Pattaya, Coastal resort city in Chonburi Province, Thailand
Pattaya is a coastal city on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, where beaches and high-rise buildings sit side by side. The city stretches across several bays with hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants spread along the main roads and beachfront promenades.
Until the 1960s, this place was a quiet fishing village that changed quickly when American soldiers began coming here for rest during the Vietnam War. Tourism grew rapidly, and the village developed into an international destination with hotels and entertainment venues.
During the Songkran water festival in April, streets fill with people splashing water on each other while temple visitors bless monks and take part in traditional rituals. At the beaches and in the restaurants, Thai cooking mixes with international influences, and in the evening neon signs glow above markets where street vendors sell grilled meat and fresh fruit.
The city is reachable by bus from Bangkok in about two hours, and two airports are nearby for travelers from other regions. Along the coast, most beaches and attractions are within walking distance or a short ride, while the roads can be crowded during the day.
The name of the city comes from 1767, when Phraya Tak marched his troops through the area and the original name Thap Phraya evolved into the present form. Although the coast today is full of visitors, there are still quieter corners on nearby islands and in neighboring bays that recall earlier times.
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