The Sanctuary of Truth is a huge wooden temple on the shore at Pattaya. It was begun in 1981 by the businessman Lek Viriyaphant, who also founded Ancient Siam, and work is still going on. The building, over 100 metres high at the tip, is made entirely of wood without metal nails. Every surface is covered with carvings of gods and figures from Hindu and Buddhist ideas.

Pattaya Beach is a curved bay of sand about three kilometres long in the city of Pattaya. In the 1960s, American soldiers on leave from the Vietnam War helped turn the quiet fishing village into a resort. The beach is backed by Beach Road and a skyline of hotels. Speedboats and ferries leave from here for the nearby islands, and the beach is busiest in the evening.

Walking Street is the main nightlife street of Pattaya, at the southern end of Beach Road. It is closed to traffic from the early evening, when bright neon signs light up bars, clubs, seafood restaurants and live music venues. Street performers and food stalls add to the noise. The street ends near the Bali Hai pier, with a view back across the bay.

Ko Lan is a small island about seven kilometres off Pattaya, reached by ferry or speedboat. It has several beaches of fine white sand and clear water, the best known being Tawaen and Samae beaches. A viewpoint and a temple stand on its hills. Many visitors hire motorbikes or songthaew trucks to go between the beaches.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden lies south of Pattaya. It was started in the 1950s as a fruit plantation by the Tansacha family and opened to the public in 1980. It covers about 240 hectares with themed gardens, including a French garden, a Stonehenge garden, a cactus garden and large collections of palms and cycads. Thai cultural shows are held during the day.

Wat Yansangwararam is a large temple complex near Sattahip, south of Pattaya. It was founded in 1976 and supported by King Bhumibol. Its grounds hold buildings in the styles of many Buddhist countries, including a Chinese pavilion, an Indian style hall and a Swiss style chalet. A hill shrine holds a footprint of the Buddha. A lake surrounds much of the complex.

Ko Samet is an island off the coast of Rayong, about three hours from Bangkok. It is part of a national park. Its east coast has a string of beaches with very white sand, the busiest being Hat Sai Kaew. The island is mentioned in the works of the poet Sunthorn Phu. Small resorts and restaurants line the beaches, and evenings bring beach barbecues.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Chanthaburi is the largest Catholic church in Thailand. Vietnamese Catholics settled in the town in the 18th century, and the present French Gothic church was finished in 1909. Its twin spires rise beside the Chanthaburi River. The old waterfront quarter nearby has wooden shophouses and is known for its gem market.

Ko Chang is the second largest island in Thailand, lying near the Cambodian border in Trat province. Most of it is covered by forested mountains that are part of a marine national park. Beaches such as White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach line its west coast. Waterfalls, elephant camps and the old fishing village of Bang Bao on stilts are other sights.