Pattaya is situated approximately 147kms to the southeast of Bangkok, facing the Thai Gulf. It is one of Asia's premier beach resorts, with its tropical wet and dry climate, and a host of recreational activities including, golf, game fishing and scuba-diving. Theme and amusement parks, museums and lush botanical gardens make it a great family destination. Pattaya offers a vibrant nightlife with a variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.
Fifty years ago, this was a sleepy little fishing village, dwarfed by her neighbors Na Klua and Rayong. Since the 13th century, Pattaya has been a resting place for the armies of King Narai during his campaign to overthrow the Burmese invaders. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, Thailand supported the American efforts by providing rest and recreation to the American troops in Pattaya. This sparked the idea of Pattaya as an excellent holiday destination.
With more than 35,000 hotel rooms available in Pattaya in 2005, this city has flourished, thanks to its booming tourism industry. Although acquiring a reputation for its sex tourism, there has been a huge increase in family tourism. Jomtien Beach is a popular destination for family vacationers and water-sports enthusiasts. To get away from it all, the small island of Ko Lan is accessible by speedboat or the ferry service. Families from Russia and Eastern Europe form the majority of the tourism. The city also has a large expatriate population because the city offers a low cost living and an evident western infrastructure that includes modern hospitals, malls, and fast-food restaurants. |
