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Pattaya IslandsThe Koh Lan Group of Islands
Koh
Lan situated to the west of Pattaya Strait, about 7.7 kilometers from the shore, covering an area of about 4 square kilometers. There are beautiful beaches, clear
water, and an abundance of coral, Visitors can view the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by diving down directly. A well-known beach is at Ta Waen
Beach in the northern part of the island, a 750 meters stretch of white sand with many stalls and shops. Sightseeing boats mostly dock in this area. There
are also Laem Thian Beach and Samae Beach on the south-western side, each beach spanning a length of 700 and 100 meters respectively. Both are regarded as
beautiful and interesting spots, especially Laem Thian Beach which has remained exceptionally clean and tranquil. There are now a few stores servicing
visitors. TaPan Beach on the western part of the island is 500 meters in length with make-shift lodging available. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,
sightseeing boats usually dock along this beach all the way to Laem Thian where there is coral. On the southern part is Nuan Beach 450 meters in length. On
this beach is a hotel which accommodates a large number of tourists. This is another good place for viewing coral.
Apart from these beaches, there
are also Laem Hua Khon Beach on the back and front sides, Laem Lamrae, etc., which are also interesting tourist spots. Popular activities on Ko Lan include
swimming, coral viewing, Para-sailing, water-skiing, water scooter riding, etc. Koh Krok a small island covering an area of 0.05 square
kilometers, approximately 8 kilometers from the shore. The island comprises mostly rocks. Only one sandy-beach on the east of the island is Ko Krok beach
which is only 100 meters in lenght. This is an ideal place tor coral viewing.
Koh Sak some 10 kilometers west of Pattaya Strait or 600
meters away from Ko Lan. Ko
Sak is another small island shaped like a horse shoe with an area of 0.05 square kilometers. It has two beaches, one on the northern cover 250 meters in
length, an area in which boats usually stop for tourists to swim and another one on the southern part of the island opposite the first island, with a pathway
linking the two beaches, a small beach 80 meters in length. A coral reef is found at the area in front of the beach. Skin-diving is also possible in this vicinity. Koh
Phai Group of Islands
are comprised of Ko Phai, Ko Manwichai, Ko Luam, Ko Klung Badan, and etc., Ko Phai being the largest. The islands
are presently under the supervision of the Royal Navy. The Ko Phai group of islands are situated at a distance about 13 kilometers from Pattaya and takes 2
hours to reach by boat. There is a light house on top of a hill at Ko Phai. Visitors can enjoy relaxing-moments, swimming, fishing and diving down to view
the coral. Tourists interested in visiting all the island mentioned here can arrange to hire boats from the promenade or pier at South Pattaya. Large
boats can carry between 20-80 passengers, speed boats carry 10-15 passengers. Rental fees cost between 1,000-5,000 Baht, depending on the spot one intends to
visit as well as the size and type of boat. |
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