The way to relax at Samae Beach in Pattaya

One is writing this from the air-conditioned comfort of ones ocean facing room at the homely yet
modern Siam Bayshore Resort and Spa in South Pattaya. Pattaya is a paradise for all those who
love the sun, the sea, the sand and the surf. The Siam Bayshore Resort and Spa is located at
Bali Hai pier, within a short walk away from the beach, one of the many beaches that dot Pattaya.
Walking Street is one of Pattayas tourist attractions and is a cobble stoned path that runs parallel
to the beach for two to three kilometres. One can find old wooden houses and narrow streets with
antique shops and several traditional Thai restaurants overlooking Pattaya Bay. As one walks
along the cobble stoned streets that lead to the beach, there is still an air of an international
village as tourists from all over the world are shopping on Walking Street. One can find several
shops selling handicrafts and sarongs along the street corners.
There is an interesting history about the origins of the name Pattaya. In 1767, Thailand lost
Pattaya to the invading Burmese army for three months. The reigning Thai king Tap (Phraya
Kamphangphet) made it clear that had his general Krungsri Ayuthayya fought the Burmese with
greater effort Pattaya would never had been lost. So the king raised another army of 500 under
his own command to repel the invaders. On reaching Pattaya a local warlord called Klom and his
army joined the battle against the Thai king. As the two armies prepared to fight, King Phraya
appeared in person seated on the back of the royal elephant with a gun in hand, followed by his
soldiers, who advanced on the Klom army, which hesitated to join the battle.
Overwhelmed by the personal presence of the king and his forces, the Klom army surrendered
without a fight and were integrated into the kings own forces. Thus strengthened, the combined
army rested at a local lake. The local people called this place Thapphraya after the kings name
but due to mispronunciation, tapphraya soon metamorphosed into Pattaya.
As one crosses the Dolphin Point and heads towards South Pattaya, one can walk along the
edge of the sea along a newly constructed promenade, under the shade of the swaying coconut
palms! Pattaya is dotted with several beautiful beaches and the colour of the sea is turquoise.
Several coral islands are scattered around Pattaya and are easily accessible by boats. The beach
at Jomtien is a relatively quiet beach full of tourists. The sea is calm and the greenery starts
where the beach ends! Naklua beach is the other beach at Pattaya. Koh means island in Thai
and two coral islands namely Koh Krok and Koh Sak are a short boat ride away from Pattaya.
The visit to Koh Larn is an extremely pleasant experience. One takes the morning boat which
leaves Bali Hai pier from South Pattaya at 10:00 a.m. Bali Hai Pier is just a short walk away from
Siam Bayshore Resort and Spa. Local boats go at one hour intervals to and from Koh Larn and
the round trip costs 40 Baht. If one takes a shared private speed-boat, the round trip cost is 150
Baht. There are a group of three islands namely Koh Larn, Koh Sak and Koh Krok situated 17.7
km. west of Pattaya Strait. The boat ride takes 45 minutes one way. The island is spread over 4
square kilometers. Speed boats cover the distance in 15 minutes.
The boat gently rides the waves and one can get a magnificent view from the upper deck. The
turquoise waters stretching from horizon to horizon, the snow white clouds suspended above the
water. The light blue sky, a stark contrast to the waters. Soon two islands covered in a canopy of
green appear at the far end and start becoming bigger as the boat inches closer and closer.
These islands have a wild look. Soon one lands on a white sandy beach surrounded by crystal
clear waters.
There are several beautiful beaches on Koh Larn island but the most beautiful of the three is
Samae beach. This beach boasts of gentle waves, clear transparent blue waters and a
magnificient view of the veradant hills that surround this oasis of tranquility.
The view from the beach is soothing to the eyes. White sands, stretch for kilometers on end. One
enjoys soaking in the warm waters of the sea, feeling the gentle waves lapping at your feet. Once

the novelty of the water wears off, one can explore the island which is largely uninhabited. A few
stalls selling souvenirs, coconut water and boiled corn surround the beach. The view from is
picturesque. The silvery sands, the wide arced bay, the swaying palms and the green treetops.
The ocean breeze is cool and rejuvenating. Meditating here is a divine experience.
Just the sky the sun, the beach and the roar of the ocean. One exists in the present and all
worries, tensions and stress seems to dissolve into thin air. After swimming in the crystal clear
blue waters, one enjoys the warm water in the afternoon and returns to oneboat to enjoy the
sunset cruise.
It is difficult to believe that a one hour trip from Pattaya will bring one to an almost secluded cove
surrounded by pristine pure waters, white sand and colourful corals. In a region as lush as
Pattayas east coast one would expect to see a rain-cloud or two at certain times of the year.
There is a rainy season but not day-long torrential rain, but a few isolated showers towards the
evening. Pattaya is a year round destination where beaches are open and safe for swimming
regardless of the season. At six-monthly intervals, there is a gentle swing in the winds from the
south-west to the south-east. Thus if one island faces the wind and breakers, another is blessed
by calm waters and soft breezes. Almost all afternoon drizzles are followed by strong cooling
breezes from the ocean. Jomtien is the popular beach at Pattaya. Beach children love the banana
boats that snake their way through the surf, twisting and turning till everyone falls off!
There are several other tourist attractions around Pattaya including Underwater World, Crocodile
Farm and Mini Siam which contains replicas of 80 sacred sites and important historical sites
around Thailand at a scale of 1:25. Tesco Lotus and Big C are two supermarkets at Pattaya
selling everything from pins to washing machines. Local handicrafts, silverware, pottery and
traditional clothes are sold at night bazaars. The unique feature about Pattaya is the availability of
motorbike taxis and shared songthews (shared jeeps) which make commuting in Pattaya easy
and affordable as compared to metered cabs.
How to get there?
The nearest international airport to reach Pattaya is the Suvarnabhoomi International Airport at
Bangkok. There are several options for Indian tourists to get to Pattaya from Bangkok.
By bus: The easiest and most popular way to get to Pattaya from Bangkok is by bus. This 140
km. trip takes 2 hours. There are three bus terminals at Bangkok, namely Northern, Southern and
Eastern. All buses are first class airconditioned with pushback seats.
From Northern:
The first bus leaves at 4:30 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 9:30 p.m. The one-way ticket is priced
at 117 Baht.
From Eastern:
The first bus leaves at 5:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:00 p.m. The one-way ticket is
priced at 123 Baht. Buses leave at 30 minute intervals.
From Southern:
The first bus leaves at 6:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 6:30 p.m. The one-way ticket is priced
at 123 Baht. Buses leave at two hourly intervals.
By taxi:

Direct taxis to Pattaya are available. It takes about 150 minutes for the non-stop drive from
Bangkok airport to Pattaya and costs 1300 Baht (one-way).

By train:
There is one train available on weekdays (from Monday to Friday). This train departs from
Bangkoks Hualamphong Station at 6:55 a.m. and arrives at Pattaya at 10:20 a.m.
Where to stay?
Siam Bayshore Resort and Spa at Walking Street is a value for money proposition which offers
four star comforts at three star rates and is extremely affordable by Indian standards during MayAugust which is a low season. A standard double room costs approximately. 2000/- Baht inclusive
of Indian breakfast. Budget conscious Russians frequent this eco-friendly property at this time of
the year.
Where to eat?
Few small restaurants serving Thai cuisine dot Pattaya. Freshly steamed vegetables in coconut
milk, served in a ring of steamed jasmine rice is a local dish which melts in the mouth. Boiled
spinach with mushroom, bamboo shoot and peppercorn are served with boiled white rice at
Vegetarian Food a quaint restaurant serving Thai vegetarian cuisine at Naklua, the traditional
Thai village in North Pattaya. At 20 Baht this food platter is a steal. The food at the high profile
hotels is only for the gastronomically adventurous who like greasy food. Fresh tropical fruits
including durians, mangosteens, tender coconuts, santol, langsat and jack-fruits are available at
the local market.
Exchange rate:
100 Thai Baht = Rs. 120/- (approximately)
Murli Menon, author of ZeNLP-the power to relax is a stress management consultant based at
Ahmedabad and can be contacted at tips4ceos@gmail.com
Send payments/copies to:
Murli Menon
E/503, Borsali Apt;
Khanpur,
Ahmedabad-380001
India
Phone:00-91-79-25600269
Koh Larn Island as seen from Pattaya
View of the sea at Naklua as seen from Royal Orchid Beach Resort at Pattaya

Same Beach at Koh Larn Island off Pattaya

Verdant hills surround the slivery sands