The Gulf of Siam Description
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THE GULF OF SIAM
PATTAYA
The‘sun and fun'culture of Pattaya beach resort, just a 2-hour drive southeast of Bangkok, offers something completely different for the entire family, including all major water sports, house-riding, tennis, go-kart racing and golf on a dozen challenging golf coursed designed by such luminaries as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Children will enjoy water parks, model villages, open zoos, including the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, and elephant shows. Quality accommodation, restaurants, entertainment and shopping help make Pattaya the perfect all-round holiday destination.
JOMTIEN BEACH
A long beach and only 4 kilometres from Pattaya. A beach road runs parallel to the shore along which are hotels and other accommodation facilities. Less noisy than Pattaya, it is popular as a site for relaxation, swimming and water-sports.
THE RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT ODDITORIUM
A large collection of stories of oddities from every corner of the globe. The Motion Master Moving Theatre offer hi-tech screening of motions and movements as experienced in real life.
ALCAZAR CABARET SHOW
Fantastic transvestite cabaret shows with three– four daily performances.
KO LAN
The clear waters of the offshore Lan Island are popular with snorkellers. 7.5 kms from Pattaya, the 2 x 5 km island offers several white, sandy beaches such as Hat Ta Waen to the north. This is where most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the foodshops and stalls along the shore. Hat Laem Thian and Hat Samate are located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island. Facing Hat Ta Phan are coral ranges. To the south are some hotels and is another site to view coral reefs. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving.
KO SAMET
The sandy beaches of Samet Island, to the southeast, are perfect for that intent on doing precisely nothing. The east coast provinces of Rayong and Trat are well known for their uncrwded beaches, tranquil islands and national parks.
RAYONG
Further down along the cast from Pattaya, Rayong’s beaches are quiet and unspoilt. The few hotels are quite spread apart.
KO CHANG
Ko Chang is Thailand’s 2nd biggest island, now accessible from Bangkok by road and ferry within about 3-4 hours. Near the Cambodian border, it is jungle covered and offers some of the most beautiful beaches, but most accommodation is still rather simple. Excursions to nearby snorkeling grounds. Malaria prophylaxis recommended.
HUA HIN & CHA-AM
On the western side of the Gulf of Siam there are several popular beach resorts which are also within easy reach of Bangkok. A new four-lane highway means the journey from the capital to the region’s principal town of Hua Hin now takes just over two hours.
Cha-Am, about 20 kms north of Hua Hin is very popular with Bangkokians on weekends and most hotels are a bit out of town.
Hua Hin is actually the country’s oldest beach resort, having been popularized by royalty in the 1920s. Today, its elegant charms continue to attract the wealthy of Bangkok, along with a growing number of international tourists. Its fishing village, long, curving bay and excellent golf courses are its major attractions. A number of excellent hotels can be found here and so can some splendid golf courses. Hua Hin’s night market is popular with both locals and tourists.
HUA HIN RAILWAY STATION
Built in the reign of King Rama VI, this is one of Thailand’s most beautiful train stations of which the local people are very pround.
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