Pattaya is 147 kms 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-driving 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, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant
nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, nigh clubs, bars,
discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.
Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers everything
and authentic international beach resort can.
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.
