Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hat Ko Lan
Day-trippers flock to this small island, 7km offshore of central Pattaya. On weekends, its
five beaches are crowded and the aquamarine sea is busy with banana boats and other
marine merriment. Overcrowded ferries leave Pattaya's Bali Hai pier (30B, five daily de-
partures) at the southern end of Walking St. The last boat back from Ko Lan is at 6pm.
BEACH
BUDDHIST SITE
Khao Phra Tamnak
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( daylight hours)
A giant golden Buddha sits atop this forested hill between Jomtien
and South Pattaya, proof perhaps that religion has not forsaken this modern-day Gomor-
rah. The serene Buddha figure of Wat Phra Yai dates back to when Pattaya was a small
fishing village, long before mini-skirts, high heels and happy hours arrived. You can walk
here from the southern end of Walking St.
Flight of the Gibbon
( 08 9970 5511;
www.treetopasia.com
;
tours from 3000B)
This zip-line course extends 3km with 26
platforms through the forest canopy of Khao Kheeo Open Safari in Chonburi, 50 minutes
from Pattaya. It is an all-day tour with additional add-on activities, like a jungle obstacle
course and a visit to the neighbouring animal zoo. Children 1m tall can do the zip line in-
dependently, while nippers can ride tandem with adults.
ZIP LINING
Fairtex Sports Club
( 0 3825 3888;
www.fairtex-muaythai.com
;
179/185-212 Th Pattaya Neua; per session 800-1200B)
Burned-out
professionals, martial arts fans and adventurous athletes flock to this resort-style sports
camp for
moo·ay tai
(Thai boxing; also spelled
muay thai
) training and a sweat-inducing
vacation. Accommodation packages are available and use of the club's pool and other
sports facilities are included.
Fairtex has been training
moo·ay tai
fighters for 40 years. In 2005, the company
opened this sports club to provide Western-style comfort for international visitors interes-
ted in fighting and fitness courses.
Daily sessions include pad work, sparring and clinching, exercise drills and body
sculpting work. There are also occasional brushes with fame: domestically famous
moo·ay tai
champions and international mixed martial arts fighters also train here.
FITNESS, MOO·AY TAI
