Best things to do in Pattaya
Find out more about those top places in Pattaya
The city of Pattaya is a hidden gem located on the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand, it started as a little village but has since transformed into an industrial city, with a population of over 300,000 people it is still very much a growing city.
Understandably Pattaya cannot be compared to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital or other top Asians cities but it still has some wonder tourist sites. The city is known for its many sacred temples, beautiful museums and floating markets.
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Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is perhaps the most famous building in Pattaya. Standing at 105 meters tall the building is made entirely of wood and all of its detailed carvings are handmade. The temple was the idea of Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphan in 1981 and the temple is main goal is to depict that all the world’s religions lead to one truth. Although construction of the temple started as far back as 1981 the temple is still uncompleted with projected completion being in 2050.
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Pattaya Floating Market
One of the things Thailand is known for is its floating markets, the Pattaya Floating Market is no doubt its most known. Officially known as the Four Regions Floating Markets, it is separated into four different parts with each representing and selling goods from the four major parts of Thailand (south, northeast, central and north). The entire market covers an area of 100,000 square kilometers and features many stores selling different items. Asides the buying and selling that goes on in the Market there also some other side attraction like the wood carving museum and cultural performances by locals.
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Big Buddha
One of Pattaya’s most visited tourist attractions is the mind-blowing statue called “Big Buddha”. The Big Buddha is an 18-meters-tall gold painted Statue of the Buddha situated at the top of the Pratumnak Hill. Also known as the “Luang Phor Yai” it is the main attraction of the Wat Phra Yai temple built in the 1940s. It is regarded as a sacred place and often visited by monks and locals who come to pray. To get to the Big Buddha there a series of stairs well-designed with artworks, both handrails are made of 7 shining snakes which emerge from the mouth of a dragon. The temple also features 7 other images of Buddha each representing the days of the week.
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Art in Paradise
Not your typical art gallery, this one place that is better experienced in person. The Art in Paradise was established to bridge the gap between art and its viewer. Its artworks have a three-dimensional design to it that makes it look realistic so when visitors take pictures, its seem like they are part of the art itself. The building which is split into 10 theme sections and has over 100 art pieces each. The Art in Paradise is well suited for all members of the family.
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Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Situated in the Royal Garden Plaza, this museum was inspired by Robert Leroy Ripley’s book “Believe it or Not!” and it was perfectly designed to give visitors a shocking and surreal feeling as they explore it. Separated into 10 areas the museum is filled with facts and exhibits that you probably never knew existed. It star attractions include the Titanic made from more than a thousand matchsticks and its Infinity Maze.
