Pattaya
Information 
Introduction 
Pattaya is 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, and faces the
Thai Gulf. It is Asia's premier beach resort, and caters with
equal appeal to families, couples and single visitors.
Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambience is synonymous with every
ingredient for memorable holidays.
Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed backside hotels
with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses.
Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include
some of the finest golfing, game fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere
in Asia.
Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical
gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural
entertainment for all family members.
And after dark, Pattayaoffers all the allure and magic of
a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants,
night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.
Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers
everything and authentic international beach resort can.
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Pattaya History
Fifty years ago Pattaya was a sleepy little fishing village, dwarfed
by her neighbors to the North, Na Klua, to the South, Rayong.
Its only claim to fame being that it had, in the 13th century,
been a resting place for the battle forces of the great King Narai
during his campaign to oust the Burmese invaders. From that overnight
bivouac, Pattaya derives its name. Then came the Vietnam war and
incursion of more benign foreign troops. Thailand supported the
American efforts in the area! providing bases, manned by thousands
of young
America requiring rest and recreation.
How is it possible to fix the date of an historical
trend? Whilst Pattaya had achieved some popularity with a few
adventurous souls who braved the rough road from Bangkok to take
advantage of the crystal waters, great diving and soon following
them, beach bars and restaurants, let us take the time when, on
the 29th June 1959, four or five transport trucks loaded with
American G.I.'s arrived in the village of Pattaya on leave from
their base at Nakhon Ratchasima. On arrival in Pattaya they rented
houses belonging to Phraya Sunthorn which were along the southern
end of Pattaya Beach, now know as the "Strip". The marines
stayed for about a week and returned to base. Having had a great
time in Pattaya With the friendly residents, they spread the word.
A new group of marines kept arriving periodically and the village
geared up to cater to their every need. This can be considered
as the birth of Pattaya as a tourist resort.
Pattaya continued to grow in popularity at such
a rate with both Thai and foreign tourists, that the local government
could not cope with the administration. Administrative and infrastructure
combination with Na Klua, took place in 1976 and the government
promulgated the Pattaya City Act in 1978, there by joining Na
Klua and Pattaya to form the fifth local government municipality.
Thus was Pattaya City born, and thus, with an ever - increasing
influx of visitors and residents from the burgeoning surrounding
industrial estates, has she developed into what she is today.
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Major Events
Lai Festival 
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April comes.
People of old were wise enough to initiate the Songkran festival
to cool themselves off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai
New Year. In the central region, the festival is usually held
on the 13th, l4th and 15th of April while in the East there is
a difference as the water throwing activities commence on the
l6th or 17th, 18th or 19th known as "Wan Lai" (Flowing
Day).
Pattaya City holds its Wan Lai festival annually on April 19th
with activities such as water pouring for the elders, processions
and the fun of dowsing and another with water, a time for Thais
and foreigners alike.
Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and Pattaya's
reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the streets. The Miss
Pattaya Beauty contest is held as well as traditional aquatic
sports competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular
fireworks display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are
also set off. Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances,
exhibitions and souvenirs for sale,
Chonburi Buffalo Races
is held in Chon Buri during October every year. The water buffalo
is one of the mainstays in the life of
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