The Flight of the Gibbon has around three kilometres of ziplines, one run alone stretches for over 300 metres, and 24 viewing platforms. The ziplines were installed by professional engineers and were triple-bolted for safety. A team of Sky Rangers ensures that safety rules are followed. The rangers also impart knowledge about the forest’s varied flora and fauna.

Khao Kheeo epitomises an open plan wildlife sanctuary and people zooming around on ziplines are likely to see macaques, giant squirrels, hornbills and deer on their odysseys. Gibbons from which the centre takes its name are not as common as at the sister facility in Chiang Mai.

Standard one-day tour prices are currently 3299 Baht and include luxury transportation to and from Pattaya hotels. Booking forms are available at Flight of the Gibbon’s website. Other tour options are the two-day Khao Kheeo Open Safari and the Go Gibbon! obstacle course. The course is excellent fun and features lots of Tarzan swings, nets and jumps.

Act I kicks off the extravaganza with dancers and performers enacting scenes from Thailand’s formative years with the god Naga playing a prominent role. The second act depicts the four principal regions of Thailand and focuses on their culture and festivals. The Royal Mask Drama scene is a highlight of this act. Act III shows how the ancient Sukhothai and Rattanakosin kingdoms of the country evolved.

The contemporary theatre has 2,000 seats which offer great views of the stage where the thespians have stunned thousands of audiences with their skills. State-of-the-art light and sound effects enhance the visual delight for audiences. A trip to the Alangkarn can be combined with dining at a massive onsite restaurant and a walk around the cultural rostrum.

The rostrum is an interesting experience with a market and various fun activities. Some of Pattaya’s finest souvenirs can be found here. Reservations for one of Pattaya’s greatest cultural experiences can be made at http://www.alangkarnthailand.com/reservation.htm or at (66) 3825 6000.

Mermaids Dive Center, Pattaya Diving and Fishing at Bali Hai Pier and the Scandinavia Bar on Soi 13 off Beach Road are among popular fishing boat charter companies. Mermaids adds a touch of the traditional to its trips as it employs an old wooden-hulled fishing trawler. While the boat may be old its equipment is not and it boasts a fish finder, emergency radio and state-of-the-art rods and reels.

For those who like to keep their feet on terra firma while indulging their passion for angling there are several fishing parks within easy travelling distance of Pattaya. Lakes are well-stocked with carp, tilapia and catfish with some weighing in at over 30kgs. The biggest and best fishing lake is at Bang Saray and is around 20kms south on Sukhumvit Road. Anglers who do not want to travel so far could try their luck at the smaller Jomtien Fishing Park which is noted for its Mekong giant catfish.

Khao Wong-Khao Chamao is the second of the Rayong national parks and an altogether more relaxing location far from the madding crowds, unless visiting on a Thai national holiday. This 85km² park is named after two landmark peaks, Chamao and Wong. It has large swathes of evergreen forest which are home to great hornbills, gibbons and other wildlife. Two majestic waterfalls and caves are among other park draws.

A waterfall with the same name as the park is an easy one-kilometre hike from the park HQ. Clear pools along the various cascade levels allow walkers to see fish. Klong Pla Gang Waterfall is a bit farther and requires a reasonable level of fitness. The trail here is lined with ferns and the occasional wild orchid. There are a few bungalows and a camp ground for people wishing to prolong their return to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Khao Wong-Khao Chamao can be reached by taking Highway 3 all the way past Rayong and Klaeng from Pattaya, and then turning left at the junction with Route 3377. The park is signposted from the turnoff. Some taxi drivers and Pattaya travel agencies run trips out to the park for those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the splendid vistas.

The massage parlours usually have boards outside them advertising the different massages on offer. Choices for traditional massages are usually standard body ones, oil massages, herbal massages and foot massages. Prices begin at around 150 Baht an hour.

Conventional massages focus on body pressure points to relieve stress and soothe fatigued muscles. Masseurs and masseuses offering herbal treatments often compress leaves in cotton gauze and apply them to parts of the body. A foot massage can leave feet feeling lighter than air and as though they have had knots and twists taken out of them.

Another option for a massage in Pattaya is to get one from the bevy of masseuses that walk along the beach every day. The last alternative for male visitors is one of the entertainment venues with attached massage parlours where adult-only treatments are offered.

The parts of the market feature boutique like shops where hand-crafted items native to the four regions make great gifts and mementos. OTOP (One Tambon One Products) items feature prominently as do silks, woven cloth and clothing, and herbs. Portrait artists knock up reasonable likenesses in no time at all. Fruits, drinks and regional gastronomic delicacies are available from waterborne vendors.

The market’s Nueng Siam Woodcarving Museum houses wonderful artefacts and exhibits, the most noted of which is a Ganesh elephant god effigy. There are frequent traditional dance performances as well as the chance of witnessing a boxing bout by contestants hanging from a pole above one of the canals. Those who wish to spend a few days longer here are able to check in at the onsite home-stay guest house. Full details of Pattaya Floating Market’s myriad draws are available at http://www.pattayafloatingmarket.com/.

Walking Street comes to life at around 18:00 when bars such as Maxie’s kick it off with happy hour drinks. After hitting the cut-price drinks a good meal will provide the stamina to carry on late into the evening. This is where a visit to the legendary Goodfellas club can pay dividends. The themed bar serves a diverse selection of tasty snacks and salads. The poker chicken strips come highly recommended.

Club Insomnia features a spacious dance floor with a state-of-the-art sound and light system. This club hosts the occasional top-name DJ. FLB Bar stages live bands that play classic tunes and has an astonishing bevy of beautiful hostesses. For those that enjoy alternative entertainment, Club Boesche is a must-visit spot on any Walking Street night out. A large tub in the club is occupied by ladies who stage live shows throughout the evening.

The Butcher’s Arms or Soi Buakhao’s Pig & Whistle are good locations to find out about Christmas meals. As well as the Brit-pubs, there are also a number of hotels and restaurants which have posted online menus and forms for pre-booking, a useful tool for those not in-country at the moment. The Sports bar at the 18 Coins Hotel, also on Soi Buakhao, is serving a 599-Baht dinner including a turkey platter, mince pies and pudding with custard on Christmas Day. Bookings at http://www.18coinshotel.com/christmas-dinner-pattaya/.

The Holiday Inn and Asia Pattaya hotels are both laying on Christmas Eve gala dinners. The Holiday Inn is providing a Christmas-fare orientated buffet with a full range of entertainment. Santa Claus will be making a special appearance for youngsters. The Asia Pattaya’s Petch Hall is the venue for a candlelight Christmas repast with live entertainment.

As the bikes frequently only come with third-party insurance, some of the companies do request that renters leave their passports as surety against any damage. When hiring a bike it is a good idea to have any old damage to it noted on the rental agreement, or even better to take photographs. When renters return their motorbikes it is not unknown for the more unscrupulous rental operators to claim that old damage occurred during the current rental period.

The bikes should also be taxed with the year 2555, next year, showing on the tax disc and come with a crash helmet. Riders without crash-helmets are often stopped and fined at police check-points. Motorcyclists do need to be careful as driving rules and standards in Thailand are not the same as in Western nations.

Yamaha Mios and Honda Waves go for between 150 and 250 Baht a day, depending on condition, age and sometimes the renter’s particular bartering skills. Long-term visitors can often rent the smaller bikes for monthly rates of around 2,500 baht. Dirt bikes and large road bikes such as Harleys are available for rent in Pattaya, but the bigger ccs come with bigger price tags.

Although some of the tailors hail from the Indian Subcontinent, there are also Thai managed shops. A quick walk along Beach Road or Second Road will quickly unearth reputable establishments such as Maharaja’s or Giovani Collection. A personal favourite is New Look Collection which is located on the premises of Areca Lodge, just off the main tourist area.

New Look offers clothing for all occasions and prides itself on offering the finest quality materials when creating formal suits and tuxedoes as well as casual denims. The tailors here use skills honed over several generations to create articles that feel as comfortable as a second skin. Over at Maharaja’s, master-tailor Sarit oversees the cutting of herring-bone cashmere suits and hundreds of other custom designs. As Giovani’s name implies its emphasis is on European flavourings, and Italian wool and fabrics feature prominently in its offerings.