Leisure Activities In Pattaya Thailand

Besides beaches, shopping centers and night-life, Pattaya also offers a great number of interesting sports and other activities for foreigner, especially those who plan to have a long stay in Pattaya. Here are some of interesting activities.

Water sports such as parasailing, sailing, snorkeling, diving, and swimming.

For parasailing, the boats will pick you up from the Bali Hi Pier and take you out to the pontoons where instruction to novices and experts alike will be given. This pursuit cannot be undertaken on windy days, and safety is a key factor.

Sailing in Pattaya is very popular, where various national and international regattas take place. Many sailors sail over to Koh Lan or one of the smaller islands for the day and return in the afternoon.

Snorkeling is the activity which is popular Diving is a very popular pursuit on the Eastern seaboard and Pattaya has several specialist companies with instructors and supervisors. There are many dive sites around Pattaya, the profusion of coral and fish, a sea temperature of around 28 degrees and cheap prices, this is a favorite venue for many international divers.

Swimming in the sea is very popular with both Thais and Europeans. Don't be surprised if the Thais go in the sea with their clothed. They are not used to showing in public, and it's warm enough to dry off very quickly when they get out.

Go-karting at the Pattaya Kart Speedway

One of the tracks is 800 meters long, nicely design with water waiting for the clumsy. Moreover there are a few types of karts to choose from and all of them are very good and well maintained.

Golfing courses in Pattaya

Playing Golf in Pattaya can totally spoil you for returning home. You can play golf at a different course every day of a two week holiday and you still won't play all the international standard courses within an hour drive of Pattaya.

Many of Pattaya's courses are Country Clubs and designed by Nicklaus, Faldo, Thompson, Wolderidge, Dye and Trent Jones.

Gyms, spas, and massage

Pattaya has a tropical climate is therefore ideal for the pursuit of outdoor activities. However, for an indoor healthy lifestyle, Pattaya is also among the best. The vast number of 5 star health massage organizations, beauty parlous, spa and fitness centers mean that Pattaya really is the place to improve you overall and look

Other activities in Pattaya

The Pattaya Bridge Club for the more leisurely.

Wandering along Walking Street and its many beer bars, girlie bars, music venues, cabarets, and restaurants.

Day trips to the Tiger Zoo, alligator and elephant farms, sapphire mines, orchid gardens, and culture villages at Mini Siam and Nong Nooch Village; countless other places of interest in the Pattaya area.

Latest Hollywood movies a the Big C and Royal Garden shopping centers; or purchase DVDs at bargain prices from street vendors.

If you're creative, build a studio to write, paint, or invent things or join a writers group and write about your travels.

Attend an international convention at one of the big hotels.

Numerous places of religious worship: temples, churches, and mosques.

by KengIsm

Thailand Vacation Series - Pattaya Attractions

Chon Buri The Nearest Seaside Retreat

Chonburi, Bangkok's nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 80 kilometers from Bangkok. The area boasts abundant natural resources, which are highlighted by delightful beaches, local colors, traditions, delicacies and fresh seafood. This is a popular resort among Bangkokians who seek the nearest escape from hectic weekly schedules as Chon Buri has something for everyone. In addition, Chon Buri is the center of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project, with its industrial parks and fishing villages.

Pattaya - A Travelers Paradise

Pattaya is nestled along a picturesque bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. From a fishing village in the 1960's, Pattaya has emerged as the favorite Southeast Asian vacation center. A fascinating escape where tourists, holiday makers and vacationers from around the world unfold an incomparable array of possibilities to unwind during an exotic holiday beach vacation.

Unlike other beach resorts, where natural surroundings are used as magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything. Here, everything means everything a tourist can imagine while on holiday: recreation, entertainment, sports, sightseeing and fun. To put it simply, Pattaya is a paradise for everyone, as it has a variety of attractions suitable for all types of visitors. This is the place where you can fill your day, from dusk to dawn, with endless activities, or you may choose to do nothing at all and relax.

You can check all accommodations including prices, transportation, activities, etc. here, Pattaya Hotels.

The Past

Pattaya's name was originated from the march of Phraya Tak (later known as King Taksin the Great) and his followers from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi just before the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the Burmese invaders in 1767.

When Phraya Tak's army arrived in the vicinity of what is Pattaya today, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom who tried to intercept him. When the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline, thereby surrendering without a fight. The place where the two armies confronted each other was later called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of the Phraya. This was later changed to Phatthaya, which happens to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Today the spelling of the name has been simplified to Pattaya.

For centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But a big change occurred on 29 April 1961 when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors. A full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses replaced fishermens huts along the beach. Fishing vessels were adapted to become tourist boats and swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world frequented the quiet powdery golden beaches. Places of nighttime entertainment have also sprung up and are popular among international tourists.

The Present

Pattaya currently integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort, city-like dining, shopping and night entertainment facilities with more than 300 assorted hotels, thousands of shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, there are an array of sports and recreational activities including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart, gyms for working out, weight lifting and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, monstrous motorcycles, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing, speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders. On the other hand, at night, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely incredible shopping which is available non-stop both day-and-night.

Pattaya Facts

This exotic beach resort welcomes approximately 5 million visitors a year. The friendly and hospitable Thai nature boosts its promotion, frequently bringing back the repeat visitors and constantly increasing the number of newcomers.

Pattaya city is located on the eastern coast of the country at latitude 13 N and longitude 101 E in the area of Chon Buri province. It is 147 kilometers from Bangkok and lies parallel to Sukhumvit Road on its east and the coastline on its west. Pattaya occupies an area of 208.1 sq. km. that is divided into 53.44 sq. kilometers of land and 154.66 sq. kilometers of islands and sea. Its coastline is 15 kilometers long.

Pattaya has a plain on the coast with some high mountains to the south. The area on the east slopes down towards the sea on the west.

You can check all accommodations including prices, transportation, activities, etc. here, Pattaya Hotels.

For more information about Thailand tourism, see http://thailand-vacation-info.blogspot.com.

by Kai

Retiring In Pattaya Thailand

Pattaya, in Chonburi province of Thailand, is about 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. It is probably the most well-known destination in Thailand for foreigner alike. The Pattaya city and its three beaches - Pattaya, Jomtien, and Naklua - grew rapidly during and after the Vietnam War, when the Americans built a naval base and American GIs invaded the town for "Rest and Recreation"

Today Pattaya boasts dozens of Five-star hotels, luxurious resorts, and a vibrant nightlife with hundreds of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.

Pattaya has a large foreigner's community, with Americans and Brits topping the list. There's a sizeable population of assorted Europeans and Australians, as well. Two foreigners' Clubs organize a host of activities for the foreigners. There's a various of activities going on in the Pattaya city every day. There are two daily English-language newspapers-The Pattaya mail and Pattaya Today-and one free bi-weekly magazine which is called EXPAT.

Pattaya is a prime tourist destination for the pleasure-lover, and lies along the gulf of Thailand 150 km southeast of Bangkok. U-tapao airport is nearby. A taxi to bangkok is Bt 1,200 - 1,500. Buses and trains are much cheaper and service is virtually continual.

But a reasonable drive down the coast brings the visitor back into contact with Thailand. Sattaheep, Chantaburi and Trat are much more traditional.

Here are the comparison between benefit and drawback of retiring in Pattaya.

Benefit of Retiring in Pattaya, Thailand

1. Pattaya has foreigners' clubs that meet every Sunday. They provide an extensive support network. Each club has a host of special interest groups. One of them provides cheaper health insurance for foreigners.

2. Easy access to Bangkok and all its attractions.

3. Three beaches offer a host of water sports for the active resident.

4. The city is one of the most entertainment capitals of Thailand, with hundreds of beer bars and A-go-go bars that are open to the small hours.

5. A heaven for gay residents for foreigners and gay-lovers.

6. Amazing array of restaurants, especially for sea-food and international cuisine; five-star hotels for comfortable dining and night-life entertainment.

7. Some of the best sailing and yachting in the country; also a big-game fisherman's paradise.

8. Well over 20 golf courses in the nearly area.

9. Lots of clubs to join: five Rotary Clubs, a Lions Club, a Sportsman's club and two prominent yacht clubs.

10. Many business centers to take care of financial and property needs.

Drawback of Retiring in Pattaya, Thailand

1. Up to a million tourists during the November to March. There are a lots of people around here. 2. Overcrowding of beaches during the tourist seasons. 3. Inflated prices for foreigners. 4. Pattaya residents usually get mistaken for tourists until the locals get to know you better and see you frequently. 5. Rush-hour traffic can be as suck as other metropolis, especially during holidays and festivals. 6. Although improvement of environment, the beaches are still polluted with garbage all the times. 7. Booming tourism has caused much environmental degradation of the area. 8. High rate of Crimes. 9. Pattaya continues to have the image of being a city of sin and sex.

by Thanom Ketem

Discover The Hidden Thailand

Thailand is more than Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. In fact, there are a great many fascinating out-of-the-way places that regular visitors know and love, which you might like to consider adding to your itinerary when you're planning your next trip to Thailand.

About 260 km outside Bangkok, the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima, also known by its historical name of Khorat, is famous for its several heritage sites that reveal the roots of traditional Thai culture. Once the gateway to the country's northeast, the city was a major centre of the vast and influential Khmer kingdom, which stretched across much of Southeast Asia, between the 9th and 15th centuries. Life moves at a relaxed pace here, compared to the main tourist centres. Just south of Nakhon Ratchasima, in a lush river valley, is the delightful market village of Dan Kwain, well known for the fine quality of its ceramics and distinguished by the individuality of its products.

Near Nakhon Ratchasima, there are dense forests, mountains, and rivers with spectacular waterfalls. Khao Yai National Park, listed as a World Heritage site in 2005, undulates over magnificent mountain ranges blanketed by thick forests, and plunges down deep valleys with wild river courses. Wildlife is abundant and accessible and you can see elephants, tigers, monkeys, black bears, deer, butterflies, insects, and birds. This is an ideal place to spot a Hornbill, which is common in the park from August to September. You can even join tiger-spotting trips accompanied by park rangers.

The quiet riverside town of Kanchanaburi, about 130 km west of Bangkok, is another place where you can explore more of Thailand's natural and historic treasures. Kanchanaburi lies next to the Kwai River, where the famous World War II bridge still stands (the subject of an Oscar-winning movie, The Bridge Over the River Kwai). It's a poignant reminder of the hardship endured by those who were forced to work on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. Natural attractions here include numerous lovely waterfalls and caves. The trek through the steamy undergrowth, to the stunning seven-tiered Erewan Waterfalls, is well worth the effort. Your reward is a plunge into the cool, clear water beneath the falls, where curious fish nibble at your toes.

North of Chiang Mai, in the jungle wilderness, is Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon. The national park, also of that name, presents some of the regions most exciting trekking opportunities. Best accessed by motorbike, due to the rough and narrow roads, Doi Inthanon is a mountainous expanse with deep valleys that contain a rich diversity of distinctive flora and fauna. Be warned that temperatures on the mountain top can drop to -8 C and the peak is often swathed in mist. Here you'll find the prized red and white varieties of rhododendron, as well as more than 350 bird species, more than in any other location in Thailand.

Sukhothai, Thailand's first administrative and cultural capital, established in 1257, is today a group of well-preserved ruins. During its 120-year golden period, the old city was known for its stunning temples, statues and gardens, and is now a significant historical focal point. The site is well worth the short drive out of the current city of Sukhothai, about 400 km north of Bangkok.

by R. Ritchie

History Of Loi Krathong Festival

Loi Krathong is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a Krathong banana leaf cup is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Rama VIII Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

As for the public, people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river although there exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, during which balloon-like Khom Loi' lanterns including the Khom Fai' a fire lantern and Khom Khwan' a smoke lantern are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our home.

In Tak province, the Loi Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated, which reflects the unity of the local people. Groups of people gather at the river banks, each bringing along thousands of Krathong made fro m coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance with merriment. The span of the Ping River that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one's waist, with underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. When the lit Krathongs are floated onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line, or Sai in Thai, amid the darkness of the night. The famous Loi Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak the betel offering and Phanom Dok Mai the floral offering carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by the so-called Nang Nopphamat beauty queens. The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are for the homage paying rite at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great's monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai.

After that, people as well as visitors gather and float the Krathongs together on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the ancient city. The bright candle light from the floated Krathongs and the cool breeze of November together lends a pleasant atmosphere for all participants. Besides the well-known Loi Krathong Festival, there is another tradition that is based on a similar belief but is celebrated on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month. Known as the Illuminated Boat Procession , the celebration takes place in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand that is located on the Mekong River.

Illuminated boats of approximately 10 12 metres long are made from banana stalks or bamboo by villagers. The boats contain sweets, the so-called Khao Tom Mat stuffed fried sticky rice and objects to be donated inside, while decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and tinder outside. At present, the boats are created into various shapes such as important places or mythical creatures, which lend a bright and breathtaking sight when the boats illuminated by thousands of lamps are floated onto the river.

by 155cafe

Want to Teach English in Thailand

Thailand offers many options for teachers especially when it comes to teaching the English language. However, if you plan on doing so as a big career move, it would be wise to do your homework first and prep yourself up before you become an English teacher in Thailand.

To be able to work in Thailand as an official English teacher, you need to acquire a TEFL certificate. You will need this to get your teaching license and eventually, your work permit. A TEFL certificate also enables you to negotiate with salary adjustments as you begin choosing your employer. In addition, you should also seek to acquire a working Visa to avoid legality issues. You can already discuss this with your employer as you get hired.

As you begin to work in Thailand, another important thing you need to be conscious of is your actual pay. On the average, people in Thailand get about 30,000 baht as salary. If you are a foreigner, there's a tendency for you to pay at higher premiums so be aware of how much certain basic expenses really are. Be sensitive as well when it comes to discussing salary matters with your fellow teachers especially with the Thai natives. Though they may be working really hard or even more than you do, it wouldn't be good to let them know just how much different your pay is from them.

As you begin to deal with students, you will initially notice that it is fairly easy to get comfortable with Thai students since they are generally warm and accommodating. However, you should keep in mind that Thai students tend to become easily bored so you should inject as much fun as you can to keep your English classes informative yet interactive. Have more language practicing drills and be creative enough to incorporate them in different games. Equip yourself with the important factors in Thai culture so you can always pique the interests of your students.

You may also eventually observe that most Thai students tend to be shy especially when being asked to speak in English. They might just end up speaking in their native language as you set them up for drills and language games. You can counter these problems through gentle persuasion, as Thai people tend to be relatively on the sensitive side.

In addition, you may also find it very useful to learn the Thai language yourself as you stay there. After all, English is still the foreign language. This would also help bridge the gap between you and your students and also, this can benefit you greatly when your students opt to speak in Thai instead. This would help you keep track of their personal reactions and comments regarding your English classes. Your students may also call you either "ajarn" or "kru". Ajarn actually means professor in English although this is rarely used in the country. Meanwhile, kru simply means teacher and this might be the usual tag you may get from your students.

by Frank Collins

The Svelte Thai Women And The "Won Sigh" Foreigner

I came to realize early on in my stay in this beautiful country of Thailand, that Thai women were not only perfectly groomed and gracious, but they were absolutely "svelte." I mean, how many more attributes do they get? I felt like Gulliver in the land of the Lilliputians.

As a newly-arrived expat in Thailand, I looked forward to seeing everything; from the Reclining Buddha to the gold-encrusted temples. But first, I told myself, I had some serious shopping to do. With the temperature at 100 degrees and the humidity fighting for top billing, I thought the best place to kill two birds with one metaphorical stone would be at an air conditioned shopping mall. Shopping has always had a way of lifting my over-sized spirits. I'd hoped to find a cutesy little sundress that could transform my 38DD bust line and my 30 inch waist into something that looked "svelte."

But this wasn't just for me, this shopping business. No, no. I made it a prerequisite to always help the local economy. I was directed by our hotel's concierge to try Robinson's Department Store in downtown Bangkok. "Very nice clothes foh you, MaDam."

Wow, Robinsons? Right here in downtown Bangkok? It took me thirty minutes on a hot tuk-tuk ride in the piercing heat, but I made it, unscathed and ready to spend, spend, spend. As I sauntered into what I thought was the Women's Department, I stopped short. Oh, no, these must be the teen's clothes. They're much too small for an adult. I scanned the racks. Who wears a size 2? Where am I, in the Barbi and Ken Department? I couldn't get these styles around my thigh, much less my back-side.

I could see someone walking towards me, but she looked like a teenager. Surely she's not the salesgirl? She stopped in front of me. "Gootmoanin."

"Oh." I felt my face get hot. She looked like a sprite. She wasn't a little girl after all; she was at least in her 20s and obviously the salesgirl in this department. "Uh, I, ah, was... Is there a Woman's department in this store?"

"Yeth." She smiled and waited expectantly.

"Oh. Well, I, ah, could you point me to it?"

"Mai kow jai ka."

I yanked my Thai-to-English conversation book from my pocket and handed it to her. She pointed to a Thai phrase and handed the book back to me.

"Oh! You don't understand?"

She smiled.

"Okay. Sure. Sorry." I pointed to my well-fed body, while she watched expectantly. I then yanked on the waistline of my dress and said, "Clothes. For me."

"Yeth," she smiled demurely while looking at her feet, "preze foroow me."

She led me to a small alcove, where some well-fed tourists were grazing about. Sidling up to a rather rotund shopper, I asked if she knew why we were led to this separate area. "Is it because we're foreigners?"

She puckered up her mouth as if sucking on a sour gumball: "Yeah, honey, it's cuz we're foreigner's all right, larger-than-life foreigners!" She threw back her head and guffawed at her cleverness.

"Huh?"

"The only sizes you'll find out there," she cocked her head towards the tiny clothes I'd just left, "are size twos to fours, and honey, that ain't us." She had herself another good laugh.

I snuck a peek around the room while she chortled, and realized that every body standing in this room was years past those proportions.

I knew I wasn't going to like these svelte, tidy little women. They must be bulimic -- that's it. Binge, purge, binge, purge - they're not fooling me. Dream on, lady.

As I toured and shopped the city in the following weeks, I came to realize that the Thais were also neat and tidy in other aspects of their lives. Every department store I visited in Bangkok was unbelievably pristine. Shirts and pants, towels, linens and sportswear were not only folded and stacked, but actually looked as though folded by automation. All the garments concealed cardboard inserts to give them shape. No pins showing, no uneven edges, just as if it were a picture on display. The dresses, blouses and shirts were neatly hung on hangers according to sizes and colors. Amazing, considering the litter I'd witnessed outside on the streets of Bangkok, where every little nook and crevice harbored some sort of debris.

For us, ahem, larger sizes, I found that anything imported was deplorably high. An imported name-brand in Thailand could be four times higher than one might pay in the States. Paradoxically, Thai clothes are very inexpensive and quite stylish -- if you're less than five feet tall and weigh between seventy and ninety pounds.

I made a decision then and there: Before I left this country I would diet, fast, quit eating, quit breathing; whatever it took to look as svelte as these Thai women.

Another eye-opener I found was that every place I shopped, there were at least three salespeople hovering over me, smiling, waiing -- a Thai greeting. So helpful! I'll be very cranky when I return to the States and don't get the same service.

But -- back to reality. After living in Thailand for a few months, I learned the secret of the segregated clothing. The salespeople have the perfect solution for us larger sizes. It's called "Won Sigh" -- meaning HUGE. You enter the clothing department, and unless you're built like Twiggy, the sweet, smiling, ever-helpful salesgirls -- who all look pre-pubescent --steer you toward the "Won Sigh" department. This is where you'll find all the loose-fitting, baggy, beachy, gauzy, hippie-looking outfits, and all claiming to fit ONE SIZE; from size 8 all the way up to Mama Cass. This is their way of saving face - yours. They would never dream to insinuate you were large, fat, obese, or chubby. You just happen to fall into the category of Won Sigh.

As I departed Robinsons in my new muumuu, nearly tripping over the hemline, I got a glimpse of my reflection in the display window. YIKES! Picture Hilo Hattie in strappy sandals.

(Excerpted from A Broad Abroad in Thailand by Dodie Cross, with permission).

by Dodie Cross

Exclusive Luxury Resort In Thailand At Pran Buri

If you are searching for an Exclusive Luxury Resort in Thailand that would be just right as a Honeymoon resort, or could be suitable as a family vacation resort, and you don't want to be with masses of other people then you should take a close look at the area of Pran Buri close to Hua Hin, and particularly at the Aleenta Resort & Spa

The Aleenta is a small and intimate hotel with a variety of accommodation, from the Pool Suites which means a romantic bungalow by the sea with your own plunge pool, ideal for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. There is the beachfront splendour of the Beach House, ideal for a party of four, or the Ocean Suites with indoor and outdoor living space. If you really want it special, then there is the Penthouse, totally romantic for honeymooners.

The Grand Villa with all the comforts of home, with the trappings of an exclusive luxury resort which is Aleena Resort & Spa.

For families there is the Frangipani Wing with a large inviting pool by the sea, and the beach is but a few steps away, so ideal as a family vacation resort. The New Frangipani Wing has its own infinity pool, with a poolside bar serving snacks day and night

The Aleenta Resort and Spa is a simple and unfussy place which whilst laid back well deserves its burgeoning reputation as one of Thailand's leading luxury resorts. It is the small details which matter.

The wireless broadband connection throughout. The Aleenta Spa offering the full range of treatments to pamper and unwind you, and there is even an area set aside for Yoga, complete with instruction.

Thai and Fusion Cuisine are served in the restaurant which helps you to eat healthily with the right healthy lifestyle choices. Having said that, the breakfasts are just out of this world!!

There is a Sandwich Bar for all day snacks and a lounge and open air bar overlooking the sea.

To this you can add inevitably excellent room service, a library, a CD library, a Boutique, a Wedding Centre on the beach, a Business Centre, and extremely efficient Concierge service and security.

Whilst you might expect to find similar facilities at most luxury exclusive resorts, but some of the things that sets the Aleena Resort and Spa apart from others is the situation. Pran Buri has not yet been spoiled as have other areas of Thailand, so what you have to enjoy is a deserted beach, a no television policy, organic food with the vegetables from the hotel's own garden.

The staff of the Aleena resort just smile all the time, and nothing is too much trouble.

Apart from the deserted beach Pranburi is very peaceful which will suit some but not others. If nightlife is a necessary part of your vacation, then this probably isn't the place for you, but if you want to eat out then there are a couple of good restaurant shacks a ride away.

An important point is that the Aleenta resort and Spa is right on the beach, whereas the resorts in northern Pranburi have a small road in between, but you'll not find that fact widely available on their websites.

Go to Pranburi soon before it becomes spoilt, and you must stay at the Aleenta Resort and Spa, one of Thailand's best exclusive luxury resorts.

by Peter R Stewart