Have you ever been to Pattaya on a holiday and couldn't decide where to go because you've been there so many times before? Or maybe this time you just don't feel like being around a lot of people. If so, I suggest you try looking a little beyond Pattaya. Not too far away, just a short drive, you'll find natural attractions that will let you breathe deeply and relax.

I regularly follow this routine: I find an affordable hotel in Pattaya near amenities, rent a motorbike, and ride outside the city to Sattahip and Saensuk, the naval base. No matter how many times I do this, I never get bored and always discover something new and interesting. If I have my own car, it's even more convenient.

This is my travel plan for this trip. Let's take a look.

Starting at Red Planet

This morning, I arrived in Pattaya by bus and got off at Sukhumvit Road, the entrance to Central Pattaya. My accommodation is the Red Planet Pattaya Hotel in North Pattaya. There are many two-seater taxis running around Pattaya, but since I had plenty of time, I decided to walk to stretch my legs. Walking is a form of exercise, even if it's just a little movement.

Walking through the city, I arrived at Pattaya Beach. No matter the weather, this place is always bustling with activity. The beachfront road is now well-organized, and with the pleasant weather, many people are out jogging and exercising.

Red Planet Pattaya is conveniently located on Second Road in North Pattaya, near Soi 4 and opposite Alcazar Cabaret Show. It is easily accessible without a private car and is situated in the heart of entertainment and dining areas. The beach is just a few minutes' walk away, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient stay.

I have arrived at my accommodation.

This is a budget-friendly hotel with a convenient location in the city center. It offers clean and safe accommodations, with prices starting around 1,000 baht depending on the time of stay. Bookings can be made through various websites. The hotel is a reliable option for travelers or those looking to explore nearby attractions. It is part of a large brand with branches in four Asian countries: Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with a total of 24 hotels.

After a quick check-in, I'm ready to explore! There's still much to discover about this hotel, but I'm eager to begin my adventure. Let me drop my bags in the room and share my travel experiences with you first. (Haha...)

Exploring Khao Chee Chan: The Hidden Gem of Forest Restoration

A significant advantage of Red Planet Pattaya is the motorbike rental shop conveniently located right in front. This shop caters specifically to Thai customers, eliminating the hassle of searching and facing potential rejection. The rental fee ranges from 200 to 300 baht per day, calculated on a 24-hour basis. A 1,000 baht deposit is required, along with the customer's national identification card.

I opted to rent a Yamaha Mio for 200 baht per day for two days (as I knew I would exceed 24 hours of usage). After a quick check to ensure the engine was sound and the brakes were responsive, I was ready to hit the road.


There are many attractions near Red Planet Pattaya, such as Art in Paradise and Teddy Museum. You can also take a songthaew to various places. However, this time I planned to visit a natural attraction, so I decided to go a little further. My first destination was the Khao Chi Chan carved Buddha statue in Na Jomtien. This area marks the border between Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts, with a small canal serving as the dividing line.

Turn off Sukhumvit Road and enter Soi Khao Chi Chan (just before Nong Nooch Garden). Enjoy the scenic drive to Khao Chi Chan, where a light drizzle kisses your face, leaving you pleasantly damp. The intricately carved Buddha statue is a sight to behold.

After a simple lunch at Khao Chi Chan, I continued to the Khao Chi On Wildlife Sanctuary. The journey required me to take the road that cuts through the Xian Temple and then follow the path for about two kilometers.

The Khao Chion Wildlife Sanctuary borders the Bang Lamung Wildlife Breeding Station. The sanctuary is located in Sattahip, while the breeding station is in Bang Lamung. Within the sanctuary, boundary markers indicate which side belongs to Sattahip and which to Bang Lamung. Visitors can inquire with the staff for further information.

From this point, you can see the beautiful Khao Chi Chan not far away.

Entrance Fees and Facilities at Khao Chion Wildlife Sanctuary

The entrance fee to Khao Chion Wildlife Sanctuary is 20 baht for individuals, 30 baht for cars, and 20 baht for motorcycles. While the sanctuary boasts lush greenery, it does not have any restaurants. Visitors who wish to stay overnight can choose from available bungalows or campsites. However, advance booking is required for bungalows.

Next, visit the breeding station, which is located in the same area, at no additional cost. It is divided into two zones: the first zone is for poultry, deer, and sand meat. Follow the zoo signs.

Another highlight is the bear zone, located near the station office. It houses sun bears and sloth bears.

Initially, I planned to visit only Khao Chi Chan and Khao Chi On. However, after talking to the staff, I learned that there is another restored forest called the Siricharoenwirot Forest Project, located a short distance past the Silverlake Vineyard. This forest park was established upon the initiative of His Majesty the King to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birthday.

A short motorcycle ride will take you there. The officer said you can walk along the nature trail. It's over a kilometer long and is a well-paved path.

A verdant escape near Pattaya: A breath of fresh air

The air is refreshingly cool and crisp after the gentle rain. Lush greenery stretches as far as the eye can see, creating a vibrant tapestry of nature. Informative signs dot the path, offering insights into the surrounding environment. It's hard to believe that such a tranquil haven exists just a stone's throw from the bustling city of Pattaya.

The humid weather brought out the local fauna in full force – snails. I regret to say that I accidentally stepped on several of them (sad face). On the bright side, I suppose I fed the ants.

Lost in the beauty of the forest, we almost forgot the time. As we emerged from the Siri Jareonwattana Forest Park, the sun began its descent. Seeking the perfect spot to capture the sunset, our minds turned to Ban Amphoe Beach. Situated conveniently near the Ban Amphoe Post Office on Sukhumvit Road, this small beach offers a breathtaking backdrop for sunset photography. Its serene atmosphere adds to the charm of the location.

Okay... Now that I've had my fill of sightseeing, let me go back and tell you about the hotel (lol...).

Bedroom at Red Planet

As mentioned, Red Planet Pattaya is a budget-friendly hotel that prioritizes convenient accommodation. Therefore, it offers only one compact room type, with the option of a double or single bed. The beds are known to be comfortable and supportive.

Those who require a workspace can fold down the shelf attached to the wall. Every room has a safe. Both air conditioning and fans are available, with separate electrical systems. Even if the power goes out, the fans will still operate. There are numerous electrical outlets and a hairdryer is provided. However, there is no refrigerator or drinking water provided. This is not an issue, as there are numerous minimarts in the vicinity of the hotel.

The bathroom is spacious enough, with a large and satisfying showerhead. A unique feature is the 3-in-1 soap, which can be used for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner.

Overall, this hotel offers compact, simple, and comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. All areas are clean, the staff is friendly, and the Wi-Fi signal is strong and reliable. With over 190 rooms, the hotel is rarely without guests.

The coolest thing is that the hotel has a "Red Planet Hotels" application. We can download it and use it for services. The app recommends tourist attractions, activities, and discounts on restaurants. The best part is that it has a function to chat with the front desk staff. If you need anything or want to contact them about anything, you can chat with them directly. It's very modern.

There are also accessible rooms available, which are larger than standard rooms and feature various amenities in the bathroom. Let's give another round of applause for this!

Those who need to use a computer to access the internet can do so for free in the lobby (although I suspect most people will use their mobile phones).

Tonight, I went out to find some food near the hotel. I took a walk to enjoy the lights of the night for a while, and then I went to sleep and had a good dream.

A Glimpse of the Thai Navy Base

The next day, the sky was brighter than the previous day. It was a good thing because I had a plan to ride a motorcycle to visit the sea at Sattahip. Knowing that I would definitely have to return in the evening, I packed my things, checked out, and left my luggage at the lobby.

Today's first destination is the Thai Marine Natural History Museum at Sattahip Bay, the starting point for boats to Koh Samae San. It is 45 kilometers from Pattaya. The road is clear, and it takes about an hour to ride a motorcycle. Follow Sukhumvit Road until you reach the traffic light at Km 10 (the entrance to U-Tapao Airport) and turn right. This road is Highway 3126. Along the way, there is a left turn to Sattahip Bay. If you continue straight, you will reach the Sattahip Naval Base and the HTMS Chakri Naruebet aircraft carrier.

The highlight of the museum is the viewpoint on top of Khao Ma Cho, which offers panoramic views of the entire Samesan Sea. However, it requires a 15-minute uphill hike, which can be somewhat tiring.

The view from the top is breathtaking, even with the cloudy sky. There are several viewpoints, and from this one, you can see the houses of Sattahip.

A short walk to the top floor of Building 5 leads to a museum. From here, you can see three islands lined up from left to right: Ko Raet, Ko Samae San, and Ko Kham. The latter two islands are open to the public, as you may know. Ko Samae San is open every day of the year, while Ko Kham is open on Saturdays and Sundays from October to May. Come and visit, it's highly recommended.

Another angle shows a view of the Naval Special Warfare Command.

From the top, there are many ways down. I chose to descend on the pier side because the pier offers scenic ocean views like this.

The Naval Special Warfare Command of the Fleet Operations Command is located next to the entrance of the Natural History Museum. Inside, there is a beach with clear water open to the public every day. There are also accommodations by the beach. However, since the beach is not included in this program, I will skip it.

Exiting the museum, we retraced our steps until we reached the Royal Thai Navy Construction and Development Club at Sattahip Naval Base, also known as Haad Nam Nao. The shrine of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Duke of Chumphon, is located on a hill by the sea. We drove up to the top and parked, then walked a short distance. The view was quite beautiful.

Nam Nao Beach is a rocky beach, not as beautiful as Nam Sai Beach, but it offers a relaxed atmosphere with beachfront restaurants and accommodation.

After leaving Haad Nam Khao, I arrived back on Highway 3126. I wondered where to go next. I decided to turn left to see the HTMS Chakri Naruebet. I drove straight until I reached the Sattahip Naval Base. Currently, there is no entrance fee to visit the ship, but you must present your ID card. Foreigners are not allowed to visit.

Upon boarding the ship, one cannot help but exclaim in awe. The atmosphere on the aircraft carrier is truly unique. The view of the sea is breathtaking, and at the stern of the ship, two decommissioned warships are docked: the HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok and the HTMS Phutthaleirth Naphalai.

After admiring the giant ship, I rode my motorbike back towards Sukhumvit Road (in front of the Port Authority, there is a fork to Nang Ram Beach, the most beautiful beach in Sattahip in my opinion). Along the way, I passed the Air Defense and Coastal Defense Command, which houses a sea turtle conservation center. You can actually enter this place from Sukhumvit Road, but you have to exit the same way you entered because they exchange your ID card at the front gate. Plan your trip carefully.

The sea turtle conservation center is located on the beach. The atmosphere is good. You can relax and unwind here.

As sea turtles only reproduce naturally, the center's mission is not to breed them, but to raise them. This involves monitoring turtle eggs on various islands and, once the hatchlings emerge, caring for them at the center to protect them from natural predators. When they reach a suitable size, they are released back into the sea.

As dusk approached, I hastened back to Pattaya. However, on the way, I made a detour to the Naval Special Warfare Command Headquarters, located at Hat Tuek Ngam Beach. I did not visit the beach itself, but instead ascended the hill to the Shrine of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, where I enjoyed stunning views of the sea. At the firecracker-lighting point, a photo corner has been set up for visitors to capture memorable shots.

The return trip was a long drive straight to the hotel. We returned the car and received our deposit without any issues. We rested in the hotel and enjoyed the air conditioning before continuing our journey home.

This was an amazing two-day, one-night trip where I had a blast exploring hidden gems. I stayed at the affordable Red Planet Pattaya hotel, which offered comfortable accommodations. I went on a hike to a secluded, off-the-beaten-path forest and then enjoyed the stunning views of the ocean in Sattahip.

You can't find anything more satisfying than this...

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