Thailand: Pattaya – Royal Garden Plaza

The Royal Garden Plaza, located between Beach Road and Second Road just south of Soi Post Office, was Pattaya’s most prestigious shopping mall from its opening right up until it was eclipsed by Central Festival in early 2009. Although many of the retailers have since relocated, there’s still enough in the RGP to make it worth a visit.

The Beach Road entrance is considerably higher than pavement level, with a flight of five or six steps to be negotiated. However, there is a ramp – although it’s too steep for an unassisted wheelchair. The Second Road entrance is easier, being at pavement level.

There’s a lift within the mall to take you between all five levels from the basement car park to the third floor. Separate toilets are available for shoppers with reduced mobility too.

Most of the shops and restaurants are reasonably accessible. However, the Food Wave food court on the top floor certainly isn’t – it’s three or four steps higher than the floor level, so you’d need to have someone go round the various stalls for you and report back on what’s available.

All in all, the RGP isn’t the least accessible place to shop in Pattaya – by some distance! But, as you might expect, it does show its age in terms of its facilities for disabled customers as well as more generally.