Thrilling Thailand - Bangkok & Pattaya

Pattaya in Thai means the name of the north-easterly wind at the beginning of the rainy season. Contrary to the name, it doesn't rain much, and is conveniently sunny most of the year. An extremely popular resort, infamous and beautiful, Pattaya is located on the North Gulf Coast of Thailand, and is 150 km from of Bangkok. It is one of Thailand's best locations for sun, sand and surf, as well as all manner of sports and adventure activities. Pattaya is very popular with locals and tourists alike, as it is has quick and easy access from the capital, and a assortment of hotels with reasonable rates. It caters to over 5 million tourists yearly, and offers an excellent range of eating choices and a wide variety of things to do and see.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 26-33 C
Summer: June to August 26-31 C
Autumn: September to November 25-31 C
Winter: December to February 23-31 C

Shopping:
In Thailand, good shopping is never a rarity, and there are numerous malls, and bazaars in Pattaya. Though there isn't an endless variety of things to buy here, but what is on offer is of good quality and craftsmanship. Try Mike Shopping Mall on Beach Road for clothing and souvenirs. For those who love a bargain, try Thepprasit Market, Soi Buakhao Market, and The Market Pattaya. Jewellery, especially gold, is a Thai speciality, and you can find a lot of shops in Pattaya, mainly on South Pattaya Road, and Central Pattaya Road as well as the south end of Beach Road.

Must Do:
Go to the beach, scuba-dive, jet-ski, and do the million other things that you can do at the best beaches in the world. You can also visit the nearby islands of Ko Laan, Ko Saak, Ko Khrok, and Ko Phai, where you can snorkel around the coral reefs or just lounge on the beaches, in relative isolation. Pattaya's nightlife is known the world over, and is infamous. However, it is not too hard to find good bars and discos where you can dance, drink, or just chill out, and remain untroubled by offers and sights that might not be of interest. Moving on, in terms of food, Pattaya is very much a part of Thailand, and shows us why the Thai are said to love food in all its flavours. Pattaya offers some of Thailand's choicest seafood, and has several specialty restaurants.

Travel Tools
ISD Code: +66
Currency: Baht (THB) 1 THB is approximately 1.50 Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +7 hours. IST +1:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V

More than just the political, commercial, and cultural capital of Thailand, Bangkok's skyline gives you an idea of its unique personality; which is a vibrant conglomeration of chrome and cane. All through the city, flows the beautiful Chao Phraya River, filled with traders and boats. Bangkok's bustling atmosphere, though distinctly modern, has a sense of heritage found within urban tangle, for soaring skyscrapers can be found alongside tranquil temples. However, the sense of order within this chaos is quite evident, and the congestion of people and traffic is alleviated by the slick overland metropolitan railway, cheap river boats and air-conditioned taxis, all of which allow you to see the city as it really is.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 27-34 C
Summer: June to August 26-33 C
Autumn: September to November 25-32 C
Winter: December to February 23-32 C

Shopping:
Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to pursue their search for bargains and luxuries, most of them located within walking distance of the major hotels. Souvenir markets, luxury malls, and Thai handicrafts stalls are all jumbled up together, always giving you a variety. For souvenirs, visit the Amulet Market in Ko Ratanakosin, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market at Th Phahonyothin Lat Phrao. Also try the Orient Plaza and the River City Shopping Complex, which are adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, to find antiques and decorative items. Siam Square is home to many malls and antique shops also. The Floating Market is also a must visit. If you are interested in jewellery, visit The Jewel Fest Club, where quality craftsmanship and reasonable price are assured.

Must Do:
There are over 300 Buddhist shrines and temples within the city, and there is no excuse a tourist to Bangkok can have for not visiting some of these beautiful places. The most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). You should also try to visit Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha (made of translucent green jade) resides. Bangkok also offers an assortment of restaurants that is staggering in its variety. In Bangkok, you are never more than a few feet from a restaurant or sidewalk food vendor and each one of them is different. Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Silom, and Bang Rak are the areas where you can find the best Thai cuisine. There is a lot to entertain you in Bangkok, with some of the best nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos in Asia, liberally sprinkled all over the cityscape.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +66
Currency: Baht (THB) 1 THB is approximately 1.50 Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +7 hours. IST +1:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V