pattaya that a vast network of businesses now operate within the city, everything from dentists and doctors to air conditioning companies and lawyers. There are thousands of companies offering a whole range of diverse services for both expats and visitors. Many tourists during their brief stay in Pattaya “Fall in Love with the City” and are determined to make the move to Thailand more permanent. They typically choose to invest in either a condominium or purchase land and house. Once they have purchased their dream home in Pattaya or jomtien, they then find themselves in need of a number of services; cleaners, accountants, electricians, builders and schools among others. We have decided to devote a small section of this publication to promoting a number of these services to help those who are in need. A little piece of advice for those “new arrivals” in town check out your own Chamber of Commerce and expat clubs, they are able to offer lots of help and information. 70
THEPATTAYAGUIDE | Services Guide
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Bike CBR (150cc) Air Blade Click Fino Mio Step Nouvo MX Nouvo (old) X1 Wave
Daily 200 Baht 180 Baht 150 Baht 150 Baht 150 Baht 150 Baht 150 Baht 120 Baht 100 Baht
Weekly 1,200 Baht 1,100 Baht 1,000 Baht 1,000 Baht 1,000 Baht 1,000 Baht 1,000 Baht 700 Baht 600 Baht
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VISA INFORMATION SPONSORED BY FIVE STAR VISA RUNS | PHONE 038 416 088 A visa is fundamentally a document affixed into the passport issued to a foreigner by the Thai government allowing a foreigner to travel to the Kingdom and a granted permission to stay for a certain period of time. Visas can only be obtained outside of the Kingdom from a Royal Thai Embassy consulate. A visa has a validity period which denotes the period within which the visa may be used to apply for entry. The validity period is NOT the length of time you will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom. A’ permission to stay’ stamp is entered into your passport upon arrival into the Kingdom. Whatever visa you hold, you will always receive this stamp. It will include the date of entry and date when you MUST leave the Kingdom or make alternative arrangements. The ‘length of stay’ will be dependent on what type of visa you hold. The majority of Foreigners that enter the Kingdom without a visa will be granted a ‘permission to stay 30 day’ stamp only, which is free of charge. At the discretion of the immigration officer this permission to stay 30 day stamp may be extended for up to 7-15 days (THB 1900) at an immigration office after which time the holder must leave the Kingdom. This stamp is NOT a visa. WARNING: YOU ONLY GET 15 DAYS AT LAND BORDERS DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISAS Single entry tourist visa will permit the holder a 60 day’ permission to stay’ stamp upon entry. If required, this type of visa may be extended by 30 days (THB 1900) at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the country. After one entry, the visa is used. Multiple entry tourist visa will permit the holder a 60 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp upon entry (only visa exempt countries listed overleaf ) or 30 days if not listed below. If required, this type of visa may normally be extended by 30 days at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the 82
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country. The holder may then return to the Kingdom and will obtain a second 60 day ‘permission to stay‘ stamp which can also be extended and then the holder must leave. After the stipulated number of entries the visa is ‘used’. Single entry non-immigrant visa will permit the holder a 90 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp. This visa can be extended up to one year for specific reasons and with the required documentation. Multi-entry non-immigrant visa will permit the holder a 90 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp upon entry. Each time the holder enters the Kingdom whilst the visa is valid, he/she will obtain a further 90 day ‘permission to stay stamp’. Such visas can be issued for students/work/family etc., but normally require supporting documentation. This visa can also be extended up to one year for specific reasons and with the required documentation. Although most multi-entry non-immigrant visas are obtained in your home country they may also be obtained from some Royal Thai embassies outside your home country, if you can provide evidence of your marriage to a Thai citizen (marriage certificate) or support of a Thai citizen. 12 month extension to a non-immigrant visa: If you are holding a nonimmigrant visa, you have the option of extending this by 12 months based on either retirement (50 years old or over) or support to a Thai citizen, work, education and the like. This may only be accomplished at an immigration office inside the Kingdom and certain criteria has to be met. If you are residing in the Kingdom under and extension to a non-immigrant visa and wish to leave the Kingdom at any time, then you will need to obtain a re-entry permit to avoid losing the extension and having to re-apply. If you are residing in the Kingdom under an extension to a non-immigrant visa it is a legal requirement that the holder reports current address to an immigration office using form TM.47 (in person or by registered mail) every 90 days. Re-entering the Kingdom is the equivalent of a 90 day report. If you are in possession of a valid tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and qualify for an extension of stay and plan on doing so you may be
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permitted to change to a non-immigrant visa at an immigration office inside Thailand. This change of ‘status’ has certain restrictions depending on your particular circumstances therefore you should check with an officer first. LIST OF VISA EXEMPT COUNTRIES (SEPTEMBER 2008): Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brunei, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom. IMPORTANT NOTES 1. Always check the stamp that the immigration officer gives you. If the officer gets your stamp wrong you may have to return to your port of entry 2. Check your passport and make sure you know when you need to leave Thailand. You can contact 5 star Visa Runs and we will log you into our computer and remind you 7 days before your visa expires as part of our service. 3. Never work in Thailand without a work permit. Even if you are not getting paid, you still need a work permit because you are taking a job from a Thai national. 4. You can convert your 30-day visa exempt stamp to a Non-immigrant Visa by going to Immigration with the proper documents and 21 day stay remaining, meaning you have up to 9 days after your entry. Application fee THB 2000.Please note that your passport needs to remain valid for at least another six months for any visa applications. 5. Overstay charges are currently THB 500 per day to a maximum of THB 20,000. 6. The information given above is for guideline purposes only. Each individuals circumstances may differ greatly depending on your age, financial position, what port of entry you use, what country you are from, what embassy you are visiting, what you are doing here and of course how long you have been here and, remember the final decision on visa application/issue or entry into the Kingdom will always be at the discretion of the immigration officer. 7. For full information please read the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website
Visa Information | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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SHOPPING GUIDE Pattaya has numerous large malls, small malls, supermarkets, bazaar-style markets, and thousands of other shops. Expect to find plenty of clothes shops and coffee shops but do not expect to find variety as most shops are selling the same things. Pattaya actually has a long way to go to catch up with Bangkok for variety and volume of shops but it is trying with several new shopping centres opening in recent years, and there is a lot more to come. Bargaining is a way of life here but don’t worry if you don’t know your Thai numbers as most shop keepers will carry a calculator to show the price. MALLS
Central Festival Centre is a large mall on Second Road across from Soi 2. Mike Shopping Mall is on Beach Road between Soi 11 and Soi 12, P.S. Plaza is at the junction of Second Road and Central Pattaya Road Royal Garden Plaza is a large upscale mall adjacent to Pattaya Marriott Hotel on Beach Road between Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2) and Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) Tuk.Com (Com City) on South Pattaya Road is a new and predominantly IT mall. The Avenue is on second road directly opposite the entrance to soi 13
SUPERMARKETS
Best Supermarket At the corner of North Pattaya Road and Naklua Road Big-C South Pattaya Road (at the junction with Sukhumvit Road), Big-C Central Festival Center (opposite Soi 2). Carrefour Central Pattaya Road (between Third Road and Sukhumvit Road), Foodland Central Pattaya Road 24 hours Foodmart Thapphraya Road (near the junction with Theprasit Road). 24 hours. Friendship South Pattaya Road. Tesco-Lotus North Pattaya Road Tops at the junction of Second Road and Central Pattaya Road, 24 hours. Villa Market The Avenue Shopping Mall, 2nd Road. 24 hours.
MARKETS :- THERE ARE MANY BAZAAR-STYLE MARKETS IN PATTAYA
Made In Thailand Plaza on Second Road near Soi 10 - daily 08:00-23:00 Soi Buakhao Market - daytime, Tuesday and Friday; Thepprasit Market on Thepprasit Road (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings)
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New Pattaya Beach Central Festival Shopping Complex Finally, just what Pattaya needed, a good shopping centre for all the needs of tourists, locals and expats has now opened between Beach Road and Second Road next to Soi 9. The 7 billion baht Complex set in 22 Rai of land has 7 floors of retail space, usual restaurants and shops, food court and the new SFX Cinema which has First Class screening room (600 Baht per seat). There is also quite a large Central Food Hall and A five-star Hilton hotel with 350 guestrooms being built on the top. Lots of car parking space for both cars and motorbike. WARNING for tall people, watch your head after parking your motorbike
The Pattaya Beach Central Festival Shopping Complex is the biggest beachfront mall in Asia and really is a welcome addition to the City.
“Designs for life” Water Hyacinth Bamboo & Coconut Inlay Eco Friendly Products Rugs, Cushions & Textiles Custom Made Sofas Outdoor & Poolside Furniture Full Turn-Key Packages Available
www.islandviewr esidence.com
EAST Furniture & Interiors Next To Pattaya Properties Tel: 038 252 201 / 081 863 6752
Open (mon - sat) 10am - 6pm email: sales.pattaya@east-online.net
REAL ESTATE GUIDE More than one hundred new housing or condominium development projects are currently underway in the Pattaya and Jomtien districts. Many of these projects are aimed at the “higher end� market. Properties offering large spacious accommodation some with private swimming pools, top end air conditioning units, Jacuzzis etc. These properties are typically around the 8-25 million price range and many represent very good value for money. One of the more up and coming development areas is just south of Jomtien, where several developers are now constructing projects near to the beach at Bang Sare and Baan Amphur. Because of the local laws in Thailand with regard to property ownership by foreigners, condominiums are still as popular as ever with something in the region of 5,000 condominium units currently in construction. Some of the better quality condos are La Royale, Northshore and North Point. However, it is possible to find cheaper units especially in South Pattaya and Jomtien. If you are thinking of a permanent move to Thailand remember to do your homework and seek a reputable real Estate Agent. 90
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BUYERS MARKET SPONSORED BY PARADISE CITY PROPERTY | PHONE 038 373 966 Everyday I hear people complaining about the world’s economic climate, the slow trading, the fluctuating exchange rates, the increased in the cost of living here in Thailand. The current property market here in Thailand has also taken a hit for the worse, and there are fewer buyers here, but they are still out there. We have found over the last few months that trade has been very steady, and this is due to a number of factors, one in particular that we have been able to introduce to clients, in the form of private loans from property owners wishing to sell. Now, with the way the market has been over the last six months, many owners outlook on life as an Expat living here in Thailand have change. Many foreigners living on pensions are struggling with the decrease in the exchange rates, bringing their incomes down, but there is something else that has happened that has been good to the Thailand property market, with buyers that bought property here over the last few years, when the exchange rates were up there in the high sixties, or even seventies, some of these people that are looking to sell, some wishing to relocate due to the increased living cost, can now afford to sell their properties at upto 30% less than the original purchase price, and still get back what they paid for it. Coinciding with this we have seen a large number of house & condo owners offering private finance on the sale of their properties. With the decrease in interest rates on savings, it has driven property sellers to look at the fact that, given that they can offer a potential buyer the option of paying a large sum down and having finance over a period of years, these property sellers are now in a position where they are increasing their clientele base, due to the fact that foreigners don’t have the simple option of gaining bank finance here in Thailand. This financing has also been grasped and taken on broad by many of the developers in the local area that have seen their enquiries fall in numbers. 92
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Take for example ‘The Vineyards”, where the guys there are now offering up to 40% developer finance. This opens up a whole new marketing format for the developer as well as the potential client. Another route taken by some developers in town has been the guaranteed rentals returns. This is a much boulder approach from a sales point of view, as the developer has then got get the properties rented to cover their guarantee, but great for the potential investor looking for buy to let property. To sum up what is happening here in the local Pattaya market, we are seeing the market change from the two years ago sellers market into a very strong buyers market. With so many ‘good deals’ to be had around town, for any potential buyer looking in and around the Pattaya area at the moment, keep your eye and ears open, times have changed.
The Vineyards ADVERTORIAL | THEPATTAYAGUIDE
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40% developer assisted finance available
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HS 977. LOW RISE APARTMENTS CLOSE TO SIAM COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE. BUILT IN AN ANDALUSIAN STYLE TO A STANDARD NOT SEEN BEFORE. 2 BED, 3 BATH AND 3 BED, 4 BATH GROUND AND FIRST FLOOR UNITS AVAILABLE. ONLY SIX BEING BUILT SO VERY, VERY EXCLUSIVE. BUILT IN FURNITURE THROUGHOUT, EURO KITCHENS, AIR CONDITIONED AND STATE OF THE ART SHOWER/BATHROOMS. FULL ON SITE FACILITIES. EASY PAYMENT PLANS AND A RENTAL GUARANTEE FOR INVESTORS. OWNED VIA SUSTAINABLE LEASING WITH GUARANTEED RENEWAL CONTRACTS WITH THE DEVELOPERS. 9 MILLION BAHT. MUST SEE!
HS 957. LARGE HOUSE READY FOR A LICK OF PAINT. FOUR BEDS AND BATHS, STUDY OR NURSERY, EURO KITCHEN, AIR CONDITIONED, CERAMIC FLOORING, MAIDS QUARTERS, LAUNDRY ROOM, PRIVATE POOL AND A WATER FEATURE. IT NEEDS SOME REMEDIAL WORKS TO THE GARDEN AND OUTSIDE AREAS AND THE BUILDING WOULD BENEFIT FROM A LICK OF PAINT INSIDE AND OUT. ONLY EIGHT HOUSES IN THE COMPLEX MAKING IT QUIET AND PEACEFUL WITH NO THROUGH TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS. LOCATED CLOSE TO SOI NONG YAI WITH EASY ACCESS TO TOWN AND SHOPPING. DISCOUNTED FROM 4.6 TO 3.3 MILLION
CS 398. SUPER ONE BED CONDO SUITABLE FOR LONG TERM LIVING. THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE NICEST ONE BED CONDO’S WE HAVE SEEN FOR YEARS. TOTALLY UPGRADED WITH A FULL KITCHEN, A SUPERB SHOWER ROOM, AIR CONDITIONING AND NEW FURNITURE AND CURTAINS THROUGHOUT. UNUSED SINCE BUILT SO BRAND NEW. THE OWNER HAS PROVIDED A FULL SET OF KITCHEN AND TABLE WARE, BED LINEN AND TOWELS, AGAIN ALL BRAND NEW AND STILL IN THE WRAPPERS. THE BUILDING IS CLOSE TO JOMTIEN BEACH AND THE TAXI’S PASS THE FRONT GATE. EXCELLENT VALUE AT 2.75 MILLION FROM 3.6
CS 400. WELL PRICED 2 BED, 2 BATH CONDO. LOCATED IN THE POPULAR MAJESTIC CONDO BUILDING ALONG JOMTIEN BEACH ROAD. FIRST CLASS UPGRADE WITH EVERYTHING IN AN AS NEW CONDITION. WITH TWO BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS, KITCHEN AND NEW FURNITURE IT IS IDEAL FOR LONG TERM LIVING FOR A SINGLE, COUPLE OR SMALL FAMILY. UBC TV AND AN IDD PHONE LINE WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET ARE IN PLACE. THE CONDO DEVELOPMENT HAS EVERYTHING, TWO SWIMMING POOLS, TENNIS COURTS, SAUNA’S AND A WELL EQUIPPED GYM. REDUCED FRO 3 MILLION TO 2.5 FOR A QUICK SALE. DO IT!