Prepare to view a most brilliant performance at the air-conditioned theatre of Alangkarn, which can hold up to 2000 people. A multimedia, multidimensional laser show with surrounding sound, special effects, 150 performers and elephants, this 75-minute extravaganza is nothing short of Vegas style!

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach runs for 4 kilometres along the Gulf of Thailand. With its countless shops, boutiques, departmental stores, supermarkets, restaurants, discotheques, bars and nightclubs, South Pattaya is a lively place where you can spend many pleasurable hours.

As you go northwards, you'll find that the tree-lined promenade with its hustle and bustle gives way to a much quieter stretch. It is not so well developed as the other areas, but if you are seeking serene surroundings, you are likely to appreciate its charm. Quality accommodation can be found all along the beach.

Naklua Beach

Naklua Beach, lying to the north of Pattaya, is less flashy and more laidback than its southern neighbour. This is an idyllic fishing harbour, and the local inhabitants make their living primarily from fishing.

Naklua is not quite as posh as Pattaya Beach, so you'll find that there are fewer restaurants and resorts here. If you want a taste of high living, however, you can always take the 10 Baht ride to Pattaya Beach. The ride would probably take you around 20 minutes by songthaew.

Jomtien Beach

Lying about 2 kilometres south from Pattaya is Jomtien Beach. Located near the headland, it has become extremely popular in the last few years.

It is less crowded and much quieter than the busy Pattaya Beach and has an excellent range of restaurants and accommodation. The long, straight coastline and fewer numbers of boats ensure that it is a popular hangout for those interested in water sports. In fact, Jomtien is Thailand's most famed windsurfing spot.

Bang Saen Beach

Lying about 13 kilometres from Chonburi city, Bang Saen Beach offers quintessentially Thai cuisine. Satisfy your palate with seafood snacks and local Thai drinks.

The street food sold on the seafront makes for particularly appetising fare. Mussels, dried squid and steamed, spicy fish cakes are favourites among tourists.

There are many restaurants all along the beach and most of them have been upgraded to woo more tourists. If you wish to spend some time here, you can rent deck chairs and rubber rings. For accommodation, try one of the several bungalows or hotels lining the beach.

Situated between the Siam Country Club Golf Course and the Phanarak Park, the Elephant Village is a thrilling haunt for nature enthusiasts and elephants! It is perhaps one of the world's few places where an effort has been made to recreate the elephants' natural habitat.

It is easily reached either by taxi or bus. The park offers a host of activities for the stout-hearted. Flaunt your bravado by crossing the lake on a little raft for 30 minutes, enjoy a half hour stroll through the wild jungle or trek atop an elephant for a whole hour! There is also an exciting ox-cart ride if you have the stomach for it.

At the Elephant Village is a regular round up of elephants. This exciting event includes an impressive demonstration of capturing elephants, a portrayal of their daily habits, how they are trained and fed and so on. You can also watch an imitation of an ancient war, go elephant riding and pose for a picture with a gaily dressed elephant!

Depending on the timing of your show, you could stay back for lunch or dinner. The elephant instruction show is normally held at 14:30 hours.

Looking to spend an idyllic afternoon far from the madding crowd? Go fishing! The local fishing parks, lakes and ponds are teeming with fish and for just 80 Baht a day you can hire some top-notch fishing equipment. In a few of the parks, if you want to carry away your booty, you may have to pay by the kilo for the fish you've caught.

If you are after bigger catch, try the waters around the islands of Rin, Manwichai and Kram. These are popular for barracuda, king mackerel and marlin. Many of the local operators regularly arrange for fishing trips and if you wish to be part of one, you could enquire at the many tour shops dotting the vicinity.

With crystal clear waters, coral reefs and beautiful beaches, the tiny offshore islands around Pattaya lure many a tourist. To reach the islands, take a tour that includes snorkelling, or rent a boat from the pier or promenade in South Pattaya. The cost would depend mainly on your destination, the kind of boat you hire and your bargaining skills.

If you'd like to splash out, charter a boat. You can enjoy a half-day cruise on a beautiful teak boat made in Dutch colonial style. The ride is inclusive of lunch. For more details, get in touch with Gulf charters.

Ko Larn Island

If you are looking for a day's trip, the Ko Larn Island makes for a great getaway. Also called the Coral Island, it is Pattaya's largest offshore island and can be reached in 45 minutes by a tourist boat. If you are hiring a speedboat, you will be able to make the trip in about 15 minutes.

Key tourist activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, parasailing and skiing. Yet another attraction is a tour in a glass-bottomed boat, which allows you to fully appreciate the beautiful coral reefs.

The Ko Phai and Ko Sak islands near Ko Larn are great spots for deep-sea fishing. On the main beaches of the island are a number of restaurants specialising in seafood.

Koh Phai

Just a 40-minute sail away from Ko Lan is the island of Koh Phai. If you are in pursuit of a tranquil day, this quiet and deserted stretch of beach is just perfect.

It is currently being monitored by the Royal Navy. While you may not be allowed to stay the night, the beaches are open through the day.

Koh Sak

A mere 600 metres from Koh Larn is the little horseshoe-shaped island of Koh Sak. It has two beaches, which are both popular swimming spots among tourists. In front of the beach is a lovely coral reef.

Ang Sila or Ang Hin

Five kilometres from the city of Chonburi is the fishing village of Ang Hin or Ang Sila. Once a seaside resort, Ang Sila has carved a niche for its flourishing cottage industry. Stone mortars and tiny animal figurines of tigers, horses and elephants are usually produced here.

The area is also famed for its beguiling handicrafts. Yet another fascination with tourists is the assortment of restaurants.

Koh Krok

Koh Krok is a tiny little island that lies about just 8 kilometres from the land. It covers an area of approximately 0.05 square kilometres and its chief attraction is coral viewing.

Pattaya has a multitude of shops that specialise in massages. The usual massages available here are Thai massage, oil massage, foot massage and reflexology massage. While many of these shops give purely non-sexual massages, others offer massages that are sexual in varying degrees. Near the Big C on the Second Road are a group of 'soapy massage' parlours.

The Mini Siam, situated near Pattaya Klang, houses over 100 models of miniature replicas (1:25 scale) of more than 80 historical sites and sacred places near Thailand. Some of the most popular replicas are that of the Pimai Khmer Sanctuary, the Golden Stupa, London's Tower Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and the Trevi Fountain.

This huge resort in Jomtien is located in a pretty quiet area. Three revolving restaurants located on different floors of a 240-metre high tower give spectacular glimpses of the surrounding area. For an unforgettable adrenaline rush, try the 170-metre high slide 'cable jump'! If you prefer your thrills in more moderate measures, go for a cable car ride.

Some of the other attractions at the resort are the Pimai Khmer Sanctuary, the Golden Stupa, London's Tower Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and the Trevi Fountain. Samba Tower, Funny Land Amusement Park, Swing Vikings Ship, Family Swinger, Slalom Roller Coaster, Musical Carousel, Demolition Derby and the Monorail.

Close to the Pattaya Park Hotel is the Pattaya Water Park. The park is famous for its jacuzzi, gigantic water sliders, whirlpools and huge children's pool.

African voodoo dolls, masks made from human skin and a multitude of other equally weird and incredible objects-welcome to Ripley's Believe it or Not! Featuring more than 250 unique objects in themed galleries, this is one unique and unforgettable experience.

Ripley's Motion Master Panorama Theatre: The Motion Master Panorama is a high-tech experience. Go on a sensory overdrive with the dynamic motion seating, gigantic screen projections and complete digital surround system. They are sure to send a thrill down your spine!

Ripley's Laser Trek: A futuristic version of Paintball, Ripley's Laser Tech features computerised laser guns and vests and a realistic set up, where digital targets actually shoot back. A thrilling, high-tech experience, this combative game can be enjoyed alone or with a group of up to 26 players!

Rent a Prindle, Hobie Cat or small Laser by the hour. The waters of Pattaya make for great sailing all round the year. For further details on hiring boats, weather conditions and information on charters, get in touch with the Royal Varuna Yacht Club.

It is not every zoo that can boast of having over 100,000 crocodiles and 200 Bengal tigers. Situated almost 30 kilometres from Pattaya, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo is one of the more exciting stopovers on the Eastern Seaboard. Home to more than 200 species of amazing animals, the zoo is set up to resemble the natural environment as much as possible. Though it was started only about five years ago, it has gained the reputation for being the world's biggest zoo of its kind.

You'll love a rendezvous with the ostriches, deer, camels, wallabies, Peruvian guinea pigs, elephants and the zoo-bred baby tigers. Yet other popular pastimes in the zoo are elephants playing basketball and women wrestling with crocodiles.

The Bottle Art Museum is famed for its exquisite and delightful collection of 300 odd glass bottles containing temples, churches, palaces and ships. It is a sensational success with people of all nationalities. Peter Bedelais, a Dutch sculptor, has handcrafted every intricate part and assembled them together in different types of glass bottles to create some truly marvellous masterpieces.

With their meticulously landscaped grounds, million-year-old plant fossils, rock gardens and 200-year-old bonsai trees, the Million Years Stone Park and the Pattaya Crocodile Farm are naturally a rage among visitors. Here, you will also find rare albino bears, horses, elephants and crocodiles. Prepare to watch some fascinating crocodile round-ups and animal performances every day.

The biggest and most contemporary ocean aquarium in Asia, the Underwater World at Pattaya opens up a whole new world. Walking through a plexiglass tunnel that is about 6.4 centimetres thick and 100 metres long, tourists are justifiably awestruck by the multitudinous charms of the underwater world. With more than 4000 marine species, it is definitely one of Pattaya's most enchanting sights.