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{{About||the film|Pattaya (film){{!}}''Pattaya'' (film)}}

{{distinguish|Pitaya}}

{{POV|date=December 2007}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Refimprove|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox Settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->| name = Pattaya
| official_name = Pattaya City<br>{{Lang|th|เมืองพัทยา|italic=no}}
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
| native_name = {{Lang|th|พัทยา|italic=no}}
|name = Pattaya
|official_name = Pattaya City | other_name =
| settlement_type = ]
|other_name =
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|native_name = พัทยา
|nickname = | photo1a = Pattaya Panorama.jpg
| photo2a = Montage Pattaya.jpg
|settlement_type = <!-- e.g. Town, Village, City, etc.-->
| spacing = 1
|total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
|motto = | color_border = white
| color = white
<!-- images and maps ----------->
|image_skyline = พัทยา.jpg‎ | size = 270
}}
|imagesize =
| image_caption = From left: Pattaya panorama, ], Pattaya sunset, bird's eye view of Pattaya, ], Walking Street
|image_caption = Pattaya Beach
|image_flag = | image_seal = Pattaya_seal.png
|flag_size = | nickname =
|image_seal = Pattaya_seal.png | motto =
| image_map = {{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=10|id=Q170919|title=Pattaya}}
|seal_size =
| pushpin_map = Thailand Bay of Bangkok#Thailand
|image_shield =
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
|shield_size =
| pushpin_label_position = right
|image_blank_emblem =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in ]##Location in ]
|blank_emblem_type =
| coordinates = {{coord|12.9357|100.889|type:city_region:TH-S|display=inline,title}}
|blank_emblem_size =
| subdivision_type = ]
|image_map =
| subdivision_name = ]
|mapsize =
| subdivision_type1 = ]
|map_caption =
| subdivision_name1 = ]
|image_map1 =
| subdivision_type2 = ]
|mapsize1 =
| subdivision_name2 = ]
|map_caption1 =
| established_title = Self-administrating municipality
|image_dot_map = Bay of Bangkok.svg
| established_date = 29 Nov 1978
|dot_mapsize = 250px
| government_footnotes =
|dot_map_caption = Location of Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand
| government_type = Special Governed City
|dot_x = 150 |dot_y = 87
| leader_title = Mayor
|pushpin_map = Thailand<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/Template:Location_map -->
| leader_name = Poramet Ngampichet<br>since 22 May 2022<ref>{{Cite web|title=กกต.ประกาศรับรอง "ปรเมศวร์ งามพิเชษฐ์"เป็นนายกเมืองพัทยา|date=13 June 2022 |url=https://www.thansettakij.com/politics/528618|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019152316/https://www.thansettakij.com/politics/528618|url-status=live}}</ref>
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption = | total_type =
|pushpin_mapsize = | unit_pref = metric
| area_footnotes =
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type = Country | area_rank = 8th
| area_total_km2 = 53.4
|subdivision_name = ]
|subdivision_type1 = Province | area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
|subdivision_name1 = ]
| area_water_percent =
|subdivision_type2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
|subdivision_name2 =
| elevation_m =
<!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government -->
| elevation_max_m =
|seat_type =
| elevation_min_m =
|seat =
| population_footnotes = <ref name="TDD">{{cite web |url=http://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/ |title=รายงานสถิติจำนวนประชากรและบ้านประจำปี พ.ศ.2562 |date=31 December 2019 |department=Registration Office Department of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior |language=th |trans-title=Statistics, population and house statistics for the year 2019 |access-date=10 March 2020 |postscript=, |archive-date=14 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614102009/http://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/ |url-status=dead }} archiving is not necessary because DOPA provides data from 1993 to future years.</ref>
|parts_type =
| population_as_of = 2019
|parts_style = <!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format)
| population_total = 119,532<br>(Registered residents)
Default is list if up to 5 items, coll if more than 5-->
| population_rank = 10th
|parts = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list -->
| population_density_km2 = 2,238
|p1 =
| population_note =
|p2 = <!-- etc. up to p50: for separate parts to be listed-->
| timezone = ]
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| utc_offset = +7
|government_footnotes =
| timezone_DST =
|government_type = Self-administrating municipality
| utc_offset_DST =
|leader_title = Mayor
| postal_code_type = ]
|leader_name = ]
| postal_code = 20150
|leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
| area_code_type = ]
|leader_name1 =
| area_code = 038
|established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| blank_name = ]
|established_date =
| blank_info = TH-S
<!-- Area --------------------->
|area_magnitude = | website = {{URL|http://www.pattaya.go.th}}
| footnotes =
|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric-->
| population_urban = 328,961
|area_footnotes =
| area_urban_km2 = 727
|area_total_km2 = 22.2<!-- ALL fields with measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion-->
| population_metro = 999,092
|area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
| population_metro_footnotes = {{sp}}(Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area – Conurbation)
|area_water_km2 =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_percent =
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|elevation_max_m =
|elevation_max_ft =
|elevation_min_m =
|elevation_min_ft =
<!-- Population ----------------------->
|population_as_of = 2007
|population_footnotes = <ref name="2007 population">{{cite web |url=http://www.pattaya.go.th/app/thai/webportal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=51|title=Pattaya population statistic according to residents registration 1997-2007 (Thai only) |accessdate=2007-11-29 |format=HTML |publisher=Pattaya City Registrar Office }}</ref>
|population_note = Registered residents only
|population_total = 104318
|population_density_km2 = auto<!--For automatic calculation, any density field may contain: auto -->
|population_density_sq_mi =
<!-- General information --------------->
|timezone = Thailand
|utc_offset = +7
|timezone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|coor_type = <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to -->
|latd=12 |latm=55 |lats=39 |latNS=N
|longd=100 |longm=52 |longs=31 |longEW=E
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|blank_name = ]
|blank_info = TH-S
|website = http://www.pattaya.go.th/
|footnotes =
}} }}


'''Pattaya''' ({{lang-th|พัทยา}}, {{audio|th-pattaya.ogg|พัทยา}}, {{RTGS|Phatthaya}}) is a city in ], located on the east coast of the ] ({{coord|12|55|39|N|100|52|31|E|region:TH|display=inline,title}}), about 165 km southeast of ] located within but not part of ] in the province of ]. '''Pattaya'''{{efn|{{langx|th|พัทยา}}, {{RTGS|''Phatthaya''}}, {{IPA|th|pʰát.tʰā.jāː|pron|th-pattaya.ogg}}}} is a city in ], the second-largest city in ] and the ] city in ]. It is on the east coast of the ], about {{convert|100|km}} southeast of ], and has a population of 328,961 as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Provincial Administration พ.ศ.2565 |url=https://www.bora.dopa.go.th/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |language=th}}</ref>


Pattaya City ({{langx|th|เมืองพัทยา}}, {{RTGS|''Mueang Phatthaya''}}, {{IPA|th|mɯ̄a̯ŋ pʰát.tʰā.jāː|pron}}) is a special local government organization area within ] and has a population of 119,532. It covers the ] of Nong Prue and Na Klua and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. Pattaya City has grown into all adjacent ] and accounts for the largest population percentage in the district, making it de facto a part of the "Pattaya-Bang Lamung-Jomtien" area, otherwise known as "Greater Pattaya".
Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and correctly pronounced "Putt-tuh-YAH" not "Patt-EYE-uh", it ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with some 5.4 million visitors arriving in 2005. Increasing numbers of tourists come from the former Soviet Union and East Asia.


The city of Pattaya is a self governing special municipal area which covers the whole ] Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial ] zone, along with ], ], and ]. However, it remains mostly a tourist city, with very light industry. The city is in the industrial ] zone, along with ], ], and ]. Pattaya is at the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area (a ] in Chonburi Province with a population of 1,000,000), which forms the third largest metropolitan area in Thailand.


== History ==
Pattaya is second only to Bangkok in high rise buildings, as many condos for foreign residents are built, and has a modest skyline. The city's economy benefits from its relative proximity to Bangkok.


=== Name ===
Pattaya is also the center of the ], the conurbation in Chonburi Province.
The name ''Pattaya'' evolved from the march of ] Tak (later ]) and his army from ] to ], which took place before the fall of the former capital to ] invaders in 1767. When his army arrived in the vicinity of what is now Pattaya, Phraya Tak encountered the troops of a local leader named Nai Klom, who tried to intercept him. When the two met face to face, Nai Klom was impressed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline. He surrendered without a fight and joined his forces.


The place the armies confronted each other was thereafter known as "Thap Phraya", which means the "army of the Phraya".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Pattaya History and the Facts |url=https://letsgopattaya.com/pattaya-history/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Lets Go Pattaya}}</ref> Thap Phraya was later changed to ''Phatthaya'', which means 'the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/pattaya/history.html |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=thaiwaysmagazine.com}}</ref>
==History==
]
]
Pattaya was simply a small fishing village until it was discovered as a beach resort by ] residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the ] base at ] in neighbouring ] began using the area for ], causing a huge boom in ]. When the Americans left following the end of the ], the city fell into a crisis. However, modern mass tourism, particularly single men looking for companionship, brought a new lease of life to Pattaya.


=== Growth ===
The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and ]. In 1976, the ''Pattaya City Act'' was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a ]. However, many argue that this administration system has drawbacks (for example, the mayor may disagree with the city manager). Critics have recommended abolishing the system.
]
] on Pattaya Beach, 1987]]
Following World War II, entrepreneur Parinya Chawalitthamrong saw the potenial of investing in Pattaya and donated some land to the governing administration. Pattaya City Hall would later be constructed on this land.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-11 |title=The History of Pattaya from 1787 to 1975 – Siam Royal View Pattaya |url=https://siam-royal-view-pattaya.com/the-history-of-pattaya-from-1787-to-1975/ |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref>


A fishing village until the 1960s, tourism began during the ], when American servicemen began arriving on ] (rest and relaxation). One large group who arrived from a base in ] on 29 June 1959 and rented houses from Phraya Sunthorn at the south end of the beach, on what is now known as the "Strip", are credited with recommending Pattaya, whose fame spread by ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schauseil|first1=Jan|title=Sattahip and the history of GIs coming to Pattaya|url=http://www.1stoppattaya.com/articles/sattahip_gis/|website=One Stop Pattaya|access-date=12 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724115246/http://www.1stoppattaya.com/articles/sattahip_gis/|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thailand.sawadee.com/pattaya/introduction.html |title=Welcome to Pattaya |website=Sawadee.com |date=2018 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225163220/http://thailand.sawadee.com/pattaya/introduction.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, and family-focused entertainment is increasingly available; however, the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most renowned party destinations. In 2005, more than 35,000 hotel rooms were available in Pattaya and it has seen a large increase in family ] in recent years, thanks to efforts to present a more wholesome image. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's '']''. Pattaya is an especially popular vacation destination for families from ], ] and ]. Pattaya also has a large international ] population, especially ] and ] residents.


On 29 November 1978, Pattaya was granted city status by the Thai government.<ref name=":0" /> In 1978, it also became a special governed city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-31 |title=Pattaya, a former quiet fishing village – Thailand News |url=https://www.thailandnews.co/2022/07/pattaya-a-former-quiet-fishing-village/ |access-date=2024-02-11}}</ref>
==Demographics==


In 1981, businessman ] began constructing on the Sanctuary of Truth which remains unfinished and is entirely made out of wood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History – Sanctuary of truth museum |url=https://sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.com/history/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.com}}</ref>
The city had 104,318 registered inhabitants in 2007. But that figure excludes the large number of Thais who work in Pattaya (many come and go for tourism-related work) but remain registered in their hometowns, and many long-term ] visitors. Including non-registered residents, the population numbers around 300,000 at any given time. Other estimates put the figure as high as 500,000.<ref name="2007 population">{{cite web |url=http://www.pattaya.go.th/app/thai/webportal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=51|title=Pattaya population statistic according to residents registration 1997-2007 (Thai only) |accessdate=2007-11-29 |format=HTML |publisher=Pattaya City Registrar Office }}</ref>


=== 21st century ===
==Geography==
In 2004, Nirun Wattanasartsaton became the first democratically elected mayor.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Tide of change threatens Khunpluem dynasty's dominance in Pattaya elections |url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tide-of-change-threatens-khunpluem-dynastys-dominance-in-pattaya-elections/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=thaipbsworld.com}}</ref> In the 2008 mayoral election, ] became Pattaya's mayor. As mayor, Itthiphol approved construction on ] condominium near the Bali Hai pier, which became controversial.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Judd |first=Adam |date=2020-09-12 |title=The story behind the abandoned Waterfront condo near Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya |url=https://thepattayanews.com/2020/09/12/the-story-behind-the-abandoned-waterfront-condo-near-bali-hai-pier-in-pattaya/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=The Pattaya News}}</ref> His approval later led to his arrest in 2023 over corruption.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |title=Former Pattaya mayor arrested, released on bail|work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2660614/former-pattaya-mayor-arrested-released-on-bail |access-date=2023-10-13}}</ref>


Following the 2014 coup, the ] appointed two mayors until in 2018 when the Prime Minister ] appointed ], brother of Itthiphol, as mayor.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Police general named Pattaya mayor|work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1199640/police-general-named-pattaya-mayor |access-date=2023-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sontaya becomes mayor|work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1546598/sontaya-becomes-mayor |access-date=2023-10-14}}</ref> Mayor Sontaya went on to form the Rao Rak Pattaya party which won the ] led by Poramet Ngampichet, who has served as mayor ever since.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judd |first=Adam |date=2022-05-22 |title=Poramase "Beer" Ngampiches looks set to be next Pattaya mayor after unofficial results have come in |url=https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/22/poramase-beer-ngampiches-looks-set-to-be-next-pattaya-mayor-after-unofficial-results-have-come-in/ |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=The Pattaya News}}</ref>
Pattaya, located off the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 145 km south of the city of Bangkok.


During the ], Pattaya's economy suffered greatly due to travel restrictions restricting tourism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-29 |title=Thailand's tourist haven Pattaya devastated as coronavirus hits travel|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-thailand-tourism-idINKBN21G08X |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref>
"Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus the Buddha Hill headland (immediately south of Pattaya Beach), and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (which lies directly south of Buddha Hill) including Dongtan Beach. Jomtien's beaches are much broader and generally in better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented, than at Pattaya Beach.


From the 2010s through to the 2020s, Pattaya attempted to shift public perception of it being a sex-city to a more family-friendly location. Bars which were friendly towards pedophiles in ] were closed, and the amount of gogo bars on Walking Street declined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenyon |first=Barry |date=2023-12-05 |title=Sex scandal in Pattaya: today's news is tomorrow's history |url=https://www.pattayamail.com/news/sex-scandal-in-pattaya-todays-news-is-tomorrows-history-447012 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Pattaya Mail}}</ref> However, a 2023 documentary by ], which has been banned in Thailand, resurrected concerns around Pattaya's sex industry and its association with child prostitution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Documentary rocks Pattaya tourism |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/documentary-rocks-pattaya-tourism-90504.php |access-date=5 December 2023 |website=The Phuket News}}</ref> The documentary is around a German tourist who is claimed to have paid ฿‎1 million to return to Germany and escape charges.<ref>{{Cite AV media|title=Thailand: Die Rückkehr der Sextouristen|publisher=Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR)|type=45' video, with transcript|via=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9m2qg1_-Vk |access-date=2023-12-05 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Police probing sex charge bribe claim|work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2697609/police-probing-sex-charge-bribe-claim |access-date=2023-12-05}}</ref> The claims resulted in PM ] launching an investigation headed by ]. The documentary has been described by local media as having the potential of hurting Pattaya's industry which has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connor |first=Joseph O' |date=2023-12-04 |title=Big Joke probes Pattaya sex scandal with high stakes not only for 'Sin City' but Thailand |url=https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/12/04/big-joke-probes-pattaya-sex-for-sale-scandal-dw-tv-documentary/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Thai Examiner}}</ref>
===Administration===


Pattaya has frequently suffered from flooding, especially during the ]. Torrential rain on 27 August 2021 left many important roads under water, with water reaching up to two metres deep in some areas. Pattaya City officials called the August flooding as the worst flood for Pattaya in a decade.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pattaya flooded again, residents vent frustration |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2178451/pattaya-flooded-again-residents-vent-frustration |access-date=2024-02-11 |work=Bangkok Post}}</ref>
Pattaya city has been administered under a special autonomous system since 1978. It has a status comparable to a municipality and is separately administered by the mayor of Pattaya city who is responsible for making policies, organizing public services and supervising all employees of Pattaya city administration.


On 4 November 2023, Pattaya was awarded the Integrity and Transparency Assessment award for the highest development category. The award was presented by the ] to Poramet at ] in Bangkok.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-04 |title=Pattaya wins award for unmatched Integrity and Transparency Assessment |url=https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-wins-award-for-unmatched-integrity-and-transparency-assessment-444633 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Pattaya Mail}}</ref>
==Climate==
Pattaya enjoys a tropical ''wet and dry'' climate, which is divided into the following seasons: ''warm and dry'' (November to February), ''hot and humid'' (March to May), and ''hot and rainy'' (June to October). The most comfortable time of year coincides with the peak tourist season, which is over the ] and ] period.


== Climate ==
<!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather
Pattaya has a ], which is divided into the following seasons: hot and dry (December to February), hot and humid (March and April), and ''hot and rainy'' (May to November).
|metric_first= Yes<!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial-->
|single_line= <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.-->
|location = Pattaya
|Jan_Hi_°C = 30.7 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely-->
|Feb_Hi_°C = 31.0 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C =
|Mar_Hi_°C = 31.8 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C =
|Apr_Hi_°C = 32.9 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C =
|May_Hi_°C = 32.4 |May_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jun_Hi_°C = 31.6 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jul_Hi_°C = 31.3 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C =
|Aug_Hi_°C = 31.1 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C =
|Sep_Hi_°C = 31.0 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C =
|Oct_Hi_°C = 30.6 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C =
|Nov_Hi_°C = 30.4 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C =
|Dec_Hi_°C = 29.9 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C =
|Year_Hi_°C = |Year_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jan_Lo_°C = 23.0 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C =
|Feb_Lo_°C = 24.3 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C =
|Mar_Lo_°C = 25.4 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C =
|Apr_Lo_°C = 26.4 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C =
|May_Lo_°C = 26.5 |May_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jun_Lo_°C = 26.5 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jul_Lo_°C = 26.0 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C =
|Aug_Lo_°C = 26.0 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C =
|Sep_Lo_°C = 25.1 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C =
|Oct_Lo_°C = 24.2 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C =
|Nov_Lo_°C = 23.4 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C =
|Dec_Lo_°C = 22.2 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C =
|Year_Lo_°C = |Year_REC_Lo_°C =


{{Weather box|width=auto
<!--**** use mm or cm but not both! ****-->
| collapsed =
|Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 13.7
| location = Pattaya (1991–2020, extremes 1981-present)
|Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 12.0
| metric first = Yes
|Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 52.5
| single line = Yes
|Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 61.6
|Jan record high C = 36.0
|May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 154.6
|Feb record high C = 37.1
|Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 149.9
|Mar record high C = 37.3
|Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 87.0
|Apr record high C = 37.0
|Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 98.6
|May record high C = 36.6
|Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 217.1
|Jun record high C = 35.4
|Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 242.6
|Jul record high C = 34.9
|Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 82.8
|Aug record high C = 34.5
|Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 6.4
|Sep record high C = 33.7
|Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm =
|Oct record high C = 33.8
|source = World Weather Information Service<ref name= >{{cite web
|Nov record high C = 35.6
| url = http://www.worldweather.org/089/c00575.htm| title = World Weather Information Service Pattaya| accessmonthday = | accessyear =
|Dec record high C = 35.9
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department}}</ref>
|year record high C = 37.3
|accessdate = Nov 2007
|Jan record low C = 16.4
}}<!--Infobox ends-->
|Feb record low C = 17.5
|Mar record low C = 17.7
|Apr record low C = 19.4
|May record low C = 21.5
|Jun record low C = 21.3
|Jul record low C = 21.4
|Aug record low C = 22.0
|Sep record low C = 21.5
|Oct record low C = 19.8
|Nov record low C = 16.7
|Dec record low C = 14.6
|year record low C = 14.6
|Jan high C = 30.6
|Feb high C = 31.2
|Mar high C = 32.0
|Apr high C = 33.0
|May high C = 32.7
|Jun high C = 32.0
|Jul high C = 31.6
|Aug high C = 31.4
|Sep high C = 31.1
|Oct high C = 30.9
|Nov high C = 30.8
|Dec high C = 30.2
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 26.5
|Feb mean C = 27.3
|Mar mean C = 28.3
|Apr mean C = 29.4
|May mean C = 29.4
|Jun mean C = 29.0
|Jul mean C = 28.6
|Aug mean C = 28.5
|Sep mean C = 27.9
|Oct mean C = 27.2
|Nov mean C = 27.1
|Dec mean C = 26.4
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 23.5
|Feb low C = 24.5
|Mar low C = 25.5
|Apr low C = 26.4
|May low C = 26.6
|Jun low C = 26.4
|Jul low C = 26.2
|Aug low C = 26.1
|Sep low C = 25.4
|Oct low C = 24.7
|Nov low C = 24.3
|Dec low C = 23.3
| year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 16.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 19.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 47.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 67.9
|May precipitation mm = 121.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 132.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 103.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 91.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 213.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 224.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 56.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 11.7
| year precipitation mm = 1105.8
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 1.6
|Feb precipitation days = 1.8
|Mar precipitation days = 3.3
|Apr precipitation days = 5.0
|May precipitation days = 9.0
|Jun precipitation days = 9.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.5
|Aug precipitation days = 9.1
|Sep precipitation days = 13.2
|Oct precipitation days = 14.4
|Nov precipitation days = 4.0
|Dec precipitation days = 1.5
|year precipitation days = 82.2
|Jan humidity = 73.7
|Feb humidity = 75.9
|Mar humidity = 77.8
|Apr humidity = 77.2
|May humidity = 77.5
|Jun humidity = 77.4
|Jul humidity = 77.5
|Aug humidity = 78.1
|Sep humidity = 81.3
|Oct humidity = 83.2
|Nov humidity = 75.3
|Dec humidity = 70.3
| year humidity = 77.1
|Jan sun = 229.4
|Feb sun = 211.9
|Mar sun = 238.7
|Apr sun = 204.0
|May sun = 155.0
|Jun sun = 114.0
|Jul sun = 117.8
|Aug sun = 114.7
|Sep sun = 108.0
|Oct sun = 145.7
|Nov sun = 189.0
|Dec sun = 226.3
|year sun =
|Jand sun = 7.4
|Febd sun = 7.5
|Mard sun = 7.7
|Aprd sun = 6.8
|Mayd sun = 5.0
|Jund sun = 3.8
|Juld sun = 3.8
|Augd sun = 3.7
|Sepd sun = 3.6
|Octd sun = 4.7
|Novd sun = 6.3
|Decd sun = 7.3
|yeard sun = 5.6
|source 1 = ]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Thailand/CSV/Phatthaya_48461.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 12 October 2023}}</ref>
|source 2 = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=RID>{{cite web
| url = http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
| title = ปริมาณการใช้น้ำของพืชอ้างอิงโดยวิธีของ Penman Monteith (Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Penman Monteith)
| publisher = Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department
| page = 95
| language = th
| access-date = 4 August 2016
| archive-date = 2 October 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181002123940/http://water.rid.go.th/hwm/cropwater/CWRdata/ETo/ETo_PenMon_2554.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref>(extremes)<ref name=TMD1>{{cite web
| url = http://climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/75
| title = Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010
| publisher = Thai Meteorological Department
| accessdate = 4 August 2016}}</ref>
}}


==Beaches== == Demographics ==
]{{Further|List of municipalities in Thailand}}
===Pattaya Beach===
The ] has a population of 119,532 residents (2019), while the ] ("Greater Pattaya") has a population of 328,961 (2021).<ref name="TDD" /> Most of these people counted are Thai, with most migrant populations not recognized, although migrant workers are increasingly regularized due to foreign pressure. Some details of the census remain complex, as even indigenous Thais without nationality are not being recognized. Therefore, the census population currently does not represent the total figure.
]
]
]
]
Pattaya Beach is situated alongside the city centre, close to shopping, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the ] of the water along the beach, as has the practice of dumping ] in the ocean. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, and hence is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches.


As with the ], registered population figures issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) hardly capture the scope of the urban transformation that has occurred over time, especially with the economy being dependent on the large numbers of casual Thai workers who work in the city yet remain registered in their hometowns, the employment turnover from and to the capital, as well as seasonal farm migration. Migrant workers from neighboring nations, and many long-term ]s who reside in the city as retirees, self-employed, or contracted are traditionally not counted. There has never been a reliably published figure for the total population in Pattaya, but its thought to be quite large (on the order of half a million people{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}) given the ubiquity and sheer number of migrant workers. Pattaya additionally has a massive population inflow from short stay tourism, with its 2000 hotels and 136,000 rooms available as of 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 July 2015 |title=Chinese put squeeze on Pattaya's hotels |newspaper=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/chinese-put-squeeze-on-pattaya-hotels/622728 |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
Most sections of the beach are covered by rented deckchairs run by local beverage vendors during daylight hours.


Throughout the years, the municipality (Pattaya City) has outgrown its municipal borders (53.5&nbsp;km²) and now reaches into all neighboring ] (''tambon'') within the ], forming the "Pattaya-Bang Lamung-Jomtien" area (727&nbsp;km²), also known as "Greater Pattaya", though the commonly used term to describe the urban area is simply Pattaya. Changes in population and area size are regularly revised by the and the .
During nighttime a few deckchairs remain operated and drinks can be ordered at the south end (near Walking Street) of the beach.


Pattaya is part of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, a ] of the urban areas of ], ] and Pattaya. The total population of this area is 999,092, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the country after ] and ].
===Jomtien Beach===
] Beach ({{lang-th|หาดจอมเทียน}}) is divided from the main part of Pattaya by Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city. In contrast to Pattaya Beach, Jomtien is a popular spot for family vacationers and ] enthusiasts. Jomtien is essentially a residential area with beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. A wide array of watersport activities can be found, including ]s, ] and small sail boat (Hobie Cat) rental. Dongtan Beach, just past the Avalon Beach Resort in Jomtien, is known as the gay beach, and is busy every day of the year. It is very popular location for vendors of all types to solicit their services or goods.
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] -->


A growing community of foreign ] lives in Pattaya. The Thai Immigration Bureau has a special visa category for foreigners over the age of 50 who wish to retire in Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retirement Visa in Thailand {{!}} ThaiEmbassy.com |url=https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/retirement-visa |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=thaiembassy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=immigrationAdmin |title=Visa Extension |url=https://www.immigration.go.th/en?p=14714 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง – Immigration Bureau}}</ref> The city also has a large ], which mainly speaks Tamil.
Jomtien's most visible landmark is the 56-story Pattaya Park tower, part of the Pattaya Park entertainment complex which also features a ], ], ] and children's activities. This may soon be overshadowed by the proposed 91-floor ] Tower ("O1") Tower<ref>''Pattaya Today'', , 1 August 2006, accessed 8 Nov 2006.</ref>. With an overall height of 367 meters, it would be the tallest building in Thailand and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world<ref> at www.ocean1tower.com, accessed 8 Nov 2006.</ref>. The Jomtien district is already home to one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room ].


== Physical geography ==
Jomtien beach can be reached by ] ]. There is a direct route or a switch Songthaew at the 2nd road intersection near Walking Street. Songthaew fares from within Pattaya to Jomtien will be 20 baht for foreigner person while Thai people only need to pay 10 baht for the same ride. A motorbike taxi will take people there for 60 baht.
Pattaya, on the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately {{convert|160|km}} south of the city of Bangkok in ], ].


The city of Pattaya is a special municipal area which covers the whole ''tambon'' ] (Nongprue) and Na Kluea (Naklua) and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. ] which forms the northern border of Pattaya covers parts of the ''tambon'' Bang Lamung (Banglamung), Nong Pla Lai and Takhian Tia. Bang Sare (Bang Saray) is on the southern border of Pattaya.
==Islands==
]
===Ko Lan===
Ko Lan ({{lang-th|เกาะล้าน}}), or Coral Island, is a small island situated 7.5 km west of Pattaya. Ko Lan is accessible by speedboat and ]. The ferry departs hourly, and is a 45-minute ride costing just 20 baht each way. Speedboats are more expensive, but can reach the island in less than 15 minutes. Ko Lan has several beaches, which are known for their cleanliness, relaxing atmosphere, soft white sand, and crystal-clear water.
This place is also known to for its exotic fish.


"Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that make up Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus ] (often called "Buddha Hill" because of the temples on top of the hill) headland immediately south of Pattaya Beach, and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (directly south of Phra Tamnak Hill).
===Island groups===
Off Pattaya there are two small island groups, the "Near Islands" (], ]) located close to the northern shores of Pattaya, very near Ko Lan, and the "Far Islands" (], ], ], and ]), located offshore directly west of Pattaya. These islands, especially the "Far Islands", are the primary scuba diving destinations in and around Pattaya.


=== Beaches and islands ===
==Transportation==
{{wide image|Pattaya_Bay_Panorama.jpg|1050px|align-cap=center|The Pattaya Bay area is one of Asia's largest beach resorts and the second most visited city in Thailand, after Bangkok. This panorama overlooks Bali Hai pier and the core of the city.}}
Pattaya is about 1½ hours, or 120 km by road from ]. Pattaya is also served through ] which is 45 minutes drive from the city. By road, it is served by ] and ] from Bangkok. Intercity transport is usually through one of two bus stations, one for ] and one for other destinations.
]
The main sweep of the bay area is divided into two principal ]s. Pattaya Beach lies parallel to the city centre, and runs about 2.7&nbsp;km long from Pattaya Nuea (North) south along the coast to Pattaya Tai (South) which is the entrance to ]. The beach, which used to be 35&nbsp;m wide, suffers from erosion and in some places was reduced to a width of only two to three meters. A 429 million ] beach restoration scheme was implemented in 2018. It will take 360,000&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> of sand from Ko Rang Kwian offshore to increase the beach width to 50&nbsp;m.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pupattanapong |first1=Chaiyot |title=Restored Pattaya beach lures tourists |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1516086/restored-pattaya-beach-lures-tourists |access-date=5 August 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=5 August 2018}}</ref>


Without intervention Pattaya will likely see its beaches disappear in roughly ten years according to ] researchers. Within a month of the completion of the restoration of the first 400&nbsp;m of Pattaya Beach, the work was "seriously damaged" by flooding. The beach is the first in the country to use imported sand to compensate for coastal erosion. An official said, "...the longer it is left without the flood damage being repaired, the worse it will get."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pupattanapong |first1=Chaiyot |title=Pattaya City beach sand-fill project hit hard by flooding |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1516982/pattaya-city-beach-sand-fill-project-hit-hard-by-flooding |access-date=7 August 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=7 August 2018}}</ref>
Until recently the only transport within town were private or shared ]s and taxi via motorbike. However, a public bus service has begun in 2006, and a metered taxi service began in late 2007.


]
'''Roads'''


] is on the south side of Pattaya and is popular for its viewpoints and the temple (Wat Phra Yai) on top of the hill. Pattaya Park and Pattaya tower are at the south end of Phra Tamnak Hill and the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (P.E.A.C.H), is positioned at the north end of Phra Tamnak Hill. In recent years, Phra Tamnak Hill has gained in popularity because of its more natural environment, nicer beaches, and its convenient location between Jomtien and Pattaya city.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
#By the Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya Motorway (Highway No.7) The motorway is linked with Bangkok’s Outer Ring Road., (Highway No. 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.
#By Bang Na-Trat Highway (Highway No. 34) From Bang Na, Bang Phli, across the Bang Pakong River to Chon Buri there is a Chon Buri’s bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road., (Highway No. 3, passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.


] is divided from Pattaya by Thepprasit Road, the southern route into Pattaya city. It consists of high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, bungalow complexes, shops, bars, and restaurants.
'''Pattaya roads'''


]'s shore and adjacent islets during a combined amphibious landing force exercise ].]]
*Pattaya 1 Road: this street runs parallel to the beach
Offshore islands include three "near islands": ] (main island), ], and ], {{convert|7|km}} from the shore of Pattaya. The "far islands" are ] (main island), ], ] and ], located offshore further west of the "near islands". Ko Rin lies offshore to the south-west, south of Ko Phai group. The names "near islands", "far islands", and "Coral Island" are used for marketing purposes only and do not correspond to any naming conventions of the island groups and are not shown on maritime charts published by the ] Service of the ].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
*Pattaya 2 Road: this street runs approximately 400 meters parallel to Pattaya 1 Road.
*Pattaya 3 Road: this is Pattaya’s outer-ring road which connects North, South and Central Pattaya.
*Thap Phraya Road: this street connects Pattaya 2 to Jomtien Road.
*Thep Prasit Road: this street connects Sukhumvit to Jomtien Road.


In June 2016, the Regional Environmental Office reported that, "The sea water along the busy central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality and could endanger human and marine life."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pupattanapong|first1=Chaiyot|title=Pattaya sea water quality gets 'poor' grade|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1015553/pattaya-sea-water-quality-gets-poor-grade|access-date=21 June 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=21 June 2016}}</ref>
'''Rail'''
There is one train a day to Pattaya leaving from Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.


==Environment==
'''Air'''
]
There is no public airport in Pattaya city. The nearest airport to Pattaya city is U-Tapao.
Pattaya produces on the order of 450 ]s of solid waste per day. The city spends more than 300 million ] on waste removal and disposal annually. On average it pays 1,600 baht to process each tonne of garbage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pupattanapong|first1=Chaiyot|title=Pattaya official thinks garbage figures are rubbish|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1452654/pattaya-official-thinks-garbage-figures-are-rubbish|access-date=26 April 2018|work=Bangkok Post|date=26 April 2018}}</ref> Significant volumes of rubbish are allegedly dumped into the sea by tour boats.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pattaya beach businesses blame tourist boat operators for rising level of garbage being washed ashore|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30335244|access-date=26 April 2018|work=The Nation|date=2018-01-03|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806052048/https://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30335244|url-status=dead}}</ref>
]
In July 2017 Pattaya Beach was fouled for a week by raw sewage that poured out of a storm drain. City officials blamed the incident on broken pumps and Pattaya's poorly maintained sewage-treatment plant. The environmental ministry declared it would step up enforcement of pollution laws and push Pattaya for better wastewater-treatment efficiency. According to the ministry, Pattaya has 1,047 identified sources of sewage and garbage pollution, the number increasing as the city grows.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Homklin|first1=Jetsada|title=Pattaya sewage problem in government crosshairs|url=http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-sewage-problem-government-crosshairs-186138|access-date=26 April 2018|work=Pattaya Mail|date=2017-09-16|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426213040/http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-sewage-problem-government-crosshairs-186138|url-status=live}}</ref>


The sea water along central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality even in the absence of sewage spills and "could endanger human and marine life", the regional environmental office has said. They deemed sea water quality near central Pattaya beaches as "poor" and deteriorating. They judged water quality near Na Klua in North Pattaya, South Pattaya, Ko Lan, and Jomtien Beach as "fairly good". The city has considered expanding two water management plants to increase capacity for better treatment of wastewater prior to discharge into the ocean. The water treatment plant in Soi Wat Nongyai after expansion would be able to treat around 130,000 cubic metres of waste water a day, up from 80,000 cubic metres at present.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pupattanapong|first1=Chaiyot|title=Pattaya sea water quality gets 'poor' grade|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1015553/pattaya-sea-water-quality-gets-poor-grade|access-date=26 April 2018|work=Bangkok Post|date=2016-06-21}}</ref> The expansion was never implemented.<ref name=BP-20181123/>
'''Bus'''
Buses to Pattaya leave very frequently from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Morchid) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekhamai). There are buses from Pattaya which go to every nearby provincial town. There are also some buses available to major towns in the north-east.


In November 2018, the Pattaya City Council approved 188 million ] for the repair of its six wastewater treatment plants. Installed in 2000, the plants can accommodate 65,000 m<sup>3</sup> of wastewater per day. More than a third of plant equipment was found to be 40–50 percent worn out. The system treats waste from a 36&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> portion of Pattaya, or 68 percent of its urban area. Earlier plans to increase treatment capacity to 135,000 m<sup>3</sup> were never implemented and existing plants were allowed to fall into disrepair. Pattaya uses more than 200,000 m<sup>3</sup> of water a day, but claims to only discharge about 70,000 m<sup>3</sup> a day. The discrepancy is unexplained. Once treated, there are no tests to measure water quality before it is dumped back into the sea, which may account for foul water discharges.<ref name=BP-20181123>{{cite news |last1=Pupattanapong |first1=Chaiyot |title=Wastewater stations to get B188m |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1580522/wastewater-stations-to-get-b188m |access-date=2018-11-26 |work=Bangkok Post |date=2018-11-23}}</ref>
'''Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)'''
Popularly nick-named ‘Baht-buses’ in Pattaya, songthaews are the most popular mode of public transportation in Pattaya. Normally, the price is different for locals and foreigners (double the local price). Yet, however the cost is still comparatively low and foreigners are advised to avoid confrontation with the drivers.

'''Motorbike-taxi'''
These are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for very short distances.


==Economy== ==Economy==
]
===Tourism===
]
]]]


Pattaya is at the center of Thailand's ] (EEC). Investments totaling more than 1.5 trillion baht (US$45 billion) are flowing into EEC infrastructure projects: airports, deep-sea ports, high-speed railways, autoroutes. The result will enhance Pattaya's accessibility. According to the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) the EEC investments, the ] and the ] that will link three major airports to Pattaya, will make Pattaya the heart of the eastern region. The TCC view is that, "Plenty of attractions...will lure lots more foreign and domestic tourists in the future." Better connectivity will reduce both the cost and time to travel to Pattaya, with the TCC estimating the number of tourists visiting the EEC region to rise to 46.7 million over the next few years, one and half times the current 29.8 million visitors.
Once a sleepy fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R spot during the Vietnam War and got itself a bit of a bad image, but things have certainly improved since then and the city has been turning its location into a family-orientated destination. So besides only bars and pubs, there is plenty more to do and see these days. Currently, Pattaya is booming again: TAT claims 5,338,000 visitors for 2005 (up 6.5% from 2004), of which two-thirds were foreigners who came to enjoy the exciting sea-shore activities.


Pattaya projects include developing a ] in the city and building a bigger cruise terminal, as well as new tourist attractions: a water park, an ice dome, cultural markets, Thai boxing gyms, theaters, and conference halls. All are under development. "We aimed to get rid of the previous image of Pattaya and try to promote a new image to show that Pattaya is a place for everyone with diversity of new tourist attractions," said an official of the ] (TAT). He said that the EEC would make Pattaya more competitive compared with other popular Thai beach destinations such as ] and ], with cheaper transport costs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phoonphongphiphat |first1=Apornrath |title=Thai businesses to revitalize Pattaya tourism via economic zone |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Trends/Thai-businesses-to-revitalize-Pattaya-tourism-via-economic-zone |access-date=7 August 2018 |work=Nikkei Asian Review |date=6 August 2018 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807092751/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Trends/Thai-businesses-to-revitalize-Pattaya-tourism-via-economic-zone |url-status=live }}</ref>
Other activities include ]ing at the area's many golf courses, and there are 21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya, ], visiting the construction site of an elaborate private wooden temple known as ], and different theme parks and zoos such as ''Mini Siam'', and ''Elephant Village''.


]
The national symbol of Thailand, these amazing animals have been part of Thai culture for centuries. Demonstrations of training methods and ancient ceremonial re-enactments plus entertaining performances and wild elephant round-ups daily between 2:30 and 4:00.
]
Fourteen million visitors in 2018 contributed 239 billion ] to the city's treasury. That represents more than 70% of Pattaya's total income for the year. The city's leadership plans to reduce Pattaya's reliance on tourism to 60% by 2025 by transforming itself into "Neo Pattaya", an international business center. Key to the plans are infrastructure improvements: 9.5 billion baht for flood management projects and upgrading sewage treatment plants to handle 130,000 m<sup>3</sup> of waste per day, up from 67,000 m<sup>3</sup> per day in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Worrachaddjechai |first1=Dusida |title=Beach resort banking on Neo Pattaya |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1769219/beach-resort-banking-on-neo-pattaya |access-date=11 October 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=10 October 2019}}</ref>


Pattaya's thriving real estate market plays a pivotal role in bolstering the local economy. The continuous growth in the sector, particularly driven by foreign interest in condos, contributes significantly to employment, from construction to property management. Increased property transactions also generate substantial revenue through taxes and fees, further enhancing the city's fiscal health.
The private '']'' features several hundred tigers and thousands of alligators as well as some other animals. It has often been criticized for the animals' living conditions, and a worker was killed by tigers in 2004<ref>, accessed 8 Nov 2006.</ref>. There was a major ] outbreak at the zoo later that year<ref>''The Nation'', , October 29, 2004.</ref>.


During 2020-2022, Pattaya witnessed a limited number of new projects, resulting in high absorption rates. Notably, the second and third quarters of 2023 saw a remarkable uptick in condo launches, significantly elevating sales. In 2023, Pattaya maintained its lead in condo transfers to foreigners, surpassing Bangkok with proportions of 41.7% and 37.5%, respectively. This outperformed the average rates of 30.8% and 48.8% from 2018 to 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Pattaya Real Estate Market Poised to Sustain Growth |url=https://century21pattaya.com/blog/pattaya-real-estate-market-poised-to-sustain-growth |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=century21pattaya.com}}</ref>
The ''Vimantaitalay'' tourist ] takes customers underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. There are many boat trips from an hour to all day trips available, mostly leaving from Bali Hai Pier, near ].


== Transportation ==
] is located some 15 kilometers east of Pattaya. The {{convert|500|acre|km2|sing=on}} site has well maintained botanical gardens and an orchid nursery. Moreover the facility has lively cultural shows in a Thai village setting. In addition trained ] and ] are seen at the garden.
]


;Road
Other attractions in Pattaya: The ] and ], Elephant Village, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park and Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, ] (world class aquarium), ](cultural show), Bottle Art Museum, Mini Siam, ] Museum, and ].
#Via the Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway (Hwy 7). The motorway is linked with Bangkok's Outer Ring Road (Hwy 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.
#Via Bang Na-Trat Highway (Hwy 34). From Bang Na, Bang Phli, across the Bang Pakong River to Chonburi there is a Chonburi bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road (Hwy 3), passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.


;Rail
] presents Thai performing arts in a panoramic concept. The entire project includes a prototype Hexa Stage Theater with 2,000 seats in tiers, Cultural Rostrum and a Restaurant with 1,000 seating capacity. Open daily except Wednesday, show time 18.00 hrs.
A daily service operates on the Eastern Line of the ] between Pattaya and Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pattaya Railway Station|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/transportation/listing/pattaya-railway-station/5015/|work=Bangkok Post|access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref>


;Bus
'''Underwater World (อันเดอร์วอเตอร์ เวิลด์)''' is an aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand. The tunnel is 105 metres long divided into 4 zones. The aquarium is home to a multitude of local marine life, including sharks and stingrays. Moreover, there is marine life feeding shows, both on the surface of the water and underwater in each zone.
Pattaya is served by bus services from Bangkok's ] (Mo Chit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai), connecting to Pattaya's main bus terminal on Pattaya Nuea (North Pattaya Road) near Sukhumvit Road.


There are two airport bus services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangkok-travel-ideas.com/bus-to-pattaya.html|title=Bangkok Airport Bus to Pattaya &#124; BKK Airport to Pattaya Timetable|website=Bangkok Travel Ideas|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809231115/https://www.bangkok-travel-ideas.com/bus-to-pattaya.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat (เขาพระตำหนัก หรือ เขาพระบาท)''' This small hill is located between South Pattaya and Chom Thian. It is a vantage point for a panoramic view of the whole city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. Locals and visitors come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is resgared the “founding father of the modern Thai navy.” and Suan Chaloemphrakiat (สวนเฉลิมพระเกียรติ) Khao Phra Tam Nak Road., This is a fitness park at the foot of Khao Pattaya.
The 389 Bus (airportpattayabus) service connects Pattaya with Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). It uses modern, air-conditioned buses, and takes around {{frac|1|1|2}} hours to reach the airport. The trip from the airport (Level 1 Gate 8 at the Arrival Hall) to the bus terminal in Pattaya, makes three stops at North, Central, and South Pattaya intersections before going to their last drop off point, the office on Thappraya Road (near Jomtien). It can take longer if many hotel stops are negotiated along Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://airportpattayabus.com/suvarnabhumi-airport-pattaya-bus-schedule-timetable |title=airportpattayabus 389 Bus |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221749/http://airportpattayabus.com/suvarnabhumi-airport-pattaya-bus-schedule-timetable |archive-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The other bus service is the Bell Travel Service (Coach 36) which goes from the airport (Level 1 between Gate 7 & 8) to the Pattaya Bell office at the North Pattaya Intersection, and then provides transfers to local hotels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belltravelservice.com/|title=Bell Travel Service – Convenient shuttle coach service between Bangkok and Pattaya|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=11 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511085132/https://belltravelservice.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Buses from a terminal on Sukhumvit Road near Pattaya Klang (near the Central Pattaya intersection) connect Pattaya with many destinations in the north-east region (i.e. Isan).
'''Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม)''' This gigantic wooden structure is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North Pattaya. The sanctuary of Truth was first built in 1981. With exquisite architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.


City and suburban services are mainly provided by '']'', popularly nicknamed "baht buses" or "blue taxis".
'''Mini Siam (เมืองจำลองพัทยา)''' is located at km. 143 on Sukhumbit Road., Highway No. 3, North Pattaya, Mini Siam is one of famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai etc. Miniature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called “mini world”.


;Air
'''Cabaret Shows (คาบาเร่ต์โชว์)''' There are two venues of transvestite cabarets (lady boys) in Pattaya.
Pattaya is about {{convert|120|km}} by road from ] (BKK), the country's largest international airport. By road, it is accessed from ] and ] from Bangkok. Pattaya is also served by scheduled flights via ] (UTP) which is 45-minute drive south of the city.
*Alcazar Cabaret (อัลคาซ่าร์ คาบาร์เร่ต์), Pattaya 2 Road
*Tiffany Show (ทิฟฟานี่ โชว์), Pattaya 2 Road


;Boat
'''Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร)''' covers an area of 366 rai. It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and later was supported by His Majesty the King. Within the compound of the temple are the Mondop where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined, a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha, as well as, his enlightened followers, and Wihan Phra Yanaret.
A passenger-only ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin began operation on 12 January 2017 and is operated by Royal Passenger Liner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://royalferrygroup.com/|title=Royal Passenger Liner Co., Ltd.|website=royalferrygroup.com|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126233524/https://royalferrygroup.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> By road, the journey takes five to six hours. The ferry shortens travel time to about two hours, subject to sea conditions. The ferry cruises at 27 knots on the 113&nbsp;km journey across the Gulf of Thailand with a maximum passenger capacity of 150 persons. Larger ferries carrying up to 260 people may be added to the service later. Ferries capable of carrying vehicles are projected for 2020.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry to begin on New Year's Day|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1134396/|access-date=13 November 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=13 November 2016}}</ref> In November 2018, Hua Hin deputy chief Chareewat Phramanee confirmed the ferry service, suspended due to low tourist numbers during low season, would be up and running again for high season between Hua Hin and Pattaya, a 2.5-hour journey for 1,250 baht on a catamaran with a maximum capacity of 340.<ref name=Thaiger>{{cite web|title=Hua Hin ferry service back again for high season|url=https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/travel/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-service-back-again-for-high-season|publisher=The Thaiger|date=2018-11-04|access-date=2018-11-04|location=Phuket|archive-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012401/https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/travel/pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-service-back-again-for-high-season|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{wide image|Pattaya by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Pattaya Bay}}
]


==Administration==
'''Koh Larn''' is a little tropical island located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach. The Island is around 4km long and 2km wide and is home to approximately one thousand residents. Most of the locals reside in the main village, Naban. There are six beaches on the island that has white sand and clear blue water. The terrain is mainly mountainous which is covered in most part with jungle.
{| class="wikitable floatright"
! Subdistrict
! Villages
! People
|-
| Nong Prue
| style="text-align:center;"| 7
| style="text-align:right;"| 67,846
|-
| Na Klua
| style="text-align:center;"| 7
| style="text-align:right;"| 49,129
|-
| Nong Pla Lai
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,403
|-
| Huai Yai
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 154
|-
|}
Pattaya city has been administered under a special autonomous system since 30 October 1978.<ref>{{cite journal |date=30 October 1978 |title=พระราชบัญญัตี ระเบียบบริหารราชการเมืองพัทยา พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๑ |trans-title=Regulations of the Pattaya City Administration B.E. 2521 (1978) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2521/A/120/1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110195356/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2521/A/120/1.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2011 |access-date=5 April 2020 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=95 |issue=special 120 Kor |pages=1–44}}</ref> It has a status comparable to a municipality and is separately administered by the mayor of Pattaya city who is responsible for making policies, organising public services, and supervising the city's workforce for an area that covers 53.4 square kilometers and consists of four subdistricts, 18 villages ('']'').<ref name="TDD"/>


{{clear}}
Some tourists take daytrips to nearby ] for beautiful beaches, as well as ] island.


===Activities=== == Tourism ==
]
] ]]
]]]
]]]
{{multiple image
| align = right
| width = 220
| direction = vertical
| image1 =
| caption1 = Exterior of ] stadium in Pattaya
| image2 =
| caption2 = Max Muay Thai Fight
}}


Once a fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an ] destination for US servicemen stationed at nearby former USAF base at ], or other US bases in Thailand during the ]. In 2018, Pattaya was the ] in the world with 9.6 million tourists, and 3rd most in Thailand, after Bangkok (24.1 million) and Phuket (10.5 million).<ref>{{Cite web |author=Francesca Street |title=The most visited cities in the world 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/most-visited-cities-euromonitor-2019/index.html |access-date=2022-11-27 |publisher=CNN|date=3 December 2019|archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127201541/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/most-visited-cities-euromonitor-2019/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''Sports'''


== Festivals ==
'''Bungee Jump:'''
]
*Jungle Bungee Jump (จังเกิ้ล บันจี้ จั๊ม) has arrived in Pattaya and is found near the fishing pond of the Jomtien Fishing Park.
* '']'' (varies from late January to early February) is celebrated by Pattaya's large ] community with dragons parades, lion dances, and fireworks.
* ''Pattaya International Music Festival'' is held annually in the month of March. It attracts huge crowds to the different stages along Beach Road and Bali Hai Pier, and presents several styles of music performed by Thai and international artists.
* The Pattaya ] festival, locally called ''Wan Lai'', takes place each year in mid-April. It differs from most other Songkran festivals of Thailand in several aspects. It lasts several days longer and, besides water fights, the event includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks, and water sports competitions.
* ''Top of the Gulf Regatta'' is a week-long sailing event held at the end of April, beginning of May.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/ |title=Top of the Gulf Regatta ''(official website)'' |access-date=14 October 2010 |archive-date=24 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024024124/http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The ''Miss Tiffany Universe'' beauty pageant is held mid-May each year. During the four-day pageant, ] models vie for first place with the final evening broadcast live on Thai TV for an audience of, on average, 15 million.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024172030/http://www.misstiffanyuniverse.com/index.php |date=24 October 2010 }}. Misstiffanyuniverse.com. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023125826/http://www.misstiffanyuniverse.com/eng_main.php |date=23 October 2010 }}. Misstiffanyuniverse.com. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/epaper/pdf/AsiaNews%20May%2021-June%203.pdf|title=Asia News, 21 May–3 Jun 2010: Mistaken Identity (p. 34-35)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524181514/http://www.asianewsnet.net/epaper/pdf/AsiaNews%20May%2021-June%203.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-24|url-status=usurped}} (PDF) . Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113033744/http://www.theasiatrust.org/ |date=13 January 2011 }}. Theasiatrust.org. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref>
* ''Pattaya Marathon'', featuring several race categories, is held each year in July.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118030722/http://www.tourismthailand.org/see-do/events-festivals/info-page/cat/37/event/3005/parent/180/lang/0 |date=18 January 2012 }}. 17 July 2011</ref>
* ''Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival'', held annually on the last weekend of October, organized by the Thailand Guitar Society, Pattaya People Media Group, and Siam Bayshore Pattaya.
* '']'', a light festival held during the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional ] and which usually falls in November, is celebrated in Pattaya, as in the rest of the country, that evening with people floating ''krathongs'' (small, candle-lit floats made from elaborately folded banana leaves) on the waters, as well as releasing ''khom loi'' (]) into the night sky.
* Every November Pattaya hosts ], a yearly international pageant for transgender persons and transsexuals. In 2007 the event drew an estimated 25 million viewers on national TV.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015233519/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,4565c22547,45a51a312,47d6547d28,0.html |date=15 October 2012 }}. UNHCR. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219184323/http://www.missinternationalqueen.com/ |date=19 February 2020 }}. Missinternationalqueen.com. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref>


== Nightlife ==
'''Flying for entertainment:''' at major places such as
]]]
*Pattaya Air Park (พัทยา แอร์ พาร์ค)
Pattaya has derived part of its reputation as a tourist destination due to the ]<ref>Nopporn Wong-Anan {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806052039/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-children-thailand-sex-idUSBKK8192720061215 |date=6 August 2022 }}. Reuters. 15 December 2006</ref><ref name=TIMEasia-20050815>{{cite news|last1=Marshall|first1=Andrew|title=The People's Paradise|url=http://andrewmarshall.com/articles/reporting-for-time-magazine-on-the-notorious-thai-resort-of-pattaya/|access-date=26 February 2017|work=TIMEasia|date=2005-08-15|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062640/http://andrewmarshall.com/articles/reporting-for-time-magazine-on-the-notorious-thai-resort-of-pattaya/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the resulting nightlife, and this notoriety has influenced the city's evolution in many ways.<ref>''Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work'', volume 2, 2006, p. 454, Greenwood Press, {{ISBN|0-313-32968-0}}</ref> ] is technically illegal but tolerated in most cities, including Pattaya.<ref>Yodmanee Tepanon (2006) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124214303/http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04192006-101020/unrestricted/ytepanon_etd.pdf |date=24 January 2011 }}. (PDF). PhD Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved on 14 December 2011.</ref> The city's vast numbers of ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, and hourly hotels, serve foreign tourists as well as locals. This is especially prominent on ] as well as other areas around the city.<ref>] ''Thailand'', 7th ed, 2006, p. 170, Wiley Publishing, Inc.</ref> Efforts have been made to clean up the city's image.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/world/asia/16iht-pattaya.html |title=A Thai City of Sleaze Tries to Clean Up |work=The New York Times |access-date=13 October 2010 |first=Thomas |last=Fuller |date=15 September 2010 |archive-date=26 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126172715/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/world/asia/16iht-pattaya.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Chon Buri Flying Club (ชลบุรี ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)
*CMT Flying Club (ซีเอ็มที ฟลายอิ้ง คลับ)


An article in the British ] the '']''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baynes|first1=Chris|title=Inside the world's sex capital: City dubbed 'modern day Sodom and Gomorrah' with highest number of prostitutes anywhere|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/inside-worlds-sex-capital-city-9834233|access-date=26 February 2017|work=Daily Mirror|date=17 February 2017|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223051535/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/inside-worlds-sex-capital-city-9834233|url-status=live}}</ref> have described Pattaya as "the world's sex capital", a "modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah". This provoked anger from government officials as high up as Prime Minister ]. Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch, the Pattaya police superintendent, denied that Pattaya is a sex trade paradise. Upset about the British media's stories, he insisted they were fabricated. "There is no such thing as prostitution in Pattaya," said Col Apichai. "Where did they get the figure of 27,000 sex workers in Pattaya? Anyone can make up this information....Thai ladies having sex with foreigners is their personal issue. If they like each other, I don't see anything wrong with what they do behind closed doors."<ref name="BP-20170226">{{cite news|last1=Yongcharoenchai|first1=Chaiyot|title=No sex please, we're Thai|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1205077/no-sex-please-were-thai|access-date=26 February 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=26 February 2017}}</ref> In response, Pattaya social worker Surang Janyam, the director of Service Workers IN Group Foundation, said that estimated number of Pattaya prostitutes published in the ''Daily Mirror'' is inaccurate: "27,000 sex workers in Pattaya is way too low. We have a lot more sex workers than that."<ref name="BP-20170226"/> In June 2019, over twenty high ranking Police, Army and Local government officers toured Pattaya and reported the central streets safe and free from illegal activities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/phew-no-prostitutes-in-pattayas-walking-street-police|title=Phew! No Prostitutes in Pattaya's Walking Street – Police|date=7 June 2019|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608061601/https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/phew-no-prostitutes-in-pattayas-walking-street-police|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Horse Riding:'''
*Jo Jo Horse Club (โจโจ้ ฮอร์ส คลับ) is a training place for horse riding.
*Horseshoe Point Club (ฮอร์สชู พอยท์ คลับ) is a place of horse riding training and accommodation. It covers an area of 300 rai. There are horse riding training fields for both indoor and outdoor, cross-country jumping and polo, which are up to an international standard.


]
'''Motor Sports:''' Car Racing Circuit
As evidence of the government's commitment to clean up Pattaya, on 26 February 2017 at 20:00, 60 police officers and soldiers raided Pattaya's notorious Soi 6 to check for violations of the law. When the checks were completed, police announced that all licenses were in order and there was no law breaking of any kind, including prostitution, taking place there.<ref>{{cite news|title=Intense police examination to prevent prostitution.|url=http://www.siamchonnews.com/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9B-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80/|access-date=28 February 2017|work=SiamChon News|date=27 February 2017|language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301005803/http://www.siamchonnews.com/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9B-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80/|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Pattaya also has Asia's largest ]<ref name=TIMEasia-20050815/> based around ], the ], and ]. The city is also famous for its flamboyant '']'' ] shows where ] entertainers perform to packed houses.<ref>{{cite web |year = 2010 |url = http://www.frommers.com/destinations/pattaya/2996010030.html |title = Nightlife in Pattaya |work = ] |access-date = 3 October 2010 |archive-date = 11 March 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110311013905/http://www.frommers.com/destinations/pattaya/2996010030.html |url-status = live }}</ref>
*Pattaya Cart Speedway (พัทยาคาร์ท สปีดเวย์) is a cart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs.
*Thailand International Motor Sport Complex (TIMC) (ศูนย์กีฬายานยนต์ TIMC)
*Pira International Circuit (สนามแข่งรถพีระอินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลเซอร์กิต)
*KR Go-cart Grand Prix (สนามแข่งรถเล็ก เค อาร์ โกคาร์ท กรังปรีซ์)


==Crime==
'''Fitness and sports:'''
In recent years{{when|date=May 2023}}, Pattaya has served as a hideaway for foreigners with connections to organized crime in their home countries, and dozens have been murdered in gang-related disputes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thailand's Costa del Crime|department=Editorial|date=7 November 2005|newspaper=The Nation|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/07/opinion/data/opinion_19080383.html|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724091743/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/07/opinion/data/opinion_19080383.html|archive-date=24 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Great Escape|date=11 April 2005|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/11/ukcrime.thailand|location=London|first=Duncan|last=Campbell|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917151737/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/11/ukcrime.thailand|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Fairtex Sport Club and Hotel (แฟร์เท๊กซ์ สปอร์ต คลับ แอนด์ โฮเต็ล) is a sports complex comprising artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash, tennis court, etc.


People who visit the Pattaya area may encounter ], usually limited to ] and ], particularly in and around major tourist areas such as Jomtien and Pattaya Beaches and on the "baht buses". A special Tourist Police division has been established to aid tourists who are victims of crime. The 2009 British eight-episode TV documentary ''Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand'' described crimes involving tourists in Pattaya.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drugs, scams and beat downs. Just another night of 'Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand'|author=Karla Cripps|date=11 September 2009|publisher=CNN|url=https://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/none/big-trouble-tourist-thailand-558899/|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426145258/https://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/none/big-trouble-tourist-thailand-558899/|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Spa'''
Pattaya has an abundance of massage shops. The most common types of massage include Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.


On 11 April 2009, Thailand's Prime Minister ] declared a ] in the areas of Pattaya and ], in response to ] anti-government protesters breaking into the conference center of the ] hotel complex, the site of an ]. The meeting was immediately cancelled and Asian leaders were evacuated, some by helicopter.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE53A06P20090411 |work=Reuters|title=Thai protests force Asia summit cancellation |date=11 April 2009 |access-date=16 June 2012 |archive-date=14 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414062825/http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE53A06P20090411 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fuller|first1=Thomas|title=Thailand Cancels Summit After Protests|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/world/asia/12thai.html?_r=1&hp|access-date=26 April 2018|work=The New York Times|date=11 April 2009|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202153045/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/world/asia/12thai.html?_r=1&hp|url-status=live}}</ref>
Proper spas however, of a very high world-standard can be found at the city’s top resorts and hotels.


==Law==
'''Diving'''
In 2019, the International Thai Foundation ('ITF') established a Community Legal Centre in Soi Bua Kao, Pattaya.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} Its objectives are to promote education, protect human rights & relieve poverty for the people in Thailand. This is the third CLC in Thailand Pro Bono Community Hub in Chiang Mai.
The most popular destination in Pattaya for diving buffs is the Hardeep Wreck which was sunk by the allies in the Second World War. The wreck lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 26 meters. Other popular dive destinations near Pattaya include:
*Ko Rin
*Ko Lan
*Ko Man Wichai
*Ko Hu Chang
*Ko Khrok
*The Wreck of HTMS Khram
*Ko Sak


== Media and communications ==
===Shopping===
Several local foreign-language newspapers and magazines are published either weekly or monthly, especially in English, Russian, and German. The English-language newspapers include the ''Pattaya Mail'' and ''Pattaya People''. is an online portal that writes the local news in six languages. ''DER FARANG'' is a German-language newspaper published every 14 days. '']'' is a Norwegian-language newspaper published monthly.
]
]
In recent years, new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have opened up, which has helped in increasing the length of stay of visitors to the city. Among the shopping malls are:
* Central Center Pattaya, Pattaya Second Road – Indoor mall anchored by a ]; also has a ] branch.


== In popular media ==
]
The novel '']'' by French author ] prominently features the city of Pattaya as well as its nightlife.
* ], Pattaya Central Road
* ], Pattaya Central Road
* ], Pattaya North Road


The ] ] (BL) series '']'' (2023) is set in Pattaya.<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Lopa |date=2023-03-04 |title=Moonlight Chicken Season 1 Review |url=https://www.thereviewgeek.com/moonlightchicken-s1review/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=The Review Geek}}</ref>
Local Products


==Education==
Local products in Pattaya consist of:
International schools in Pattaya:
* École francophone de Pattaya
* International School of Chonburi
* Tara Pattana International School
* ]
* Mooltripakdee International School Pattaya
* Hastin International School
The ], a ], is in nearby ]. It is an affiliate of the ] in ].<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on 9 January 2018. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064009/http://www.tjas.ac.th/sriaccess |date=9 January 2018 }}</ref> Si Racha formerly housed the Sriracha-Pattaya Japanese Supplement School, a ].<ref name=MEXT20030102Asia>"" (). ]. 2 January 2003. Retrieved on 12 January 2018. "シラチヤ・パタヤ SRIRAOHA{{sic}}・PATTAYA JAPANESE SUPPLEMENT SCHOOL{{Dead link|date=April 2018}}</ref>


==Twin towns and sister cities==
*'''Chaeng Lon:''' This is a local delicacy where coconut is hand molded into small buns on a stick and charcoal-grilled.
*'''Hoi Cho:''' This Chinese delicacy is Chon Buri's famous dish because a special kind of sea crabs is used as the main ingredient.
*'''Khao Lam:''' This specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo rods.


Pattaya has agreements with the following ]
Shopping Malls
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* The Village Shopping Centre, Sukhumvit Rd - Pattaya's newest shopping centre due to open in October.
*{{flagicon|KAZ}} ], Kazakhstan (June 2017)
* ] , Beach Road
*{{flagicon|RUS}} ], Russia (June 2017)
* ], Beach Road – Three-story indoor mall with a ] museum and an ] cinema. Also has a ] restaurant, Au Bon Pain, KFC, McDonald's, Auntie * Anne's Pretzels, ZEN Japanese restaurant, Swensen's, Haagen Daz, Pizza Company, Delice de France, and a large food court. The Marriott Hotel is adjacent.
*{{flagicon|PRC}} ], China (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-qingdao-ink-sister-city-agreement-21546|title=Pattaya, Qingdao ink sister-city agreement|work=pattayamail.com|date=31 January 2013|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083559/http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-qingdao-ink-sister-city-agreement-21546|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Avenue, Second Road (near Royal Garden) is in the midst of a soft opening with the following either open or their spaces being fitted out: a 22 lane Bowling Alley, Au Bon Pain, McDonalds, Thanachart Bank, 8 Major Cineplex theatres, Boots, California Wow! a major gym/fitness spa (open for subscriptions), Shenanigans, Iberry, Pizza Pizza, 20 Nails Spa, Starbucks, Kasikorn Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya, and a 24/7 Villa Market, which carries imported goods difficult to find in other supermarkets.
*{{flagicon|PRC}} ], China (2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-hubei-sign-sister-city-agreement-42546|title=Pattaya, Hubei sign sister-city agreement|work=pattayamail.com|date=5 November 2014|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330174305/http://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-hubei-sign-sister-city-agreement-42546|url-status=live}}</ref>
* TukCom, Pattaya Tai (South) Road, boasts a large computer/IT complex offering reasonable prices.
*{{flagicon|PRC}} ], China (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top-news.top/news-12578362.html|title=Zhangjiajie City and Thailand Chonburi City Pattaya City became sister cities|date=10 December 2016|access-date=16 June 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010140154/http://www.top-news.top/news-12578362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* An outlet mall is next to the Tesco Lotus selling discount clothing from many European and American brands.
{{div col end}}


== See also ==
At least one other new large mall is under construction between sois 9 and 10..
* ]
* ]
* ]


== Notes ==
Pattaya has many large home improvement stores including Home Mart, HomeWorks, Home Pro, Kanyong and True Value.
{{Notelist}}


== References ==
The closest department store to Pattaya is Robinson's, located about 30 minutes away in Sri Racha.
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
There are several large nightly markets in different parts of town.
<!-- Misplaced Pages is not a web directory. Please consider adding your website to DMOZ instead of listing it here.-->
{{Official website|https://www.pattaya.go.th/}}
{{Commons and category|Pattaya|Pattaya}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Pattaya}}
* – slideshow by '']''
{{Metropolitan cities of Thailand}}


{{Authority control}}
There are big Thai markets at soi bua kao each Tuesday and Friday.


]
===Nightlife===
]
Pattaya is renowned for its nightlife. The city has hundreds of beer bars, ]s, and night clubs/]s. The most famous include Tonys, Marine Disco, X-Zyte, Lucifer, Hammer, Mixx. New clubs and bars are opening all the time. The world famous ] is the center of Pattaya's nightlife.

Many bars, discos and nightclubs, as well as several large ]s, are venues for sex workers. Other massage parlors exist which provide traditional non-sexual Thai massages.

Since the "social order" crackdown of 2004, there are fewer ] (such as the ]s). Depending on the enforcement climate, go go dancers may be seen fully nude, topless or in ]s on different days or weeks. However, with the political crisis, there is little incentive to be strict about the former laws.

] (Thai boxing) matches aimed at tourists can be seen at several open-air beer bar complexes.

''Boyztown'' (Pattayaland Soi 1-3), Sunee Plaza, and the Jomtien Complex are famous for their many beer bars, cabarets and go-go clubs catering to a gay clientele. Pattaya has the second largest concentration of gay oriented establishments in Thailand with about 110 venues, after Bangkok with about 200 venues. Many bars specialize in specific types of hosts (slim, muscular, effeminate, etc.), while others have a broad range of men available. There is very little in the way of gay nightclubs or bars in the Western sense; the vast majority of places are no different than the venues that target heterosexuals, both feature sexual entertainment.

Pattaya is known for its cabaret revues featuring ]s (] ]), with ''Alcazar'' and ''Tiffany's'' being the largest and most elaborate.

Another important, but understated aspect of Pattaya are the foreign restaurants. Often run by expatriates, most offer food at prices far below those found in Bangkok, Samui or Phuket.

Major Hotel operates gourmet restaurant, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer excellent food, drinks, music and international entertainment. Such establishments are ideally suited to family entertainment.

===Property===

Property is big business in Pattaya, especially property development. Many new buildings have gone up in recent years, and some people think the market might be oversupplied.

Some buildings are put up with little respect for planning permission and a building was recently in dispute due to being too close to the shore line and too close to another condo block.

There is also a market in Villas but its growth is limited due to ownership restrictions on foreigners.

A casino is also being considered for Jomtien area. {{Fact|date=September 2008}}

===Health Care===
Large hospitals in the area include Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital, Banglamung Hospital, and Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Many foreign tourists have inexpensive dental and medical care in Pattaya, though Bangkok is far more popular for as a ] destination.

==Local Culture==

There is lots of culture to see in Pattaya. For tourists there are Thai Dance shows, Thai art exhibitions, Thai boxing contests etc.

===Life-style===

Most of the officially registered Pattaya folk are of Thai-Chinese ancestry. However, due to the tourist industry many people from the north-east have come to work in Pattaya (north-east is the poorest region of Thailand). So, there is as much chance of hearing spoken Isan dialect (similar to Laotian) as you have Thai, especially in the shops and bars, etc.

===Events & Festivals===

Pattaya's Songkran Festival is different to the rest of Thailand, it runs on 18-19 April.
Pattaya Carnival/Festival is held annually at Pattaya Pier and it is a colourful event which includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks and water sports competition.
Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of M arch. On different stages, there are a bandwagon of several styles of music performed by both Thai and international artists.

===Creative Arts===
Pattaya's Western creative arts are growing daily as the number of expat residents continues to climb. Art galleries are numerous and other arts oriented programs and organizations are starting to thrive. Among these is the highly successful community theater group entitled the Pattaya Players. The Pattaya Players are a troupe of amateur thespians recently established in January 2008. The organization was created to provide an artistically adventurous environment that attracts and excites diverse members of the Pattaya community by providing theatrical productions that entertain, inspire and inform. You can visit their website and find out more information at: www.pattayaplayers.org .

===Learn===

Pattaya affords the opportunity to learn of things such as:

'''Diving'''
Diving centers in Pattaya arrange officially certified diving courses of all different types.

'''Horse Riding'''
The Horse Sport Center 11km from the city offers people to learn the art of properly riding a horse.

'''Thai Language'''
Scattered around the city are numerous language schools with Thai language lessons of offer – from beginners to advance.

===Local Food===

Chonburi has a lot of fresh seafood and dried fruits. As there are a lot of people from the north-east (Isarn) living and working in Pattaya, there is an abundance of north-eastern favourites such as Spicy Papaya Salad (Somtum) and Spicy Sour Chopped Pork Salad (Larb).

==Expat Community==
] in central Pattaya.]]
Due to the large number of foreign residents, a large number of expat retirees, Pattaya boasts several ] clubs which have regular monthly or weekly meetings.

Pattaya has its own masonic lodge, a rotary club, an international school, an English boarding school.

==Crime==

Historically, Pattaya has had comparatively high levels of crime, sometimes attributed to ] in, and preying on, the ] as well as the easy availability of tourist cash in a country that had a per capita Gross National Income of US$7500 in 2005.
In recent years, Pattaya has served as a hideaway for foreigners with connections to organized crime in their home countries, and dozens of Thais have been murdered in gang-related disputes.<ref>''The Nation'', , November 7, 2005.</ref> The authorities also intermittently crack down on underage sex workers and their clients and a number of high profile arrests have been made in recent years.

Visitors are more likely to encounter ], usually limited to ] and ], particularly in and around major tourist areas such as Jomtien and Pattaya Beaches and on the "baht buses", than in other Thai tourist destinations. To help curb this problem, a special ''Tourist Police'' division has been established to aid foreign tourists (]) who are victims of crime. Officially, foreigners are charged more than locals for most products.

Pattaya, along with the rest of Thailand, is also known for its abundance of ] ], ] and ]. ], ] and also trade in ] ] & ] products are rife too.

==Media/Contact==
Pattaya has several foreign language newspapers; most come out weekly. The English newspapers include Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Today, Pattaya People. Additionally, there are French, Norwegian, German, Russian and Japanese publications. There are several English-language cable television programs with news and video reports from Pattaya. There are also several tourist magazines and nightlife, most of them coming out monthly.

Landline telephones, satellite phones, all mobile phone systems, high-speed internet (ADSL), post offices and parcel services are available in province.

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
<!-- Misplaced Pages is not a web directory. Please consider adding your website to DMOZ instead of listing it here.-->
{{sisterlinks|Pattaya}}
*
* (Thai only)
* - street level panoramic walkthrough
* - from ''ethailandmap.com''
* - from ''allpattaya.com''
* {{dmoz|Regional/Asia/Thailand/Provinces/Chon_Buri/Pattaya/}}
* at Wikimapia

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Latest revision as of 20:04, 8 December 2024

For the film, see Pattaya (film). Not to be confused with Pitaya.

Special governed city in Chonburi, Thailand
Pattaya พัทยา
Special governed city
Pattaya City
เมืองพัทยา
From left: Pattaya panorama, Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya sunset, bird's eye view of Pattaya, The Sanctuary of Truth, Walking Street
Official seal of PattayaSeal
Pattaya is located in Bay of BangkokPattayaPattayaLocation in Bay of BangkokShow map of Bay of BangkokPattaya is located in ThailandPattayaPattayaLocation in ThailandShow map of Thailand
Coordinates: 12°56′09″N 100°53′20″E / 12.9357°N 100.889°E / 12.9357; 100.889
CountryThailand
ProvinceChonburi
DistrictBang Lamung
Self-administrating municipality29 Nov 1978
Government
 • TypeSpecial Governed City
 • MayorPoramet Ngampichet
since 22 May 2022
Area
 • Special governed city53.4 km (20.6 sq mi)
 • Urban727 km (281 sq mi)
 • Rank8th
Population
 • Special governed city119,532
(Registered residents)
 • Rank10th
 • Density2,238/km (5,800/sq mi)
 • Urban328,961
 • Metro999,092
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postcode20150
Calling code038
ISO 3166-2TH-S
Websitewww.pattaya.go.th

Pattaya is a city in Eastern Thailand, the second-largest city in Chonburi province and the eighth-largest city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of Bangkok, and has a population of 328,961 as of 2021.

Pattaya City (Thai: เมืองพัทยา, RTGSMueang Phatthaya, pronounced [mɯ̄a̯ŋ pʰát.tʰā.jāː]) is a special local government organization area within Bang Lamung district and has a population of 119,532. It covers the tambons of Nong Prue and Na Klua and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. Pattaya City has grown into all adjacent sub-districts and accounts for the largest population percentage in the district, making it de facto a part of the "Pattaya-Bang Lamung-Jomtien" area, otherwise known as "Greater Pattaya".

The city is in the industrial Eastern seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chonburi. Pattaya is at the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area (a conurbation in Chonburi Province with a population of 1,000,000), which forms the third largest metropolitan area in Thailand.

History

Name

The name Pattaya evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi, which took place before the fall of the former capital to Burmese invaders in 1767. When his army arrived in the vicinity of what is now Pattaya, Phraya Tak encountered the troops of a local leader named Nai Klom, who tried to intercept him. When the two met face to face, Nai Klom was impressed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline. He surrendered without a fight and joined his forces.

The place the armies confronted each other was thereafter known as "Thap Phraya", which means the "army of the Phraya". Thap Phraya was later changed to Phatthaya, which means 'the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season'.

Growth

Pattaya Beach in 1964
Crew member of USS New Jersey on Pattaya Beach, 1987

Following World War II, entrepreneur Parinya Chawalitthamrong saw the potenial of investing in Pattaya and donated some land to the governing administration. Pattaya City Hall would later be constructed on this land.

A fishing village until the 1960s, tourism began during the Vietnam War, when American servicemen began arriving on R&R (rest and relaxation). One large group who arrived from a base in Korat on 29 June 1959 and rented houses from Phraya Sunthorn at the south end of the beach, on what is now known as the "Strip", are credited with recommending Pattaya, whose fame spread by word of mouth.

On 29 November 1978, Pattaya was granted city status by the Thai government. In 1978, it also became a special governed city.

In 1981, businessman Lek Viriyaphan began constructing on the Sanctuary of Truth which remains unfinished and is entirely made out of wood.

21st century

In 2004, Nirun Wattanasartsaton became the first democratically elected mayor. In the 2008 mayoral election, Itthiphol Khunpluem became Pattaya's mayor. As mayor, Itthiphol approved construction on the Waterfront Suites and Residence condominium near the Bali Hai pier, which became controversial. His approval later led to his arrest in 2023 over corruption.

Following the 2014 coup, the National Council for Peace and Order appointed two mayors until in 2018 when the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed Sontaya Kunplome, brother of Itthiphol, as mayor. Mayor Sontaya went on to form the Rao Rak Pattaya party which won the 2022 mayoral election led by Poramet Ngampichet, who has served as mayor ever since.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pattaya's economy suffered greatly due to travel restrictions restricting tourism.

From the 2010s through to the 2020s, Pattaya attempted to shift public perception of it being a sex-city to a more family-friendly location. Bars which were friendly towards pedophiles in Sunee plaza were closed, and the amount of gogo bars on Walking Street declined. However, a 2023 documentary by Deutsche Welle, which has been banned in Thailand, resurrected concerns around Pattaya's sex industry and its association with child prostitution. The documentary is around a German tourist who is claimed to have paid ฿‎1 million to return to Germany and escape charges. The claims resulted in PM Srettha Thavisin launching an investigation headed by Surachate Hapkarn. The documentary has been described by local media as having the potential of hurting Pattaya's industry which has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pattaya has frequently suffered from flooding, especially during the monsoon season. Torrential rain on 27 August 2021 left many important roads under water, with water reaching up to two metres deep in some areas. Pattaya City officials called the August flooding as the worst flood for Pattaya in a decade.

On 4 November 2023, Pattaya was awarded the Integrity and Transparency Assessment award for the highest development category. The award was presented by the National Anti-Corruption Commission to Poramet at Government House in Bangkok.

Climate

Pattaya has a tropical wet and dry climate, which is divided into the following seasons: hot and dry (December to February), hot and humid (March and April), and hot and rainy (May to November).

Climate data for Pattaya (1991–2020, extremes 1981-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.0
(96.8)
37.1
(98.8)
37.3
(99.1)
37.0
(98.6)
36.6
(97.9)
35.4
(95.7)
34.9
(94.8)
34.5
(94.1)
33.7
(92.7)
33.8
(92.8)
35.6
(96.1)
35.9
(96.6)
37.3
(99.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1)
31.2
(88.2)
32.0
(89.6)
33.0
(91.4)
32.7
(90.9)
32.0
(89.6)
31.6
(88.9)
31.4
(88.5)
31.1
(88.0)
30.9
(87.6)
30.8
(87.4)
30.2
(86.4)
31.5
(88.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.5
(79.7)
27.3
(81.1)
28.3
(82.9)
29.4
(84.9)
29.4
(84.9)
29.0
(84.2)
28.6
(83.5)
28.5
(83.3)
27.9
(82.2)
27.2
(81.0)
27.1
(80.8)
26.4
(79.5)
28.0
(82.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.5
(74.3)
24.5
(76.1)
25.5
(77.9)
26.4
(79.5)
26.6
(79.9)
26.4
(79.5)
26.2
(79.2)
26.1
(79.0)
25.4
(77.7)
24.7
(76.5)
24.3
(75.7)
23.3
(73.9)
25.2
(77.4)
Record low °C (°F) 16.4
(61.5)
17.5
(63.5)
17.7
(63.9)
19.4
(66.9)
21.5
(70.7)
21.3
(70.3)
21.4
(70.5)
22.0
(71.6)
21.5
(70.7)
19.8
(67.6)
16.7
(62.1)
14.6
(58.3)
14.6
(58.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 16.3
(0.64)
19.9
(0.78)
47.3
(1.86)
67.9
(2.67)
121.1
(4.77)
132.1
(5.20)
103.6
(4.08)
91.2
(3.59)
213.6
(8.41)
224.5
(8.84)
56.6
(2.23)
11.7
(0.46)
1,105.8
(43.54)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 1.6 1.8 3.3 5.0 9.0 9.8 9.5 9.1 13.2 14.4 4.0 1.5 82.2
Average relative humidity (%) 73.7 75.9 77.8 77.2 77.5 77.4 77.5 78.1 81.3 83.2 75.3 70.3 77.1
Mean monthly sunshine hours 229.4 211.9 238.7 204.0 155.0 114.0 117.8 114.7 108.0 145.7 189.0 226.3 2,054.5
Mean daily sunshine hours 7.4 7.5 7.7 6.8 5.0 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.6 4.7 6.3 7.3 5.6
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)(extremes)

Demographics

Pattaya at night
Further information: List of municipalities in Thailand

The municipality has a population of 119,532 residents (2019), while the city ("Greater Pattaya") has a population of 328,961 (2021). Most of these people counted are Thai, with most migrant populations not recognized, although migrant workers are increasingly regularized due to foreign pressure. Some details of the census remain complex, as even indigenous Thais without nationality are not being recognized. Therefore, the census population currently does not represent the total figure.

As with the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, registered population figures issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) hardly capture the scope of the urban transformation that has occurred over time, especially with the economy being dependent on the large numbers of casual Thai workers who work in the city yet remain registered in their hometowns, the employment turnover from and to the capital, as well as seasonal farm migration. Migrant workers from neighboring nations, and many long-term expatriates who reside in the city as retirees, self-employed, or contracted are traditionally not counted. There has never been a reliably published figure for the total population in Pattaya, but its thought to be quite large (on the order of half a million people) given the ubiquity and sheer number of migrant workers. Pattaya additionally has a massive population inflow from short stay tourism, with its 2000 hotels and 136,000 rooms available as of 2015.

Throughout the years, the municipality (Pattaya City) has outgrown its municipal borders (53.5 km²) and now reaches into all neighboring subdistricts (tambon) within the Bang Lamung district, forming the "Pattaya-Bang Lamung-Jomtien" area (727 km²), also known as "Greater Pattaya", though the commonly used term to describe the urban area is simply Pattaya. Changes in population and area size are regularly revised by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning and the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization.

Pattaya is part of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, a conurbation of the urban areas of Chonburi, Si Racha and Pattaya. The total population of this area is 999,092, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the country after Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

A growing community of foreign retirees lives in Pattaya. The Thai Immigration Bureau has a special visa category for foreigners over the age of 50 who wish to retire in Thailand. The city also has a large Indian community, which mainly speaks Tamil.

Physical geography

Pattaya, on the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 160 kilometres (99 mi) south of the city of Bangkok in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

The city of Pattaya is a special municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue (Nongprue) and Na Kluea (Naklua) and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. Bang Lamung township which forms the northern border of Pattaya covers parts of the tambon Bang Lamung (Banglamung), Nong Pla Lai and Takhian Tia. Bang Sare (Bang Saray) is on the southern border of Pattaya.

"Greater Pattaya" occupies most of the coastline of Banglamung (one of the eleven districts that make up Chonburi Province). It is divided into a larger northern section which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach (the most northern beach) and Pattaya Beach (the main beach) plus Phra Tamnak Hill (often called "Buddha Hill" because of the temples on top of the hill) headland immediately south of Pattaya Beach, and a smaller southern section covering the area to the east of Jomtien Beach (directly south of Phra Tamnak Hill).

Beaches and islands

The Pattaya Bay area is one of Asia's largest beach resorts and the second most visited city in Thailand, after Bangkok. This panorama overlooks Bali Hai pier and the core of the city.
Pattaya Beach Road

The main sweep of the bay area is divided into two principal beachfronts. Pattaya Beach lies parallel to the city centre, and runs about 2.7 km long from Pattaya Nuea (North) south along the coast to Pattaya Tai (South) which is the entrance to Walking Street. The beach, which used to be 35 m wide, suffers from erosion and in some places was reduced to a width of only two to three meters. A 429 million baht beach restoration scheme was implemented in 2018. It will take 360,000 m of sand from Ko Rang Kwian offshore to increase the beach width to 50 m.

Without intervention Pattaya will likely see its beaches disappear in roughly ten years according to Chulalongkorn University researchers. Within a month of the completion of the restoration of the first 400 m of Pattaya Beach, the work was "seriously damaged" by flooding. The beach is the first in the country to use imported sand to compensate for coastal erosion. An official said, "...the longer it is left without the flood damage being repaired, the worse it will get."

Pattaya Beach in June 2017

Phra Tamnak Hill is on the south side of Pattaya and is popular for its viewpoints and the temple (Wat Phra Yai) on top of the hill. Pattaya Park and Pattaya tower are at the south end of Phra Tamnak Hill and the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (P.E.A.C.H), is positioned at the north end of Phra Tamnak Hill. In recent years, Phra Tamnak Hill has gained in popularity because of its more natural environment, nicer beaches, and its convenient location between Jomtien and Pattaya city.

Jomtien is divided from Pattaya by Thepprasit Road, the southern route into Pattaya city. It consists of high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, bungalow complexes, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Ko Khram's shore and adjacent islets during a combined amphibious landing force exercise Cobra Gold.

Offshore islands include three "near islands": Ko Lan (main island), Ko Sak, and Ko Krok, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the shore of Pattaya. The "far islands" are Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan, located offshore further west of the "near islands". Ko Rin lies offshore to the south-west, south of Ko Phai group. The names "near islands", "far islands", and "Coral Island" are used for marketing purposes only and do not correspond to any naming conventions of the island groups and are not shown on maritime charts published by the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Thai Navy.

In June 2016, the Regional Environmental Office reported that, "The sea water along the busy central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality and could endanger human and marine life."

Environment

Pattaya Beach sunset

Pattaya produces on the order of 450 tonnes of solid waste per day. The city spends more than 300 million baht on waste removal and disposal annually. On average it pays 1,600 baht to process each tonne of garbage. Significant volumes of rubbish are allegedly dumped into the sea by tour boats.

Flooding in Pattaya in October 2012

In July 2017 Pattaya Beach was fouled for a week by raw sewage that poured out of a storm drain. City officials blamed the incident on broken pumps and Pattaya's poorly maintained sewage-treatment plant. The environmental ministry declared it would step up enforcement of pollution laws and push Pattaya for better wastewater-treatment efficiency. According to the ministry, Pattaya has 1,047 identified sources of sewage and garbage pollution, the number increasing as the city grows.

The sea water along central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality even in the absence of sewage spills and "could endanger human and marine life", the regional environmental office has said. They deemed sea water quality near central Pattaya beaches as "poor" and deteriorating. They judged water quality near Na Klua in North Pattaya, South Pattaya, Ko Lan, and Jomtien Beach as "fairly good". The city has considered expanding two water management plants to increase capacity for better treatment of wastewater prior to discharge into the ocean. The water treatment plant in Soi Wat Nongyai after expansion would be able to treat around 130,000 cubic metres of waste water a day, up from 80,000 cubic metres at present. The expansion was never implemented.

In November 2018, the Pattaya City Council approved 188 million baht for the repair of its six wastewater treatment plants. Installed in 2000, the plants can accommodate 65,000 m of wastewater per day. More than a third of plant equipment was found to be 40–50 percent worn out. The system treats waste from a 36 km portion of Pattaya, or 68 percent of its urban area. Earlier plans to increase treatment capacity to 135,000 m were never implemented and existing plants were allowed to fall into disrepair. Pattaya uses more than 200,000 m of water a day, but claims to only discharge about 70,000 m a day. The discrepancy is unexplained. Once treated, there are no tests to measure water quality before it is dumped back into the sea, which may account for foul water discharges.

Economy

Hotel overlooking Pattaya Bay

Pattaya is at the center of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Investments totaling more than 1.5 trillion baht (US$45 billion) are flowing into EEC infrastructure projects: airports, deep-sea ports, high-speed railways, autoroutes. The result will enhance Pattaya's accessibility. According to the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) the EEC investments, the U-Tapao International Airport and the high-speed train that will link three major airports to Pattaya, will make Pattaya the heart of the eastern region. The TCC view is that, "Plenty of attractions...will lure lots more foreign and domestic tourists in the future." Better connectivity will reduce both the cost and time to travel to Pattaya, with the TCC estimating the number of tourists visiting the EEC region to rise to 46.7 million over the next few years, one and half times the current 29.8 million visitors.

Pattaya projects include developing a tram in the city and building a bigger cruise terminal, as well as new tourist attractions: a water park, an ice dome, cultural markets, Thai boxing gyms, theaters, and conference halls. All are under development. "We aimed to get rid of the previous image of Pattaya and try to promote a new image to show that Pattaya is a place for everyone with diversity of new tourist attractions," said an official of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). He said that the EEC would make Pattaya more competitive compared with other popular Thai beach destinations such as Phuket and Ko Samui, with cheaper transport costs.

Shopping mall in Pattaya
Central Pattaya

Fourteen million visitors in 2018 contributed 239 billion baht to the city's treasury. That represents more than 70% of Pattaya's total income for the year. The city's leadership plans to reduce Pattaya's reliance on tourism to 60% by 2025 by transforming itself into "Neo Pattaya", an international business center. Key to the plans are infrastructure improvements: 9.5 billion baht for flood management projects and upgrading sewage treatment plants to handle 130,000 m of waste per day, up from 67,000 m per day in 2019.

Pattaya's thriving real estate market plays a pivotal role in bolstering the local economy. The continuous growth in the sector, particularly driven by foreign interest in condos, contributes significantly to employment, from construction to property management. Increased property transactions also generate substantial revenue through taxes and fees, further enhancing the city's fiscal health.

During 2020-2022, Pattaya witnessed a limited number of new projects, resulting in high absorption rates. Notably, the second and third quarters of 2023 saw a remarkable uptick in condo launches, significantly elevating sales. In 2023, Pattaya maintained its lead in condo transfers to foreigners, surpassing Bangkok with proportions of 41.7% and 37.5%, respectively. This outperformed the average rates of 30.8% and 48.8% from 2018 to 2022.

Transportation

Central Pattaya; Pattaya 2 Road on left
Road
  1. Via the Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway (Hwy 7). The motorway is linked with Bangkok's Outer Ring Road (Hwy 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.
  2. Via Bang Na-Trat Highway (Hwy 34). From Bang Na, Bang Phli, across the Bang Pakong River to Chonburi there is a Chonburi bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road (Hwy 3), passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.
Rail

A daily service operates on the Eastern Line of the State Railway of Thailand between Pattaya and Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.

Bus

Pattaya is served by bus services from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai), connecting to Pattaya's main bus terminal on Pattaya Nuea (North Pattaya Road) near Sukhumvit Road.

There are two airport bus services. The 389 Bus (airportpattayabus) service connects Pattaya with Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). It uses modern, air-conditioned buses, and takes around 1+1⁄2 hours to reach the airport. The trip from the airport (Level 1 Gate 8 at the Arrival Hall) to the bus terminal in Pattaya, makes three stops at North, Central, and South Pattaya intersections before going to their last drop off point, the office on Thappraya Road (near Jomtien). It can take longer if many hotel stops are negotiated along Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. The other bus service is the Bell Travel Service (Coach 36) which goes from the airport (Level 1 between Gate 7 & 8) to the Pattaya Bell office at the North Pattaya Intersection, and then provides transfers to local hotels.

Buses from a terminal on Sukhumvit Road near Pattaya Klang (near the Central Pattaya intersection) connect Pattaya with many destinations in the north-east region (i.e. Isan).

City and suburban services are mainly provided by songthaew, popularly nicknamed "baht buses" or "blue taxis".

Air

Pattaya is about 120 kilometres (75 mi) by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the country's largest international airport. By road, it is accessed from Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Pattaya is also served by scheduled flights via U-Tapao International Airport (UTP) which is 45-minute drive south of the city.

Boat

A passenger-only ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin began operation on 12 January 2017 and is operated by Royal Passenger Liner. By road, the journey takes five to six hours. The ferry shortens travel time to about two hours, subject to sea conditions. The ferry cruises at 27 knots on the 113 km journey across the Gulf of Thailand with a maximum passenger capacity of 150 persons. Larger ferries carrying up to 260 people may be added to the service later. Ferries capable of carrying vehicles are projected for 2020. In November 2018, Hua Hin deputy chief Chareewat Phramanee confirmed the ferry service, suspended due to low tourist numbers during low season, would be up and running again for high season between Hua Hin and Pattaya, a 2.5-hour journey for 1,250 baht on a catamaran with a maximum capacity of 340.

Pattaya Bay
City Hall

Administration

Subdistrict Villages People
Nong Prue 7 67,846
Na Klua 7 49,129
Nong Pla Lai 3 2,403
Huai Yai 1 154

Pattaya city has been administered under a special autonomous system since 30 October 1978. It has a status comparable to a municipality and is separately administered by the mayor of Pattaya city who is responsible for making policies, organising public services, and supervising the city's workforce for an area that covers 53.4 square kilometers and consists of four subdistricts, 18 villages (muban).

Tourism

Pattaya Park Tower
Wat Khao Phra Bat temple
The Sanctuary of Truth
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

Once a fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R destination for US servicemen stationed at nearby former USAF base at U-Tapao, or other US bases in Thailand during the Vietnam War. In 2018, Pattaya was the 18th most visited city in the world with 9.6 million tourists, and 3rd most in Thailand, after Bangkok (24.1 million) and Phuket (10.5 million).

Festivals

Wonderfruit festival in Pattaya
  • Chinese New Year (varies from late January to early February) is celebrated by Pattaya's large Thai-Chinese community with dragons parades, lion dances, and fireworks.
  • Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of March. It attracts huge crowds to the different stages along Beach Road and Bali Hai Pier, and presents several styles of music performed by Thai and international artists.
  • The Pattaya Songkran festival, locally called Wan Lai, takes place each year in mid-April. It differs from most other Songkran festivals of Thailand in several aspects. It lasts several days longer and, besides water fights, the event includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks, and water sports competitions.
  • Top of the Gulf Regatta is a week-long sailing event held at the end of April, beginning of May.
  • The Miss Tiffany Universe beauty pageant is held mid-May each year. During the four-day pageant, transgender models vie for first place with the final evening broadcast live on Thai TV for an audience of, on average, 15 million.
  • Pattaya Marathon, featuring several race categories, is held each year in July.
  • Pattaya Classical Guitar Festival, held annually on the last weekend of October, organized by the Thailand Guitar Society, Pattaya People Media Group, and Siam Bayshore Pattaya.
  • Loi Krathong, a light festival held during the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar and which usually falls in November, is celebrated in Pattaya, as in the rest of the country, that evening with people floating krathongs (small, candle-lit floats made from elaborately folded banana leaves) on the waters, as well as releasing khom loi (candle-fired hot air balloons) into the night sky.
  • Every November Pattaya hosts Miss International Queen, a yearly international pageant for transgender persons and transsexuals. In 2007 the event drew an estimated 25 million viewers on national TV.

Nightlife

Walking Street, Pattaya

Pattaya has derived part of its reputation as a tourist destination due to the sex industry and the resulting nightlife, and this notoriety has influenced the city's evolution in many ways. Prostitution in Thailand is technically illegal but tolerated in most cities, including Pattaya. The city's vast numbers of host bars, gogo bars, massage parlours, saunas, and hourly hotels, serve foreign tourists as well as locals. This is especially prominent on Walking Street as well as other areas around the city. Efforts have been made to clean up the city's image.

An article in the British tabloid the Daily Mirror have described Pattaya as "the world's sex capital", a "modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah". This provoked anger from government officials as high up as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch, the Pattaya police superintendent, denied that Pattaya is a sex trade paradise. Upset about the British media's stories, he insisted they were fabricated. "There is no such thing as prostitution in Pattaya," said Col Apichai. "Where did they get the figure of 27,000 sex workers in Pattaya? Anyone can make up this information....Thai ladies having sex with foreigners is their personal issue. If they like each other, I don't see anything wrong with what they do behind closed doors." In response, Pattaya social worker Surang Janyam, the director of Service Workers IN Group Foundation, said that estimated number of Pattaya prostitutes published in the Daily Mirror is inaccurate: "27,000 sex workers in Pattaya is way too low. We have a lot more sex workers than that." In June 2019, over twenty high ranking Police, Army and Local government officers toured Pattaya and reported the central streets safe and free from illegal activities.

Transgender cabaret performers, Pattaya

As evidence of the government's commitment to clean up Pattaya, on 26 February 2017 at 20:00, 60 police officers and soldiers raided Pattaya's notorious Soi 6 to check for violations of the law. When the checks were completed, police announced that all licenses were in order and there was no law breaking of any kind, including prostitution, taking place there.

Pattaya also has Asia's largest gay scene based around Boyztown, the Jomtien Complex, and Sunee Plaza. The city is also famous for its flamboyant kathoey cabaret shows where transgender entertainers perform to packed houses.

Crime

In recent years, Pattaya has served as a hideaway for foreigners with connections to organized crime in their home countries, and dozens have been murdered in gang-related disputes.

People who visit the Pattaya area may encounter petty crime, usually limited to pickpocketing and confidence tricks, particularly in and around major tourist areas such as Jomtien and Pattaya Beaches and on the "baht buses". A special Tourist Police division has been established to aid tourists who are victims of crime. The 2009 British eight-episode TV documentary Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand described crimes involving tourists in Pattaya.

On 11 April 2009, Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in the areas of Pattaya and Chonburi, in response to Red Shirt anti-government protesters breaking into the conference center of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort hotel complex, the site of an ASEAN Summit. The meeting was immediately cancelled and Asian leaders were evacuated, some by helicopter.

Law

In 2019, the International Thai Foundation ('ITF') established a Community Legal Centre in Soi Bua Kao, Pattaya. Its objectives are to promote education, protect human rights & relieve poverty for the people in Thailand. This is the third CLC in Thailand Pro Bono Community Hub in Chiang Mai.

Media and communications

Several local foreign-language newspapers and magazines are published either weekly or monthly, especially in English, Russian, and German. The English-language newspapers include the Pattaya Mail and Pattaya People. The Pattaya News is an online portal that writes the local news in six languages. DER FARANG is a German-language newspaper published every 14 days. Thailands Tidende is a Norwegian-language newspaper published monthly.

In popular media

The novel Platform by French author Michel Houellebecq prominently features the city of Pattaya as well as its nightlife.

The GMMTV Boys' Love (BL) series Moonlight Chicken (2023) is set in Pattaya.

Education

International schools in Pattaya:

  • École francophone de Pattaya
  • International School of Chonburi
  • Tara Pattana International School
  • Rugby School Thailand
  • Mooltripakdee International School Pattaya
  • Hastin International School

The Thai-Japanese Association School Sriracha, a Japanese international school, is in nearby Si Racha. It is an affiliate of the Thai-Japanese Association School in Bangkok. Si Racha formerly housed the Sriracha-Pattaya Japanese Supplement School, a Japanese weekend school.

Twin towns and sister cities

Pattaya has agreements with the following sister cities

See also

Notes

  1. Thai: พัทยา, RTGSPhatthaya, pronounced [pʰát.tʰā.jāː]

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External links

Official website

City Municipalities of Thailand
Special Governed Cities
City Municipalities
(thesaban nakhon)
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