http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=98019&d=30&m=6&y=2007&pix=community.jpg&category=Features
Saturday, 30, June, 2007 (14, Jumada al-Thani, 1428)
Massage Magic Lures Visitors to Pattaya
K.S. Ramkumar, Arab News
An aerial view of Thailand's "prestigious" Royal Cliff Beach Resort
at Jomtien, Pattaya, which overlooks the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Siam.
BANGKOK, 30 June 2007 - "Welcome to Thailand, sir," the cab driver said
as I headed to Lebua At State Tower, a five-star deluxe hotel, from Bangkok's
new nine-month-old Suvarnabhumi (golden land) airport, described as the second
largest in the world.
"This is a land of smiles," he said. As we neared the destination, he
said: "Sir, this is also the land for massages that you can rarely have
anywhere else."
"And yes, if you need a massage please call me up and I will take you
around," driver Abby said as he handed over his contact number.
After checking into the hotel, a bellboy assisted me into my room on one
of the higher levels. While leaving, he said: "Sir, if you need a massage, just
contact me on this number."
Within minutes there was a knock on the door and there was a hotel
assistant offering me a bottle of mineral water. "This is complimentary," he
said and did not fail to notice two complimentary water bottles that were
already provided in the room.
"You can have the best of massages here and if you need one please let me
know," the young Thai said.
For a moment I wondered whether Thailand flourished in tourism all
because of massages. I soon discovered that it has much more and better tourist
attractions, aside from its ongoing efforts to become a hub for MICE (meetings,
incentives, conventions, exhibitions) industry in the ASEAN (Association of
Southeast Asian Nations) region.
Pattaya, about a couple of hours drive from Bangkok on Sukhumvit Highway
via Bangna, Bangpakong, Chonbury and Sri Racha toward the east coast, excels in
entertainment, especially at dusk. With its best known beaches, the city
completely transforms itself into "the place" for nightlife with a number of
massage parlors and a fine selection of Thai food including seafood and steaks
with traditional Thai country music. Many of them also serve Chinese, European
and Italian food varieties, and also pizza and pasta. The city's main artery
becomes colorful with shops, eateries and other places screaming with "best
massage" signboards.
"Visit the world's best and biggest massage parlor with experienced
masseurs," a young man shouts outside one such center. Others have similar and
other offers including facial treatments, mini day packages, body treatments,
etc.
There is also a Thai massage development school here. This "first school
of Eastern Thailand" offers health services ranging from foot massage,
traditional massage, aromatherapy massage and a herbal compress with Thai herbs.
Often referred to as the "Gold Coast" of Thailand because of its golden
sand, Pattaya, 147 kilometers from the capital city is one of Asia's premier
beach resorts with world-class water sport and golf facilities.
More Than Just a Night Destination
As many people are starting to discover, Pattaya is more than just a
night destination with exotic shopping areas and beaches. Even this city excels
in exhibition and convention halls at its various resorts., one of them being
the picturesque Royal Cliff Beach Resort, a five-star resort comprising four
hotels with 1,100 rooms.
The climate is tropical and warm all year-round. Monsoon winds are
sometimes accompanied by rain. However, it can be very hot from March to June.
From July to September, the temperature ranges from 32 to 38 degrees and it is
cool from November to February, a vendor said with a smile.
Travel around Pattaya is most convenient by minibus. Motorcycle and car
rentals are also easy to find. Boat trips to nearby islands are quite frequent.
Most notices are in English and Thai, and some signboards are in German
and even Russian languages.
In the past, Pattaya never extended beyond the four-kilometer stretch
along the sea called Beach Road. Of course, today the city is more than this
road, although it still remains the heart and soul for visitors. And once one
visits the Beach Road, everything else is just a bonus. This area is bordered
on one side by about 100 hotels, bars and restaurants and by the beach on the
other. And this made it a good spot for us to jumpstart our exploration.
Tour of Europe and Asia
While the whole stretch is one long entertainment district, it is in
South Pattaya that one can still find a glimmer of what gave Pattaya its
legendary afterdark reputation. As soon as the sun sets, South Pattaya starts
to swing. Traffic comes to a halt and scores of stalls and vendors emerge to do
brisk business from ruby and sapphires to tailors cajoling customers for a
suit. Music starts blaring from bars and stores, and stretches out to beaches.
"Want to tour Europe and Asia in less than a day," a tour operator asked.
It is Mini Siam. Located on the outskirts of Pattaya at Sukhumvit Road is the
place to go, he said. Its highlights mock models of 31 famous European
landmarks and 56 popular tourist spots in Asia. In a display of miniature
artistry, the craftsmen of Mini Siam showcase a host of intricate works that
extol the Thai mastery of details. Every sight is something to behold and
appreciate.
Mini Siam offers not only selected tourist sites, but it has succeeded in
bringing about the effect of real travel through a panorama of miniature
world-famous edifices and monuments.
Here, we began our itinerary at the Eiffel Tower and took a side trip to
the Arc de Triomphe, both of which are pride of Paris. There is also the
grandiose Palais de Chaillot, also known as the Trocardeo.
Visitors can photograph themselves with Johann Strauss as he renders a
melodious waltz with his violin. We then crossed the Tower Bridge of England,
viewed the magnificent Gothic masterpiece Cologne Cathedral and the magic of
Rome's Trevi Fountain, aside from the fascinating replica of the Angkor Wat of
Cambodia.
The miniature world landmarks are spread over an exquisitely landscaped
garden.
For a group of Asian journalists who were on a visit to tour Thailand's
MICE industry, the Pattaya experience was both relaxing and educational.
<<pixel.gif>>
<<pattaya30_.jpg>>
