Pattaya in Thailand

--- Select Destination --- ---- Central Thailand ---- Bangkok Hua Hin Ayutthaya Samutprakarn Samut Songkhram Prachuap Khiri Khan / Pranburi Cha-Am Suphanburi Lopburi Nonthaburi Kanchanaburi Nakhon Pathom Chachoeng Sao Saraburi Nakhon Nayok Ratchaburi ---- Southern Thailand ---- Phuket Krabi / Railay / Ao Nang Koh Phi Phi Koh Lanta Koh Samui Khao Lak - Phang Nga Trang / Koh Ngai Koh Phangan Koh Tao / Koh Nangyuan Surat Thani Song Khla / Hat Yai Nakhon Si Thammarat Chumporn Satun / Koh Lipe Ranong Narathiwat ---- Northern Thailand ---- Mae Hong Son / Pai Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Sukhothai Lampang Phitsanulok Petchaboon Tak Kamphaengphet Lamphun Uthai Thani ---- Eastern Thailand ---- Pattaya Koh Samed Koh Chang Koh Kood Koh Mak Trat Chon Buri Rayong Chanthaburi Prachin Buri ---- Northeast Thailand ---- Nakhon Ratchasima Loei Khon Kaen Nong Khai Roi Et Yasothon Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Mukdahan Nakhonphanom Sakaeo Buri Ram Surin

Pattaya : is 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, and faces the Thai Gulf. It is Asia's premier beach resort, and caters with equal appeal to families, couples and single visitors. Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambience is synonymous with every ingredient for memorable holidays.

Accommodation : ranges from luxuriously appointed backside hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. And after dark, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets. Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers everything and authentic international beach resort.

Pattaya History
Fifty years ago Pattaya was a sleepy little fishing village, dwarfed by her neighbors to the North, Na Klua, to the South, Rayong. Its only claim to fame being that it had, in the 13th century, been a resting place for the battle forces of the great King Narai during his campaign to oust the Burmese invaders. From that overnight bivouac, Pattaya derives its name. Then came the Vietnam war and incursion of more benign foreign troops. Thailand supported the American efforts in the area! providing bases, manned by thousands of young America requiring rest and recreation.

How is it possible to fix the date of an historical trend? Whilst Pattaya had achieved some popularity with a few adventurous souls who braved the rough road from Bangkok to take advantage of the crystal waters, great diving and soon following them, beach bars and restaurants, let us take the time when, on the 29th June 1959, four or five transport trucks loaded with American G.I.'s arrived in the village of Pattaya on leave from their base at Nakhon Ratchasima.

On arrival in Pattaya they rented houses belonging to Phraya Sunthorn which were along the southern end of Pattaya Beach, now know as the "Strip". The marines stayed for about a week and returned to base. Having had a great time in Pattaya With the friendly residents, they spread the word. A new group of marines kept arriving periodically and the village geared up to cater to their every need. This can be considered as the birth of Pattaya as a tourist resort.

Pattaya continued to grow in popularity at such a rate with both Thai and foreign tourists, that the local government could not cope with the administration. Administrative and infrastructure combination with Na Klua, took place in 1976 and the government promulgated the Pattaya City Act in 1978, there by joining Na Klua and Pattaya to form the fifth local government municipality. Thus was Pattaya City born, and thus, with an ever - increasing influx of visitors and residents from the burgeoning surrounding industrial estates, has she developed into what she is today.

How to get there
Distances from Amphoe Muang or Chon Buri Town to other districts :

Distances from Chon Buri to neighbouring provinces :

By Car
Chon Buri is one-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat). Alternatively, a faster trip can be made by taking Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon Buri Route).

By Bus
The 1.30-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses originating from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 40 minutes from 5.30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 9829. Non air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 30 minutes from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 2504. There are also air-conditioned buses leaving the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road from 6.30 a.m.-6.30 p.m. Call :0 2936 2852-66 for more information. Si Racha Tour Tel: 0 2936 4029 also operates air-conditioned bus services to Chon Buri and Bang Saen.