Pattaya Thailand - activities, and sports in Pattaya

Sporting Opportunities

Numerous sporting opportunities include participant and spectator sports on land and water. Major land sports include golf, tennis, go-karts, squash, badminton, bowling, jogging. paintball and motor-racing. Popular watersports include windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, gamefishing, snorkelling and scuba-diving. Opportunities for less easily definable activities, including bungee jumping and parasailing, are also available.

Land Sports

Golf
Golfers can enjoy challenging rounds at 9 scenic 18-hole courses near the resort, and a small course at the Asia Hotel. In most cases, clubs, shoes and other equipment can be rented, and green and caddy fees are very reasonable. During weekdays, there are few courses that need to be booked in advance.

Tennis
Tennis can be enjoyed at 14 Pattaya hotels, where preference is given to hotel guests. Certain hotels have tennis coaches.

Go-Karts
Go-karts are available at the 400 and 700- metre track Pattaya Kart Speedway, at Mini Siam, K.R. Gokart, and the 1,080-metre track for professional drivers at the Bira International Circuit.

Squash
Squash can be enjoyed at the Cherry Tree pub on the Siam Country Club Golf Course road, the Dusit Resort Pattaya and Ambassador City, Jomtien.

Paintball
This game of skill, strategy and daring can be enjoyed every day at the Paintball Park which is located near the Pattaya Kart Speedway.

Badminton
The Pattaya Badminton Court on Soi 17 is open 24 hours daily.

Bowling
Three alleys cater for bowlers, the Pattaya Bowl on Pattaya Road 2, an alley in the Royal Jomtien Hotel, and the OD Bowl in South Pattaya.

Jogging
A jogging track is an integral part of the pleasantly landscaped Pattaya Fitness Park located near the summit of Pattaya hill. Certain hotels have jogging tracks. Jogging is also enjoyable along the promenades facing Pattaya Bay, and along Jomtien Beach.

Motor Racing
The Bira International Circuit at Km 14 on Route 36 to Rayong periodically stages international motor and motorcycle racing. The 2.4 kilometre track is ideal for Formula 3 racing. There are daily opportunities for speed enthusiasts who enjoy driving their own two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicles around the challenging track for nominal fees.

Snooker
Snooker can be enjoyed at the Pattaya Bowl, AR Snooker, Dice Cafe Hall and the Royal Place Hotel.

Shooting
A handgun and rifle range with 19 fully equipped and airconditioned galleries is open daily at Tiffany's on Pattaya 2 Road.

Horse Riding
Available at the Horse Sport Centre at Km. 11 on Route 36 (near the Bira International Circuit). Mountain and jungle rides are made on Australian thoroughbreds. Riding lessons are offered.

Water Skiing
The most popular venues are the northern and southern parts of Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Ko Lan island. Freshwater water-skiing is available at Lakeland Cable Water Ski at Kilometre 150.5 on Sukhumvit Highway.

Windsurfing
Jomtien Beach is the major centre for windsurfing. Tuition is widely available for beginners. The Pattaya Windsurf Club on Jomtien Beach regularly stages board competitions. October through June are the best months for windsurfing, thanks to ideal water and wind conditions.

Gamefishing
Expeditions are organised by many operators. Waters surrounding Manwic-hai, Rin and Kram islands are popular for the pursuit of marlin, king mackerel, barracuda and other Gulf denizens.

Sailing
The most popular rentals are Lasers, Prindles and Hobie Cats. Sailing is a year round sport in Pattaya's waters. Visitors wishing to avail themselves of knowledgeable information regarding sailing rentals and seasonal conditions should contact their hotel travel desk.

Parasailing
This sport is ubiquitous throughout the resort, is featured at several hotels with their own private beaches, and is perhaps best enjoyed at Ko Lan where floating 'take-off and landing' platforms mean flight occurs exclusively above the sea.

Freshwater Water Sports
These can be enjoyed at the Ban Bung Sailing & Paramotor Centre some 4 kilometres off Sukhumvit Highway (from Km 150) where there are facilities for, among other activities, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and fishing.