Pattaya  is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung (Banglamung) in the province of Chonburi.

The city of Pattaya is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue (Nongprue) and Na Kluea (Naklua) and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha (Sri Racha), Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri (Chonburi).

Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province.

Tourist destinations

Once a fishing town, Pattaya first boomed as an R&R destination during the Vietnam War and developed into a family-orientated seaside destination. The Tourist Authority of Thailand claims 5,338,000 visitors for 2005 (up 6.5% from 2004), of which two-thirds were from abroad.  Foreign tourism to Thailand as a whole in 2005 amounted to 11.5 million visitors.

Activities include playing golf (21 golf courses within 1 hour of Pattaya,) go-kart racing, and visiting different theme parks and zoos such as the Elephant Village, where demonstrations of training methods and ancient ceremonial re-enactments are performed daily. The private Sri Racha Tiger Zoo features tigers, alligators, and other animals in daily shows. The Vimantaitalay tourist submarine offers underwater trips underwater to see corals and marine life just a few kilometers offshore. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden about 15 kilometers south of Pattaya is a 500-acre (2.0 km²) site of botanical gardens and an orchid nursery where cultural shows with trained chimpanzees and elephants are presented.

Other attractions in Pattaya include The Million Years Stone Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park, Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya (world class aquarium), the Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya (cultural show), Bottle Art Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, and Underwater World , an aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand including sharks and stingrays. Khao Phra Tam Nak or Khao Phra Bat  is a small hill located between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach that provides a panoramic view of the city of Pattaya and its crescent bay. The hill is topped by Wat Khao Phra Bat, a temple, and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regared as the “founding father of the modern Thai navy.” The Sanctuary of Truth   is a large wooden structure constructed in 1981 by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, that was conceived from the vision that human civilization has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth.

Mini Siam  is a miniature model village which celebrates the heritages of Thailand with replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, and Prasat Hin Phimai. Models of the Tower Bridge of London,Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called “mini world.” Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan  is a temple constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch and later supported by His Majesty the King. Within the compound of the temple are a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, and a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha.

Activities

Bungee jump

Bungee jumping is provided in Jomtien Beach.

Leisure flying

Sport and leisure flying and lessons are available.

Horse riding

There are several facilities that provide training in riding, cross-country jumping and polo.

Motor sports racing

There are facilities which provide a cart circuit with separate lanes for professionals and amateurs.

Fitness and sports

Artificial cliff climbing, boxing, yoga, squash, tennis court, etc., are offered at several locations.

Spa

Many kinds of massage are available including Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage and reflexology massage.

Diving

A popular destination in Pattaya for diving is the wreck of the Hardeep which was sunk by the allies in the Second World War. The wreck lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 26 meters. Other popular dive destinations near Pattaya include the islands of Ko Rin, Ko Lan, Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang, Ko Khrok, Ko Sak, and the wrecks of HTMS Khram and HTMS Kut.

Food specialities

Local culinary specialities include Chaeng Lon, a hand molded, charcoal-grilled small bun of coconut on a stick, Hoi Cho, a Chinese delicacy, is Chonburi’s famous dish that uses a special kind of sea crab as the main ingredient, and Khao Lam, a specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo tubes. Chonburi has an abundance of fresh seafood and dried fruits. Due to the large number of residents from (Isaan), north-eastern dishes such as Spicy Papaya Salad (Somtum) and Spicy Sour Chopped Pork Salad (Larb) are widely available.

Nightlife

The city and its suburbs have a very large number of bars and night clubs, and some discotheques. Many major hotels also operate restaurants, cocktail lounges, nightclubs and supper clubs which offer food, drinks, music and international entertainment. The Walking Street is a pedestrian area south of the beach and a center for nightlife. Boyztown and Sunee Plaza provide locations for the gay community. Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches aimed at tourists can be seen at several open-air beer bar complexes.

 Events & festivals

The Pattaya Songkran festival that takes place each year on mid April differs from the rest of Thailand in several aspects. The event includes beauty pageants, musical performances, cultural shows, fireworks, and water sports competition.
Pattaya International Music Festival is held annually in the month of March. On different stages, a bandwagon presents several styles of music performed by Thai and international artists.

Creative arts

Western creative arts increase concomitant with the rise the number of expat residents. There are several art galleries, and the Pattaya Players, a troupe of amateur thespians established in January 2008 provides a variety of theatrical productions .