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Pattaya

History

Pattaya's name evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi. This took place before the fall of the former capital to the Burmese invaders in 1767.

When his army arrived at the vicinity of what is now Pattaya, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom, who tried to intercept him. When the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline. He then surrendered without a fight. The place the two armies confronted each other was called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of the Phraya. This was later changed to Phatthaya, which happens to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Today the city is officially know as Pattaya.

For centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village. But a change occurred on April 26, 1961, when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who were fighting in the Vietnam War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. From this beginning, Pattaya became a popular beach resort which now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Fishermen's huts along the beach were replaced by resort hotel and shopping malls. Fishing vessels were adapted to become tourist boats.

Demographics

The city (Mueang) had 104,318 registered inhabitants in 2007. But like Bangkok Metropolis, that figure excludes the large number of people who work in Pattaya but remain registered in their hometowns, and many long-term expatriate 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.

Geography

Pattaya, located off the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 145 km south of the city of Bangkok, surrounded by Bang Lamung District.

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 Sali is on the southern border of Pattaya.

"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.

Administration

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.

Climate

Pattaya has 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).

Beaches and islands

thumb|center|800px 150px|thumb|right|Pattaya along the beach right|150px|thumb|Pattaya Beach at sunset.
The main sweep of the bay area is divided into two principal beachfronts. Pattaya Beach is parallel to city centre, and is the main destination for bathers and loungers with the section from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor forming part of the core of the town's restaurants, motorcycle hire, and night attractions.
Jomtien Beach () in the southern part of the bay area is divided from Pattaya beach by the promontry of Pratumnak Hill, just south of the city, and is mainly a residential area with luxury developments, beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants. It offers of watersport activities such as jet skis, parasailing and small sail boat hire. A proposed 91-floor Ocean One Tower ("O1") with an overall height of 367 meters, would be the tallest building in Thailand and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world.. The Jomtien district is the location of one of the largest resorts in Asia, the 4000+ room Ambassador City Jomtien.

Offshore islands include Mu Ko Larn (หมู่เกาะล้าน) , the "Near Islands", Ko Larn (main island), Ko Sak and Ko Krok located 7.5 km from the western shores of Pattaya Ko Larn (), or "Coral Island", Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่), the "Far Islands", Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands", and Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai. Most of the islands in the group are accessible by speedboat in less than 15 minutes and by ferry taking about 45 minutes. The names "Near Islands", "Far Islands" and "Coral Island" are used for touristic 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. Many of the islands have tourist beaches and offer scuba diving activities.

Transportation

Road

By the Bangkok-Chonburi-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 Chonburi there is a Chonburi’s bypass that meets Sukhumvit Road., (Highway No. 3, passing Bang Saen Beach, Bang Phra to Pattaya.

City roads

Pattaya 1 Road ("Beach Road"): this street runs parallel to the beach

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.

Tappraya Road: this street connects Pattaya 2 to Jomtien Road.

Thepprasit Road: this street connects Tappraya Road to Sukhumvit Road.

Rail
A daily service operates between Pattaya and Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.

Bus
Intercity transport is usually through one of two bus stations, one for Bangkok and one for other destinations. Pattaya is served by frequent bus services from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekhamai). Busses from Pattaya serve nearby provincial towns and direct long distance routes serve many provincial capitals.
City and suburban services are mainly provided by Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle), popularly nick-named "baht-buses" or "taxis". A public bus service began in 2006.
Taxis
A metered taxi service began in late 2007, and new U.S.-style air-conditioned pick-up trucks operate for private hire from many hotel car-parks. Motorcycle taxis generally operate in the town and suburbs, and are mainly used by locals for short distances.
Air
Pattaya is about 1½ hours, or 120 km by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Bangkok international hub. By road, it is accessed from Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Pattaya is also served through U-Tapao International Airport which is 45 minutes drive from the city.

Tourist Destinations

Attractions

thumb|right|150 px|The Wat Khao Phra Bat [[Thai temple art and architecture|temple overlooking Pattaya Bay features a Buddha statue more than 18 meters tall.]]
thumb|left|Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden 222px|thumb|right|Pattaya Park Tower.222px|thumb|right|Birds Eye View, from Pattaya Park Tower, Pattaya city.thumb|right|222 px|The Sanctuary of Truth.
Once a fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R destination during the Vietnam War and developed into a family-orientated seaside destination. The Tourist Authority of Thailand claims 5,338,000 visitors for 2005 (up 6.5% from 2004), of which two-thirds were from abroad. Foreign tourism to Thailand as a whole in 2005 amounted to 11.5 million visitors.

Activities include playing golf (21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya,) go-cart racing, and visiting different theme parks and zoos such as the Elephant Village, where demonstrations of training methods and ancient ceremonial re-enactments are performed daily. The private Sri Racha Tiger Zoo features tigers, alligators, and other animals in daily shows. The Vimantaitalay tourist submarine offers underwater trips underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden about 15 kilometers south of Pattaya is a site of botanical gardens and an orchid nursery where cultural shows with trained chimpanzees and elephants are presented.

Other attractions in Pattaya include The Million Years Stone Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park, Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya (world class aquarium), the Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya (cultural show), Bottle Art Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and Underwater World (อันเดอร์วอเตอร์ เวิลด์), an aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand including sharks and stingrays. Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat (เขาพระตำหนัก หรือ เขาพระบาท) is a small hill located between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach that provides a panoramic view of the city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. The hill is topped by Wat Khao Phra Bat, a temple, and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regared as the “founding father of the modern Thai navy.” The Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม) is a large wooden structure constructed in 1981 by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, that was conceived from the vision that human civilization has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.

Mini Siam (เมืองจำลองพัทยา) is a miniature model village which celebrates the heritages of Thailand with replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, and Prasat Hin Phimai. Models of the Tower Bridge of London,Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called “mini world." Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร) is a temple constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and later supported by His Majesty the King. Within the compound of the temple are a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, and a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha.

Activities

Bungee Jump
Bungee jumping is provided in Jomtien Beach.
Leisure flying
Sport and leisure flying and lessons are available.
Horse Riding
There are several facilities that provide training in riding, cross-country jumping and polo.
Motor Sports racing
There are facilities which provide a cart circuit with separate lanes for professionals and amateurs.
Fitness and sports
Artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash, tennis court, etc., are offered at several locations.
Spa
Many kinds of massage are available including Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.
Diving
A popular destination in Pattaya for diving is the wreck of the Hardeep 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 the islands of Ko Rin, Ko Lan, Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang, Ko Khrok, Ko Sak, and the wrecks of HTMS Khram and HTMS Kut.
Food specialities
Local culinary specialities include Chaeng Lon, a hand molded, charcoal-grilled small bun of coconut on a stick, Hoi Cho, a Chinese delicacy, is Chonburi's famous dish that uses a special kind of sea crab as the main ingredient, and Khao Lam, a specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo tubes. Chonburi has an abundance of fresh seafood and dried fruits. Due to the large number of residents from (Isaan), north-eastern dishes such as Spicy Papaya Salad (Somtum) and Spicy Sour Chopped Pork Salad (Larb) are widely available.

Nightlife

The city and its suburbs have a very large number of bars, night clubs and discotheques, massage parlors, and hourly hotels. Major hotels also operate restaurants, cocktail lounges, discothèques, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer food, drinks, music and international entertainment. The Walking Street, a pedestrian area near the beach is the main concentration of Pattaya's nightlife that has contributed to the city's reputation as a major destination for sex tourism. Boyztown and Sunee Plaza provide locations for the gay community. Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches aimed at tourists can be seen at several open-air beer bar complexes.

Events & Festivals

The Pattaya Songkran festival that takes place each year on 18-19 April differs from the rest of Thailand in several aspects. The event includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks, and water sports competition.

Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of March. On different stages, a bandwagon presents several styles of music performed by Thai and international artists.

Creative Arts

Western creative arts increase concomitant with the rise the number of expat residents. There are several art galleries, and the Pattaya Players, a troupe of amateur thespians established in January 2008 provides a variety of theatrical productions .
thumb|A restaurant in central Pattaya.

Property

Driven by its popularity as both a holiday destination, and a location Western expatriates, Pattaya is an area of extensive property development, especially hotels, condominiums, and housing estates. Steadily rising prices of land and buildings have also led to investment and speculation contributing to growth the town's economy.

Health Care

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

Populace

Most of the officially registered Pattaya residents are of Thai-Chinese ancestry. However, due to the tourist industry, many people from the north-east (known as Isaan, it is the poorest region of Thailand) have come to work in Pattaya. For this reason, it is not uncommon to hear the Isaan dialect (similar to Laotian).

Media and communications

Several local foreign language newspapers and magazines are published either daily, weekly, or monthly, especially in English and German. The English newspapers include the Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Today, and Pattaya Times. Cable television provides many foreign language programs, as well as local news from Pattaya in English. The official Thailand Survival Guide Pattaya Edition offers further information and contains a directory of more than 16,000 businesses in Pattaya. Landline telephones, satellite phones, mobile phone systems, internet access (via ADSL), post offices and parcel services are all available in the city.