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59-520: After being stabbed with an ancient Tibetan amulet and having escaped to hospital, a Bangkok firefighter named Chan is transformed into a superhero when his body becomes a massive heat source, which he learns to manipulate to give him super strength, increased agility and the ability to make great leaps. Chan's fate is entwined with an Afghan terrorist, Osama bin Ali, who wants the power of the Tibetan amulet to use in

118-658: 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. 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). The municipality has

177-641: A fight against Pernilla Johansson at Rumble of the Kings in Stockholm , Sweden, and won by decision. In 2010, Nong Toom opened a boxing camp, Parinya Muay Thai, in Pranburi , Thailand, which she owned and operated with American actor-writer Steven Khan. As of 2011, she was teaching Muay Thai and aerobics to children at the Baan Poo Yai School. Her story is related in the 2003 film Beautiful Boxer in which she

236-401: A foreigner, as well as her trip to Japan to fight a Japanese challenger, kept her in the news. By the autumn of 1998, there was little coverage of Nong Toom to be found in either the mainstream or boxing media. In 1999, Nong Toom caused considerable publicity by announcing her retirement from kick boxing, her intention to become a singer, and her plan to undergo sex reassignment surgery . She

295-523: A large Indian community , which mainly speaks Tamil. 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

354-427: 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." Phra Tamnak Hill is on the south side of Pattaya and is popular for its viewpoints and

413-469: 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,

472-692: A plot to destroy the United States. With his international terrorist organization, led by henchwoman Areena, Osama kidnaps Chan's mother and sister (played by famed transgender Thai kickboxer Parinya Kiatbusaba ) and takes them to the Royal Thai Navy base, where he hopes to launch a rocket at a US Navy chemical weapon ship. Osama also has suicide bombers spread out throughout Thailand, stationed in American franchises in Thailand, ready to act on his word. Aided by

531-404: 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,

590-419: 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

649-553: A victory in Bangkok 's Lumpini Boxing Stadium , the centre of the Muay Thai world. The Thai media were intrigued by the novelty and incongruity of a makeup-wearing 16-year-old kathoey defeating and then kissing a larger, more muscular opponent. Although the Thai government had previously blocked kathoeys from participating in the national volleyball team for fear of negative reaction from

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708-611: 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 , RTGS :  Mueang Phatthaya , pronounced [mɯ̄a̯ŋ pʰát.tʰā.jāː] )

767-498: 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

826-427: 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. A passenger-only ferry service from Pattaya to Hua Hin began operation on 12 January 2017 and

885-474: 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. 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

944-590: 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. The name Pattaya evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin ) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi , which took place before

1003-504: 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

1062-497: 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

1121-502: 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

1180-466: 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. 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

1239-546: 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

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1298-467: 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). 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

1357-493: The colloquial name Nong Toom or Nong Tum , is a Thai boxer, former muay Thai (Thai boxing) champion, model and actress . She is a kathoey (ladyboy), a Thai word referring to what is often considered a distinct gender in Thailand and elsewhere generally considered to be gender-nonconforming men or transgender women. At the age of 18, she underwent sex reassignment surgery . Her public life began in February 1998, with

1416-573: 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

1475-458: 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

1534-508: 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

1593-621: 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

1652-541: 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

1711-538: 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

1770-651: 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

1829-639: 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". Pattaya

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1888-545: 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

1947-584: 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

2006-557: 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'. 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

2065-427: The busy central Pattaya beaches is of poor quality and could endanger human and marine life." 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. In July 2017 Pattaya Beach

2124-619: 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

2183-430: 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

2242-506: 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

2301-407: 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

2360-405: 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 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

2419-416: 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 ). 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

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2478-522: 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

2537-634: 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

2596-561: 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

2655-409: 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

2714-501: 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

2773-522: The previous [seedy] 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. Fourteen million visitors in 2018 contributed 239 billion baht to

2832-550: The rest of the world, the Muay Thai establishment embraced Nong Toom, and tourism officials promoted her as "indicative of the wonders to be found" in Thailand. Muay Thai had been in a several-year slump at the time, and Nong Toom had revitalised both media and public interest in the sport, as shown by increased ticket sales and stadium revenue. She was profiled in several magazines, and appeared in many Thai music videos . Subsequently, her public profile began to fade, but her bouts with

2891-518: The scenery, such as "Spidy how R U?" Arnon Saisangchan (Osama bin Ali), is the lead singer of the Thai rock band Blackhead . Known as Phu Blackhead, he sings the song heard over the closing credits. Parinya Kiatbusaba Parinya Charoenphol (born 9 June 1981) ( Thai : ปริญญา เจริญผล ; RTGS :  parinya charoenphon ), nicknamed Toom , also known by the stage name Parinya Kiatbusaba and

2950-582: 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. A daily service operates on the Eastern Line of the State Railway of Thailand between Pattaya and Hualumphong Station in Bangkok. Pattaya

3009-499: 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

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3068-427: 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). 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

3127-521: The three-round fight, leaving her rival with a cut near his eye from an elbow in the last round. Nong Toom was planning another exhibition bout for sometime in 2006 with a female boxer Lucia Rijker , who portrayed the lethal "Blue Bear" in the film Million Dollar Baby . In October 2007 Nong Toom had her first fight as a woman versus Jorina Baars in Arnhem, the Netherlands. On 31 May 2008 Nong Toom had

3186-582: The young female guardian of the amulet, Chan rescues his mother and sister. However, he must face Areena, who has stabbed herself with a companion amulet, giving her the powers of extreme cold and ice. Similar to Ong-Bak , which was also choreographed by Panna Rittikrai and produced by Prachya Pinkaew , Mercury Man contains "shout outs" to Western films. References to Spider-Man are seen throughout Mercury Man , in dialogue, in Spider-Man T-shirts worn by extras and through spray-painted messages in

3245-550: Was also included in Julina Khusaini's National Geographic documentary Hidden Genders (2003). She had a prominent role in the 2006 superhero film - action film Mercury Man , playing the title character's transgender sibling and demonstrating her kickboxing prowess on the villains. In 2006, she appeared as a guest star on SBS television series World Record Pizza and Rallarsving in Sweden . Pattaya Pattaya

3304-417: 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,

3363-498: 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. 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

3422-450: Was initially turned down by some of the Bangkok surgeons she turned to, but was able to undergo sex reassignment surgery in 1999 at Yanhee International Hospital . On 26 February 2006, Nong Tum made her comeback as boxer. She fought an exhibition match for Fairtex Gym's new Pattaya branch (re-dubbed Nong Toom Fairtex Gym) by fighting a 140-pound contest against Japan's Kenshiro Lookchaomaekhemthong. Nong Toom won by unanimous decision after

3481-570: Was portrayed by male kickboxer Asanee Suwan. The film won several national and international awards, yet opened to limited success in Thailand. The film's director, Ekachai Uekrongtham , also wrote the solo performance Boxing Cabaret for Nong Toom which she performed in the summer of 2005 at the Singapore Arts Festival and later in Bangkok. Nong Toom's life as a kathoey is also part of the book Ladyboys: The Secret World of Thailand's Third Gender by Maverick House Publishers. Her story

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