Pristine
sandy beaches, idyllic islands, succulent seafood,
exciting sea sports, inland adventures - whether wild
thrills on the waves, golf with the greats, or family
fun under the sun, this tour along the eastern seaboard
of the Gulf of Thailand has it all.
Visit
the host of attractions within day trips from Pattaya
by car, then head east along the Sukhumvit Road (Highway
3), a fast divided highway that passes through Rayong
to the wealthy coastal provinces of Chantaburi and
Trat.
The
recommended route takes you to the scenic island of
Ko Chang, but there are diversions that include crossing
into Cambodia at Hat Lek to gamble at the casino just
across the border (a visa must be ob-tained prior
to leaving Bangkok).
Only
the outward drive is divided into days with suggested
side trips, so leave something for your return journey.
Distances are quite short, which allows plenty of
time to enjoy yourself along the way, especially as
you enter the more relaxing atmosphere of the coast
beyond Rayong.
Your
car allows you to choose. You can visit excellent
seafood restaurants, take country roads not suggested
as side trips, and even return via Sa Kaeo province
to explore inland Thailand on your own.
TOURING
AROUND PATTAYA
Water
sports, motor sports, exotic zoos and gardens, inland
adventures, 17 competition class golf courses within
an hour's drive and a beat that pulses through the
night till dawn - Pattaya has something for every-one.
So when the pace gets too hectic, laze sublime and
let Pattaya put life in the pink.
DAY
TRIPS NORTH
(Round
trip to Ang Sila and Khao Kheow Open Zoo. 120 kms.)
This
drive goes north to Si Racha, where you may take a
boat trip to Ko Si Chang Island. From Si Racha follow
coastal roads to Ang Sila, or turn in-land to visit
Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Si Racha Tiger Farm. If visiting
Si Chang Island avoid planning too much for your day
lest you have to return on busy roads after dark.
Start
from Key Point 2 and drive to Ban Lamung, passing
a fishing village before joining Sukhumwit Road (H3)
and heading north. Just before Key Point 4, turn left
into Si Racha town (see map 5).
Passenger ferries depart hourly from Soi 14 on a 45 minute
trip to the pleasant historical island of Ko Si Chang
(last ferry from island 17:00). Motorcycle taxis tour
the island via the fishing town, the San Jao Phaw
Khao Yai Chinese temple and the site of a royal palace
abandoned when the French occupied the island in 1893.
From
Si Racha drive inland from Key Point 4 to Si Racha
Tiger Zoo for a shorter trip. Otherwise continue north
to Nong Mol Market, which is famous for basketry from
Phanat Nikhom and dried seafood delicacies. At Key
Point 5 turn west towards Bang Saen Beach, visiting
the Institute of Marine Science aquarium at Burapha
University (2 kms from Key Point 5. 20 Bt. Entrance
Hrs: 08:30-16:30. Closed. Mondays) and unusual Buddhist
sculptures at Wat Saen Suk.
Drive
north to Khao Sam Muk, where monkeys roam the peak
over-looking seafood restaurants on the north side
of the point. Where the road turns sharply inland
at Ang Sila, con-tinue straight on a narrow (one-way)
lane to enter the high street of the wooden village
well-known for its stone mortars.
Two
zoos will delight families on the return route inland.
To avoid dangerous direct crossings of H7 go via Key
Points 6&7 or 4. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has over
300 species in a 2000 acre drive-through park (East
turn at KM.14 on H7. Hrs: 07:30-18:00. Map available
at zoo office). Si Racha Tiger Zoo specialises in
big cats and crocodiles (East turn at KM.20 on H7.
Hrs 08:30-18:00. Shows hourly).
MUANG
BORAN & BANGKOK ROUTES
The
Bangkok-Chon-buri Motorway (H7) is the best way to
and from Bangkok International Airport, but the Sukhumvit
Road offers an alter-native coastal route that passes
Muang Boran (ancient city).
Muang
Boran (H3 KM.33 4 kms west of Bang Po Industrial Estate
approximately 70 kms. from Key Point 6. En-trance
50 Bt: Hrs 08:00 -last entry 17:00, closes 18:00)
contains over 100 monuments in a drive-through 320
acre park. Life-sized or reduced rep-licas and relocated
originals, all with bilingual explanations, provide
an unmatched view of Thailand's historical buildings.
Overview
Corporate
Housing
