Eastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east, Northeastern Thailand in the north, and central Thailand on the west.
59-619: Pattaya 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] )
118-451: A combined economic output of 3,026 trillion baht (US$ 97.6 billion), or 18.5 percent of Thailand's GDP. Rayong province had an economic output of 1.045 trillion baht (US$ 33.7 billion). This amounted to a per-capita Gross Provincial Product (GPP) value of 1,067,449 baht (US$ 34,434), almost double the GPP per-capita of the three following provinces in the ranking. The main language of Eastern Thailand
177-656: 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
236-569: A dozen beer bars, a few restaurants, and only one hotel. Additional services includes small shops, hairdressing salons, taxi services, travel agencies, and a few restaurants. The main reasons for closing gay institutions in Pattaya: The police for conducting expeditious checks regularly Sunee Plaza institutions. In July, 2008, July, 2010 and March, 2013 during raids underage males involved in gogo bars as dancers were found. During raid in July, 2008 one of
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
354-426: 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
413-602: A part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering in total around 6,100 km . The total forest parent area is 8,205 km (3,168 sq mi) or 22.4 percent of this eastern region area (incl. Nakhon Nayok province). Mu Ko Chang National Park in Trat province includes 85 per cent of Thailands second largest island Ko Chang. The beaches on the western coast of Ko Chang have been excluded from
472-469: 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,
531-403: 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,
590-415: 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
649-522: Is Central Thai but regional languages are also common. Krungthep dialect, the dominant variant , is spoken among Thai Chinese communities, the Eastern Economic Corridor EEC (such as in Chonburi , Siracha , Pattaya , Padriew , Bangpakong etc.). Thee dialect from Prachinburi Province is quite similar to tthe Ayutthaya dialect, the traditional working-class dialect of Bangkok , and
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#1732851837399708-498: 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
767-427: 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
826-474: 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
885-641: 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
944-502: 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
1003-496: 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
1062-416: Is technically illegal but tolerated in most cities, including Pattaya. The city's vast numbers of host bars , gogo bars , massage parlours , saunas , and hourly hotels, serve foreign tourists as well as locals. This is especially prominent on Walking Street as well as other areas around the city. Efforts have been made to clean up the city's image. Eastern Thailand Eastern Thailand lies between
1121-500: 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
1180-465: 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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#17328518373991298-633: The Bang Pakong River system. Fruit is a major component of agriculture in the area, and tourism plays a strong part in the economy. The region's coastal location has helped promote eastern seaboard industrial development, a major factor in the economy of the region. Islands off Eastern Thailand's coast include Ko Sichang , Ko Lan , Ko Samet , and Ko Chang . Within the eastern region there are some eight national parks . Pang Sida National Park covering 844 km in Sa Kaeo province, it constitutes
1357-708: The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and Royal Forest Department (RFD) also include province Nakhon Nayok in the Eastern region. Note: Population is based on "Statistics, population and house statistics for the year 2019" from Registration Office Department of the Interior. Reference date is 31 December 2019. Area is based on "Thailand boundary from Department of Provincial Administration. For fiscal year 2018, Eastern Thailand Region had
1416-640: The Sankamphaeng Range , which forms a natural border with the Khorat Plateau to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The geography of the region is characterised by short mountain ranges (collectively grouped under the Chanthaburi Range ) alternating with small basins of short rivers which drain into the Gulf of Thailand. Between the Chanthaburi and Sankamphaeng mountains lies the basin of
1475-463: 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
1534-629: 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
1593-456: 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
1652-506: 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
1711-619: 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
1770-730: The Rayong and the Chantaburi dialects are quite similar to the Suphanburi dialect, another dialect in Central Thailand. Isan has a minority status in Eastern Thailand and is spoken usaully in the eastern part of Prachinburi and the upper part of Sa Kaeo Province . It this is the same variant as the Khonkaen dialect (Standard Lao language). Khmer language in Eastern Thailand is spoken mostly by
1829-541: 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
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1888-538: 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
1947-647: 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
2006-638: 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
2065-544: 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
2124-580: 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
2183-554: 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
2242-452: The buildings in the plaza are owned by Madame Sunee, a Thai national, and are leased to the various businesses. In the past, Sunee Plaza had been referred to as "the heart of the extreme city."; however in recent years, the Plaza hosts only a few bars. As of 2019, Most of the gay life in Pattaya has now relocated to Jomtien Complex . The first gay bar at Sunee Plaza was open in 1996 and carried
2301-424: 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
2360-619: 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
2419-430: 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
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2478-503: 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
2537-407: 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
2596-403: 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
2655-415: 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
2714-525: The name Crazy Pub. Soon behind it Sunee Plaza Bar opened, as did Topman Nightclub, the first gogo bar. In 2010 in Sunee Plaza more than 50 institutions focused on LGBT including beer bars, go-go bars , host bars cafes, restaurants and budget hotels. Sunee Plaza at that time boasted the largest collection of gay venues in one location in Thailand. As of 2019, the quantity of gay establishments in Sunee Plaza has decreased significantly. Now there are fewer than
2773-491: The national park for reason of facilitating the tourism industry. Mu Ko Samet National Park in Rayong province is just 6 km long by 3 km wide with beaches covered with some of the finest white sand in the country. According to the six geographical regions established by the National Research Council of Thailand, the eastern region includes seven provinces. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD),
2832-522: 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
2891-633: 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
2950-558: 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
3009-452: The older generation in Chantaburi and has become endangered . 13°27′N 101°36′E / 13.450°N 101.600°E / 13.450; 101.600 Sunee Plaza Sunee Plaza is an area in Pattaya known for gay nightlife . It is just off Soi V.C., which intersects Second Road in south Pattaya. It is built around two parallel streets, with a cross-linking street. All
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#17328518373993068-407: 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
3127-500: 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
3186-521: 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
3245-580: 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
3304-498: 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
3363-427: 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
3422-417: 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,
3481-541: 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
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