Living and working in Pattaya is great.
It’s a vibrant city with endless things to do and see — from Pattaya beaches and water sports to over 30 golf courses in Pattaya and a buzzing expat lifestyle.
So why do some people criticise my Pattaya as a destination of choice?
Have they even been here?
If Pattaya is only Walking Street, then Bangkok must be only Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy… and Amsterdam only known for its Wallen.
Berlin, Germany’s capital, is praised for its art scene and modern landmarks — yet its Oranienburger Straße and Kurfürstenstraße, known for prostitution for over 130 years, rarely get mentioned. Perhaps because prostitution is legal there?
A Little History
The name Pattaya evolved from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his army from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi before the fall of the capital to Burmese invaders in 1767. When his army arrived near what is now Pattaya, Phraya Tak met the troops of local leader Nai Klom. Impressed by Phraya Tak’s dignified manner and strict discipline, Nai Klom surrendered without a fight and joined forces. The place they met became “Thap Phraya” — “army of the Phraya” — later Pattaya, named after the wind blowing southwest to northeast at the start of the rainy season.From Fishing Village to Global Hub
Pattaya was a fishing village until the 1960s. During the Vietnam War, American servicemen from nearby U‑Tapao Airport and other US bases began visiting. One story says it started when 500 soldiers from Korat came to Pattaya on 29 June 1959 for a week of rest and relaxation, renting houses at the south end of the beach. They had a great time, spread the word, and Pattaya quickly became a hot alternative to Bangkok. From 1960 onwards, Pattaya’s popularity grew. Early restaurants and bars included Charlie’s Hideaway, The Nipa Hut, The Coral Reef, The Outrigger, The Blue Pattaya, Suzanne’s, and The Seagull. The first major hotel, Nipa Lodge, opened in 1965 — just as America deepened its involvement in Vietnam.Look at Pattaya Now
With around 700,000 residents, Pattaya offers far more than it did 50 years ago. It’s the hub of the Eastern Seaboard in Chonburi Province — a key player in the Thailand property market and a magnet for Pattaya property investment. Yet even professional journalists still struggle with the name Pattaya‑City. Don’t judge the book by its cover — it’s simply more exciting to report wars, sex, and accidents than birthday parties.Why Live in Pattaya?
If you’re not familiar with Pattaya, come and visit. Pattaya ticks most boxes for people living here:- Beaches and water sports
- Over 30 golf courses in Pattaya
- Active social community
- Restaurants in every price range
- Good schools and medical care
- Affordable property for sale in Pattaya — houses and condos for sale in Pattaya
- Just 1–1.5 hours to Suvarnabhumi Airport / Bangkok
- Close to Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects and high‑speed rail Pattaya–Bangkok plans
