Attraction Information
Pattaya
Pattaya is a popular resort on the coast of Eastern Thailand, 150 km south-east of Bangkok.
With over 5 million tourists yearly, Pattaya is able to offer an excellent range of eating choices & a wide variety of things to do and see, and its population is a colourful potpourri of mixed nationalities
Pattaya was a small fishing village until it was discovered by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighbouring Rayong province began using the area for "R&R" (rest and recreation), causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis.
The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a Council-manager government.
In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, however the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most visited party destinations. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's raison d'etre.
The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a Council-manager government.
In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, however the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most visited party destinations. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's raison d'etre.