I start a series of posts that I myself will read from Thailand and take them as a guide to action. At the moment we are already in Moscow, we are awaited by a night flight to Bangkok, and then another 2 hours to the place of our rest.
For the first time I was preparing for the trip. Shoveled the Internet, mostly Tay forums, to spend these days optimally interesting and ... not expensive. =)

How theory will overlap with reality - we’ll see, it’s just very interesting to compare reality with advice, but for now everything I’ve found and copied to the file “independent excursions to / from Pattaya” will be transferred to this post, processed and systematized.

To begin with, I’ll tell you that I have friends who work in a travel agency themselves. And here they say that now it’s no longer profitable to drive yourself, there is no economy that was before. Package tourism (that is, as we are now - found on the site turagentov.ru and booked a tour) is often more profitable than independent travel, and generally keep quiet about what is more convenient. Especially me, who does not even know English with a dictionary. =)
Many times I wanted to delve into services like Skyskanner, Booking, Airbnb, and it is with their help that I plan to travel without tour operators. But now the guys say that it is no longer profitable, as it is tour operators who buy tickets and hotel rooms in large quantities, due to which lower prices come out than to book directly. Again, I am a reinsurer and I want to be held responsible for the risks, let them bring me and take me, it’s more comfortable for me. And if you give a trip, for example, to parents, then there is only a tour in general, so that they don’t bother with anything and do not strain themselves.
The most important thing is to choose the site on which there will be a convenient search and good managers who will back you up if you doubt your choice and offer their own options. Chose, ordered, paid, flew - EVERYTHING! And the time that I would spend on self-booking, I gave to reading the forums on drawing up an entertainment program on the spot. Here I will save a lot on it!
Independent excursions to / from Pattaya: A GUIDE TO ACTION!
1. At the hotel reception, take a guidebook , ask " Free Pattaya Map " (free Patai map)
2. The best club on Volkin Street is at the end of the pier, a two-story building
3. Excursions do not buy from the guide, only on the street - much cheaper and the same. Or go by yourself (see below).
4. Koh Lan Island . You can get to the central beach by ferry, it is an hour, it costs 40 baht. From the beach stop to leave on a tuk-tuk or motorcycle to other beaches, less crowded and more beautiful. At 1 place is the beach Ta-Yai Beach. On the 2nd place is Samae Beach. Motorcycle, price 200 baht a day, 1000 deposit, the bike is fully fueled. You can go back by ferry at 15, 16 or at 17 in the evening.
5. Tropical park-garden "Nong Nooch" (entertainment complex, be sure to visit there). Take a taxi (about 300 baht, the guys even agreed for 150) and go there for the whole day. You can take a bike. The standard excursion price is 500 baht per person. The park is huge, consists of many individual gardens, there is even a copy of Stonehenge and a copy of Versailles. For tourists, various shows are held, especially interesting - national and elephant shows. Works from 9 to 18 hours. Entrance fee is 500 baht.
6. Mini Siam Park , ticket price 300 baht. It is located on Sukhumvit Road. From the northern part of Pattaya, you can walk here on North Road to the intersection with Sukhumwit Road, turn left and go to the opposite street, five minutes later on the spot. From other parts of the city you can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk. In the center you can take a tuk-tuk and get to Sukhumvit by paying 10 baht. They change to a white tuk-tuk with a blue stripe and go to the Mini-Siam - another 20 baht. In the park you can see mini copies of architectural monuments, it will take 1.5 hours. After that, go to the flower market, located nearby (open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 13.00) and admire the blooming orchids. Or, first, orchids, then (at about five in the evening) to the park, then later see it all again in the dark with lighting.
7. Tiger Park , 341 Moo 3, Nong Hut, Siracha. Mode: every day from 08:00 to 18:00 Start of the show: every 2 hours. Ticket price: adults 450 baht. Estimated time of visit - 4 hours. Getting there: Siracha is located 40 kilometers from Pattaya, either by taxi or by tuk-tuk. Adequate price for a round trip is 800-1000 baht, including waiting time. Time to the zoo from the city center 35-40 minutes.
8. Lake fishing . For example, in the fishing park Jomtien Fishing Park with the cost of the 1st fishing rod - 440 baht (you can have one for two); With the cost of an additional bait bucket - 25 baht (one bucket was enough for us for 4 hours): with a replacement tackle for a breakage - 25 baht. This is fishing in an artificial lake. Huge pigs are caught.

9. Moors fishing . For example, a tour MADAGASCAR. Captures Ko Rin Island (Ko Rin) The far southern islands of Pattai, Chonburi Province, East Thailand. Lasts about 11 hours. Sea fishing for large fish costs from 3 thousand baht (off the island of Ko Khan, on crocodile sargan, barracuda, karinks, mackerel, cobia, dorado, rays, sharks). "Excursion at Maxim" 1800 baht - 0829824279
10. Zoo Khao Kheo . Entry: 300 baht, another 10 baht if you call on your bike. The zoo is a 45-minute drive from Pattaya. Located at: 235 Moo 7, Tumbom Bang Phra, Umphur Sri Racha in Chon Buri Province. Take a motorbike or a songteo. Drive north from Pattaya to the city of Siracha, further signs, to the right and another 20-30 minutes. Or with a tour of about 800 baht. Walking there is unrealistic, the territory is huge. Free electric buses run through the zoo. They go on schedule. It is better to rent an electric car. It is worth the pleasure of 350 baht for 2 hours and 100 baht for each subsequent hour. TAKE BANANAS TO FEED ANIMALS! This is for the whole day. Incredible place. Animal show at 10.15, 12.15, 14.15 and 16.00 - 30 minutes. Shows Walk through the jungle at 11.00, 13.10 and 15.10 - 40 minutes. The parade of penguins at 11.00 and 14.30.

11. Temple of Truth. Located in the north of Pattaya. On a tuk-tuk along Na Kluea street from dolphins before turning on Soi 12 - we go out and go to the large white gate - the entrance to the park. Entrance and tour of the temple 500 baht. Riding on a boat around the temple + entrance and tour of the temple 750. Riding on horses + entry and tour of the temple 700 baht. Riding in the tent + entrance and tour of the temple. 650 baht Riding on elephants + entrance and tour of the temple. 750 baht Extreme ride on quads + entrance and tour of the temple 600 baht - adult. Massage + entrance and tour of the temple 620 baht. Boat ride on the lake + entrance and a tour of the temple. 650 baht FULL PACKAGE total - 1200 baht. The temple is open until 18:00.

12. The Big Buddha statue is located on Pratumnak Hill, almost in the very center of Pattaya, between the central beach and Jomtien Beach.
13. Art in paradise . Three-D Museum. Chon Buri, Nongprue, Bang Lamung, Chonburi Pattaya, Moo 9 78/34 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd. Opening hours: daily from 9 am to 21 pm. Ticket - 300 baht.
14. Village long-necked women . The entrance is 250 baht. 10 minutes from the city center by taxi or on your bike - is located near the mountain Khao Chi Chan, a few kilometers from Pattaya.
15. Park of million-year stones and a crocodile farm (The Million Years Stone Park & ​​Pattaya Crocodile Farm). Everything is in the same area, not far from Pattaya, just 15-20 minutes away. Very cool to feed the crocodiles - 80 baht. Show time: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:20, 15:30 and 17:00. with crocodiles. Included in bite cost, it costs 500 baht. Open from 8:00 to 18:30 hours. Focus on 2.5 hours. Taxi about 300 baht in both directions. The guys with tuk-tuks for 100 at one end agreed.
16. Village of elephants . Input: 650 THB. It is located on Phattanakarn road just seven km from Pattaya, in the Nongpruhe area. Address: Pattaya City, Tambol Nong Prue, Moo 7, 48/120. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 - 18:00. Combined tracking (skating) on ​​elephants - 10:30 and 16:30, hour tracking starts at 10:30, 12:30 and 16:00. Show from 14:30 to 16:00. The price of an elephant excursion is 1 hour - 1200 THB, a 45-minute ride on an elephant in the surroundings, a visit to a silk factory and a mini-lunch. Combined trekking - 2000 THB includes a ride through the jungle, a lake crossing, a visit to a silk factory, rafting on a rough river, a ride on a cart drawn by buffaloes and lunch.

1. Rent a bike . 200 baht - 1 day, 400 baht - three days, 2000-2500 baht - a month.

2. Rent a car . 600 baht per day (minimum 3 days).

3. Mototaxi . Within one district (Jomtien, Naklua, Central Pattaya, etc.), then the adequate price of a trip is 40-60 baht. If you go far, then 80-150 baht. All that is more expensive is already inadequate. 150 baht - this is the maximum price that is worth agreeing to.

4. Taxi . Here, it is pointless to bring adequate prices, as local taxi drivers categorically refuse to go somewhere at a normal price. They are sharpened solely on easy money. It is interesting for them to carry only those tourists who are not oriented at all in Pattaya, and from which you can take, for example, 300 baht per trip of 300 meters. Therefore, as a taxi, it is better to stop the empty tuk-tuki and negotiate with them. If you move within Pattaya, then bargain for 100-200 baht.

6. Knock knock . 10 baht You can ride all the way until you land. And for 60-100 baht you can go almost anywhere in Pattaya, and for 150 and outside the city.

I hope all have time)))))))))))
Be sure to write that in the end we did.