Pattaya
After our Bangkok city tour, we were returned to our hotel. Upon arrival, we readied ourselves for our overnight stay at Pattaya, Thailand’s premier and most successful beach resort within (but not part of) Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi.
After lunch, we boarded our airconditioned tourist bus which would take us there. The 147 km. trip, via Highway No. 3, took all of 2.5 hrs. and we arrived in Pattaya by 3 PM. We were all checked in at the 5-storey Regent Marina Hotel.
Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Regent Marina Hotel“
Until the 1960s, Pattaya was just a sleepy fishing village along the Gulf of Thailand. Then, during the Vietnam War, American servicemen stationed at nearby U-Tapao or other US bases in Thailand began visiting Pattaya.
Pattaya Beach, parallel to the city center, runs from Pattaya Nuea south to Walking Street. Along Beach Road are restaurants, shopping areas, and bars.
Offshore are a number of islands. The three “near islands,” located 7 kms. (4.3 mi) from the shore, are Ko Lan (main island), Ko Sak, and Ko Krok. Located further west of the “near islands” are the “far islands” – Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan. Ko Rin lies to the south-west, south of Ko Phai group.
Regent Marina Hotel: 463/61 Pattaya Beach Rd., Pattaya, 20260 Thailand. Tel: (038) 428-015.