Tourists visiting the Thai city of Pattaya can see many world attractions at once! Such a unique opportunity is provided by the Mini Siam Park, where miniature copies of famous structures from different places of our planet are placed on the sites.
Mini Siam Park in Pattaya began its existence in 1986. It occupies an area of 4.5 hectares, which houses 100 exhibits.
All exhibits are characterized by a very high degree of detail and a striking similarity to the originals. Most of them are made in 1:225 scale, and only some models that were made later than the rest are made larger and not too detailed.
Initially, some layouts were not in a static position, they were active. For example, planes were moving around the airport, cars were driving around some other objects, and trains were running on the railway. Now these miniatures are in rather poor condition: they are covered with rust and a thick layer of dust, and they have ceased to function.
Each exhibit has information signs in Thai and English.
Advice from experienced travelers! It is better to visit the park immediately after arriving in Pattaya, at the very beginning of your vacation. After looking at smaller models of famous attractions in Thailand, you will be able to choose the most interesting ones – those that you want to see in the original.
All the exhibits in Pataya Park are located in two thematic zones: “Mini Siam”and” Mini Europe”.
Mini Europe Exhibition
Although this area is called “Mini Europe”, it contains miniatures of architectural monuments from different continents. For example, the following world “hits”are presented:
- Sydney Opera House;
- Tower Bridge and Big Ban;
- pyramid of Cheops and statue of the sphinx;
- american statue of Liberty;
- Eiffel tower;
- german cathedral;
- paris Arc de Triomphe;
- roman colosseum;
- Leaning Tower of Pisa;
- Russian St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Of course, not all the exhibits present in Pattaya Park are listed here.
Mini Siam Exhibition
This area of the Mini Siam Park is more extensive, it was built first. The collection is dedicated to the ancient and modern outstanding architectural buildings of Thailand and neighboring countries of Southeast Asia.
There are a lot of models of Buddhist pagodas here, for example, Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Arun from Bangkok, Wat Mahathart from Sukhothai. On this site there is a copy of the largest religious structure on the planet: the Angkor Wat Temple located in Cambodia.
There are also replicas of buildings from two historical parks: in Ayutthaya and from Phanom Rung in Burirum.
In the exposition of this part of the complex there are a lot of objects from Bangkok:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport;
- Victory Monument (this is the oldest copy in Pattaya Park);
- king Rama IX Bridge;
- Grand Royal Palace;
- Freedom Square.
Better time to visit
Recommendations regarding the time of visiting the park take into account such important points: the scorching daytime sun in Pattaya, the “presentation” of architectural monuments at different times of the day, and the quality of photos.
Advice from experienced tourists! It is best to come to the tour 1-2 hours before sunset (at 16: 30-17: 00). This way you can view all the layouts of attractions both during the day and with lighting.
All exhibits are located on the street, there are no canopies and tall shady trees. It is clear that during the day it is very hot there. Approximately 1-2 hours before sunset, the sun is no longer so scorching, and walking is much more pleasant.
A tip! Even if you arrive in Pataya Park during the day, you can somehow protect yourself from the sun: umbrellas are issued at the entrance, which must be returned after the tour.
The park lights are turned on after dark. Miniatures look completely different than during the day, and most of them are also much more attractive: without bright sunlight, damage to objects becomes invisible. The most spectacular highlights are already luxurious palaces and temples in the area with the sights of Southeast Asia.
In the late afternoon, there are almost no visitors to the entertainment complex, as tourist groups usually bring in during the daytime. This means that you can see everything without haste and not wait in line to take a picture.
Walking along the ” Mini Siam “in Pattaya, it is impossible not to take a photo! First, it is a documentary proof of your stay in Thailand. Secondly, the images have one interesting feature: if you choose a convenient position, it will be impossible to understand whether the real attraction was photographed or just a miniature copy of it. At the moment of sunset and with the original illumination, photos are especially beautiful.
What else is available on the territory of the entertainment complex
Mini Siam Park in Pattaya is notable not only for copies of historical monuments. Its entire territory is a work of landscape art with green lawns and flowering flower beds, dwarf trees, fountains, artificial reservoirs and waterfalls, comfortable benches.
There is a good playground for children.
The park also has several small cafes with quite affordable prices.
On the territory there are 2 toilets: near the pedestal with the American presidents, and behind the cafe at the entrance / exit. Just street toilets, pretty dirty.
Note to tourists! At the exit from the park, on the right side, there is a market where they sell a variety of plants: flowers, seedlings of palm trees, dwarf trees. In the evening, a grocery market starts working there, where the local population goes to buy up. This market is not marked on the maps of Pattaya, there are almost no foreigners there. Prices are minimal, just like for your own people. The market is a must-visit after a tour of the park!
Practical information for tourists
The miniatures complex is located quite far from the center of Pattaya, opposite the main city hospital. Exact address: 387 Moo 6 Sukhumvit Rd., Pattaya Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150.
It is open daily from 7: 00 to 22: 00.
Mini Siam Pattaya Park ticket price is as follows (in baht):
- adults – 300;
- children – 150 (for children from 110 to 140 cm tall, children up to 110 cm tall are free of charge).
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on the spot, usually there is no rush. But you can save money if you buy through Klook – on this site they are often offered cheaper than at the checkout. The ticket can be in electronic form or printed. The ticket is valid only for the specified date and time.
A tip! It is better to visit the park on your own, without a guide. You just need to have enough time for walking and taking pictures.
How to get to Mini Siam from different parts of Pattaya
From the north side of Pataya, you can take a leisurely walking tour to Mini Siam. You need to go along North Road to the intersection with Sukhumwit Road – there you need to turn left and, once on the opposite side of the street, go to the goal for another 5 minutes on foot.
Since the park is far from the center of Pataya, you will have to use public transport. The most convenient, but also the most expensive option is a taxi. From the city center, the trip will cost about 100 baht, and from more remote areas (for example, from Jomtien) – 200 baht after haggling.
A cheaper way to get to Mini Siam on your own from the center of Pattaya is by tuk-tuk. In the center, you can take a shuttle tuk-tuk to get to Sukhumvit, a trip that costs 10 baht. Then you need to change to a white tuk-tuk with a blue stripe, which goes directly to the destination-this part of the journey will cost 20 baht.
There is another option: many travel agencies in Pattaya sell” guided tours “in” Mini Siam ” – in fact, this is a transfer from/to the hotel for 500-600 baht. This option is worth considering for tourists who live too far away and do not have a rented bike, or are simply afraid to go on their own.
