Pattaya, Thailand
เมืองพัทยา
Pattaya is a city of 116,417 people in Chon Buri, Thailand.
Why visit Pattaya
Townapedia lists 19 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 214 places to eat, 55 places to stay and 24 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Wong Amat Beach, Jomtien, Sanctuary of Truth and Pattaya Sai Nueng Road.
Weather in Pattaya
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Eastern Thailand, the largest city in Chonburi province and the eighth-largest city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 kilometres (93 mi) southeast of Bangkok, and has a population of 351,391 as of 2025.
From the Wikipedia article Pattaya (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Pattaya on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Photos of Pattaya
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Things to do24
Underwater World Pattaya
Zoo and aquarium · 4.3 km
22/22 Moo 11 Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya
Mo-Su 09:00-18:00
12 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks19
Art in Paradise
Museum · 1.8 km
78/34 Pattaya Sai Song Rd,
Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
Parody Art Museum
Museum · 2.4 km
The world's first Museum of parody.
159/119 พัทยาเหนือ, Chonburi
Admiral Prince Klom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak Monument
Monument and historic site · 2.3 km
7 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Fun Ball Family
Playground
4 этаж. Игровая комната, с надувными батутами. Мягкий комплекс для безопасности детей. Вход 150 бат/ребёнок/день. Родители бесплатно.
Mo-Su 11:00-21:30
Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom
Park · 4.3 km
Sukhumvit Rd.
Mo-Su 09:00 - 18:00
Pattaya Boxing World
Sports field and stadium · 3.7 km
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes214
Restaurant Pelmeni Club Pattaya
Restaurant · Kebab, Chicken, Asian, Ice Cream, Thai, International, Coffee Shop · 2.8 km
"Ресторан “Пельмени Клаб” это сочетание русских традиций, качественной кухни, высокого сервиса и домашнего уюта. Мы любим, когда в...
157/35 นาเกลือ 16/2, Pattaya
Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
BRU Coffee & Bar
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Dessert, Cake, Pastry, Wine, Beer, Spirits, Salad · 3.2 km
236/5 Pornpranimit, Pattaya
Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
Caffè di Roma
Cafe · Italian, Coffee Shop, Breakfast, Dessert, Pastry, Sandwich, Pasta · 0.8 km
111/269 Soi Buakhao
Mo-Su 09:00-18:00
Somtum Baan Pattaya
Restaurant · Thai · 2.5 km
ส้มตำบ้านสวน พัทยา ส้มตำบ้านสวนพัทยา เราอยากให้เป็นที่ซึ่งทุกคนมาแล้วประทับใจ ทั้งรสชาติอาหาร และบรรยากาศ โดยเฉพาะส้มตำ ประเภทต่างๆ...
219/52 สุขุมวิท พัทยา, Pattaya
Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
Italiani Bistro
Restaurant · Italian, European, Coffee Shop, Breakfast, Pasta, Salad, Pizza, Tea, Dessert, Soup, Bistro · 1.0 km
245/67 Pattaya 3rd Road
Mo-Su 10:00-23:00
202 more on the map.
History
The name Pattaya evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi, which took place before 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 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 potential of investing in Pattaya and donated some land to the governing administration. Pattaya City Hall would later be constructed on this land.
Read more of the history
A fishing village until 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
From the History section of Pattaya on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Pattaya
Economy
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 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 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.
Arts and culture
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 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).
Education
The Thai-Japanese Association School Sriracha, a Japanese international school, is in nearby Si Racha. It is an affiliate of the Thai-Japanese Association School in Bangkok. Si Racha formerly housed the Sriracha-Pattaya Japanese Supplement School, a Japanese weekend school.
From the Wikipedia article Pattaya, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Pattaya
Somkiat ChantraThai motorcycle racerPhoto: Denkmit, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sudsakorn Sor KlinmeekickboxerPhoto: Jalma31, CC BY-SA 4.0
Narakorn KhanaThai footballerPhoto: www.thai-fussball.com, CC BY 3.0
Rambaa SomdetThai martial artistPhoto: Marcotrogu1977, CC BY-SA 4.0- Nattasha NauljamThai actress
- Siripon KaewduangngamThai windsurfer
- Natthaphong PhonoppharatThai windsurfer
- Jack LemvardThai racing driver (born 1984)
Born in Pattaya, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay55
MANJILAND Luxury Pool Villa Pattaya Walking Street
Motel and hotel · 2.4 km
469/57 Moo 10, Soi Pattaya Land,, Pattaya
Grande Centre Point Pattaya
Motel and hotel · 1.9 km
456, 777, 777/1 พัทยาเหนือ ซอย6, Na Kluea, Bang Lamung, Pattaya
Sailor Hotel Pattaya
Motel and hotel · 1.8 km
488 13 Nongprue, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Adelphi
Motel and hotel · 0.6 km
390/14 Moo 9 Pattaya Sai 3 Road, Soi Chalamprakiat 21, Nongprue, Banglamung, Pattaya Central, Chon Buri, 20150, Thailand
Churches and places of worship15
Masjid Darul-Ibadah Pattaya City Thailand
Place of worship · 1.9 km
ถนนสุขุมวิท, เมืองพัทยา
Shopping108
Gas and EV charging23
Schools, colleges and libraries21
Healthcare55
Map of Pattaya
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
U-Tapao - Pattaya International airport (UTP) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 31 km away.
- Ban Ko Lan 10 km west, about 10 min by car
- Bang Lamung 14 km north, about 14 min by car
- Laem Chabang 17 km north, about 17 min by car
- Ban Talat Bueng 20 km northeast, about 20 min by car
- Si Racha 27 km north, about 27 min by car
- Sattahip 30 km south, about 30 min by car
- Ban Chang 30 km southeast, about 30 min by car
- Chon Buri 49 km north, about 49 min by car
- Rayong 49 km southeast, about 49 min by car
- Samut Prakan 80 km northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Pattaya
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Local news
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Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Pattaya beach from view point, Sergey S. Dukachev, CC BY-SA 3.0
- DSC 6156 Crowds gather outside Central Pattaya at night with street vendors motorbikes and colorful signs lighting the bustling scene, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pattaya - panoramio (7), sasikan, CC BY 3.0
- Pattaya - panoramio (8), sasikan, CC BY 3.0
- View of Pattaya from Somerset Pattaya Hotel, VN.NguyenDucDuy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6140 Live acoustic duo serenade an evening crowd at the Central Pattaya Beach Food Festival with colorful seating and lively street stalls in the background, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6142 Live music under the lights at Central Pattayas Beach Food Festival - a guitarist entertains the evening crowd, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jomtien Beach 1, Pescov, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sanctuary of Truth 001, Luka Krstulović, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pattaya, Walking Street at night, Thailand, Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
- CentralFestival Pattaya Beach, Vano111ru, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mike Shopping Mall, Vano111ru, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wat Phothisamphan, Pattaya 2, Ruslik0, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wong Amat Beach (1), Георгий Долгопский, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 3761 A street vendor adjusts a brightly lit toy display while crowds mill about behind her at an evening outdoor market or event, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hilton Hotel - panoramio (4), Serj Kras, CC BY-SA 3.0
- View from Talay6 - panoramio, Serj Kras, CC BY-SA 3.0
- DZ6 0936 A street food vendor in an apron reaches to arrange a row of freshly fried chicken wings cooling on a metal rack at his night market stall, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 0940 A street food cart lit up under neon signs parked on a quiet city road at night, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 0937 A narrow dimly lit city alley at night lined with small shops and a vending cart with a few people sitting and chatting along the walls, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 0939 A modern hotel building lit up at night its triangular façade and rows of balconies glowing against the dark sky, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 0938 A nighttime market stall displays rows of fresh fruit and colorful bottled juices under warm lights as a vendor waits nearby and shoppers browse the bustling walkway, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- View from Talay6 - panoramio (1), Serj Kras, CC BY-SA 3.0
- DSC 6429 A tall decorated Christmas tree stands in an urban outdoor square surrounded by shops high-rise buildings and pedestrians on a sunny day, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 9557 A street vendor arranges small goods under a blue umbrella as motorbikes and shoppers pass by in the busy market, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6435 Street vendor cart with jars of spices and condiment powders alongside fresh guavas and mangoes for sale, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 1658 Charred whole fish on bamboo skewers grilling over a street food charcoal grill, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 1656 Club sandwich wedges with crispy crinkle-cut fries and a side of fresh coleslaw on a white plate, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 9561 A narrow city alley lined with parked motorbikes a rider heading away in the distance and large painted road markings in the foreground, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 9559 A busy street vendor with bags of fresh produce strapped to a motorbike chats with a customer in a yellow dress outside a small shop displaying currency exchange rates, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6163 A large crowd gathers outdoors at night around a brightly lit stage setup enjoying a lively evening event under the stars, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6161 Crowded evening scene as people mill about along a waterfront promenade some checking their phones while others take in the lights and atmosphere, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 9838 A colorful pop-up toy and collectibles booth fills the mall atrium with bright yellow displays playful character cutouts and shoppers browsing the vibrant stalls, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6154 Colorful smiling flower toys glow inside clear balloons at a festive night market, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6424 A person wearing a mask leans against a parked red and black motorbike on a busy city street with cars and shops visible in the background, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6423 A narrow city alley lined with buildings and scooters with a brightly branded Nescafé stand in the foreground, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DSC 6427 A quiet street scene with a woman standing on the sidewalk near shopfronts while a red car waits at the curb and people sit under umbrellas further down the road, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 0843 Kids inflatable play area with penguin and pig characters bright slides and bouncy obstacles on a checkerboard floor, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 1947 Twinkling string lights guide visitors down a lively night market lined with colorful food stalls and cozy outdoor seating, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 1950 A dimly lit warehouse corridor at night with parked pickup trucks - one loaded with large sacks covered by a blue tarp - and a small group of people gathered and seated along the left side, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 1732 A lively outdoor night market and entertainment area lit with colorful neon stalls and signs with a Major Cineplex marquee glowing in the background, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DZ6 1741 A bright red vintage airplane appears to have crash-landed into the rooftop of a bustling nighttime shopping complex drawing visitors toward the illuminated Ripleys Believe It or Not museum..., PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DFC 4681 Lights up the night The View Pattaya Ferris wheel glowing over the boardwalk, PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, kaart_3, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, kyoko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, mishari, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, kaart_3, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, kaart_3, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ThailandCambodia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jrcarlsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
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