10 Interesting Things You Might Not Know About Pattaya

Located on the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand, Pattaya is popular for its numerous bars, clubs and crazy nightlife. However, there are several things that the world does not know about the gorgeous city of Pattaya.

Pattaya was sparsely populated and a quiet fishing village till the 1960s. It became popular when the American soldiers started visiting the place for relaxation during the Vietnam War.

Fastest Growing City in the Southeast Asia

From the 1960s to now, Pattaya has grown exponentially, and it continues to do so rapidly. It is believed to be one of the fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia.

One of the reasons for its rapid growth is, Pattaya is home to the largest expat community in Thailand, who consider the city their second home.

Unlike popular belief, Pattaya has several cultural and family-friendly attractions, including temples, museums, theme and water parks, zoos, nature parks, etc.

In short, Pattaya has a lot to offer to families with kids. The city has numerous luxurious, family-friendly resorts and hotels as well.

Being an island of Thailand, it is not surprising to know that Pattaya has beautiful beaches.

While most of the popular beaches can get super-crowded, there are several like Jomtien Beach, Naklua Beach, Na Jomtien Beach, etc. where you can rest and relax in peace.

Not many know that Pattaya is an amazing golfing destination and has more than 20 golf courses. Many major golf tournaments are held at Pattaya.

Pattaya is a haven for water sports and adventure lovers. You can enjoy scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, jet skiing, banana boat riding and many such water sports here. Children can also enjoy some of the water sports here.

Although Pattaya is no longer a fishing village, the seafood here is still the best. You would get to savor the fresh lobsters, fish, crabs, octopus, shrimps and squid here.

Horseshoe Crab Som Tum (horseshoe crab papaya salad), deep fried sea bass, tom yum seafood, grilled shrimps and barbecued squid are some of the delicacies to try here.

Meter taxis are not a norm in Pattaya. It is always better to negotiate with the driver beforehand, so that you are not ripped-off.

It was only in 2006 that pedestrian lights were introduced in Pattaya. However, it still took several more years (after tremendous efforts of the authorities) for the drivers to start following it.