Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok in the province of Chonburi. It is one of the largest centers of tourism in Thailand, with some 5 million visitors arriving annually.
The city had 98,414 registered inhabitants in 2004. This figure excludes the large number of Thais who work in Pattaya but remain registered in their hometowns, and many lon g-term expatriate visitors.
The main attraction of Pattaya is its long curving beach. Stretching to the south, the hill rises and extends well into the sea. On top of the hill is a temple with a large-seated Buddha at the crown. There is a good panoramic view of beautiful Pattaya bay from this hill-top temple. Apart from the hill in the southern end of Pattaya is Jomtien beach which is another long beach side. The water level is slightly deeper than that of Pattaya, and the section just south of the hill is very popular with local people. There are many sections here where you can rent a beach chair and order food and drinks from staff serving. Numerous beach vendors also walk pass by selling fruits, ice cream and many other things including beach massage.
 Pattaya Beach : Pattaya Beach is one of the country's most famous beaches paralleled by a tree-lined promenade and road. The beach curves from north to south for about 4 kilometers in length. While Central Pattaya is a major shopping area with many department stores and South Pattaya is one of Pattaya's famous nightlife zones with restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs.. Hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches.
 Naklua Beach : Immediately north of Pattaya, is much quieter with a fishing harbour and local population making a living from fishing. It doesn't have as many restaurants or expensive resort hotels as it's neighbour to the south, nor the rowdy nightlife, but all these are available for the a 10 Baht ride into Pattaya beach. (About 20 minutes by Songtaew the local style taxi).
 Bang Saen Beach : Around 13 kilometers from the city of Chonburi. Very local Thai style with drinks and seafood snacks such as dried squid, mussels and spicy steamed-fish-cakes for sale from the street vendors along the sea front. Deck chairs and rubber rings can be rented. The many restaurants that line the beach have recently been improved to become more neat and orderly. Bang Saen offers several hotels and bungalows.
 Jomtien Beach : Around the headland about 2 kilometres south of Pattaya, Jomtien is quieter and less congested but has good accommodation and restaurants. More toned down than Pattaya, it's becoming more popular, especially for water sports (Thailand's No.1 windsurfing spot) and activities because of its long straight coastline and fewer boats anchored in the area.
Around Pattaya are some small offshore islands which have beautiful beaches, clear water, and coral. You can reach the islands either by taking a tour which includes for example, snorkelling, or hire a boat from the promenade or pier at South Pattaya. Costs vary according to your bargaining skills, destination and the type of boat.
 Koh Larn : Ko Larn or Coral Island, 45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minutes by speed boat, is the largest of Pattaya's offshore islands. Major attractions include sightseeing tours along coral reefs viewing from a glass-bottomed boat, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, skiing, and parasailing. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island's main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Ko Larn's neighboring islands such as Ko Phai and Ko Sak. Good for a day out.
Koh Phai : Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is an island currently under the care of the Royal Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day.
Koh Sak : Only 600 metres from Koh Larn. Koh Sak is a tiny island shaped like a horseshoe. Its two beaches, are a usual stop for tourists to swim. There's also a coral reef in front of the beach.
Ang Sila Or Ang Hin : Is a fishing village about 5 kilometers away from Chonburi. Ang Sila was formerly one of the oldest seaside resorts. The village is famous for its cottage industry, producing stone mortars and animal sculptures, like elephants, horses and tigers. Ang Sila also boasts a number of restaurants. Local handicrafts are also available for sale to tourists.
Koh Krok : A small island covering an area of 0.05 square kilometers, approximately 8 kilometres from the shore. The island is mainly visited for for coral viewing.
Pattaya enjoys a tropical wet and dry climate, divided into the following seasons: Warm and Dry (November to February), Hot and Humid (March to May), and Hot and Rainy (June to October). The most comfortable time of year coincides with the peak tourist season, which is on and around Christmas and New Year.
Pattaya's weather is similar to that of Bangkok, with the highest temperature in April, and the most rain falling from May to October.
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.
 Chonburi Buffalo Races
is held in Chon Buri during October every year. The water buffalo is one of the mainstays in the life of a Thai farmer, but in this annual event it is put to more amusing uses than ploughing the local fields, such as buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo and man. Beauty contests add to the fun a festival that attracts crowds from nearby seaside resorts.
 Wan Lai Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April comes. People of old were wise enough to initiate the Songkran festival to cool themselves off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai New Year. In the central region, the festival is usually held on the 13th, l4th and 15th of April while in the East there is a difference as the water throwing activities commence on the l6th or 17th, 18th or 19th known as "Wan Lai" (Flowing Day).
Pattaya City holds its Wan Lai festival annually on April 19th with activities such as water pouring for the elders, processions and the fun of dowsing and another with water, a time for Thais and foreigners alike.
 Pattaya Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and Pattaya's reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the streets. The Miss Pattaya Beauty contest is held as well as traditional aquatic sports competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are also set off. Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale.
Dress as lightly as possible. Because of the heat and humidity, man-made fibers are not recommended. Pack some cool cottons, and if you find you are changing your clothes at an alarming rate you will be able to buy locally made clothing very cheaply. Shorts and sandals are the usual daytime wear. In the hotels and more upper market restaurants, wear smart casual. If visiting a temple, the usual dress rules apply; gentlemen no shorts and long sleeves are preferred, ladies no shorts, short skirts or halter-tops.
Everyone wants to come and live in Thailand these days, it's comfortable, cheap and an enchanting place which is attracting an increasing amount of foreigners. It's also relatively easy to enter the Kingdom and continue staying indefinitely. The locals aren't fussed and the immigration officials apply the rule only when motivated by underhand gratuity. But they can, and do, give you the run around, so pay attention to your options.
In general, the government is more interested in attracting 'monied' foreigners, rather than foreigner dropouts who tend to swell the ranks of ex-pats here. Everyone is welcome provided you have a good excuse to stay here or a generous monthly income to live off.
The following are the common and accepted ways, legal or otherwise, to remain here in Thailand.
30 day visas
These are issued to most nationalities upon entry to the Kingdom and can be extended once, for 10 days, by visiting your nearest immigration department before the expiry date. The fee for this is 1,900 baht. Overstay fines are 500 baht per day and can jeopardized your future applications. Every time you leave and re-enter Thailand at any border post, a new 30 day visa is issued, no matter how short your exit stay is.
60 day tourist visas
These are issued by Thailand Embassies abroad for a variable fee (about $15/?10) and can be collected on-the-spot. Once in the Kingdom you may renew this visa for a further 30 days at your nearest immigration department before the expiry date. The fee for this is 1,900 baht.
Visa runs
For many in Pattaya, the 30 day visa is all they bother with, for the paperwork necessary for a non-immigration visa is sometimes problematic. The Cambodian border is a five hour drive away and many conduct a monthly 'visa run' to the Poipet border north-east of Pattaya. Some have continued this routine for a year or more.
Non-immigrant visas
This is the most popular and realistic way of remaining long term in Pattaya. With a Non-immigrant visa you can remain in Thailand for up-to three months at a time and this can usually be extended several times, theoretically allowing you the right to stay here for up to a year. Typically you could apply for one of these in order to study full-time, take up a job, investigate starting a business, and a number of more obscure excuses.
In each instance you need a plausible excuse with verifiable paperwork to apply. If you have a letter from a prospective employer the immigration authorities may issue you a single entry visa, advising you to up-grade to a work permit. Obviously a single entry visa will last no more than three months if you need to leave and re-enter the Kingdom to extend it. Make sure you get a multiple entry visa (which costs more).
There are several types of non-immigrant visas, the most common include;
| Type B: |
for conducting business or employment |
| Type M: |
for journalists accredited as press representatives |
| Type O: |
if you are a taking care of dependent or are retired (over 55). |
| IM: |
investors who meet the Board of Investment requirements |
| ED: |
education study or observation |
If you're after a non-immigrant B visa, allowing you to stay for three months and renew for a further three months (twice more), you need to go to the nearest Thai consulate. If you are already in Thailand, then the nearest ones are;
Vientiane, Laos - which is notoriously slow and you often need to bribe your way to the front of the queue.
Penang, Malaysia - is so fed up with visa-runners that you'd better make sure you have all your paper work in order to avoid a run around.
Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma) - which isn't a popular option, though most people we've heard of going there have had few problems.
Phnom Penh - which is the closest to Pattaya, though the razing of the Thai embassy there in January 2003 has created disorganization?
Business owner
As a business owner, you have the right to secure a work permit or 1 year, renewable non-immigrant B visa. Quite a few foreigners choose this option if they are serious and have the money required. Thai law states that a company cannot have more than 49 per cent foreign ownership. Furthermore, the founding charter must bear the signatures of seven directors: these can be of any nationality as long as the share agreement places the majority of ownership in Thai hands.
The benefits of a company are that it can own property (land) and it overcomes several of the obstacles concerning rights of foreigners here. However, you need to find a trusting partner and for many this is usually a Thai wife or husband. Strangely, foreign women married to Thai men enjoy more rights than their male counterparts.
Several companies around town specialize in setting up companies. The main stipulation is a minimum capitalization of two million baht, although this is only 'on paper' and there are ways to afford yourself a one year grace period to meet this financial entry qualification. For every two million baht capital and four Thai employees, your company may employ one foreigner, provided you have a good excuse. The paperwork for securing the work permit and accompanying visa is quite daunting, so arm yourself with patience and a good accountant who knows who to 'speak to' in the manpower department.
Some companies even offer to 'take care' of everything, meaning they will arrange six silent Thai directors and have the majority share of the company signed over to you. Technically this renders the company illegal, but this loophole is seldom noticed by the authorities. It does, however, open you to the risk of being swindled.
Visas are also granted to investors who have considerable interests in a new business venture here. The financial qualifications for this, however, are quite substantial and the Board of Investment will grant you all sorts of privileges, but the capital expected is in the range of a million baht - no too unrealistic to most - however all your activities and documentation need to be entirely transparent and open to their scrutiny.
Visa services
There are many companies offering to help you on running visa or a long-stay visa or work permit (by means fair or foul). Here is one of visa service, EASY VISA Tel. +66 38 414 475 or www.easyisathailand.com
| Post and Telecommunication |
the post office and International telephone office are together in South Pattaya on Soi 15, known to all as Soi Post Office. There are also several privately run long-distance phone centers, most notably along the beach road. These will be slightly more expensive than the government service.
As in Bnagkok, the number of Internet cafes seem to increase every week. Most will post their rates on their window, and as competition is intense, the prices are invariably low.
| Emergency call |
191 |
| Ambulance services |
|
| Pattaya Memorial Hospital |
038-429-422-4 |
| Bangkok Pattaya Hospital |
038-259-999 |
| Trauma center |
038-259-911 |
| Pattaya International Hospital |
038-428-374-5 |
| Tourist Police |
038-429-371, 038-425-937 , Hotline : 1155 |
Immigration Police
|
038-429-409 |
| Pattaya Police Station |
191, 038-420-802-5, 038-428-223, 038-428-967 |
| Highway Police |
038-425-440 |
| Pattaya Bus Terminal |
038-429-877 |
| Pattaya Train Station |
038-429-285 |
|
