Thailand - June 2024 - Big Buddha & Walking Street

We figured we had a pretty good handle on the area we were staying in so decided to venture a little further afield and do some touristy things.

Top of our list was to find and visit the Big Buddha.

I’d done my research and I knew it was walkable. But I guess what I hadn’t factored in so well was the heat. Actually it’s more the humidity than heat. And out of respect it’s a long trousers destination which only served to make me hotter and sweatier. Plus it’s uphill. And have I mentioned my blisters? I now had blisters on blisters. But not being one to make a fuss, much, I soldiered on, always grateful to the Favourite Husband for his backpack carrying duties which he does without complaint. Top tip; take water everywhere with you.

We negotiated our way which included a pleasant park that we meandered through to the top of the hill. Some of the route was busy roads with no footpath which was mildly terrifying. You don’t have to walk, there are buses, coaches, taxis, even motorcycle taxis but walking tends to be our transport of choice.

We knew we were heading the right way towards the top due to the huge amount of tourist coaches approaching. There were a lot of people, it was busy. But also weirdly peaceful as people were respectful and introspective. Whilst impressive the Buddha wasn’t as big as I’d expected. I mean it’s 18 metres tall, so it’s certainly not small, so goodness knows what I was expecting. The staircase up to it is breathtaking. The views from the top, at the back behind the Buddha, are really good too, looking down over Pattaya city. There are seven statues to explore depicting the seven days of the week. There are stalls where you can buy the usual touristy trinkets but they’re very expensive. The site is free but take cash and a hat. It was an awesome experience and I’m really pleased we went, I’d highly recommend.

From there it was back to base to cool down with a cocktail and a swim. Because this is a relaxing holiday as much as an adventure and we only have a week.

Today looked like the first evening that we might get a half decent sunset over the beach. So we selected a fairly pricy restaurant with a view and splashed out. It was fabulous food. So good in fact that I completely missed photographing the sunset. And that’s ok. I’m a big believer in some experiences need to be soaked up not necessarily snapped up.

As we had eaten early we decided to hop on the old baht bus again and get off to explore Walking Street.

As I previously alluded to, Pattaya has a vibrant red light district. And when I say “vibrant” I really mean wild. We’d got off the bus a bit early as we’d spotted a really busy alleyway and thought we’d have a nosy. This alleyway is actually a road, called Soi 6, which goes from Beach Road to Second Street. We started walking down and then realised what the noise was. Either side of this very narrow road was bar after bar after bar, apparently there are around 70 in total. Outside each bar were the girls who work there. Each had their own “uniform” and the noise was them trying to pull the men walking past into their bars. The uniforms were clearly based more on early Britney Spears than the convent I went to. The Favourite Husband grabbed my hand. How romantic I thought, then I realised his hand was quite clammy, his face quite pale. He looked both vulnerable and scared in equal measure. In a silent eye gaze we were able to communicate without words and promptly turned around and legged it. Not enough alcohol had been consumed for that.

But Walking Street was a slightly more elaborate version of the same. Plus it wasn’t so claustrophobic. It reminded me of the Leicester Square of the 1980’s. There are restaurants, bars, live music, nightclubs and a variety of hotels (available by the hour, nudge nudge, wink wink.) The street is pedestrianised from 7pm through until the early hours and it doesn’t really come to life much before 11pm or later. Hence the name “Walking Street.”

Interesting Google fact, that although prostitution is illegal in Thailand, there are estimated to be around 27,000 prostitutes working in Pattaya alone. As the saying goes, there’s someone for everyone …

Walking Street didn’t bother me, even having “menu’s” of extras available inside the various establishments thrust in my face. What did bother me was a rather graphic photo on a phone being shoved in my face. I’m no prude but I don’t need to see a stranger’s vjayjay.

We hopped back on the bus and carried on round to the end which was the stop for our hotel and is also conveniently a shopping mall. A bit more about the baht bus. The baht is the currency of Thailand. The bus is like a flat deck Ute with benches. It costs 10 baht in Pattaya to hop on hop off the main, circular route. There are heaps of them and if you’re walking they’ll often honk their horn as they approach to see if you want to jump on. It is a great way to whizz around. The shopping mall is called Terminal 21. There was a “lady boy” cabaret outside, good old family fun, and a market and small animal farm, which was a bit random. The shopping mall itself is done like an airport and the different levels are your different destinations. There’s London, Paris complete with Eiffel Tower - well you get the picture.

Tomorrow is another tourist sightseeing day as we head to The Sanctuary of Truth.