Joanna James
Tipped to be Thailand's most popular beach paradise, Pattaya offers visitors an array of exciting activities. Here are five of the best ways to spend your free time in the beach capital.
While there are several Thai destinations with their own floating market, the capital being one of them, there's nothing quite like losing oneself in the Pattaya Floating Market. Providing tourists with a truly a unique retail experience, this sprawling off-land marketplace is in fact called the 'Four Regions Floating Market' due to the space being divided to represent the north, east, west and south of the country. Each section of the market specializes in various products manufactured in that particular region and visitors can find everything from fruits, veggies and noodles to souvenirs and other local curios. The best way to explore the Pattaya Floating Market is by hiring a boat for the excursion.
Towering above the surrounding landscape atop of Big Buddha Hill, the Wat Phra Khao Yai temple is home to the largest and most impressive Buddha sculpture in the region. With a height of 18 meters, this mammoth statue is perched at an altitude of 100m and can be seen for miles around thanks to its vaulted location on the hill. Some tourists head to the temple just to enjoy the spectacular views the venue affords of Jomtien Beach and other highlights while others wish to lay flowers and make offerings at this temple complex where the sound of bells and the scent of joss sticks is inescapable. Those based at Avani Pattaya Resort or any other resorts can book a tour of the temple via their accommodation provider.
Earning a spot in most Pattaya things to do lists, the one and only Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Thailand is also a great place to spend a few hours during a beach holiday in the area. Exploring some of the world's most curious items and subjects, the venue is divided into ten sections and contains such bizarre exhibits as a replica of the Titanic made of matchsticks and a jaguar that converts into a motorboat.
As the main reason why most travellers head to Pattaya in the first place, spending hours upon hours on the pristine beaches of the area must be a top priority for all visitors. In addition to lying around on the shore and working on one's tan, tourists can also engage in swimming and water sports activities organized by local tour operators and resorts in Pattaya. Join in a game of beach volleyball or sign up for a spot of snorkelling off-shore to experience Pattaya's coastline to the fullest.
Housing more than 300 works of artwork originated in China, the Anek Kusala Sala is a folk art museum that is a cultural institution in its own right. Spread out over two floors, the massive sculptures, paintings and representations of Shaolin monks and deities makes a tour of this venue a treat for the senses.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
