The Pattaya Guide - September 2009

Page 1


Firs

t Sa each turday of mon th LIV

E JA Z only Z a t Man hatt ans

For reservations & complimentary pick-up call 038 259 790 www.manhattans-pattaya.com


Maela Pla Phoa

A LA TURCA

Authentic Turkish Cuisine

FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE Pattaya’s most popular restaurants

lent l e c x E rvice! Se

Vientiane Restaurant

ight N e t La ill 3am T Menu

RUSSIAN RESTAURANT

Restaurant Bar Nong

Bar, Restaurant & Guesthouse

tequila reef cantina

Simply call: Order online: www.door2doorpattaya.com PATTAYA

&

J O M T I E N

ENGLISH, AMERICAN, MEXICAN, AND THAI FOOD

Globetrotter Black Bush Co,.Ltd.

YOUR LOCAL FROM HOME


Contents History Of PattayA

5

Learning thai

6

Useful phone numbers

7

Getting Around

8

Pattaya Map

10

Jomtien Map

12

Good Food Guide

14

divided by a commion langauge

30

Nightlife Guide

32

A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad

38

Outside Pattaya

42

Sports and Activities in Pattaya

44

Golf Guide

56

Accommodation

63

Health And Fitness

66

Services Guide

68

Visa Information

82

Shopping Guide

86

Real Estate Guide

90

4

ThePattayaGuide | contents

The Pattaya Guide is a monthly publication which is on display in many hotels, shopping centre’s, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout Pattaya, Jomtien and Naklua. Created & Published by: The Pattaya Guide Company Limited, 482/14 Moo 10, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Email or Call us if you would like to be added to our distribution list Telephone: 085 945 9689 Email: thepattayaguide@gmail.com Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions, we always like to hear from our readers. All contents of this guide are the copyright of The Pattaya Guide Company Ltd, all rights reserved. Reproduction, use of editorials and use of pictures in any manner is prohibited without written permission of The Pattaya Guide Co Ltd.


History Of PattayA Pattaya - Thailand’s capital of fun is a popular resort on the North Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand, 150 km south-east of Bangkok. Once a sleepy fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R & R spot during the Vietnam War and has been a popular tourism destination ever since. Currently, Pattaya is booming and the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport has made visiting easier than ever. Pattaya is popular not only as a beach resort and for its entertainment, nightlife and shopping, but also for the broad selection of recreational activities it caters for, from golf and horseback riding to bungee jumping, karting and shooting - not to mention a wide variety of watersports such as scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Pattaya, unlike other beach resorts, shows no respite after sundown, Pattaya’s nightlife is unique and fascinating with Walking Street, South Pattaya in the centre of it all. This is the most popular place to go amongst tourists and expats here you will find many go go bars, beer bars, discos, street entertainers and the odd ladyboy. Food is another one of the highlights of any trip to Pattaya. From giant prawns to spicy som tam salad, there is every imaginable cuisine here. Cajun, Chinese, Indian, Italian, English, French, Vietnamese, German, Russian and many more. Today Pattaya attracts annually more then a million tourists from all over the world. Pattaya provides high standard hotels, restaurants, sports, entertainment and shopping. It really has it all and a whole lot more. history of pattaya | ThePattayaGuide

5


Learning thai Always use

“krup” (for men)

One

“ka” (for women)

Two

khorb khun

Three

Thank you Hello & Goodbye Goodbye See you again Good luck How are you? I am fine What is your name? My name is It’s ok I don’t want any don’t have any money Where are you going? I don’t believe you

nueng song sam

sawat-dee

Four

see

la-gon

Five

HAR

Six

hok

lao jer gun

Seven

jed

sabai dee maI

Eight

BAD

sabai dee

Nine

gao

chok dee

khun chue aria

sib

Ten

phom chue.

Eleven

sib et

mai ben rai

Twelve

sib song

Thirteen

sib sam

mai ow khrap/Ka mai mee dtung

14 = 10 + 4

bai nai?

sib see

15 = 10 + 5

sib ha

mai chue

20

yee sib

JING

21

yee sib et

Expensive/Cheap

PANG/TOOK

22

yee sib song

Sorry

khor thot

23

yee sib sam

Really

(you will say it when you want to interrupt someone, when you want to pass by someone or when you do something wrong) Sorry

sia jai

(In this case it means a different thing. Like if someone died or got hurt, you say “phom di chan sia jai” which means “I am sorry”) 6

ThePattayaGuide | Thai Phrases

24 = 20 + 4

yee sib see

25 = 20 + 5

yee sib ha

100 200 1,000 2,000 10,000

nueng roi song roi nueng pun song pun nueng MUNg


Useful phone numbers Pattaya City Phone Center

1337

Emergencies Police Emergency

191

Sawang Boriboon Foundation

038 488 882

1669

Tourist Police

038 425 937

1155

Pattaya Immigration

038 410 24

Police Station (Pattaya)

038 420 802-5

Police Station (Jomtien)

038 232 330-1

Police Station (Banglamung)

038 221 331

Fire Brigade (Pattaya)

038 425 943

Fire Brigade (Naklua)

038 221 000

Hospital (Bangkok- Pattaya) Hospital (Banglamung)

038 429 244

Hospital (Pattaya International)

038 428 374-5

Hospital (Pattaya Memorial)

038 488 777

199 1719

Transport Bus Station (to Bangkok)

038 429 877

Pattaya Railway Station

038 429 285

U-Tapao Airport

038 245 593-5

Bangkok Airways

038 412 382

Thai Airways International

038 425 934-7

Suvarnabhumi Airport Phone Centre 021 321 888 Please text any useful phone numbers that you come across to 086 832 3967 Useful Phone Numbers | ThePattayaGuide

7


Getting Around Pattaya is a very easy city to get around although the busy traffic causes frequent hold-ups at peak times (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:00 – 18:30), particularly on the major roads. Unusually, for Thailand, there are no tuk-tuks in Pattaya, so everyone usually gets around on the baht-buses (songtaews) or on motorbike taxis. There are literally hundreds of both all over Pattaya. Motorbike taxis Motorbike taxis are a way of life in Pattaya. They are your best bet of getting around if you want to get somewhere quickly or conveniently, particularly at busy times. On every corner in Pattaya, no matter how small the Soi (street), you will find a gathering of motorbike taxis. They are operate 24 hours a day 7 days per week and provide a very convenient service. However, this option is not for the faint-hearted and can be dangerous. These guys, and the occasional lady will take you anywhere but agree on a price first! Renting cars and motorbikes Another practical way to get around Pattaya is by renting a motorbike. Most people simply don’t have the nerve to tackle the traffic and bizarre driving habits here, but if you do, renting a motorbike is your best option for getting around Pattaya. You can rent a motorbike for around 200 baht a day or cheaper for longer periods. There are scooter type bikes which are actually extremely easy to ride, with no clutch when changing gears, and very reliable, larger motorbikes are freely available as well, but obviously more expensive. 8

ThePattayaGuide | getting around


In Thailand it is illegal to ride a motorbike or to be a passenger without a helmet, to ride with more than two passengers, to undertake in traffic, to go the wrong way down one-way streets, to exceed the speed limit, or, to jump red lights, which means very little to anyone in Thailand and driving habits here are dreadful. If you decide to rent a motorbike, make sure your medical insurance is up-to-date as accidents here are a daily occurrence. Cars can be hired too, but driving them in and around the city is likely to be a frustrating experience, particularly at school times, market days, rush hours and on Sukhumvit Road. There are many car rental companies around the city with prices starting at around 500 baht a day for the older cars, to a more realistic 1200+ baht for more modern or four wheel drive vehicles. WARNING… Driving habits in Thailand are appalling and most drivers are quite irresponsible and ignore simple safety rules. In contrast to the Thai’s usual polite and peaceful behaviour, they become quite inconsiderate behind the wheel. Be very wary of your speed and always look out for bad drivers, Pattaya is full of them. Unlike many Western countries, it’s very easy to pass a driving test here, so many drivers have little or no experience of driving either in town or on main roads. Many simply don’t have a licence at all or any awareness of road rules. Be prepared at any time for other drivers to suddenly pull out in front of you without even looking, stop without warning, overtake dangerously (and on the inside) and ignore motorcyclists. Some people just stop and park where it suits them, weave through the traffic with a death wish, ride the wrong way up the road into oncoming traffic and more. Do pay careful attention and drive conservatively. Accidents are regular in Pattaya and when they do occur, the offender is usually reluctant to accept any responsibility, should the worst happen however, the Pattaya police and ambulance services are exceptionally good, as well as being very quick to the scene. getting around | ThePattayaGuide

9


Pattaya Map

Mini Siam

Police Box

P

To Chonburi & Ba

A.R.C.

H Bangkok Pattaya

Air Con Bus Station to BBK

North Pattaya Road

ngkok

Police Box Tesco Lotus

Thai Garden Resort & Moon River Pub

P

3rd Road Soi 1

Easy Visa Big C

Best To Naklua

Sanctuary of Truth

Garden Sea View

Woodland

1 Dusit

Asiawan Resort Garden Cliff

10

P.I. Hospital

Amari

Long Beach Garden

ThePattayaGuide | Pattaya Map

2

3

4

H


Soi Nern Pl ub wan

KCR Homefinder

Bus Station to Northern Thailand

Fairways Golf Range & Resort

Sukhumvit Road Nick The Pizza Premi Air

Foodland

Soi Bongkot

Valentino Carrefour

Paradise City Properties

Modern Smile

X-Zyte Disco Newspaper Direct Soi Boukhao

Pattaya Memorial

H

Witherspoons

LK Metro

Take It Easy

Golden Homes

2nd Road

Big Horn Shenanigans

P

Tops 5

Soi Lenkee

TOT Telephone

Central Pattaya Road

Venus Lounge

Soi Diana

TBAC

Soi Chaiyapoon

KPK

6

Central Festival

Police Box

Sportsman Soi Yodsak

Siam Gentleman’s Club

Siam Country Club

Siam Golf

Tequlia Reef Nova Lodge

7

9 Police Station 8

P

Jewellery Zone-G/F 10

11

12

Beach Road

Five Star 13 Visa Runs

Pattaya Beach :- Real Estate

:- Shopping

:- Restaurant & Bar

:- Services

:- Activities

H :- Hospital :- Hotel

Pattaya Map | ThePattayaGuide

11


Soi Khaotalo

Soi Wat Tham Samakkee

Jomtien Map Highway Police Station

P

P Police Box

P Police BoxTesco Lotus

Outlet Mall

d

Manhattans

Café des Amis

Roa

Thai Decor Beach Properties Pattaya Golf.com

Phr ata m

nak

Stork Club Ahaar Indian Soi Yamoto Soi Post Office

Open Advertising

Adventure Divers

South Pattaya Ro

7

Amor Restaurant Café New Orleans

Post Horn Bar

Walkin g

Blues Factory :- Easy Kart

Street

Siam Bayshore Mountian Beach

Ialand View

Sheraton Cosy Beach

12

17

d

i1

Roa

Northern Thai Reality & Export

So

7

asit

Soi Buakhao

P Police Box

pp The

ad

Big C

ThePattayaGuide | Jomtien Map

Royal Cliff

Asia Pattaya

Pattaya Bay


Soi Norng Kraborg

Soi Chaiyapruk 2

To Rayong, Sattahip & U-Tapao Airport

Sukhumvit Road

Pattaya Properties

Simon’s Fish & Chips

Post Office

Grand Palace Hotel

Immigration

Shenanigans

Bus to Bangkok

9 5

7 ien Jomt

ad

h Ro

Beac

Pattaya Park

Police Box P

Jomtien Beach P

g

B tan

:- Shopping

Police Box

Adriatic

n Do

ruk

Welcome Jomtien

Soi Chaiyap

Royal Garden

n

North Shore

o at Bo Soi W

East Furniture & Interiors

Underwater World

e

h ac

:- Activities :- Real Estate :- Restaurant & Bar

:- Services

H :- Hospital :- Hotel

Jomtien Map | ThePattayaGuide

13


Good Food Guide With a wealth of international restaurants offering delicious food. Pattaya is truly the crossroads of cuisine in Asia. French, Mexican, German, ltalian, Indian, Chinese, Scandinavian, Korean, Japanese and of course, Thai plus many other varieties of restaurant are located within the city. For most visitors to Pattaya the experience of new and interesting dishes is an exciting alternative to the traditional foods available at home. However, along with wonderful Thai dishes, one should sample the culinary delights available from other countries. Try “Kimji” a type of Korean spicy salad or maybe “sizzling Fajitas” a popular Mexican dish. Also, why not take this opportunity to find new ways of cooking traditional ingredients… there are now several cooking schools around the city where for a nominal fee you can learn to cook local dishes as well as go shopping to local markets and buy the ingredients you will need. Local specialities include: Tom Yam Gung (spicy prawn soup), Gaeng Kiewan (green spicy curry). If you like your food “hot” then try some of the food served from the vast number of vending carts across the city. At these you can sample such delicacies as: Som Tam (spicy salad) or Hoy Tord (fried mussels or oysters with egg) and the amazing variety of seafood. 14

ThePattayaGuide | good food guide


For Home Deliveries Please Call Door 2 Door 038 720 222

Phone:- 038 710 609




KPK FOOD SERVICE KPK FOOD SERVICE Fine Quality English Foods - Both Wholesale & Retail KPK Foods have been delivering the finest foods to hotels and restaurants for the last 4 years. We supply a wide selection of quality fresh and cooked meats, savoury pastries and all the accompanying food products to Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard. As well as supplying hotels and restaurants KPK Foods also cater for your home cooking. Customers can buy direct from our retail outlet, located behind Carrefour, just off Soi Yume. The outlet is open from 10am - 6pm Monday to Saturday. There is plenty of parking space outside the shop. If you can’t get down to our outlet you can call our hotline 086 145 0147 and place an order. We have a comprehensive product and price list on our website www.kpkfoods.com All orders received will be delivered to you the next day and in perfect condition by our refrigerated vehicle delivery service. We will also do our very best to accommodate your needs in the case of any very urgent orders you may require outside this time-scale.

Some of our best selling products... Beef, Pork, Sausages, Burgers, Bacon, Gammon, Lamb, Veal, Pastry & Pies, also available Baked Beans (not Heinz but close to it) PG Tips, Tetley Tea Bags, Colmans Mustard, Branson Pickle plus new products every month!!!

www.kpkfoods.com 24-HOUR WHOLESALE HOTLINE - 038-416-470 (English : 086 145 0147) - Fax 038 416 471 Orders before 4pm - Guaranteed next day delivery Monday-Saturday Email us for more information - wholesale@kpkfoods.com - www.kpkfoods.com


KPK FOOD SERVICE FINE ENGLISH FOOD & FRESH MEAT Quality Assured Everytime

Wholesale & Retail Supplier to Hotels, Bars & Restaurants Bacon, Sausages, Black Pudding, Beef, Fresh Pork, Steaks & Imported Lamb

The Sportsman

FLAMBOYANT Creative Cuisine

Witherspoons

E-mail: info@kpkfoods.com Phone: 038 416 470 Mob: 086 145 0147 (English) Fax 038 416 471 www.kpkfoods.com


days a week Open t7ill 12 midnight n 12 noo One of the finest Indian Cuisine in the City of Pattaya Soi Post Office, off 2nd Road

Soi Post Office

Soi Yamoto

Tel: 038 711 151 Royal Garden Plaza


Enquiry / booking / pick up service

08402 64989 & 038 364 327

location: end of soi 11, Tappraya road



For Home Deliveries Please Call Door 2 Door 038 720 222



SERVING PATTAYA FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, OUR

EXTENSIVE MENU OFFERS FINE DINING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES. SITUATED IN THE HEART OF SOUTH PATTAYA. VISIT US AND EXPERIENCE ELEGANT DINING IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE!

% 2.5 ns et 1 ectio ed) g l d d an se clu ad enu ot in s i m t th all ns n sen nt on otio e r P cou rom dis cial p e (Sp

NO ONE MAKES ’ EM LIKE US!

RESTAURANT

Soi Pattayaland 2 (13/4) Between the Royal Garden & the Walking Street Phone:- 038 710 805/6 Fax:- 038 710 283 www.cafeneworleans.info cafeneworleans@csloxinfo.com




FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE

t h g i N e t a L u Till Men

m a 3

Simply call:


Manhattans Restaurant & Bar

WORLD-CLASS CUISINE

Manhattans is famous for its top quality grain fed Angus steaks from the U.S. and Australia, flame grilled to perfection by their excutive chef. Also, recently introduced to the menu the famed Wagyu beef from Australia with more marbling, the flecks of fat within the beef, to ensure tenderness and flavour every time. But they have much more than just steaks, the seafood is fresh and succulent and the Thai food tantalizingly spicy. Other international dishes are superb, and the desserts are sinfully delicious. You’ll feel very relaxed in the stylish restaurant where the service is friendly and professional, and to complement your meal enjoy the extensive wine list, or the Wine by the Glass Menu. Enjoy a cocktail in the piano bar before dinner, or sit and relax with your favourite port or brandy after. Manhattans is also the hottest new venue in Pattaya for live jazz with Saturday night jamming sessions, in the bar and a jazz concert in the dining room on the first Saturday of every month. Discover us at Nirvana Place, The popular early dining menu is availiable Thappraya Road between Pattaya and Jomtien from 5pm with last food orders at 7.30pm. For more information and reservations Choose from 4 starters, 4 mains and 4 desserts. call 038 259 790 or visit the website 2 course 795 baht or 3 course 895 baht. www.manhattans-pattaya.com Manhattans has a complementary limousine Bar open 4pm - 00.30am to pick you up, and to take you home. It’s all Restaurant open 5pm - 10.30pm part of the service. Closed Monday’s


divided by a commion langauge by Mark Verrall

markverrall@hotmail.com

A couple of months ago I wrote a piece about how difficult it was for me to learn Thai. However, there is a country whose language I find even more confusing. I am talking of course, about America. It is often attributed to George Bernard Shaw that Britain and the U.S are two nations divided by a common language. This is especially true regarding slang, which can get you into all kinds of bother. For example, the word ’fag’ in America is a rather derogatory term for a homosexual man. In England it means cigarette. So if you are in America and inform someone that you are dying/gasping for a fag…well, you get the idea. In America, ‘fanny’ is slang for a woman’s behind. In the U.K. it means a woman’s er…vagina. So if your American friend says ‘she has a nice fanny’ your initial reaction might be ‘How do you know?’ Another bone of contention is the spelling. It was only natural I suppose that after they gained independence that they would want to form their own version of the ‘Mother tongue’ and spell it as it sounds, thus centre became center. The one that really gets to the Brits is Aluminum, which we call Aluminium. Then of course there was the George W. Bush ‘Nukular weapons’ . I rather miss old George. What other world leader could come out with something like ‘I know the human being and fish can co-exist peacefully’. Now the U.S. has Barack Obama who is a superb orator and has great charisma but I think the ironic thing is that he was supposed to be the President that would unite the country and I think he will go down as the most divisive President in U.S. history. Also, if your savings are in U.S. Dollars think very seriously about changing that!

30

ThePattayaGuide | divided by a commion langauge


A major problem with America in their insularity. Watch any U.S. news channel and virtually every report is about America regardless of what is happening around the world. This helps to breed a certain ignorance of world affairs. We all have a favourite story about Americans making mistakes regarding other countries. A famous one is the American consortium who bought London Bridge to take to Arizona believing they had purchased the London Tower Bridge. You can just picture the engineers scratching their heads as the ‘crates’ were unloaded, saying ‘Where are the Tower parts..?’

The Pyramids Mountian Range

Several years ago I was watching a stunning game of Rugby between the then World Champions, South Africa and the New Zealand All Blacks. The All Blacks were playing the most perfect Rugby I had ever seen. There was an American chap sitting with us and he said ‘I guess this is the European version of American Football’ You could hear the jaws dropping to the tables around the room. Also some years ago, I had a French girlfriend in Bangkok and she had been an exchange student in the States. At a student party a guy approached her and asked her where she was from “‘France” she told him. “Is that in Paris?” he asked. But even better another guy asked her the same question. “France” she said. In all seriousness he asked her “Do you have electricity in France?” I read something on the internet about American student’s exam answers. Two of my favourites were ‘The Pyramids are a mountain range in Egypt’ and even better ‘Beethoven was deaf, so he wrote very LOUD music.’ I’m not saying Americans are silly, but they might want to reform their education system before they touch healthcare!

No Electric In France

divided by a commion langauge | ThePattayaGuide

31


Nightlife Guide As you would expect from one of the most exciting vacation destinations in the world. Pattaya offers the visitor a kaleidoscope of entertainment possibilities. Live music & be enjoyed at several clubs around the city. These venues provide the visitor with wonderful atmosphere, cold beer & cocktails & the opportunity to see artists from various parts of the world playing a wide selection of popular & new music. There are also a number of traditional nightclubs in the city. These nightspots also offer live entertainment… the live music is usually performed by Thai singers & bands with regular interludes where the resident DJ will play a selection of dance/house or other forms of music. For visitors who like to sit back & watch a truly spectacular show, check out Alcazar & Tiffany’s located on 2nd Road, Pattaya. These are the lady-boy shows, where the singers perform in a vast array of costumes & sing their way through songs in several languages. A little outside Pattaya you will find the Alangkarn Extravaganza. A show which features animals, pyrotechnics, acrobats etc. Alangkarn is now creating itself as one of the “must see” shows for visitors. 32

ThePattayaGuide | Nightlife Guide


location north pattaya road, in front of the thai garden resort type live music venue phone 038 370 614-8 contact danilo becker www.thaigarden.com

For reservations, please contact Danilo Becker on 038 370 614-8 or with


Open

from 2pm

SUKHUMVIT ROAD

TOT

2nd ROAD

PATTAYA KLANG

3rd ROAD

BEACH ROAD

On 3rd Road Central Pattaya

Thai : 083 English : 087

254 7036 617 4053

www.venusloungepattaya.com info@venusloungepattaya.com


Considered by many to be the No 1 live music venue on the Eastern Seaboard and with traditional and modern music it combines to make The Blues Factory a truly excellent night time venue. Our first band “The Blues Machine” feature USA’s BB King awarding winning guitarist Ken “The Snowman” Minihan and along with the wonderful Mary and drummer Oy who was the first Thai to ever play the Montreux Jazz festival they will have you dancing to great music ranging from BB King & Muddy Waters to Etta James and Tina Turner. Our second band features the “Guitar King of Thailand” the one and only Lam Morrison Thailands most famous Rock guitarist and along with “The Rock Machine” featuring Pattaya’s hottest new guitar sensation “Nueng” they play a wide range of Rock n Roll & Classic Rock songs along with modern hits in their own inimitable style. So for a wonderful night of entertainment check out The Blues Factory on Soi Lucky Star (just off walking street and Marine Plaza), perfect for couples or singles looking for a great hassle free night out.


Advertise here for only 4500 baht per month, discounts available with 3, 6, 9 or 12 month contracts

For more information call 085 945 9689 or e:mail: thepattayaguide@gmail.com



A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad Koh Chang is the largest among the 52 islands of Trad, is also the nation’s second largest island, after Phuket. Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They include Klong Son Bay, White Sand Beach, Klong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach.To the east are Sapparot Bay, where a ferry landing is situated, and Salak Khok Bay. White Sand Beach (Haad Sai Kao) is the most popular beach located at the northern end of Koh Chang’s west coast. It’s over 2 kms long and lined by rocks, over-hanging palms and broad-leaved trees. The southern part is the busiest of the island with numerous shops, resorts and restaurants. While the northern part, probably the most well-known and longest visited beach on Koh Chang, is today still rather quiet, despite the surge in tourism. At both ends of the beach are rather steep mountains covered with dense rain forest, which almost reach the beach. The beach is rather flat, similarly to almost everywhere on the west coast and therefore very suitable for swimming at either high or low tide.

Klong Prao Beach Has long, white sandy beach. It is steeper than White Sands but safe for swimming. The northernmost part of the beach has beautiful rocky landscape. Kai Bae Beach Kai Bae beach, like that of Klong Phrao, is steep but swimming is safe. You can hire canoes and kayaks and there are plenty of dive shops. Bang Bao Beach Bang Bao is a fishing village on stilts, is rich with coral and is a good place to fish, snorkel or swim. It also has boats for hire. Activities Definitely worthwhile to visit is the Bang Bao Fishery Village located in the far South west of 38

ThePattayaGuide | A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad


the island – for both succulent Seafood and tropical sundowner cocktails. The inner part of the island is a National Park and there are many ways to explore the nature, either by elephant trekking or simply hiking up to the stunning Waterfalls. Very popular as well are trips or day tours to the Islands surrounding Koh Chang and surrounded by crystal clear seas, for either snorkeling or scuba diving.

Diving and snorkelling The best dive sites are the seamounts off the southern coast to the island of Ko Kood, the best site being at Ko Wai where there is intensely colourful coral reefs, with depths of five to 18 metres. During the rainy season visibility can be poor and the best time to visit is from November to April. There are many dive centres offering specialising in PADI certificates on most of the main beaches. There is no snorkelling to speak of in Ko Chang itself, but the outer islands can easily be reached by boat. Waterfalls There are a series of scenic waterfalls across the island. It costs 200 baht to enter the national parks. On the east coast the Nam Tok Mayom waterfall has three waterfalls and can be climbed in under an hour. A smaller waterfall at Nam Tok Klong Phu on the west coast can be reached via Khlong Prao. There are plunge pools to cool yourself off after the trek to the falls. There are other, less impressive falls in Khlong Son, White Sands Beach and Kai Bae. Elephant trekking and walking On Khlong Prao, Chang Chutiman offer elephant safaris into the interior for 150 baht for half and hour and 500 baht for an hour. Or, if you prefer to do it on foot, you can take a hike yourself. The best place to start is from the southern end of the island. But be warned, it is advisable to hire a local guide! A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad | ThePattayaGuide

39


Restaurant Guide White Sands Beach (Had Sai Khao), Sfizioso Excellent Italian pasta bar, Earthlinks - Coffee bar, Jinda Resort - Restaurant/bar, 15 Palms - Beach restaurant/bar **Recommended**, KC - Beach bar, Oodie’s Place - Live music bar, Sabay - Beach bar, Thor’s Palace - Beach restaurant/bar, Tongsai - Thai Restaurant/Bar, Paddys Palms Irish Pub Restaurant/Bar with rooms **Recommended** Klong Prao Beach, Wan Dee - Thai restaurant, Magic Pub - Thai restaurant, Baan Chang - Thai restaurant, Kai Bae Beach, Comfortable Bar - Thai bar/restaurant, Taxi Stop - Thai bar, Rainbow - Restaurant/bar, The Joker - European bar, Piggy’s - Vegetarian restaurant

Nightlife in Koh Chang Besides being one of the most idyllic islands in Thailand, Koh Chang also caters for those into music and dance. The nightlife on Koh Chang ranges from pubs, where live music, sports on big TV screens are on offer, to wild beach bars. There are plenty of beach bars, beer bars, pubs and clubs on the island, especially the popular ones like White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae and Lonely Beach. Lonely Beach has full- and half-moon parties held on a regularly. Nightlife in White Sand Beach Nightlife in White Sand Beach is probably the “most happening” of all the beaches on Koh Chang. Popular beach bars like Oodie’s Place and Sabay Bar offer lively nightlife and great live music. These places tend to get packed at weekends and during the long holidays, so if you have an aversion to big crowds, it’s best to avoid them. Towards the southern end of the road, just before going up the hill to Klong Prao Beach, there is a small cluster of beer bars known as ‘Little Pattaya’. A little further is Paddys Palms, really the only place on the Island to watch live sports.

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ThePattayaGuide | A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad


Nightlife in Klong Prao Beach You can watch a live football matches or simply just enjoying the atmosphere. Nightlife in Klong Prao Beach includes cafes and bars that have a pool tables, board games, big screen TV, etc. Nightlife in Kai Bae Beach Kai Bae beach has sort of fun and exciting nocturnal escapades can be revelled in this area. From relaxing cafes and bars, cheap drinks, great food and live music as well as pool tables and TV to beach bars, beer bars and pubs serving up a variety of local and imported beers, complete with board games. Nightlife in Lonely Beach Considered a competitor to the Lonely Beach, nightlife at the Lonely Beach seems to cater mostly to the younger and independent crowds. Roadside and beachside bars serve cheap drinks and snacks. Some also feature live music and DJs on a nightly basis. As the night grows older, the parties here tend to get wilder. Getting there from Pattaya By Car or minibus There really is only two options for getting to Koh Chang from Pattaya, rent a car or drive your own. Driving from Pattaya take Highway 36 which joins Highway 3 heading towards Trat shortly after Rayong. Once you reach Trat you will see big billboards with directions to the ferry ports. It should take you about 3 hours to get the ferry & then a further 40 minutes on the ferry. A minibus is also an option because if you do not have your own car. A mini bus journey will cost you approximately 600 baht per person & they leave everyday at about 6 in the morning. All travel agents in Pattaya will offer this trip. Ferry services and times Ferries leave from one of three piers every 30 minutes from 7am to 7pm. Probably the most popular is the Centrepoint Pier. A motorcycle or car are free while foot passengers are charged. Once on the other side, sawngthaews are available during the day A Guide to Koh Chang, Trad | ThePattayaGuide

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Outside Pattaya Sponsored By KCR Homefinder | Phone 038 405 167-8 Entertainment Since my last issuance much has happened out here in the jungle with two new places now officially launched. The much vaunted Rendezvous Bar and Restaurant is fully open offering a great menu of Western and Thai favourites, cold beers of course and superb table and bar staff. Next to it is Gary’s bakery with ‘’on the premises’ home made pies and pastries. They have fresh bread daily and serve some of the nicest coffee around. For the lads there is now the Brasilia Bar. Excellent decoration, great staff, good music and of course beers of every description. There is a full size billiards table, pool and of course TV’s for the big games. It’s becoming difficult to keep up with the establishments opening around the reservoir so I recommend a trip or two out here to savour what we have. The natives are friendly and there’s fun to be had. To recap on a few of our favourites, the Mabprachan Resort is under new management and is The Place to be seen, they are now fully disabled friendly and have a lift for the pool, accommodation with wheelchair access and of course bathrooms to suit. The Lakeside Restaurant goes from strength to strength as does Peacock Place and Bob’s Outback Bar. Golf for everyone and societies out most days. On my last count I found upwards of 20 fine establishments around and about so I can’t possibly list them all. To those I have missed apologies … next time.

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Outside Pattaya Sponsored By KCR Homefinder | Phone 038 405 167-8 Feature Property There has been much talk recently about ‘green houses’, no not the glass ones but eco friendly houses built with the environment and economy in mind. What we are featuring here is one of the pioneers in this field and the designers have created a superb example of how it can be done. Grey and rain water recycling through the garden, roof insulation, double skin external walls, a deep bore well

and solar panels, The house has four double bedrooms, four gorgeous bathrooms, a full European kitchen, grade A ceramic tiles and a saline swimming pool with a spa and sala.

Far too much to mention here so please call for an appointment to view. You will not be disappointed

Outside Pattaya | ThePattayaGuide

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Sports and Activities in Pattaya The city of Pattaya has a wide variety of activities to suit all ages and preferences. If you want to try something new, Pattaya is a great place to start. Watersports are inexpensive and very popular, they include windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, parasailing, gamefishing, snorkelling and scuba diving. On land, high energy people can choose from tennis, go-karts, squash, badminton, bowling, horse riding and boxing! Lessons are available for most sports at reasonable prices also. We have put the following guide together for all your sporting needs‌ Aerobics A free open-air aerobics class is held alongside the beach next to the junction of Beach Road and Soi 6 daily at 18:00. Aqua-aerobics exercise classes are held at the Dusit Resort Sports & Fitness Club (next to the Dolphin Roundabout) Badminton The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Pattaya Badminton Courts on Soi 17, 2nd road, they are open 1400 - 2400 daily, there are 4 courts. Hourly rates: 60Bt per hour, racquet rentals 20Bt, shuttlecocks 25Bt. Members fee is 500Bt month Bowling There are 3 bowling alleys in the Pattaya area. 1) Pattaya Bowl is located on Pattaya 2nd Rd in North Pattaya (opp Big C) 2) PS Bowl is on the third floor of the PS Plaza (Tops) at the corner of the Central Pattaya traffic light between Central Pattaya Road & Pattaya 2 Rd. 3) The Avenue Shopping Centre plays host to a bowling alley

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All alleys have a sufficient car parking, air-conditioning, snack bar and coffee shops, serving Thai and international dishes. Operating hours for all are from 10:00 am until late The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Pattaya Bowl, North Pattaya 20 lanes, price between 70-90 baht depending on the time of day. The complex also has 6 pool tables, 2 full-size snooker tables. 120Bt / table / hour It’sopen daily 10:0002:00, Tel: 038 429 908 Fishing For a quiet afternoon, you can fish in a local fishing parks; ponds or lakes which are all well stocked with local fish. You can hire equipment. The fishing parks charge around 80Bt / day and extra for rod hire, bait, etc., (Some parks also charge for fish caught by the kilo, if you want to take your fish away) The Pattaya Guide Recommends – North Pattaya Fishing Park also known as “Soi 3 Fishing Park” charges 100Bt / house rod, bait 20Bt / packet - and serves food and drink and has live music after dark. If you prefer to go for the big one! The waters around Manwichai, Rin and Kram islands are popular for marlin, king mackerel and barracuda. Offshore fishing trips are organised by many local operators. Enquire at the tour shops Fitness You can keep yourself in shape during your stay here at one of the many gyms that admit people on a daily / weekly or monthly basis. Tony’s on 3rd Road, South Pattaya and also in Walking Street is the most famous and offers modern equipment, swimming, tennis, Thai boxing and more. Golf / Driving Ranges Golf is a speciality of the region, with more than 20 courses within an hour’s drive (most within 30 minutes) of Pattaya, many designed by some of golf’s Activities Guide | ThePattayaGuide

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most famous names, including Nick Faldo (Great Lakes), Jack Nicklaus (Laem Chabang), Gary Player (Sri Racha) and Robert Trent Jones (Eastern Star Resort and Country Club). All offer good facilities and value for money in the 500Bt (green & caddy fee) to 2500Bt range. For more details see our golf guide, if you can’t make it to the course but fancy hitting some balls, there are plenty of golf driving ranges in the area The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Fairways Golf Range and Resort, Top of Pattaya Klang 038 413 636 www.pattayagolfresort.com Karting The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Easykart, Bali Pier (see map for location) There are 2 tracks 160 cc. (350 m.) for Kid and beginner, 270 cc. (750 m.) for Adult and advanced driver and the both track can be combined for the special event which support over 500 guest with the panoramic bar. Drivers are timed by special computerized equipment so you can also see who is the fastest in each lap. Horse Riding The Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club offers several kinds of riding, including dressage, trail riding, jumping, polo and pony club riding for children. Located on a ranch spread of 1,500 acres with trails, paddocks and beautiful tropical gardens, the owners have turned a passion for horses into a full-fledged riding academy. It is one of South-East Asia’s largest and most respected riding schools, catering to all experience levels and offering private lessons for 1600Bt / hour (discounts available for groups of 5+ and multilesson-packages) Horseshoe Point, Tambon Pong tel 038 735 050. Jet Skis Jet skis can be hired directly from most beaches in Pattaya for around 900Bt / hour and fast speedboats can be hired by the hour or day for 1500 to 5000Bt 46

ThePattayaGuide | Activities Guide


Motorsport The Pattaya Guide Recommends – HIDESIDETOURS.COM Ride a superbike around a full size track. The guys provide the bikes, instruction and all safety gear. 7000 baht for 3 hours which includes bike, fuel, instruction, safety gear and hotle pick up. Call 089 119 0000 for further details Muay Thai Tony’s Gym & Muay Thai Academy, Third Road is open 14:30 - 20:30. Two prices for everything - the lower price if you’re already paying to use the attached gym, otherwise the higher price: 180 - 280Bt / day, 950 - 1400Bt / week, 1500 - 2400Bt / fortnight, 2000 -1490Bt / 3 weeks, 2800 - 3900Bt / month - or 1500 - 2300Bt for 10 visits (no expiry date). Parasailing / Parascending Speedboat-towed parachute rides are available along the main beaches and in Pattaya Bay from several large floating platforms with speedboats ferrying customers out from the shore - typically about 500Bt / flight Sailing The most popular boats for hire are small Lasers, Prindles and Hobie Cats, which can be rented by the hour. You can sail year round in Pattaya’s waters. For further information regarding charter, boat hire and weather conditions The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Serenity Shipyard Tel: 081 577 4428 Swimming Most hotels and condos of any size have at least one swimming pool. Alternatively, if yours hasn’t, others are happy to have you as a daily

Activities Guide | ThePattayaGuide

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guest of their pool for a small charge. Most people who come to this seaside resort also enjoy swimming in the warm tropical sea. Mike Shopping Mall also has a large rooftop pool available for public use take the elevator or stairs up to the 10th floor.There’s a very small snacks counter and a good view of most of Pattaya Bay. Get there early to grab one of the sun loungers, and don’t forget your swimming costume (shorts are not permitted). Open 11:00-19:00, 80Bt / adult, 60Bt / child, or 1600Bt for a one month pass. Scuba Diving Pattaya is also one of the oldest diving centres in this part of Asia. It has a year round diving season with good visibility, & a sea temperature of around 28C which means that there is a rich variety of marine life & coral. Scuba dive training and trips for a wide range of ability levels and interests, certified by a number of different organisations, including both NAUI and PADI, are available through numerous dive shops. Several diving courses are available in Pattaya. These range from one to four days, depending upon the proficiency one desires to reach and the type of diving one wants to learn. The islands far from the shore take longer to reach but are lot quieter and do not suffer from the speedboat and jet-ski traffic of the islands nearer to Pattaya. The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Adventure Divers and Watersports Tel: 038 364 453 (Tappraya Road) For all your diving needs PaintBall Park The Pattaya Guide Recommends – Paintball Park, Off Thepprasit Road Paintball Park is Pattaya’s premier paintball venue. Large, open playing area with state-ofthe-art equipment. Ample parking facilities for cars and coaches. Cold drinks available. Their facilities include both toilets and showers. Jump suits available for rent. 48

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EASY KART – HARD TO RESIST

Terence Doyle

There are countless exciting corners to be explored in Pattaya but none of them is more exciting – or more frightening – than the first corner on the big track at Easy Kart, the city’s amazing outdoors go-kart headquarters. This sinuous course consists of ten great adrenalin turns but it is the first one that sets the standard for the rest as, still squirming to get comfortable in your seat - still trying to adjust to the scream of the engine in your ears and the cool feel of the steering wheel in your hands – you accelerate ahead, building speed quicker than you imagined, heading straight for a small gap beneath a low bridge and then …. And then what, for goodness sake? It is impossible to see anything beyond the dark shadows under the bridge until you are in the shadows yourself and then, immediately, you have to grapple with the sharp hairpin turn to the right. Whoooeee! Activities Guide | ThePattayaGuide

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But first you have to get to Easy Kart itself. This should be ‘easy’ as the name implies, given that EK is a sprawling facility barely 200 yards from the far end of Walking Street, more or less opposite the landmark Bali Hai pier. And yet EasyKart can all too easily be missed, as it is slightly hidden behind a rise in the road meaning that even people familiar with Pattaya may be a little uncertain where it is. So while you can easily get there on foot from Bali Hai, the best approach is by motorbike, which is quick and will get you in the mood for speed as well. No matter how you make your way to the track, you are bound to be impressed with the way it is run, starting with a vast and breezy second floor reception area equipped with everything you need to get you settled fast, as well as great viewing balconies for watching the action on both of Easy Kart’s tracks. The simpler 350 metre track on the east side is set up for the slower 160 cc karts (top speed 40km), for kids and beginners, providing a safe, yet memorable introduction to karting. Anyone with any doubt as to their ability is best to start of here to get a feel for the challenge because it is a great track for learning and it’s exciting as well as the confidence builds. Besides, everyone here gets to wear the same cool helmets and, at the end of their 8 minute ride, receives the same detailed print outs giving details of their lap times, average overall speeds and comparisons with other drivers. Even the least competitive racers are bound to be aroused by these results and wish they had pushed a little harder, maybe dared to take this or that corner a little faster. So here is are a few tips for everyone who might want to cut their speed on the first few laps: hold the steering lightly to reduce fatigue and increase 50

ThePattayaGuide | Activities Guide


sensitivity; use your accelerator and brake separately, never at the same time; and handle the corner by approaching on the outside edge of the track, turning in as late as possible and immediately heading again for the outside edge. First hand tips available free from a professional every Thursday at Easy Kart. But it is the big 750 metre track that will seduce the speed hungry, with modern, sleek 270cc karts that can accelerate up to 70 kms in a blink and brake even quicker as they sprint around the rapid succession of hairpin turns and chicanes, uphill and downhill, past trees and under that bridge, giving a real impression, both exhilarating and tiring, of big time racing. Cost for 8 minutes on the small track is 600 baht. On the big track there is a selection good value alternatives, starting with two 8 minute rides for 1200 baht; four times 8 minutes for 2400 baht; and so on. All of the big track selections include a membership card which allows you to take your rides whenever you want - there is no need to do them all on the same day – as well as other perks, like an Easy Kart T-shirt. Group should note that Easy Kart’s two tracks can be combined for special events and everyone will be happy to know that night racing is available year round. So racers, take your places. That frightening first corner beyond the bridge and many a tingle down the spine - awaits you. Information and Booking - 086 028 0880 Open 10am to 1am www.easykart.net E-mail : info@easykart.net Fax : +66(0)2 203 0621 Phone : +66(0)2 203 1205-7 Mobile : +66(0)86 028 0880 If you would like to race in a group, The Sportsman Pub & Restaurant, Soi 13 race every Monday evening at 8pm call Shane on 0859459689 for details

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For Taxi:


Adventure Divers & Watersports organisation padi location thappaya road, between Pattaya & Jomtien phone 038 364 453 or 089 252 5026 contact Robert www.pattayadivers.com




Golf Guide Sponsored By Fairways golf range & resort | Phone 038 413 636 1. Bangpra International | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 341 151 2. Burapha Golf Club | 36 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 345 153 3. Chonburi Century C.C. | 18 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 01 304 1545 4. Crystal bay Golf Club | 27 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 349 365 5. Eastern Star Golf Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 630 418 6. Emerald Golf Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 941 044 7. Great Lake Golf Club | 36 hole par 72 | Course 3 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 622 630 8. Green Wood | 27 holes par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 261 58 9. Khao Kheow C.C. | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 298 226 10. Laem Chabang | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 372 275 11. Mountain Shadow | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 389 210 12. Pattana Sport Club | 27 hole par 73,74 | Course 4 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 318 999 13. Pattaya Country Club | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 423 718 14. Phoenix Country Club | 27 hole par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 239 391 15. Rayong Green Valley | 18 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 893 838 16. Royal Thai Navy | 36 hole par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 701 843 17. Siam Country Club | 18 holes par 72 | Course 5 Clubhouse 5 | Phone 038 249 381-6 18. St Andrews 2000 | 18 holes par 74 | Course 4 Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 893 838-42 19. Treasure Hills | 18 holes Par 72 | Course 4 Clubhouse 3 | Phone 038 488 349 20. Fairways Golf Range & Resort | Driving Range | Clubhouse 4 | Phone 038 413 636

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To BANGKOK 34 7

To CHACHOENGSAO

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GOLF COURSE MAP

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CHONBURI

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SI RACHA 3241

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3138

PATTAYA

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Siam Golf & Driving Range and Country Club is considered the number one driving range in Pattaya. It has the number one practice area for putting, pitching and sand practice and the number one fairway bunker, grass hitting facilities plus they use only the best golf balls. All areas are professionally kept to the very highest standards.

Plus Great Pro Shop!


Learn To Play Golf t The Swing t Addressing The Ball t Putting t Chip t Bunker t Fairway Driver With over 40 years experience within the golf profession, Harold is one of the best, most knowledgeable golf instructors in Thailand. Having played all the local (and not so local) courses hundreds of times gives Harold the unique insight into what each course has to offer any golfer, from beginner to professional.

Rates

One-to-One individual instruction 900 baht per half hour One-to-One individual instruction 1500 baht per one hour 2 Players 1600 baht per one hour 3 Players 2000 baht perone and half hours 4 Players 2500 baht per two hours

For Bookings Phone: Harold on 081 832 5338 or 038 405 166


Golf Guide Sponsored By fairways golf range & resort | Phone 038 413 636 Pattaya’s best kept secret is undoubtedly the quality and value of its golf courses, there are 20 championship standard courses within 45 minutes of Pattaya, designed by the very best golf architects and designers. Clubhouse facilities are excellent with everything you might need and more, including great restaurants, swimming pools, massage facilities, superb shower and locker rooms. All courses provide caddies to guide you through your round with words of advice and encouragement. Quite simply, golfing in Pattaya is a match for anywhere in the world at a fraction of the cost with each course offering a fantastic experience for golfers of all abilities (with no course requiring a handicap card). So, whether you are a low handicap golfer, one who enjoys a challenge or a complete novice there is no better place to play than the courses around Pattaya.

Course of the Month The Emerald Golf Resort Designer: Nick Faldo and Desmond Muirhead Course: 18 holes Par 72 The Emerald provides an almost surreal experience for serious and avid golfers. Nestled in amongst meandering hillsides and natural terrain and waterways. It is an ideal setting for a memorable round of strategic golfing. The 18 holes are carved through a mature setting which still provides sanctuary to a variety of native birds and wildlife. One of Pattaya’s more challenging courses! Facilities are by no means luxurious but offer a Clubhouse with Shower and locker room and a Restaurant offering Thai and International favourites 60

ThePattayaGuide | golf guide


Golf Range Price List

Room Rates

Daily Weekly Monthly

650 Baht 3400 Baht 8500 Baht

1 Tray (40 Balls) 40 Baht 3 Trays 100 Baht Golf Club Hire Free Golf Lessons from 500 Baht

For more information call

038 413 636

pattayagolfresort@gmail.com


Fairways Golf Range and Resort Anybody that has played golf in Pattaya knows that the courses here are some of the best in the world. They are professionally run, well managed and well maintained establishments. One complaint I often hear when out talking to other golfers is the poor quality of the golf practice facilities in Pattaya, they do not really live up to the quality of the courses to be found here Well this month I visited the newly renovated, Fairways Golf Range and Resort (formally pride/paradise golf range). The range has a 26 Bay floodlit driving area, practice bunkers, chipping areas, putting green and is conveniently located at the top of Central Pattaya Road. Other facilities include a full size indoor air conditioned golf simulator which is used to play many of the world’s top golf courses including St Andrews, rates start at just 900 baht per hour, a typical round of golf with 4 players takes about an hour and a half. The simulator is provided by John Reeves, a PGA professional golfer from America who is available to offer golf lessons too. The simulator can also be used to offer professional video golf lessons where you can match your swing against Tiger Woods on the screen from just 1200 baht per hour . Accommodation is also available. There are 20 rooms available for short and long term letting. Rates are 650 baht daily, 3400 baht weekly and 8500 baht monthly. Each room has cable TV, fridge, hot showers and air con and use of the communal swimming pool. Fairways Golf Range & Resort on 038 413636 or check out their web-site at: www.pattayagolfresort.com.

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Accommodation For those who are not familiar with the Pattaya and Jomtien geography, the South and Central Pattaya located hotels are the ones to chose if you are looking to be in the centre of the “action”. Lots of restaurants, bars, shopping etc. For those looking for perhaps a quieter night’s sleep, choose North Pattaya or Naklua, where there are several quality hotels down by the beach at Wongamat. If you really want to get out the city, then stay at Jomtien. The beach is better than that in Pattaya and it is easy to travel to Pattaya for evenings by taking one of the many “baht buses” which congregate at several points along the Beach Road. The Pattaya Guide Recommends - Sandy Springs Hotel, Soi 13 Room range from 1200 (Basic room) - 2500 (Superior Suite) The hotel is very clean, the staff are excellent and is you will struggle to find better value for money elsewhere in Pattaya. Call 038 414 752-8 Accommodation | ThePattayaGuide

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Jomtien Beach Properties

Studios, 1 - 2 bedroom units for rent or sale We own and manage all our properties No agents - No commission

Tel: 085 697 8245

www.jomtienbeachproperties.com



Health And Fitness A healthy lifestyle can be achieved anywhere in the world and Pattaya is certainly one of the most popular places people choose. Thailand has a tropical climate and is therefore ideal for the pursuit of outdoor activities: volleyball, soccer, sailing plus many more. However, for and in indoor healthy lifestyle, Pattaya is also among the best and the vast number of 5 star health massage organisations, beauty parlours, plastic surgery clinics, spas and fitness centre mean that Pattaya really is the place to improve your overall health and look. Many people now choose to partake of the various treatments from facials, to waxing and detox to botox in order to gain that healthier looking body and due to the current price of treatments in many western countries, Thailand has found itself an entire new market in patients arriving for plastic surgery treatment and general medical operations which in their own country would cost much more than locally in Thailand. 66

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Services Guide You will find during your visit to Pattaya that a vast network of businesses now operate within the city, everything from dentists and doctors to air conditioning companies and lawyers. There are thousands of companies offering a whole range of diverse services for both expats and visitors. Many tourists during their brief stay in Pattaya “Fall in Love with the City” and are determined to make the move to Thailand more permanent. They typically choose to invest in either a condominium or purchase land and house. Once they have purchased their dream home in Pattaya or jomtien, they then find themselves in need of a number of services; cleaners, accountants, electricians, builders and schools among others. We have decided to devote a small section of this publication to promoting a number of these services to help those who are in need. A little piece of advice for those “new arrivals” in town check out your own Chamber of Commerce and expat clubs, they are able to offer lots of help and information. 68

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Visa Information Sponsored By Five Star Visa Runs | Phone 038 416 088 A visa is fundamentally a document affixed into the passport issued to a foreigner by the Thai government allowing a foreigner to travel to the Kingdom and a granted permission to stay for a certain period of time. Visas can only be obtained outside of the Kingdom from a Royal Thai Embassy consulate. A visa has a validity period which denotes the period within which the visa may be used to apply for entry. The validity period is NOT the length of time you will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom. A’ permission to stay’ stamp is entered into your passport upon arrival into the Kingdom. Whatever visa you hold, you will always receive this stamp. It will include the date of entry and date when you MUST leave the Kingdom or make alternative arrangements. The ‘length of stay’ will be dependent on what type of visa you hold. The majority of Foreigners that enter the Kingdom without a visa will be granted a ‘permission to stay 30 day’ stamp only, which is free of charge. At the discretion of the immigration officer this permission to stay 30 day stamp may be extended for up to 7-15 days (THB 1900) at an immigration office after which time the holder must leave the Kingdom. This stamp is NOT a visa. WARNING: YOU ONLY GET 15 DAYS AT LAND BORDERS Different Types of visas Single entry tourist visa will permit the holder a 60 day’ permission to stay’ stamp upon entry. If required, this type of visa may be extended by 30 days (THB 1900) at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the country. After one entry, the visa is used. Multiple entry tourist visa will permit the holder a 60 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp upon entry (only visa exempt countries listed overleaf ) or 30 days if not listed below. If required, this type of visa may normally be extended by 30 days at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the 82

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country. The holder may then return to the Kingdom and will obtain a second 60 day ‘permission to stay‘ stamp which can also be extended and then the holder must leave. After the stipulated number of entries the visa is ‘used’. Single entry non-immigrant visa will permit the holder a 90 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp. This visa can be extended up to one year for specific reasons and with the required documentation. Multi-entry non-immigrant visa will permit the holder a 90 day ‘permission to stay’ stamp upon entry. Each time the holder enters the Kingdom whilst the visa is valid, he/she will obtain a further 90 day ‘permission to stay stamp’. Such visas can be issued for students/work/family etc., but normally require supporting documentation. This visa can also be extended up to one year for specific reasons and with the required documentation. Although most multi-entry non-immigrant visas are obtained in your home country they may also be obtained from some Royal Thai embassies outside your home country, if you can provide evidence of your marriage to a Thai citizen (marriage certificate) or support of a Thai citizen. 12 month extension to a non-immigrant visa: If you are holding a nonimmigrant visa, you have the option of extending this by 12 months based on either retirement (50 years old or over) or support to a Thai citizen, work, education and the like. This may only be accomplished at an immigration office inside the Kingdom and certain criteria has to be met. If you are residing in the Kingdom under and extension to a non-immigrant visa and wish to leave the Kingdom at any time, then you will need to obtain a re-entry permit to avoid losing the extension and having to re-apply. If you are residing in the Kingdom under an extension to a non-immigrant visa it is a legal requirement that the holder reports current address to an immigration office using form TM.47 (in person or by registered mail) every 90 days. Re-entering the Kingdom is the equivalent of a 90 day report. If you are in possession of a valid tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and qualify for an extension of stay and plan on doing so you may be

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permitted to change to a non-immigrant visa at an immigration office inside Thailand. This change of ‘status’ has certain restrictions depending on your particular circumstances therefore you should check with an officer first. List of visa exempt countries (September 2008): Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brunei, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom. Important Notes 1. Always check the stamp that the immigration officer gives you. If the officer gets your stamp wrong you may have to return to your port of entry 2. Check your passport and make sure you know when you need to leave Thailand. You can contact 5 star Visa Runs and we will log you into our computer and remind you 7 days before your visa expires as part of our service. 3. Never work in Thailand without a work permit. Even if you are not getting paid, you still need a work permit because you are taking a job from a Thai national. 4. You can convert your 30-day visa exempt stamp to a Non-immigrant Visa by going to Immigration with the proper documents and 21 day stay remaining, meaning you have up to 9 days after your entry. Application fee THB 2000.Please note that your passport needs to remain valid for at least another six months for any visa applications. 5. Overstay charges are currently THB 500 per day to a maximum of THB 20,000. 6. The information given above is for guideline purposes only. Each individuals circumstances may differ greatly depending on your age, financial position, what port of entry you use, what country you are from, what embassy you are visiting, what you are doing here and of course how long you have been here and, remember the final decision on visa application/issue or entry into the Kingdom will always be at the discretion of the immigration officer. 7. For full information please read the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website

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Shopping Guide Pattaya has numerous large malls, small malls, supermarkets, bazaar-style markets, and thousands of other shops. Expect to find plenty of clothes shops and coffee shops but do not expect to find variety as most shops are selling the same things. Pattaya actually has a long way to go to catch up with Bangkok for variety and volume of shops but it is trying with several new shopping centres opening in recent years, and there is a lot more to come. Bargaining is a way of life here but don’t worry if you don’t know your Thai numbers as most shop keepers will carry a calculator to show the price. Malls

Big C Shopping Centre is a large mall on Second Road across from Soi 2. Mike Shopping Mall is on Beach Road between Soi 11 and Soi 12, New Central Festival Soi 9 Beach Road, next to the police station (you can’t miss it) Royal Garden Plaza is a large upscale mall adjacent to Pattaya Marriott Hotel on Beach Road between Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2) and Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) Tuk.Com (Com City) on South Pattaya Road is a new and predominantly IT mall. The Avenue is on second road directly opposite the entrance to soi 13

Supermarkets

Best Supermarket At the corner of North Pattaya Road and Naklua Road Big-C South Pattaya Road (at the junction with Sukhumvit Road), Big-C Central Festival Center (opposite Soi 2). Carrefour Central Pattaya Road (between Third Road and Sukhumvit Road), Foodland Central Pattaya Road 24 hours Foodmart Thapphraya Road (near the junction with Theprasit Road). 24 hours. Friendship South Pattaya Road. Tesco-Lotus North Pattaya Road Tops at the junction of Second Road and Central Pattaya Road, 24 hours. Villa Market The Avenue Shopping Mall, 2nd Road. 24 hours.

Markets :- There are many bazaar-style markets in Pattaya

Made In Thailand Plaza on Second Road near Soi 10 - daily 08:00-23:00 Soi Buakhao Market - daytime, Tuesday and Friday; Thepprasit Market on Thepprasit Road (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings)

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New Pattaya Beach Central Festival Shopping Complex Finally, just what Pattaya needed, a good shopping centre for all the needs of tourists, locals and expats has now opened between Beach Road and Second Road next to Soi 9. The 7 billion baht Complex set in 22 Rai of land has 7 floors of retail space, usual restaurants and shops, food court and the new SFX Cinema which has First Class screening room (600 Baht per seat). There is also quite a large Central Food Hall and A five-star Hilton hotel with 350 guestrooms being built on the top. Lots of car parking space for both cars and motorbike. WARNING for tall people, watch your head after parking your motorbike

The Pattaya Beach Central Festival Shopping Complex is the biggest beachfront mall in Asia and really is a welcome addition to the City.



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EAST Furniture & Interiors Next To Pattaya Properties Tel: 038 252 201 / 081 863 6752

Open (mon - sat) 10am - 6pm email: sales.pattaya@east-online.net


Real Estate Guide More than one hundred new housing or condominium development projects are currently underway in the Pattaya and Jomtien districts. Many of these projects are aimed at the “higher end� market. Properties offering large spacious accommodation some with private swimming pools, top end air conditioning units, Jacuzzis etc. These properties are typically around the 8-25 million price range and many represent very good value for money. One of the more up and coming development areas is just south of Jomtien, where several developers are now constructing projects near to the beach at Bang Sare and Baan Amphur. Because of the local laws in Thailand with regard to property ownership by foreigners, condominiums are still as popular as ever with something in the region of 5,000 condominium units currently in construction. Some of the better quality condos are La Royale, Northshore and North Point. However, it is possible to find cheaper units especially in South Pattaya and Jomtien. If you are thinking of a permanent move to Thailand remember to do your homework and seek a reputable real Estate Agent. 90

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Emerald Palace ~ t 60 studio units, 17 one bedroom units and 2 two bedroom units t Starting at 28,000 baht per Sq/m t Own your investment in your own name. For more information t Stunning sea views from all call: 083 989 5698 remaining apartments, only 200 E:mail: meters from Cozy Beach haughton_richard@hotmail.com t Reserve now and let your www.emerald-palace.com investment start working right away


Buying a house or land Sponsored By paradise city property | Phone 038 373 966 Last month we touched on different ways to purchase property in Thailand. This month we will look at paying a deposit on a property, how to buy land and different land title deeds PAYMENT A deposit of 10% is usually required to secure a property and total payments should be made within 30 to 60 days. You can obtain longer periods but you will probably be required to pay a higher deposit. Deposits are normally non refundable, except by default of the vendor, so bear in mind that once the deposit is placed you are committed. This situation also prevails for the vendor. He must refund your deposit and pay a penalty of an equal amount if he defaults on the contract. Beyond the price, payment and closing schedules, it’s important that a contract includes clauses to cover who will pay the legal fees, transfer fees and taxes (there is often a business tax and always an income tax assessment made at time of sale) as well as an understanding of the value at which the sale will be declared - this is typically (for tax reasons) at or close to the government minimum assessed value. HOW CAN I OWN LAND IN THAILAND? In Thailand foreigners are not allowed to own land. However, this does not prevent you from buying. The way round this legislation is to establish a company, with the sole aim of buying the land / house. A Thai national must own 51% of the company, but the company will be organized so that you have all the economic and juridical rights. TYPES OF CERTIFICATES OF RIGHTS TO LAND

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Sor Kor 1 Is a certificate issued by the relevant local authority representing entitlement of a person to possess land in accordance with the request for registration of such person. Such certificate is not considered a certificate of ownership of the real property. In the case of any dispute arising over the rights to the plot of land, this certificate is required to prove possession and, therefore, the person whose name appears in Sor Kor 1 certificate will be in a stronger position. Nonetheless, evidence recording the real possession is required. Since Sor Kor 1 does not represent any ownership right of real properties, it can not be mortgaged. Nor Sor 3 Is a certificate issued by the relevant local Land Department Authority certifying the usage of land of the person entitled thereto. No aerial survey photo of the land has been taken. Therefore, there is no specific position of the land being identified. Any real property transaction in connection with Nor Sor 3 which requires registration with the local land authority must be published for an objection to be made (if any) for a period of 30 days. The person whose name appears as the owner of Nor Sor 3 has a right to transfer, sell, dispose of and mortgage the Land upon registration with the relevant local land department in accordance with the Land Code and other regulations, notifications and announcements relating to it. Any transaction in connection with the real property (except where the lease is not more than 3 years) must be registered with the relevant local land authority and will be shown at the back of Nor Sor 3. Nor Sor 3 Kor Is a certificate issued by the relevant local Land Department Authority certifying the usage of land of the person entitled thereto. An aerial survey photo of the land has been taken which makes Nor Sor 3 Kor different from

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Nor Sor 3. The result of having an aerial survey photo is an ability to identify the exact position of the land boundary. The person whose name appears as the owner of Nor Sor 3 Kor has a right to transfer, sell, dispose of and mortgage the Land upon registration with the relevant local land department in accordance with the Land Code and other regulations, notifications and announcements relating to it. Any transaction in connection with the real property (except where the lease is not more than 3 years) must be registered with the relevant local land authority and will be shown at the back of Nor Sor 3 Kor. Chanot (Title Deed) Is a certificate of ownership of real property in which the person whose name appears as the owner has a real property right to transfer, sell, dispose of and mortgage the Land upon registration with the relevant local land department, including the lease. Any transaction in connection with the real property (except where the lease is not more than 3 years) must be registered with the relevant local land authority and will be shown at the back of such Title Deed. Gavin Perfect, Paradise City Property

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HS 812. This delightful bungalow is now available with 75% owner finance over three or less years at zero interest. The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full European kitchen, air conditioning and furniture. There is off road car parking and a nice private pool between the ‘wings’. A lovely package at a sensible price. 4,750,000 baht. Discount for cash.


HS 974. This is quite special. Three bedrooms and bathrooms, a full European kitchen, some very smart built in furniture and of course air conditioning. The house is well constructed and has just been redecorated And brought to an excellent standard of decoration and presentation. It has a large garden, a pool and spa and car parking. 5,950,000 with room to maneuver.


HS 991. One of three houses available with owner finance. One at 5,000,000 and two at 4,500,000. All have full kitchens, air conditioning, built in furniture and private swimming pools. Quality build with a high standard of decoration and presentation throughout. Located close to route 36 so convenient for town and local amenities. Good investments with good rental potential.


HS 1009. Just on the market and must be sold PDQ. This end unit townhouse is well built and well decorated and presented. Larger than most and comes with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a Thai kitchen, air conditioning and some nice furniture. Plenty of space at the front to create a terrace as well as car parking. Good location on Siam Country Club road. 1,350,000 buys it.



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