Bella Express

QUAN YIN SHRINE

by RoyJava

Downstairs of the Big Buddha there is a lovely Quan Yin Shrine. The sacred Lady is also known as Kun Iam in Macau as the Heavenly Bodhisattva, the Goddess Of Mercy and Compassion.

Most tourists get dropped close to the stairs of the Big Buddha and speed along the Quan Yin Shrine back to Pattaya. A pity, 'cause the area is a lovely place dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. It has a beautifully decorated shrine surrounded by green water in a smal lake. Local people love to come here to pay respect after their visit to the Big Buddha. I adored the little shrine!

Up and down the one way streets

by Willettsworld

A songthaew, also called a Baht Bus, is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side — hence the name, which means "two rows" in Thai. You simply flag one down and get in the back and then press the buzzer/bell when you want to get off and then pay the driver.

The busiest route in Pattaya is the beach circuit: from the junction of Second Road and South Pattaya Road, north along Second Road to the Dolphin Circle roundabout; then south along the full length of Beach Road; then briefly east along South Pattaya Road to complete the loop. Frequency is virtually non-stop, and even at the most unlikely hours, average waiting time is literally no more than a few seconds.

The official "bus" fare is 5 baht for trips within Pattaya, however foreigners are universally expected to pay 10 baht. Having the correct change is by no means essential, but does keep the potential hassle factor to a minimum.

Vegetarian restaurant

by filipdebont about Sousiree Sauna Herbal Bath

In fact this is a massage institute, but a very special one, as all the masseurs are blind. I can assure you this is a very special experience (see my off the beaten path tips).

But there is also a vegetarian restaurant here.

They serve all kind of dishes, like spaghetti, macaroni, rice dishes, noodles, soups.

Be careful as some dishes are prepared with hot chilli. And this is not a really touristy spot, so most dishes are prepared on the Thai Style, which means pretty hot for us Europeans. Fried noodles and noodle soup.

Walking Street

by YaaDong

I guess you have not really been to Pattaya unless you take a stroll along walking street, preferably at night.Bright lights and music and we have a lively street with lots of bars,shops,restaurants and people.A good place to party or just have a nice meal and people watch .So just keep on walkin'...

Pattaya - NOT great for kids

by krotz

"Should have sign "You must be this tall....""

If you have never been to Thailand, it is a GREAT place to visit, and that is especially true with kids. However, choose Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok, or Chiang Mai before Pattaya! No matter where you are, it is impossible not to have to address the prostitution trade with your kids. It is EVERYWHERE!

"Lil Rock at the Hard Rock Hotel"

We sent the kids to the "Lil Rock" at the Hard Rock hotel, which they really liked. It is a kind of kids club, and they did some nice art projects, were fed, swam (very nice pool) and otherwise enjoyed themselves for 6 hours.