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Pristine
sandy beaches, idyllic islands, succulent seafood, exciting
sea sports, inland adventures - whether wild thrills on
the waves, golf with the greats, or family fun under the
sun, this tour along the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of
Thailand has it all.
Visit
the host of attractions within day trips from Pattaya by
car, then head east along the Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3),
a fast divided highway that passes through Rayong to the
wealthy coastal provinces of Chantaburi and Trat.
The
recommended route takes you to the scenic island of Ko Chang,
but there are diversions that include crossing into Cambodia
at Hat Lek to gamble at the casino just across the border
(a visa must be ob-tained prior to leaving Bangkok).
Only
the outward drive is divided into days with suggested side
trips, so leave something for your return journey. Distances
are quite short, which allows plenty of time to enjoy yourself
along the way, especially as you enter the more relaxing
atmosphere of the coast beyond Rayong.
Your
car allows you to choose. You can visit excellent seafood
restaurants, take country roads not suggested as side trips,
and even return via Sa Kaeo province to explore inland Thailand
on your own.
TOURING
AROUND PATTAYA
Water
sports, motor sports, exotic zoos and gardens, inland adventures,
17 competition class golf courses within an hour's drive
and a beat that pulses through the night till dawn - Pattaya
has something for every-one. So when the pace gets too hectic,
laze sublime and let Pattaya put life in the pink.
DAY
TRIPS NORTH
(Round
trip to Ang Sila and Khao Kheow Open Zoo. 120 kms.)
This
drive goes north to Si Racha, where you may take a boat
trip to Ko Si Chang Island. From Si Racha follow coastal
roads to Ang Sila, or turn in-land to visit Khao Kheow Open
Zoo and Si Racha Tiger Farm. If visiting Si Chang Island
avoid planning too much for your day lest you have to return
on busy roads after dark.
Start
from Key Point 2 and drive to Ban Lamung, passing a fishing
village before joining Sukhumwit Road (H3) and heading north.
Just before Key Point 4, turn left into Si Racha town (see
map 5).
 Passenger ferries depart hourly from Soi 14 on a 45 minute
trip to the pleasant historical island of Ko Si Chang (last
ferry from island 17:00). Motorcycle taxis tour the island
via the fishing town, the San Jao Phaw Khao Yai Chinese
temple and the site of a royal palace abandoned when the
French occupied the island in 1893.
From
Si Racha drive inland from Key Point 4 to Si Racha Tiger
Zoo for a shorter trip. Otherwise continue north to Nong
Mol Market, which is famous for basketry from Phanat Nikhom
and dried seafood delicacies. At Key Point 5 turn west towards
Bang Saen Beach, visiting the Institute of Marine Science
aquarium at Burapha University (2 kms from Key Point 5.
20 Bt. Entrance Hrs: 08:30-16:30. Closed. Mondays) and unusual
Buddhist sculptures at Wat Saen Suk.
Drive
north to Khao Sam Muk, where monkeys roam the peak over-looking
seafood restaurants on the north side of the point. Where
the road turns sharply inland at Ang Sila, con-tinue straight
on a narrow (one-way) lane to enter the high street of the
wooden village well-known for its stone mortars.
Two
zoos will delight families on the return route inland. To
avoid dangerous direct crossings of H7 go via Key Points
6&7 or 4. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has over 300 species in
a 2000 acre drive-through park (East turn at KM.14 on H7.
Hrs: 07:30-18:00. Map available at zoo office). Si Racha
Tiger Zoo specialises in big cats and crocodiles (East turn
at KM.20 on H7. Hrs 08:30-18:00. Shows hourly).
MUANG
BORAN & BANGKOK ROUTES
The
Bangkok-Chon-buri Motorway (H7) is the best way to and from
Bangkok International Airport, but the Sukhumvit Road offers
an alter-native coastal route that passes Muang Boran (ancient
city).
Muang
Boran (H3 KM.33 4 kms west of Bang Po Industrial Estate
approximately 70 kms. from Key Point 6. En-trance 50 Bt:
Hrs 08:00 -last entry 17:00, closes 18:00) contains over
100 monuments in a drive-through 320 acre park. Life-sized
or reduced rep-licas and relocated originals, all with bilingual
explanations, provide an unmatched view of Thailand's historical
buildings.
Overview
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