Not only is Pattaya cleaning its act up in terms of the physical environment it is now tackling the issues that had given it a bad reputation, sleaze and under-age sex. The message is now loud and clear that such behavior is no longer acceptable and anyone foolish enough to think come and get away with is mistaken. A person below the age of 18 years old is a minor and the engage in any sexual act is a crime for which the punishment is imprisonment. Pattaya is still a party city for people looking for legal fun. It is like an a la carte menu, each visitor can choose those items that suit their taste. And there is a lot to do in Pattaya both in the daytime and at night.

Apart from the obvious choice of going to the beach to relax and swim why not try some of the entertainment park in and around the City.

Sri Racha Tiger Zoo

Home to 80 magnificent Bengal tigers of which 58 were born at the zoo. The Bengal tiger is an endangered species, in 1936 their world population was 60,000 by 1994 the number had plummeted to just 4,000. The Sri Racha Zoo is providing a safe home for the tigers protected from their human enemies with over 100 staff to care for them including a full time vet. The Bengal Tiger is pretty sensible and don't like hot weather. They love to lie in the shade, swim in the pool beside their pen or munch away of a delicious piece of fresh beef.

The zoo is a triumph to harmony with tiger cubs and piglets sharing the same milk bar from a sow. An Interesting day out and somewhere for the Children.

Sri Racha Zoo, 341 Moo 3, Nongham, Sri Racha, Chonburi. Tel (66-38) 296556-8, Fax (66-38) 296559.

Just 15 ins east of Patty on the Sukhumvit Highway is Nong Noch Tropical Gardens with its well known "Cultural Show" presented three times daily. Followed by an elephant show.

What is not so widely known is that the primary business of Nong Noch is Architectural Landscaping and a Tropical Nursery. It is the long term goal of Mr. Kampon, the owner and long time collector of tropical plants to make it the best Botanical Garden in southeast Asia, The garden covers a 600 acre site with cactus garden, fern garden, orchid garden and a collection of over 1,000 species of palm tree. In September 1998 it was host to an International Palm Conference attracting over 1,500 delegates worldwide.

Nong Noch Tropical Garden

163 Sukhumvit Rd, Sattahip, Chonburi. Tel (66-38) 709358-8, Fax (66-38) 238160

When Pattaya Park first opened in 1985 it had just thirty bungalows and town houses scattered around the water park with whirlpools and slides. In 1987 some of the bungalows were demolished to make way for a 14-floor hotel with 240 guestrooms. At the same time some of the townhouses were converted into a shopping arcade. But this was not enough to satisfy the demand and in 1995 the 24-floor tower wing was added giving 460 additional guestrooms. In February 1996 the 240 metre high Pattaya Park Tower opened and was the highest seaside tower on the East Coast of Thailand. On the 53rd floor the revolving restaurant takes a full hour to complete one rotation. The observation deck on 54th & 55th floors gives a unique view of Pattaya City and the coastline of Jomtien Bay.

For those seeking an adrenaline buzz there is the Pattaya Park Tower Jump included in the entrance fee. Strapped to a harness similar those used for parasailing, the brave can make the run down the cable to the ground floor. Don't worry its safe and the equipment was imported from a German Alpine resort and is replaced every four months. If the speed of the decent exceeds 200 metres a minute the emergency brake is automatically applied, likewise 40 metres from the ground to ensure a safe landing.

Pattaya Park Beach Hotel

345 Jomtien Beach, Pattaya. Tel (66-38) 251201-8, 364110-20, Fax (66-38) 251209, 364129.

In 1995 Thailand had an elephant population of between 6-8,000 elephant of which some 2,000 were wild and scattered through the forests of Khao Yai, Buri Ram and Chanataburi provinces. Thailand's temporary suspension of its timber industry effectively made the elephant population redundant. Some found work in neighbouring Burma, Laos and Cambodia were the trade continues but there were not jobs for all. 20 elephant have found a home at the Elephant Village where the owners primary concern is for the elephant' welfare in a jungle-like environment. Elephant trekking is not only good exercise for them but also is the major income source for their feed. The majority of the money raised from the shows and trekking is directly spent on the elephants up keep.

Caring for an elephant is an expensive task, they need an anti-parasite vaccine at Baht 5,000 each every three months and eat about 200 kgs of Sugar Cane, Palm Leaves and Tamarind daily. The elephant' average working day is six hours. The work from 6-10am then rests until 2pm and work until 4pm. After every three working days they are given two rest days. Two masters or 'kwan' care for each elephant. An elephant can live until the age of 80 years but generally only work until the age of 60.

Elephant Village

54/1 Moo 2, Nongprue, Banglamung, Pattaya, Chonburi Tel (66-38) 428645-8, 428158, Fax (66-38) 423031.

Ripley's World of Entertainment

Ripley's "Believe It or Not" is part of the world's largest chain of amusement-type attractions in 26 locations worldwide, highlighting the life and oddities collection of Robert L Riley. Actual, original and unbelievable exhibits are displayed in themed galleries. One of the rarest must be the shrunken head from Equador in South America, a one of kind in Thailand. For Titanic fans there is the ship's original distress telegram that was never sent.

Ripley's Motion Master is the wildest simulated ride in the world. It's 70mm projection and dynamic seating which is capable of moving in eight different directions and awesome digital sound system, thrusts the passenger on an incredible journey of the mind and they are convinced they a moving a break neck speeds. Ripple's Laser Trek is an unbelievable virtual reality game played with computerized guns and vest in an indoor area, where the targets shoot back. One game is never enough. Ripple's Laser Bump is the new state of the art bumper car, faster yet safer than the traditional fairground ride. Ripley's Laser Coaster is a challenging and exciting game with a three-speed train, similar to a roller coaster. With your body strapped to Ripley's Gyroscope the three-ring sports machine can move three dimensionally give the opportunity to experience weightlessness, something previously reserved for astronaughts or scuba divers. If it were to rain in Pattaya with Ripley's World of Entertainment there is no need for the fun to stop.

Ripley's World of Entertainment, 218 Moo 10 Beach Rd, Pattaya, Chonburi Tel ( 66-38) 710485-7, Fax (66-38) 412319.