In the 1960s Pattaya was a little unknown fishing village in Thailand about 150km to the southeast of Bangkok. In this early time a few Bangkok residents began to spend their weekends in Pattaya and generated a modest local tourist industry. With the Vietnam War the international reputation began because it was used as an official Rest & Recreation Centre for the US Forces. At those times the U-Tapao Airport was built for American and shops, hotels, services and bars were growing.

Nowadays, Pattaya is Thailand's largest resort. It has grown to a city in its own rights with its own mayor and its own administration. As a beach resort with city status, it has everything for everyone. Whereas most other beach resorts rely simply on natural surroundings for their charm, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything. You will find just about everything you can think about for entertainment, recreation, fun and sightseeing. There is a variety that it is ideal for all kinds of visitors. While there is plenty to keep the children happily occupied, there is also everything for the sports enthusiastic, for couples of all ages seeking rest and relaxation and for those who are simply looking for warm sunshine.

Also after-dark, you've a lot of options include open-air bars, nightclubs, cabaret shows and discos. The nightlife centre is South Pattaya. But if this is a trifle branch and noisy for some tastes, there are alternative, quieter spots for evening fun in more relaxed style. Shopping can be an evening attraction as well. Most establishments close late, and the dedicated bargain hunter can find all of Thailand's best buys - silk, gems and jewellery, tailor made clothing, handicrafts and more.

Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket. There are facilities ranged from luxury hotels with private beaches to bay side hotels and bungalows, to economy class hotels and guest houses with small comfort.

One of the many things that make it a wonderful destination is the abundance of food pleasures available. Probably no other resort in this part of the world offers such a great choice of restaurants. If in Thai, in Chinese, in Indian or in Japanese you can just eat as in French, in German, in Italian, in Belgian manner, Lebanese or Mexican, everybody finds something here at affordable prices. There are probably few places in the world where you can dine on gourmet meals, especially seafood, without spending so much. On the other hand you can eat an hamburger, a pizza or chips in one of the international fast-food restaurants as well.