The Pattaya area of Thailand’s eastern seaboard is host to a beguiling range of attractions. The range includes anything from ancient Thai traditions to modern adventures. Whenever people think of Pattaya they immediately think of lady boys, risqué shows and drunk tourists. This does not even begin to touch upon the many things that this city in Thailand has to offer. Pattaya is a place that has beautiful temples and beaches but it also has so many activities to get involved in this it is impossible to get bored. There are a large number of expatriates living in Pattaya which has led to the city changing over the years, but this has only led to an increase in wealth being brought into the city, with the increased wealth business men have seen an opportunity to create attractions that appeal to holiday makers which is why Pattaya is one of the enjoyable places to stop at for a few days. Our list of 12 best attractions in Pattaya is just a sample of the amazing variety you can find in the area. These are the absolute must-see features which every itinerary for every visitor should include. Many of the items on our list are unique in Thailand while some are unequalled in the world. NONG NOOCH TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN — if you are interested in flowers, trees and landscaped gardens this is a great place to spend a peaceful afternoon. The garden covers a space of 2.4 square kilometres and have some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. The gardens have won many awards for their designs and will continue to do so because of the excellent condition the garden is kept in. It is not just flowers and trees though, there are also over 670 species of orchid and even an elephant talent show. The entire area is more like a theme park, with daily cultural shows, restaurants and accommodation as well as vast area showcasing individually themed gardens. A leisurely stroll through the botanical park is like taking a journey around the world, through its many famous gardens, whether 17th-Century French garden, Stonehenge, or European Renaissance garden. THE PATTAYA FLOATING MARKET — there are various floating markets In Thailand but this one in Pattaya has something different about it. The actual name of the market is the ‘Four Regions Floating Market’ the reason for this is that the market is split into the four regions of Thailand, The north, northeast, south and central. Each section of the market sells products that represent that part of the country. Not all of the stalls are floating, some are in boats which move around the canals and some are stilted properties that stand at the sides on the banks. The market is located on Sukhumvit Road, about two kilometres past Pattaya Underwater World, on the way to Sattahip. A walk through the hundreds of wooden houses built in the different styles of the four regions in pleasant and fun. Food happens to be main draw here. There are plenty of authentic Thai dishes and classic desserts to sample. Highlights include noodle soups, pad Thai, kanom jean (rice vermicelli) with different kinds of curries, ka nom krok (coconut pancake), foi thong (golden threads), thong yip (sweet egg yolk) and more. KOH LARN CORAL ISLAND — sitting seven kilometers away from Pattaya is the island of Ko Larn, boats leave Pattaya several times a day for the island and are always full of tourists eager to explore somewhere new. The island is only small (4km long and 2km wide) but there are six different beaches to see, each beach having its own unique personality. If you wish to stay a few nights there are various resorts and hotels on the island but due to the islands size they fill up quickly. With the glistening white sand and the transparent blue waters, Koh Larn or Coral island is one of the most popular island destinations in Pattaya. Coral spotting in glass bottom boats, snorkelling, swimming, and surfing are the super fun things to do in Pattaya and the nearby islands. Koh Larn Island also offers exhilarating sports like windsurfing, parasailing and jet-skiing. Bustling beach restaurants offer mouth-watering Thai food and refreshing beverages. BE AMAZED AT TIFFANY’S CABARET — taking place each evening, Tiffany’s Cabaret entertains over two thousand people and has been doing so for over thirty years. Tiffany’s Cabaret Show takes place in a grand theatre that, with its huge faux-marble lobby, manages to be almost as spectacular as the dazzling costumers. The performance usually lasts for an hour and the show is non-stop excitement from start to finish, the entertainers perform scenes that represent every part of the world, including Indian, Korean Thai and many more. The lady boys are all dressed in exquisite costumers and perform with such finesse that it is hard to spot that they are not real ladies. The raunchiness of the show has been toned down for what you might expect to get in Pattaya ensuring that the show is also suitable for children. The cabaret shows of Tiffany and Alcazar are extremely popular and major tourist attractions in Pattaya. While the Tiffany Cabaret Show is performed by super talented lady boys, Alcazar is performed by cross-dressing performers. The shows present a combination of dance, music, and drama with popular Thai and English songs. These depict the Indian Raj, the glorious past of China, and the history & heritage of Siam. PATTAYA VIEWPOINT — Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Pattaya View Point) on Pratumnak Hill is the best viewpoint in the region and the place to visit day or night to get that classic shot of Pattaya’s sweeping, crescent bay. Be warned though, this is anything but an insider’s tip so expect to share your view with an almost ceaseless conveyor-belt of package tours and the local traders who follow them touting cheap souvenirs and expensive refreshments. This might sound off-putting but the reality is tours will usually stop for 10 to 15 minutes and once they have been called back to the bus, the view point becomes quiet and peaceful-perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery. There are a large number of expatriates living in Pattaya which has led to the city changing over the years, but this has only led to an increase in wealth being brought into the city. With the increased wealth business, men have seen an opportunity to create attractions that appeal to holiday makers, which is why Pattaya is one of the enjoyable places to stop at for a few days ART IN PARADISE PATTAYA — art in Paradise is a fun and fresh take on an art gallery that has closed the divide between art and spectator with three-dimensional paintings that are interactive and laugh-out-loud funny. The gallery has over 100 individual art pieces in ten themed sections, covering optical illusions, wild animals, nature, past civilisations and reproductions of classic art. Art in Paradise inspires visitors to get creative with the paintings as the 3D imagery looks more authentic in photographs. WAT PHRA YAI TEMPLE — Wat Phra Khao Yai is also known as Big Buddha Hill, it is referred to as this because it is the biggest Buddha in the region, it stands at 18 meters tall and sits about 100 meters above sea level. When you get to the top of the hill and stand next to the Buddha you can see Pattaya beneath you and Jomtien Beach if you look outwards. As well as the Buddha there is a temple complex as well which has incense burning all day long as well many bells. The temple is still used to this day so expect to see monks and praying locals. SEE THE BUDDHA ENGRAVING AT KHAO CHI CHAN — Khao Chi Chan or Buddha Mountain as English speakers refer to it is the biggest engraving of Buddha in the world. The Limestone hill that has the Buddha engraved on it used to be an active site for the construction industry before it was closed down. In 1996 a laser was used to etch the carving into the rock as part of a celebration for His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 50th year on the throne. TAKE TIME TO REFLECT AT THE SANCTUARY OF TRUTH — rising 105 meters into the sky and made from teak wood which has been carved in the most intricate was The Sanctuary of Truth is a beautiful sight to behold. This is not a Buddhist temple as you may expect, it was designed by a business owner as a place to go and reflect on oneself. Every part of the building both inside and out has incredibly detailed carvings that need to be seen to be believed, the building itself is still a work in progress which some say will never be finished. There are so many beautiful buildings across Thailand but this one has to come near the very top of the list. YUNOMORI ONSEN & SPA — you can’t return from a Pattaya trip without pampering yourself with a massage and spa. Enjoy the traditional Japanese onsen spa bathing with authentic Thai massage at Yunomori. Detoxify your body by bathing in the hot spring directly sourced from the thermal springs of Wat Wangkanai. The favourable temperature and mineral content of this water prepare you for massage therapy. This experience will restore and refresh your energy before you return to that hectic city life. After a ravishing trip on the island, you will agree that experiencing Yunomori Onsen and Spa is one of the best things to do in Pattaya, Thailand. SEE THINGS IN MINIATURE AT MINI SIAM & MINI EUROPE — located just outside Pattaya City is Mini Siam and Mini Europe where you can wander endlessly around the gardens looking at statues from all over Thailand and Europe, however they now have the statue of liberty so perhaps a name change is on order soon. The statues have been crafted at a scale of 1:25 and if you go in the evening they are all lit up which makes for some great photographs. SUNBATHE AT BAN AMPHUR BEACH — Ban Amphur is a quiet fishing village that happens to have a beautiful beach with gorgeous sand and lots of palm trees. The beach is quiet and uncrowded with ample parking unlike many of the other beaches in Pattaya, because it is a fishing village the various seafood restaurants that are located in the fishing harbour sell the most delicious and fresh fish imaginable. JUST SO YOU KNOW: Pattaya is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of Bangkok, within, but not part of, Bang Lamung District in the province of Chonburi. Pattaya has derived part of its reputation as a tourist destination due to the sex industry and the resulting nightlife, and this notoriety has influenced the city’s evolution in many ways. Several local foreign-language newspapers and magazines are published either weekly or monthly, especially in English, Russian and German. The English-language newspapers include the Pattaya Mail and Pattaya People. Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of March. It attracts huge crowds to the different stages along Beach Road and Bali Hai Pier, and presents several styles of music performed by Thai and international artists. GET SOME CULTURE: Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum is one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Pattaya. It is a world famous tourist spot that’s perfect for the entire family. Originated in the U.S.A, this Thai museum is located on Beach road. The museum is unique in its collection of oddities and presents a great balance between the strange, the shocking and the beautiful. Thai Thani Arts and Culture Village Pattaya- This place is truly a hub of culture, traditions and history of Thailand. Thai Thani Arts and Culture Village Pattaya also arrange special event for your big day such as Traditional Thai-style weddings, company party or other kind of events as your preference. GRAB A BITE: La Baguette – this restaurant serves awesome salads, crepes, pastries, tea and coffee. This service is exceptional and the hosts are very welcoming. Rimpa Lapin – famous cliff top restaurant serving delectable Thai fusion food. The writer is a student of City & Regional Planning Department at University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. She can be reached at afshanmughal120@gmail.com