Attractions

Attractions

Koh Chang

The island of Koh Chang is a tropical marine national park. As such, it is untouched by modernization and its natural resources are kept intact. Surprisingly, it is the second largest island in Thailand, after Phuket, and is often referred to as the last island paradise in Southeast Asia. Situated to the east of Thailand in the province of Trat on the Cambodian border, Koh Chang is a three hour drive from Pattaya and then 35 - 45 minutes by boat or ferry. Nearly 75% of the island is pristine rainforest, untrekked jungle, towering mountain peaks and spectacular waterfalls, all protected by law under the jurisdiction of the Forestry department of Thailand.

Koh Chang Marine National Park has outstanding bays, coves and beaches with pure white sand and coconut palms, beautiful and colourful coral reefs, warm clear blue sea, idyllic smaller islands nearby, fascinating wildlife and an abundance of marine life. As the island is protected, the shops, Thai style bungalows and hotels along the beach roads are designed to enhance the landscape and maintain the natural beauty, rather than ruin it.

Accommodation on Koh Chang ranges from beach huts and bungalows to luxury villas, suites and apartments. Jeeps, cars and motorbikes can be hired to allow visitors to drive to any of the beaches around the island. There are many restaurants, offering a variety of rich and diverse menus, bars, live music venues and nightclubs, where guests can relax and soak up the laid back atmosphere.

With visibility up to 30 meters deep, Koh Chang naturally has some breathtaking scuba diving opportunities and several dive centers are located here. They offer both beginners and advanced divers the chance to explore great dive sites, such as the Thonburi wreck, which is an old ship that was sunk in 1941 and the stunning coral reefs that surround the island. For visitors who want an even more peaceful environment there is some magnificent fishing available. Around the beaches are tour operators from whom guests can charter boats, or sign up for scheduled fishing trips. Trekking through the jungle mounted on an elephant is wonderful experience. These huge beasts meander along barely visible forest tracks, cross rivers, where they enjoy being bathed and then taken back to their camps to settle down. Apart from the beaches, the mountainous nature and steep terrain of Koh Chang creates numerous spectacular waterfalls that are frequently visited by tourists and local residents. Take a look at traditional island life at Bang Bao village with its unique housing. Here each house is built on stilts and connected to one another via small bridges. Among  other recreational activities are kayaking and even Thai cookery classes.

All in all, Koh Chang Marine National Park is an ideal place for the whole family to spend a leisurely time relaxing in a blissful, tropical paradise.

Mini Siam

Built in 1986 and located in over 46,000 sq.m. of luxuriant, landscaped parkland just outside Pattaya, Mini Siam is divided into two sections; the original Mini Siam and Mini World. It is the world's third largest exhibition of miniature buildings and monuments after those in the Netherlands and Taiwan. There are more than 100 exquisitely crafted replicas of famous and historical buildings from all parts of the world, scaled down to one twenty-fifth of their original size.

The Royal Palace and other important monuments and memorials are displayed in Mini Siam. Among the other models shown here are many ornate Thai temples, such as the Temple of Dawn, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the ancient temples of Ayutthaya and Sukhotai. Mini Siam also houses Lilliputian copies of the Democracy Monument, the Bridge over the River Kwai, the harbour at Klong Toey and a reconstruction of an old style Thai village, featuring different types of wooden houses. These are just a few of the many unique Thai landmarks and architectural works that are presented here.

In Mini World guests can visit every continent and experience the world's tourist attractions in miniature. From Cambodia's Angkor Wat, London's Big Ben and the Tower, Paris' Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, New York's Statue of Liberty, the U.S.A.'s national memorial at Mount Rushmore with its gigantic sculpted heads of four presidents, to Germany's Cologne Cathedral, China's Temple of Heavens, Australia's Sydney Harbour Bridge, Italy's leaning Tower of Pisa and the Coliseum in Rome, Belgium's Atomium and Egypt's Abu Simbel, they are all here. There are also works of art, such as the Trevi Fountain of Rome and the Johann Strauss Memorial in Vienna.

Visitors can shop for souvenirs, dine in the compound's restaurant and enjoy go-karting on the mini race track. The whole complex looks absolutely sensational after dark with all the replicas illuminated and all in all Mini Siam is a first-rate day out for the whole family.

Mini Siam and Mini World are open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coral Island

Koh Lan is the largest of a number of islands that lie in Pattaya Bay. It is conveniently located about seven kilometers offshore and is 4.65 km. long, with a maximum width of 2.15 km. 90% of the area is mountainous and covered in low tropical forest. Its highest point rises to 205 metres with a Buddhist shrine at the peak. The island has two main villages on it: Ban Ko Lan and Ban Krok Makhan, both with shops, restaurants and places to stay. Monkeys naturally inhabit the island as well as other wildlife and the Infrastructure here in most part consists of narrow roadways covered with brick pavers.

Koh Lan, is also known as a coral island due to the quantity and variety of corals found there. All of the necessary amenities are available here, including a police force and a small medical facility. There are about six beaches on the island that boast clean white sand and clear blue water, most of them with a number of excellent restaurants, offering freshly caught seafood

Ta Waen Beach is the longest and most popular beach of Koh Lan. Located in the north west of Koh Lan, this 750-metre-long beach has clear waters and fine white sand. The beach, which is popular among Asian tourists, is lined with colourful beach chairs, shops and restaurants. Located to the west of the island is Thien Beach. This beautiful beach is 500 metres long and has some impressive coral reefs. It is as popular as Ta Waen Beach with many restaurants and numerous water sport activities available. Another beach near Ta Waen Beach is Sangwan Beach. It is only around 150 metres long and without any beachside shops or restaurant, is consequently quieter  and excellent for sunbathing. The 300 metre long Samae Beach is only 10 minute walk from Thien Beach and is popular Europeans. A prominent feature of the beach is the Scenic Viewing Point of Khao Nom, which looks out over the bay with Pattaya City in the distance. It is relatively quiet with shops and restaurants all around. On the northern tip of the island, Thong Lang Beach is a tranquil spot with just one beachside restaurant. The major activity here is shallow-water coral snorkeling. A "sea walker" service is also offered where coral enthusiasts can enjoy another way to view underwater corals. Nual Beach is situated in the south of Koh Larn with a 250 metre long beach which features beautiful corals that attract snorkel diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Here hotels are located right on the seafront.

Apart from those mentioned above, a host of other activities are available on Koh Lan, including windsurfing, waterskiing, jet-skiing and para-sailing. One of the main attractions is sailing around the sightseeing. Some of the boats have glass bottoms enabling passengers to see coral and marine life at the bottom of the sea. Koh Larn is also very well suited for bicycling and hiking. The area also features deep sea fishing boats around Koh Lan's neighbours, Koh Krok, a private island located less than 2 Km to the east of Koh Lan's north east shore and Koh Sak, a narrow "C"-shaped island with a small bay and horseshoe-shaped beach open towards the north. Koh Sak is located just 0.6 Km off Ko Lan's northern tip and accommodation is available.

It is 45 minutes by ferry from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. The first boat leaves the pier at 8 a.m. and from Koh lan to Pattaya city also at 8 a.m. It operates every two hours, the last boat from Pattaya to Koh Larn departs at 6.30 p.m. and the last boat departs Koh Lan at 6 p.m. the fare is 20 Baht per person each way. Alternatively, for 1,500 Baht to 2,000 Baht a speedboat can be hired, which cuts the journey time to twenty minutes, with the added advantage of being able to drop off and pick up at any of the beaches.

Many visitors spend their entire holiday on Koh Lan and return year after year. For them it is a peaceful and relaxing home away from home.