| CMT
Flying Club
This is a world-class sports flying complex
located at Km.10 marker, off of Highway
No.36, on the way to the Khao Kheow Open
Zoo. The CMT Flying Club provides a manicured
turf runway for use by both light and ultra-light
aircraft and has designated flying areas
for radio-controlled (RC) model aircraft
flying. The club also provides comprehensive
facilities for its members and visitors,
including a government certified flying
school, aircraft maintenance centre and
RC model shop. Taking an enjoyable, 15-minite
flight on a light aircraft with a skilled
instructor will cost 1,300 baht per person.
The club is open on Saturdays and Sundays
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 0 3827 3250-7
for more information.
Ko
Loi
A small island near the northern shore of
Si Racha, Ko Loi is connected to the mainland
by a bridge. This is a popular recreational
location for the local people. A flight
of stairs leads up to the breezy hilltop,
which offers a delightful view of the sea.
Namtok
Chan Ta Then
Situated about 15 kilometers from Sukhumvit
Road on the same route to the Khao Kheow
Open Zoo is Namtok Chan Ta Then. The section
of the road close to the waterfall is quite
steep. This 5-tiered waterfall can be reached
on foot along the path running along side
the stream. The best time to visit is between
August-November when the water is clear
and plentiful.
Saithip
Butterfly Garden
The garden is located at Km. 10 marker off
of Highway No.36. Covering an area of 15
acres, the garden is recognized as Asia's
largest butterfly garden. A bee museum and
an orchid farm, which is located next to
the butterfly garden, are also worth visiting.
The garden opens daily from 8.30 a.m. to
5.30 p.m. Admission fee is 80 baht for adults
and 40 baht for children. Call 0 3829 8330
for more information and reservations.
The
Khao Khiao Open Zoo
Covering a vast tract of forest land, the
zoo is located approximately 20 kilometers
south of Chon Buri from Sukhumvit Road.
To get there, take a left turn at Bang Phra,
and follow the clearly posted signs. Operated
by the Zoological Garden Organization, the
zoo has more than 200 species of domestic
and imported wildlife living in their natural
habitat. Open daily from 8.00 a.m. until
6.00 p.m., the zoo also puts on shows of
well-trained animals and birds. A new feature
is the Night Safari Tour by auto-trams.
Advance booking at Tel: (038) 331485 and
330763 is recommended.
The
Si Racha Tiger Farm
The farm, which is situated at Km. 20 marker
on highway No. 36, raises a large number
of Bengal tigers, as well as large crocodiles.
Visitors will be amazed to witness tigers,
pigs and dogs living together in the same
quarters. The farm opens daily from 9.00
a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Call 530-7412-3 or (038)
296556-8 for more information and reservations
or visit www.tigerzoo.com for more information.
Khao Khat Pass
and Hat Hin Klom
The name "Hat Hin Klom" originated
from the rounded rocks on the beach which
have been naturally "rounded"
by the westerly wind that flows from March
to September. The white sand gives the beach
a clean and clear look. Khao Khat Pass on
the other side of the island is a fascinating
and romantic point from which to watch the
sunset.
Phra
Chuthathut Ratchathan
Phra Chuthathut Ratchathan, which was named
after Prince Chuthathut who was born here,
is the only palace located in the sea. King
Rama V had it built in 1892 as a holiday
retreat and a convalescence home for his
wives and children. The funds for the construction
of this palace came from his private treasury.
The
king loved to visit Ko Si Chang to admire
its magnificent scenery and tranquil atmosphere.
However, in the later years, the island
served as a big cargo station where numerous
transactions with foreign ships took place.
Si
Chang Palace
Si Chang Palace was
built during the reign of King Rama V as
a summer palace. The landscaping of the
palace compound was carefully planned with
residential quarters, lawns, pools, and
swamps designed and located in ascending
tiers from the beach up to the top of the
hill, alternated with frangipani trees (Plumeria
acuminata) of different colors.
Each
building was named after the Kings consorts
who supervised its decoration, for example,
Watthana Mansion, Phongsi Mansion, and Aphirom
Mansion. On the beach there is a green house
made of wood decorated with gingerbread
patterns.
The
palace was abandoned when the French occupied
the island in 1894. Thus, the construction
of the main throne hall called "Man-That
Phairot" was unfortunately stopped.
In 1910 the king ordered the removal of
the incomplete hall to Dusit Palace in Bangkok,
where construction was finally completed
and was later granted with the name "Vimanmek".
The place is now a museum and is open to
the public.
The
white Chedi that overlooks Hat Tha Wang,
is definitely part of a temple called Wat
Atsadang Nimit". Built near the palace,
the temple was the place where King Rama
V meditated. The temple, which was a mix
of western and eastern architectural styles,
houses an outstanding Buddha image.
Adventure
lovers should not miss the opportunity to
explore Tham Saowapha, located not far from
Wat Atsadang Nimit. This relatively large
limestone cave plunges deep into the island.
Ang Sila
A seaside-fishing village situated approximately
5 kilometers from town, Ang Sila is well
known for its granite products. The fishermen
are not only skilful in catching fish, but
also in making implements from granite and
have passed on their craftsmanship from
generation to generation. Their most renown
products are the mortar and pestle which
are widely used in Thai households, and
decorative items such as figurines of animals
i.e. lions, elephants and horses.
Bang Saen
This ever popular seaside town is situated
approximately 14 kilometers from the city.
To get to Bang Saen from Sukhumvit Road,
take a right turn at Km. 104 and proceed
for another 3 kilometers. Bang Saen is especially
popular amongst Thai visitors who enjoy
strolling along the long white sandy beach
and tasting the delicious seafood available
from vendors along the pavement. Unlike
weekdays, weekends are always particularly
crowded. A wide range of hotels and bungalows
are located by the sea and recreational
gear and bicycles for rent are available
in shops nearby. For budget travelers, several
buses depart daily from Ekkamai Bus Terminal
throughout the day. In addition, there are
local ''Song taew'' or local transport services
connecting Chon Buri town-Nong Mon Market-Bang
Saen.
Khao Sam Muk
A low hillock situated between Ang Sila
and Bang Saen on the road that runs along
the seashore is Khao Sam Muk a place known
by most Thais for its tragic love story.
According to the legend, two lovers jumped
off of the cliff to declare their eternal
love after facing parental objection to
their marriage. A panoramic view of Bang
Saen beach can be seen from the hilltop.
Good quality Thai and Chinese seafood restaurants
are located at the foot of the hills providing
reasonably priced sumptuous dishes.
Nong
Mon Market
This market is located on Sukhumvit Road
along the way to Bang Saen and has gained
popularity over the years. Nong Mon Market
offers a vast variety of locally produced
seafood products such as fish, squid, and
shrimp, both fresh and preserved. In addition,
sweets and other local sweetmeats are also
popular with the most popular item being
Khao Larm a traditional thai-style dessert
cooked and served in a bamboo tube.
Wat Yai Inthraram
Located on Chetchamnong Road, the temple,
which is believed to have been built in
the Ayutthaya period, clearly shows the
influence of Ayutthaya-style architecture.
The Ubosot and Vihan were built in their
distinctive Gunwale Curve base and the Mondop
were built over the Holy Footprints
The Promotion Centre
for Bamboo Basketry Skills
Long known for its fine basketry products,
Phanat Nikhom originally made them for daily
use. The products were gradually developed
into more elaborate and marketable handcrafted
items. Major shops are on Ko Kaeo Road behind
Municipal Market I. To see the production
process and higher quality items, visit
the Promotion Centre for Bamboo Basketry
Skills on Intha-asa Road near the District
Office. The centre is a project initiated
by Her Majesty the Queen.
Mini Siam
Located at Km. 143 on Highway No. 3 is a
wonderland of miniature replicas of such
outstanding architectural works as the Temple
of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument,
the Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin
Phimai, etc. Replicas of places of world
significance are also displayed in the miniworld
area. These include the Tower Bridge, Eiffel
Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain.
It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Admission fee is 200 bahts. Call (038) 421628,
424232 or (02) 271 1896, 616 1533 for more
information.
Pattaya at Night
The variety of nighttime activities continuing
until dawn is so diverse that every person
would easily find diversions appealing to
individual tastes and moods. Most likely
any fantasy can be fulfilled, especially
after sunset. After dark, the extension
of Beach road in South Pattaya turns into
a promenade (disallowed only for public
transport), transformed into one of the
hottest nightspot. A hunting ground beaming
with neon lights and music, where fellow
holiday-makers youths & aged alike,
find an endless array of dining, shopping
or entertainment establishments.
Worthy
of notice is the disco in Pattaya. A disco
is not just a dance palace, but more of
a hi-tech extravaganza filled with flashing
lights, trendy music, and fun loving crowds.
Pattaya is famous for its incredible nightlife
activities, and South Pattaya is the jewel
in its crown outshining the rest with an
incredible array of things to see and do.
One can enjoy Thai-boxing or some glaring
erotic shows, a wide variety of fascinating
shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, discos
and other pleasurable establishments, side-by-side
with all kinds of shopping. The only required
skill is that of time management, so one
can experience all the wonders and be on
time for what is next.
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