Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 3823 1867; www.rs-seaside.com ; Th Hat Jomtien; r 660-1400B; ) Opposite the beach and
popular with Thais, RS has small-ish rooms but remains a good-value spot in the package-
tour part of town. Two breakfasts are included in the room rate.
HOTEL $
Bella Vista
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( 0 3836 2132; www.eastinypattaya.com ; 217/29 Moo 9 Th Pattaya Beach, Soi 7 ; r 750-900B; ) If you
want to stay in the belly of the beast, then the Bella Vista is a comfortable and reasonably
priced place to rest your head. Solid rooms, pleasant staff.
CHARITY SQUAD
A natural counterpoint to the city's prominent debauchery is the city's solid network of charitable organisations.
Among the many benevolent servants in Pattaya, Father Ray Brennan, an American priest with the Redemptorist
Order who died in 2003, established a lasting and inspiring legacy that today includes six charitable programs un-
der the umbrella of the Redemptorist Foundation. He also founded the Pattaya Orphanage and School for the
Deaf, both of which are now operated by the Catholic diocese. All of them succeed thanks to the generosity of be-
nefactors and volunteers.
Pattaya Orphanage ( 0 3842 3468; www.thepattayaorphanage.org ; Th Sukhumvit, North Pattaya) was
founded in the 1970s when Father Ray was given a baby by a parishioner who could not care for the child. This
first child led to many more as word spread that the priest could care for the unintended consequences of the US
military presence in the area during the Vietnam War. Today the orphanage cares for children orphaned by mod-
ern misfortunes (poverty, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS) and helps find adoptive parents. Those interested in helping the
orphanage can sponsor a meal, donate useful items and volunteer for an extended period of time.
Redemptorist Foundation ( 0 3871 6628; www.fr-ray.org ) operates schools for the blind and disabled and
a home and drop-in centre for street children, many of whom may be involved in Pattaya's child-sex industry. The
foundation also runs a day-care centre for children of labourers who would otherwise accompany their parents to
dangerous work sites. Volunteers rotate through the different centres, teaching English, playing with the children
and leading art projects. A six-month commitment is required; contact the foundation for a volunteer handbook
that outlines the application process.
If you don't have the time to commit to volunteering, stop by Thais 4 Life OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
( www.thais4life.com ; Soi Yen Sabai Condotel, Th Phra Tamnak; noon-6pm Mon-Sat) , a charity bookstore
whose proceeds go to medical treatments for destitute patients, orphanages and school uniform scholarships.
HOTEL $$
Garden Lodge Hotel
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( 0 3842 9109; www.gardenlodgepattaya.net ; cnr Soi 20 & Th Naklua; r 1250-2500B; ) Rather old-
fashioned rooms, but they're a good size and come with balconies, set around a land-
scaped garden and large swimming pool.
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