Pattaya City
Was it because it was my birthday, or was it my visit to the Sanctuary of Truth or was it because of the fun vibe that this place exuded? I discovered that Pattaya in Thailand was overflowing with wonderful surprises.
Sanctuary of Truth Elephant Rides
On our second last stop of our South East Asia cruise we anchored at Laem Chabang Port, where we had the choice of spending the day in either Bangkok or Pattaya. We chose the latter as it was closer and not as busy and congested as we knew Bangkok would be.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya, on the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 160 kilometres south of the city of Bangkok within the Bang Lamung District. The Pattaya Bay area is one of Asia’s largest beach resorts and the second most visited city in Thailand, after Bangkok.
Once a fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R destination during the Vietnam War. It was once renowned as the ‘sex capital’ of Thailand but has been trying to shake that image over the past 10 years. The city still has a vast number of host bars, gogo bars, massage parlours and hourly hotels, which serves the foreign tourists.
Out and About in Pattaya
Pattaya Beach is parallel to the city centre, and runs from Pattaya Nuea south to Walking Street. Along Beach Road are hundreds of restaurants, shopping areas, and night attractions.
We arrived via a bus organised by the cruise ship and strolled along the beachfront. It was relatively early in the morning but the beach was already a hive of activity, of the water sports kind. There were masses of speed boats, jet skis para-gliders and banana boats speeding across the aqua blue bay. Tourists had already claimed their sun lounges, slathered themselves in coconut oil and were ready for a day of tanning in the hot sun.
Pattaya Beachfront
I had heard of this place called Sanctuary of Truth which was located on Rachvate Cape, around 20 minutes out of the city. This construction or piece of art has been work in progress by since 1981. It’s wooden temple-like structure towering 100 metres high represents various forms of art, no matter what nationality or religion they are, to reflect thoughts and spirits of eastern cultures.
Sanctuary of Truth
The building consists of wooden carvings of gods and goddesses and elaborate designs based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. My favourites were the intricately carved elephants that adorn the building.
Sanctuary of Truth Wooden Carvings
I normally don’t bother with professional tourist photographers who are seemingly at every tourist place in Thailand, but on this particular day I was enticed by the chance of dressing as a Thai Princess inside the temple. Besides it was my birthday!
Thai Princess at the Sanctuary of Truth
The inside is covered in the same rich carvings as the outside, and there’s a large altar in the centre of the rotunda where you can light a candle for Buddha.
Inside the Sanctuary of Truth
Surrounding the temple there are Theme Park type attractions, like elephant rides, horse rides, ATV tours and a Dolphin show. But really the piece de resistance is this magnificent wooden temple – it is simply mind-blowing!
The surrounds of the Sanctuary of Truth
Returning to Pattaya city and beachfront we found a restaurant and chowed down for lunch. Afterwards we checked out a couple of Pattaya’s largest shopping malls, Central Festival Pattaya and Mike’s Shopping Centres.
After a bit of retail therapy I indulged in a traditional Thai massage at one of the hundreds of massage salons that try to make a living in Pattaya. It was my birthday after all! A girl should spoil herself on the anniversary of her birth!
Feeding the Elephants at Sanctuary of Truth
Pattaya provided all the perfect things that a thriving beach resort city should offer: long stretches of sandy beaches, world-class resort hotels, water activities aplenty, beachfront restaurants and bars, great shopping and tourist attractions. I truly did fall in love with Pattaya.
Please note: For the record I did not ride on the elephants as I believe it is cruel and unnecessary for the poor beasts to bear the weight of the houdah (seat) to carry heavy loads of tourists.
Comments are closed.
Miriam
May 20, 2016What amazing photos. No wonder you fell in love with Pattaya, so much to love there – scenery, beaches, majestic elephants. Wonderful post.
Kathy
May 20, 2016Yes Pattaya was particularly beautiful on the day we visited. I was expecting it to be seedy and dirty but it was a lovely beach-resorty place. The Sanctuary of Truth was the highlight however! :)
Ruth
May 20, 2016Thailand is fabulous! I would be happy to visit any port in the country. I am not that into malls but in Thailand, with the extreme heat, they felt like paradise. Plus, there is lots to do (and eat) in the mall.
Kathy
May 20, 2016Pattaya was a pleasant surprise. I think you are right however, most of the coastal spots in Thailand are fabulous. Krabi is next on the list! :)
budgettraveltalk
May 20, 2016The beach looks lovely and Pattaya would have been a much better choice for a day than Bangkok.
Kathy
May 20, 2016Yes Bangkok needs more than a day to see and do all the wonderful things here. We definitely made the right choice going to Pattaya. I loved it. :)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
May 20, 2016The Sanctuary of Truth is amazing. The Thai princess is a bit of a hottie too! Great suggestions, Kathy.
Kathy
May 21, 2016The Sanctuary of Truth was a magical place. The place features hundreds on painstaking wooden carvings, each one a piece of art. As for the Thai Princess she was a bit of a hottie!!!
indranii
May 20, 2016Looks like I missed a lot in Pattaya. I just loitered in the beach and visited Ripley’s museum. I liked the Sanctuary of Truth. Great pics.
Have a great weekend!
Kathy
May 21, 2016I think Pattaya is that type of place. Loitering on the beach is by all means acceptable when on holiday! Thanks for dropping by. :)
Donna Janke
May 20, 2016Pattaya Beach looks beautiful. I love the intricate carvings at the Sanctuary of Truth.
Kathy
May 21, 2016Pattaya was a great spot. We could have easily spent more time here as we only touched the surface on our day here. The Sanctuary of Truth was a revelation. :)
Grey World Nomads
May 22, 2016I love the Sanctuary of Truth in Rachvate Cape. What an architecture! Your pictures look like there weren’t too many people. The early bird catches the fish! #TPThursday
Kathy
May 22, 2016Sanctuary of Truth is a piece of artistic genius. It is absolutely mind-blowing! They actually only let a certain amount of tourists through the temple at a time, so yes it was virtually uncrowded (unlike a lot of other Asian tourist attractions!).
Nancie
May 22, 2016Hi Kathy, I’ve always avoided Pattaya, mainly because of all the bad press it gets with the sex trade. However, the beach looks stunning, and I’d really like to visit the Sanctuary of Truth. Maybe I’ll put it on my itinerary for the next time I’m in Thailand. I’m so glad you didn’t ride the elephants. I have always have more fun feeding them, too! Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
Kathy
May 22, 2016I think Pattaya has been cleaned up somewhat, but there are still the odd sleazy westerner men that come for a “sex holiday”. I despise this side of Thailand. I loved it here and certainly wouldn’t discount it as a great holiday destination. :)
InsideJourneys
May 22, 2016There’s so much variety here, Kathy, but the wooden temple is outstanding. I usually pass up the location photogs too but I’d make an exception too. You look lovely!
Belated Happy Birthday!
Kathy
May 23, 2016The Sanctuary of Truth was outstanding in every way.The chance to dress up as a Thai princess was a little too tempting! I had to do it! Thank you for the birthday wish. :)
Scribbling Geek
July 13, 2016Beautiful and exotic pictures. You look every bit the regal Thai Princess too. :)
Kathy
July 14, 2016Why thank you! I was very happy with my photos from Pattaya. It is a very pretty place. :)