Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [185]
Of course, prostitution is just as illegal here as elsewhere in Thailand. But with millions of baht swilling around from money laundering, drug trafficking and diamond trading, let’s just say enforcement of the laws is cyclic at best.
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One of the best dive sites is an old US navy ammunition dump called Samaesan Hole, south of Pattaya, near Sattahip. This advanced dive goes down to 87m and has a gentle slope covered with coral where you can see barracuda and large rays. Visibility here is up to 20m on a good day.
A two-dive excursion to most sites averages around 3000B. Snorkellers may tag along for 600B to 1000B. Full PADI certification (three to four days) costs between 12,000B and 15,000B.
Mermaids Scuba Diving Center (www.mermaiddive.com; Hat Jomtien Map; 0 3823 2219; Soi White House, Hat Jomtien; Pattaya Map; 0 3871 0726; Siam Bayview Hotel, Th Hat Pattaya) is popular, with four locations between Hat Naklua, Hat Pattaya, and Hat Jomtien. They offer a boatload of options, from a single-day trip to full PADI instructor certification.
Pattaya and Jomtien have some of the best water-sports facilities in Thailand with waterskiing for 200B per hour, parasailing for 250B to 350B for about 10 to 15 minutes, and windsurfing for 300B to 400B an hour. Hat Jomtien is the best for windsurfing because you’re less likely to run into parasails or jet skis.
SANCTUARY OF TRUTH
This surreal experience (0 3836 7229; www.sanctuaryoftruth.com; 206/2 Mu 5 Th Naklua; admission 500B; 8am-6pm) begins with a horse-and-buggy ride and ends in a magnificent cathedral built entirely of wood – no nails or screws here. Give yourself time to marvel at the ornate carvings.
SPORTS
Pattaya offers many sports including bowling, lawn bowls, snooker, archery, target shooting, softball, horse riding and tennis. Most are available at the Pattaya Sports Club (Map; 0 3836 1167; www.pattayasports.org; 3/197 Th Pattaya 3) or can be organised by hotels. Golf packages can be booked through the East Coast Travel & Golf Organisation (0 3830 0927; www.pattayagolfpackage.com).
VOLUNTEERING
At the Pattaya Orphanage (0 3824 1373; volunteer@redemptorists.or.th) volunteers are needed to care for more than 50 children under the age of three, to teach English to older children and to work in a drop-in centre for street kids. The well-run orphanage is an uplifting balance to the Sin City streets of Pattaya. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least six months, but shorter stays are considered on a case-by-case basis. Food and accommodation are provided.
Sleeping
BUDGET
Pattaya offers a huge number of sleeping options. Weekends and holidays get crowded and many budget options fill up, but on quieter weekdays many hotels and guesthouses offer discounts. Hat Jomtien is the best place for lower-priced rooms.
Pattaya
The cheapest guesthouses are in south Pattaya, along Th Pattaya 2, the street parallel to Th Hat Pattaya. Most are clustered near Sois 6, 10, 11 and 12.
Honey Inn (Map; 0 3842 9133; 529/2 Soi 11, Th Pattaya 2; r 600-800B; ) Clean rooms with a good little cafe downstairs, and you’re quite close to Pattaya’s nightlife without being right in its lap.
Hat Jomtien
Explore the area around Sois 3 and 4 for good- value budget guesthouses.
Chanagan Guest House (Map; 08 9834 3561; Soi 6, Th Hat Jomtien; r 500B; ) Big rooms at the right price: they come with cable, hot water and air-con. The soi is fairly quiet at night and you’re metres from the beach and good eating.
RS Guest House (Map; 0 3823 1867; Th Hat Jomtien; r from 650B; ) With small but clean rooms and a lovely little two-tiered swimming pool, RS Guest House is a good-value haven away from the bright lights at the southern end of Hat Jomtien. Two breakfasts are included in the room rate.
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PATTAYA FOR CHILDREN
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (Map; 0 3871 0294; 2nd fl, Royal Garden Plaza, Th Pattaya 2; adult/child 380/195B; 11am-11pm) puts a Disney-esque spin on the world’s oddities and includes high-tech theme rides.