Pattaya, one of the most beautiful beach cities in Thailand, is a must-visit place to add to your bucket list. With so many things to do, it’s impossible to have a dull moment in the exciting thrum of this city. You can dine on freshly caught seafood and watch the waves of the Gulf of Thailand gently wash against the shore. If you care to venture beyond the popular beach resort, Pattaya has many other activities and sights to take part.
Pattaya Elephant Village
Not too long ago, elephants were used for logging purposes deep in the jungles of Thailand. When a new government law banned logging in protected areas of the jungles, many elephants were left without work and home. Thankfully, there are a handful of dedicated elephant sanctuaries in the country to house these gentle giants. One of the more popular destinations is the Pattaya Elephant Village. This non-profit organization takes all of its earnings and delivers it to the elephants. You can enjoy a one-hour elephant ride followed by delightful sightseeing as the elephants roam around their sanctuary.
Sanctuary of Truth
This wooden structure is a sight to behold. The temple proudly stands at a stunning 105 meters tall, the Sanctuary of Truth is truly a work of art constructed as a temple. Every square inch of wood is carved into a defined shape or sculpture, representing deities and spiritual motifs. The idea behind the sanctuary is from the thought humans have achieved everything in this world through the purity of art, religion, and philosophy. The creators wanted to design a place for people to ponder heaven and earth and to strive towards peace for mankind.
Floating Market
A visit to the Pattaya Floating Market is a unique shopping experience. You can stop at fruit stalls, souvenir shops, and even art galleries as you meander down thin the walkways at the edges of the water. In the river, there will be small boats floating downstream selling their goods. Most goods sold are food items; mainly Thai sweets made out of coconut and jelly. When you need to take a break from walking, there are many delicious places to sit down and chow down on authentic Thai cuisine.
Flight of the Gibbon
For travelers who love the excitement of an adrenaline rush, try the Flight of the Gibbon zip line. With 3 kilometers of line and two abseiling stations, you’re sure to have a fantastic adventure. The course stretches across the lush rainforest canopy of a national park, so, as you fly through the course, you can take in the beautiful, natural sights. On the plus side, Flight of the Gibbon is one of the best eco-tours to participate in Pattaya.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
The Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a lush garden that sprawls over 500 acres of land. Enjoy the intricate designs of the landscaping while admiring the many different species of flora represented across the nine different divisions of the garden. To end the day on a night and positive note, tourists can stop in to see the entertaining elephant show to wrap up their tour.
Though, keep in mind the Nong Nooch garden is an enormous, open-spaced area and requires a lot of walking to get from place to place. Try to keep yourself hydrated through your mini-tours to stay active and awake.
Pattaya Walking Street
For adults, taking a trip down Walking Street can be quite the experience. Pattaya’s Walking Street is best known for its bustling nightlife, sporting a handful of nightclubs, seafood restaurants, street vendors, entertainment venues to small shopping areas. The Walking Street has everything one needs to get the best out of Pattaya’s wild night. Of course, if Walking Streets is too much for you, you can veer off to the side and enjoy the soothing sounds of Pattaya’s ocean waves nearby as well.
Thai Alangkarn Theater
Lastly, if you’re attracted to live shows and would like nothing more than to get in the middle of it, the Thai Alangkarn Theater is your next destination. The Thai Alankarn Theater is known for, “The Extravaganza Show”. “Alangkarn” in Thai means “spectacular” and the show honors the name. The show stuns audiences with a rich, storytelling narrative painting out stories out of ancient Thai history or ancient myths. The performances are achieved with the assistance of stunning pyrotechnics, jaw-dropping acrobatics, dance and fun audience participation.
