Pattaya cultural highlights
By Dave Rudd
Your camera will find lots of culture
When most people hear the word Pattaya they immediately think hedonism and debauchery and for the most part, it is just like that. However, there is also another side to Pattaya if you get out and about and discern specific nearby sights, or perhaps take in a traditional Thai dance show or art exhibition.
There are many festivals throughout the year in Thailand and Pattaya enjoys all the main ones as with the rest of the country including Songkran (Thai New Year). There are also indigenous Pattaya festivals and events such as the Pattaya Festival, which is held around the time of Songkran in mid-April. It is lots of fun and features floral floats, traditional water sports, cultural performances, art exhibitions, and the Miss Pattaya beauty contest.
There are also one or two striking temples as well as several well done museums such as the quirky Museum of Bottle Art. It is near the bus station on Sukhumvit Road and has a miniature theme, with Thai temples, Dutch windmills and the like stuffed into bottles. The even quirkier Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum on the second floor of Royal Garden Plaza has many bizarre exhibits.
The following is a list of some of Pattaya’s more intriguing cultural sights:
Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm: the perfect family day out, with many crocodiles as well as other fearsome animals such as bears, tigers, and lions, and the somewhat cuddlier elephants and horses. This place also has stunning rock gardens but it is the animal shows that are the biggest draw. Million Years Stone Park is in Nong Palai.
Mini Siam & Mini Europe: another interesting Pattaya attraction for the family, this place in Naklua is a model village that features an array of Thai and European buildings on a miniature scale. It covers many important periods in Thai and European history, going from way back to the present day. There are scores of models here on a 1:25 scale that are well blended with the natural surroundings.
Buddha Hill: located between Phratamnak Road and Thappraya Road, a few minutes out of town by songthaew, this sacred hill is one of Pattaya’s highest points and affords fantastic views over the resort and sea, and also has a huge Buddha statue to discern. This place should not be confused with the other Pattaya Buddha Hill, which is a carving of a giant Buddha image into a lump of rock about 30 minutes south of town on the way to Sattahip.
A remarkable structure at odds with the city’s skyline
Sanctuary of Truth: more akin to something out of ancient Spain or Italy with its intricate and elaborate carving, the Sanctuary of Truth is a huge wooden temple by the sea in North Pattaya. It was built in 1981 by Lek Wiriyaphan, who also built the Ancient City in Samut Prakan, and features many layers of stunning Buddha images and elephant carvings. The temple is just off Naklua Road and is open daily, although is quite pricey to get in.
Anek Kuson Sala: a fancy Chinese-style temple near to Yanasangwararam Temple, it was built in 1987 marking the king’s 60th birthday and is home to a huge collection of fine arts. The exterior is quite impressive, while inside are large exhibitions of precious antiques, including terracotta soldiers from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb (China) and Bodhisattva Kwan Yin’s image in white jade. There is also a large number of pottery items and paintings.
Liam’s Gallery: there are numerous works of art on the streets of Pattaya, although most are typical scenes that go for a few hundred baht and are not particularly high quality. Liam’s Gallery, on the other hand, has many fine original artworks depicting images of Thailand as well as other climes in Southeast Asia. The gallery is located on Soi 4, Pratamnak Road in Nong Prue.
Bang Saray fishing village: this fishing resort is out of the madness of central Pattaya and is popular with those who don’t care much for the manic nightlife of Pattaya proper. It is just off the main highway and is one of hotels, recreational facilities, and deep sea fishing options.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden: located about 20 minutes south of Pattaya, Nong Nooch is another laid back cultural site outside Pattaya. It is a sprawling garden and recreation park with traditional Thai houses and gardens and many cultural activities. Included in the line-up of gardens is an orchid garden, banana garden, palm garden, cactus garden, and a bonsai garden, among others.
The elephant shows here are well done and put on throughout the day at: 09:45, 10:30, 15:00, and 15:45. Admission is a bit on the steep side, although if you’re not too bothered about the elephant shows, you can just go to the gardens, which have a separate and cheaper entrance fee.
Thai Alangkarn Theatre: for a look at Thai performing arts this modern theatre puts on many spectacular traditional Thai performances of a night. The theatre is huge, with seating for up to 2,000 people in a multi-tier panoramic setting that overlooks a massive stage. There is also a substantial restaurant here. The Thai Alangkarn Theatre is located beyond South Pattaya on Sukhumvit Road, is open daily (bar Wednesdays) and kicks off at 18:00.
