 |
|
Chonburi Information
|
 |
Chon Buri The Nearest Seaside Retreat
Chonburi, Bangkoks nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern
coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 80 kilometers from Bangkok. The
area boasts abundant natural resources, which are highlighted by
delightful beaches, local colors, traditions, delicacies and fresh
seafood. This is a popular resort among Bangkokians who seek the
nearest escape from hectic weekly schedules as Chon Buri has something
for everyone. In addition, Chon Buri is the center of the Eastern
Seaboard Development Project, with its industrial parks and fishing
villages.
Pattaya A Travelers Paradise
Pattaya is nestled along a picturesque bay on the East Coast of the
Gulf of Thailand, roughly 170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. From a
fishing village in the 1960’s, Pattaya has emerged as the
favorite Southeast Asian vacation center. A fascinating escape where
tourists, holiday makers and vacationers from around the world unfold
an incomparable array of possibilities to unwind during an exotic
holiday beach vacation.
Unlike other beach resorts, where natural surroundings are used as
magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to
provide the best of everything. Here, everything means everything a
tourist can imagine while on holiday: recreation, entertainment,
sports, sightseeing and fun. To put it simply, Pattaya is a paradise
for everyone, as it has a variety of attractions suitable for all types
of visitors. This is the place where you can fill your day, from dusk
to dawn, with endless activities, or you may choose to do nothing at
all and relax.
The Past
Pattaya’s name was originated from the march of Phraya Tak (later
known as King Taksin the Great) and his followers from Ayutthaya to
Chanthaburi just before the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the
Burmese invaders in 1767.
When Phraya Tak’s army arrived in the vicinity of what is Pattaya
today, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom who tried to intercept
him. When the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya
Tak’s dignified manner and his army’s strict discipline,
thereby surrendering without a fight. The place where the two armies
confronted each other was later called Thap Phraya, which means the
Army of the Phraya. This was later changed to Phatthaya, which happens
to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the
beginning of the rainy season. Today the spelling of the name has been
simplified to Pattaya.
For centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from
the outside world. But a big change occurred on 29 April 1961 when the
first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam
War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became
Thailand’s premier and most successful beach resort, which
annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors. A
full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and
mini-pocket guesthouses replaced fishermens huts along the beach.
Fishing vessels were adapted to become tourist boats and swimmers and
sunbathers from various parts of the world frequented the quiet powdery
golden beaches. Places of nighttime entertainment have also sprung up
and are popular among international tourists.
The Present
Pattaya currently integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort,
city-like dining, shopping and night entertainment facilities with more
than 300 assorted hotels, thousands of shops, restaurants and bars. In
addition, there are an array of sports and recreational activities
including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart, gyms for
working out, weight lifting and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a
broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy riding
elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, monstrous
motorcycles, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go
for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing,
speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or aerial sports such
as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders. On the
other hand, at night, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret
shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs,
discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely
incredible shopping which is available non-stop both day-and-night.
Pattaya Facts
This exotic beach resort welcomes approximately 5 million visitors a
year. The friendly and hospitable Thai nature boosts its promotion,
frequently bringing back the repeat visitors and constantly increasing
the number of newcomers.
Pattaya city is located on the eastern coast of the country at latitude
13 N and longitude 101 E in the area of Chon Buri province. It is 147
kilometers from Bangkok and lies parallel to Sukhumvit Road on its east
and the coastline on its west. Pattaya occupies an area of 208.1 sq.
km. that is divided into 53.44 sq. kilometers of land and 154.66 sq.
kilometers of islands and sea. Its coastline is 15 kilometers long.
Pattaya has a plain on the coast with some high mountains to the south.
The area on the east slopes down towards the sea on the west.
Administration
Pattaya City has been administered under a special autonomous system
since 1978. It has a status comparable to that of a municipality and is
administered separately by the mayor of Pattaya City, who is
responsible for making policies, organizing public services, and
supervising all employees of Pattaya City Administration.
Travelling to Chon Buri
By Car
Chon Buri is a one-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway No. 34 (Bang
Na-Trat). Alternatively, taking the Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon Buri
Route) will reduce travel time.
By Bus
The 1.5-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses
originating from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Air-conditioned
buses leave Ekkamai every 40 minutes from 5.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel: 0
2391 9829. Non air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 30 minutes
from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 2504.
There are also air-conditioned buses leaving the Bangkok's Northern Bus
Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road from 6.30
a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Call: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information. In
addition, Si Racha Tour, Tel: 0 2936 4029 operates air-conditioned bus
services to Chon Buri and Bang Saen.
Travelling to Pattaya
By car
Pattaya can be reached in a 2.5-hour drive along Bangna-Trat Highway
via Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Si Racha. However, visitors can avoid
Chon Buri by opting for Highway 36, the new Chon Buri - Pattaya -
Rayong route or taking the motorway from Rama 9 Road.
By bus
Air-conditioned and regular buses depart from the Eastern Bus Terminal
(Ekkamai) and Bangkoks Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on
Kamphaengphet Road daily. Buses (air-con) depart the Eastern Bus
Terminal every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from Mochit II
(Northern Bus Terminal) from 5.00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Departure times and fares may be obtained from the Eastern Bus
Terminal, tel. 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097 or the Northern Bus Terminal,
tel. 0 2936 2852-66.
There are also minibuses that travel directly from Bangkok Airport to
Pattaya at 9.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. daily. For more
information, contact the Bangkok International Airport, tel. 0 2535
1111.
In addition, most hotels in Bangkok provide bus services to Pattaya. Contact the tour desk at your hotel for details.
By train
The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing
Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 a.m., tel. 0 2621 8701. It
takes about 5 hours to reach a station located near the Siam Country
Club.
By Air
Bangkok Airways provides daily flights connecting Ko Samui and U-Taphao
Airport. (Approximately 30 kilometers south of Pattaya).
Travelling in Pattaya
Pattaya City is divided into four major zones: North Pattaya, Central
Pattaya, South Pattaya and Chomthian. It should be noted that there is
a small mountain known as the Hill, located between South Pattaya and
Chomthian. For a visual illustration take a look at the Map of Pattaya
and Chomthian with the Hill.
Motorbikes are the most popular mode of transport in Pattaya. However,
transportation in the city is facilitated through the use of special
cars (song taew), customized pickup trucks with passenger seats in a
covered overhead back cabin. These pickups, known as Bahts-Bus, can
easily carry 8-10 passengers in the back, plus 1 or 2 passengers in
front. They circle around the city and are allowed to stop anywhere. In
addition to motorbike-taxis, the Bahts-Buses are the only form of
public transport permitted in Pattaya. If not occupied, they also can
be hired as private taxis. In fact, they are private vehicles in most
cases belonging to the drivers. There are so many of them that they end
up looking for passengers.
This compact city consists of 3 major roads that parallel each other.
Right along the beach is Beach Rd., which is a one-way road from the
north to south that is a few kilometers long. Second Rd. is a hundred
or so meters away and carries city transport mainly from the south to
north, although it is partly a two-way road. The last road is Sukhumvit
Rd, a continuation of the highway leading to Bangkok. Many small
streets called Soi(s) cross the roads. And it's advisable to walk some
of the small streets, which are enumerated from north to south,
although some have names. Second Rd. continues on to South Pattaya and
turns to Chomthian reaching Chomthian beach within 5 minutes, and
continues alongside Chomthian beach, which is approximately 20
kilometers long with some secluded escapes.
Chomthian Beach Rd., which is a two-way road, also parallels Sukhumvit
Rd and is the only road in the Chomthian area, except for some
connecting streets. On the other side of Sukhumvit road are several
country clubs, golf courses and typical Thai rural villages, providing
charming escapes on the banks of sweet-water lakes and small streams in
the leisurely and relaxing countryside.
Many kinds of motorbikes, convertible monster Jeeps, sport and
passenger cars are offered for rent. A driver's license is not required
for driving around Pattaya and vicinity, so many tourists are tempted
get behind the wheel. It should be noted that in Thailand drivers drive
on the left lane, as in England and Japan. |
|
| More info : Tourist Authority of Thailand :>> |
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hotels , Resort in Chonburi Pattaya / โรงแรม
รีสอร์ท ที่พัก แนะนำใน
ชลบุรี |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
