Sawasdee Hotels

Suan Nong Nooch (Nong Nooch Garden)

Located approximately 18 kilometers south of Pattaya, the Garden can be reached by taking a left turn from Sukhumvit Road at the Km. 163 marker. The Garden is a sprawling recreation park in a typical Thai setting. A group of traditional Thai pavilions and gardens of different flowering plants are positioned around the beautifully landscaped site. Daily cultural and elephant shows are available for tourists with show times at 10.15 a.m. and 3.45 p.m. Admission fee is 300 baht. Tel: 0 3842 9321, 0 3842 9958, 0 3870 9358-62 or Bangkok Office Tel: 0 2252 1786

The Khao Khiao Open Zoo

Covering a vast tract of forest land, the zoo is located approximately 20 kilometers south of Chon Buri from Sukhumvit Road. To get there, take a left turn at Bang Phra, and follow the clearly posted signs. Operated by the Zoological Garden Organization, the zoo has more than 200 species of domestic and imported wildlife living in their natural habitat. Open daily from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., the zoo also puts on shows of well-trained animals and birds. A new feature is the Night Safari Tour by auto-trams. Advance booking at Tel: (038) 331485 and 330763 is recommended.

Alangkarn Theatre

Located at Km. 155 marker on Sukhumvit Road Chomthian, Pattaya. With an area of 80 rais, the entire project includes a prototype Hexa Stage Theatre, Cultural Rostrum and a Restaurant. ALANGKARN is aiming towards a new concept of presenting Thai Culture to tourists from all walks of life, instead of the standard Thai traditional dances that could easily be founded elsewhere. For more information, call 0 3825 6000 (Pattaya) or 0 2216 1949 (Bangkok Office)

Ko Lan

Lying about 7.5 kilometers off of Pattaya by a 45-minute ferry or 15 minutes by speed boat ride, the island measures 2 kilometers by 5 kilometers and offers several white sandy beaches, notably Hat Ta Waen, Hat Laem Thian and Hat Thong Long, the latter facing coral reefs. Visitors can choose either snorkeling or viewing the coral from glass bottom boats. Ferries to the island leave South Pattaya pier daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Cruises by sailing junks, with lunch provided are also available

Sanctuary of Truth (Prasat Satchatham)

The compound, which covers an area of more than two rais, is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet on Na Klua Road, North Pattaya. Within the compound is a gigantic temple-like structure entirely made of wood that is 105 meters high at the highest point which was constructed to withstand wind and sunshine on the seashore. With exquisite architectural features, the sanctuary was conceived out of the vision that human civilization has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truths. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission fee is 500 baht with Dolphin Training Shows at 11.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. Tel: 0 3822 5407 for more information.

Saithip Butterfly Garden

The garden is located at Km. 10 marker off of Highway No.36. Covering an area of 15 acres, the garden is recognized as Asia's largest butterfly garden. A bee museum and an orchid farm, which is located next to the butterfly garden, are also worth visiting. The garden opens daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Admission fee is 80 baht for adults and 40 baht for children. Call 0 3829 8330 for more information and reservations.

BTS : Siam Station

The Si Racha Tiger Farm

The farm, which is situated at Km. 20 marker on highway No. 36, raises a large number of Bengal tigers, as well as large crocodiles. Visitors will be amazed to witness tigers, pigs and dogs living together in the same quarters. The farm opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Call 530-7412-3 or (038) 296556-8 for more information and reservations.

Cabaret Shows

Alcazar on Pattaya II Road offers three shows daily at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. with an extra show on Saturdays at 11 p.m. Admission fee is 500/600 baht. Call (038) 410225 for more information. Tiffany on Pattaya II Road provides three shows daily at 7 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. Admission fee is 500/600 baht. Call (038) 429642, 421700-5 for more information

Mini Siam

Located at Km. 143 on Highway No. 3 is a wonderland of miniature replicas of such outstanding architectural works as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, the Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Replicas of places of world significance are also displayed in the miniworld area. These include the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Admission fee is 200 bahts. Call (038) 421628, 424232 or (02) 271 1896, 616 1533 for more information.

Underwater World Pattaya

A new tourist attraction in town is the largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia, boasting a 100-meter-long, 6.4-centimeter-thick acrylic pedestrian tunnel through an underwater environment filled with dozens of marine species. Located just 200 meters south of Tesco Lotus in South Pattaya, the new theme park covers a total area of 12-rai and is housed in a structure similar to a large circus tent. The aquarium itself houses more than 4,000 marine animals, comprising more than 200 different species from the region as well as some rare creatures from overseas. Top in the Visitors must-see list is the rare shovelnose ray, a hybrid between a shark and a stingray. Admission fee for adults is 500 baht and children is 300 baht. Open from 9.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m. For more information and booking, call (038) 756879, 09-9360272