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The gateway to various coastal towns in the East, Chon Buri is about 80 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Administratively, there are ten Amphoe (districts), namely, Muang Chon Buri, Nong Yai, Phanat Nikhom, Ban Bung, Phan Thong, Bo Thong, Si Racha, Bang Lamung, Sattahip and Ko Si Chang.
Once a tiny fishing village, it has developed into a renowned international playground. Located just 90 miles southeast of Bangkok and facing a wide bay and a long majestic sweep of beach, Pattaya is unrivalled and has something for everyone.
Water sports are centered around on two main beaches, Pattaya itself, a 1.8 miles stretch of sand and majestic bay, and Jomtien, a 3.6 miles largely straight beach situated around the headland from Pattaya. Popular water sports include swimming, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, game fishing, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Pattaya is also an excellent choice of land-based activities ranging from golf to horse riding, from go-karts to bungee jumping.
For food lovers, Pattaya is a gourmet paradise providing a wide array of options for travelers. Seafood is superb here and shouldn’t be missed. Nightlife is liberated with discotheques, nightclubs, karaoke bars, open-air bars, and transvestite cabarets. For the cultural insights, visit Mini Siam and the Sanctuary of Truth. You will enjoy the miniature city of Mini Siam featuring places of worship, ancient remains and famous sights in Thailand and abroad and the Sanctuary of Truth’s gigantic wooden architectural structure with exquisite carvings.
To enhance your experience, visit the nearby provinces of Rayong and Chanthaburi known as Thailand’s ‘Garden Provinces’. Toping the list of fresh produce are three of Thailand’s most exotic fruits; mangosteen, durian and rambutan. You will love spending your time in the orchards as a part of their famous agro-tourism activities.
Distances from Amphoe Muang or Chon Buri Town to other districts :
- Ban Bung 14 km.
- Phanat Nikhom 22 km.
- Phan Thong 24 km.
- Si Racha 24 km.
- Ko Sichang 35 km.
- Bang Lamung (Pattaya) 45 km.
- Nong Yai 51 km.
- Bo Thong 56 km.
- Sattahip 86 km.
Distances from Chon Buri to neighbouring provinces :
- Chachoengsao 43 km
- Rayong 98 km.
- Samut Prakan 64 km.
- Chanthaburi 164 km.
The first miniaturized town in Southeast Asia, the Mini Siam, has been a popular tourist attraction since its operation started many years ago in Pattaya. Features models of more than 80 places in Thailand, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Crocodile Farm and daily crocodile and magic shows.
The Khao Khiew Zoo is an pen zoo. where visitors can see over 50 species of indigenous Southeast Asia birds and animals co-existing in their natural habitat. The animals live in spacious, enclosures with minimal fencing and birds in large aviaries. The zoo is set in a hilly, serene woodland area.
The town of Si Racha is famous for its spicy chili dip and open-aired, seafront seafood restaurants. Situated on a little rocky islet a few kilometers from the mainland is Koh Loy (Floating Island), a Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple that was originally accessible only at low tide. Nowadays, a concrete paved bridge connects Koy Loy with the mainland and serves as a ferry pier.
Off the coast of Si Racha is the small island of Koh Sichang that formerly contained King Rama V抯 favorite summer palace and used to be a customs checkpoint. Now it is a relatively quiet place with some architectural ruins and guesthouses.
On weekends and public holidays, the long stretch of Bang Saen Beach is a popular destination for Thais looking to unwind, play in the sun and surf, and picnicking on BBQ chicken, sticky rice and fresh coconut juice. Lots of water sports equipment for rent, i.e.jet skies, banana boats, lounge chairs, inflatable tubes.
The Marine Scientific Institute is located on the campus of Burapha University in Bang Saen, walking distance from the beach. Inside are living marine creatures, big and small, displayed in glass cases with descriptive signs educating the public about the diverse marine ecosystem. Highlight is feeding time at 14.00 hr daily when divers enter the large water tank to feed the large fishes, sharks, and stingrays. Open daily, except Mondays, from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children.
People flock to Pattaya for the good, cheap accommodation, extensive beaches, excellent restaurants and excellent sports facilities in town. Jomtien Beach is more preferred for the daytime activities while Pattaya Beach comes to life after sunset. Or choose any of the nearby islands to relax or try a new water sport.
Pattaya is a great scuba diving training site for novice and refresher for expert divers. Most sites are within an hour boat ride. Year-round diving season with good visibility. Not too far out in Pattaya Bay is the popular Bremen Wreck, teeming with colorful coral fishes and nudibranches. The 300-foot boat lies upright in 25 meters of water off the naval town of Satthahip.
The Pattaya Elephant Village is the first and largest elephant training school in Pattaya. Watch the elephants demonstrate their forestry skills and perform tricks, such as play football. Arrange to go jungle trekking or choose to go on a raft journey across a lake.
Catch the elaborate productions and magnificent costumes of the transvestite cabaret shows in Pattaya. These 'girls' really love to perform and entertain. Be amazed with their beauty and regal finery. Shows are changed regularly and are packed nightly.
On Sukhumvit Road near the entrance road to Bang Saen is the widely popular Nong Mon Market .It offers a vast range of local products but mostly foodstuffs, both fresh and preserved. Among its well-known buys are different types of dried seafoods, Khao Lam or gluttonous rice baked in bamboo, Ho Mok or spicy steamed fish cakes, Hoi Cho or deep fried shrimp cakes, sweetened banana and taro chips, sweetened fruit preserves as well as rattan and bamboo basketware from Phanat Nikhom.