The word ?Pattaya? was originated long time ago. In 1767, while Phraya Tak was the King rulers of Khampaengpetch province aware that the former capital would be captured by the Burmese Invaders, since the troops fighting against they were getting too weak to fight against the invaders. Due to the fact that Phraya Tak decided to escape from Wat Pichai camp forwarded to southeast and fight against Burmese Invaders that the lasted 4 times. Then the troop forwarded in advance to Chonburi Province. The Khampaengpetch King took his troops taking rest along the Wat Yai Intraram and moved the troops forwarded to Chanthaburi Province. Between the ways of the troops, they rested at Ban Nong Pai which is located in the Pattaya Provincial Police Station (at present), along Sukhumvit Road, Na Klua, Banglamong, Royal chronicle, Royal writings, Book to mentioned that ?Nai Klom was gathering his troops to intercept.
After the Phraya Tak rode his elephant holding with gun trigger to swap with his private surrounded over the troops of Nai Klom. This was awed by dignified manner and surrendered without a fight. Then the troops rested at the Nongnam.
The next day, fall on Tuesday, 6th day of the waning moon, second lunar noon, Nai Klom brought his one thousand troops to rested in one district for one night The next day the troops approaching Jomtien Beach and Tung Kaitiya, Sattahip and stay overnight each place. Then the next district natives which is called ?Thap Phraya? then later changed to Phatthaya? containing the word T. means army and T. Flag. Since considering that the place where Phraya Tak camped was a good site, with seabrace, the names of wind were called Phatthaya were the wind from the southwest to the northeast the beginning of rainy season.
For decades, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But a big change occurred on 29 April 1961 when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors.
Pattaya's popularity grew so rapidly that the local government couldn't cope with its administration. So in the 1976 Pattaya and nearby Naklua became one administrative district. Then in 1978 Pattaya was declared a city in its own right.
Nowadays, Pattaya integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort in Thailand, city-like dining, shopping and night life entertainment facilities with more than 500 hotels, thousands of shopping center, restaurants and bars.
In addition, there are an array of sports and recreational activities including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, ATV, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing, jet-ski, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or aerial sports such as flying motor-propelled gliders.
On the other hand, in the night time, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely incredible shopping which is available non-stop both day and night.
Another beach in Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, more popular among family vacationers, is on the Southern part of the city, and separated from the main Pattaya Bay by a hill. Jomtien is more calm and serene compared to the crowded Pattaya Beach and a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Jomtien is also popular for its amusement park and tower, to keep children entertained. The one km long, Wong Phrachan Beach, situated on the Northern part of the Pattaya Beach is a favourite among swimmers.
Pattaya's main beaches are popular and busy places. For the thrill-seekers, activities include banana-boat rides, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and the like; and anyone who just wants to enjoy a simple swim or a good splash around with a frisbee or rented inner tube will always find themselves with plenty of company. However, while in and beyond the surf, a wary eye does need to be kept on the more frenetic elements of the passing traffic.
For those more interested in inactivities there are acres of sand jam-packed with recliners and umbrellas (usually with an "in-house" supply of drinks), serviced by an army of laid-back but tenacious hawkers offering anything and everything from food (especially seafood, fruit, ice cream) to massage, manicure/pedicure, tattoos, lottery tickets, newspapers, herbs, flowers, gems, perfumes, sunglasses, CDs, watches, lighters, clothes, toys, souvenirs, handycrafts (it's a bit like TV shopping - as soon as you've declined one offer, it's time to consider another) and so on. Eventually you buy a very dark pair of sunglasses, and after that you just pretend to be asleep.
Beware of dirty, unclean, unknown objects in the beaches and sand, and pay attention to your children. There have been some cases where needles and injections have been found at morning on beaches when the night before teenagers or adults have been intoxicating themselves. But most of the time beach cleaners will clean and sort out the beaches early at the morning. But still pay attention.
Pattaya Bay
Pattaya Beach (Hat Pattaya) is 2.9 km long and bordered by Beach Road. Due to its central location and extreme proximity to several hundred hotels, and because it's a relatively narrow strip of sand, it's crowded at the best of times (and even more so at high tide). Hefty fines for littering help keep the sand neat and tidy, however the sea is not so clean around here.
The northern end of Pattaya Bay (Ao Pattaya) is occupied by Wong Amat Beach, which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.
Jomtien
Jomtien ("Chom Thian", etc) Beach is a 10-15 minute (10 baht) songthaew ride south from the centre of Pattaya. Some 6 km long, it is especially popular with Thai families enjoying day outings. Places to eat and sleep line the opposite side of Jomtien Beach Road and the many sois that lead from it.
Dongtan Beach, at the northern end of Jomtien Bay, has a traffic-free promenade, and the area in front of the Avalon Beach Resort is popular with gay visitors.
Naklua
Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach, to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach and then Palm Beach further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.
Islands
* Ko Laan (or Lan or Larn, or Coral Island) is 7.5 km west of Pattaya. It covers an area of 5.6 sq.km and has six popular beaches with a decidedly "touristic day-trip" flavour, offering banana boat rides, jet-skiing, parasailing, and the like. Also available from and around Ko Laan are various underwater activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, seabed walking and submarine rides; there are also numerous restaurants, some accommodation, and a shooting range. Regular ferries from Bali Hai Pier costs 20 baht and take 30-45 minutes - departure times: from Pattaya 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 18:30; from Ko Laan 06:30, 07:30, 09:30, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00, 18:00. Alternatively speedboats can be chartered just about anywhere along the main beaches, typically for 1500-2500 baht; or you can book a day trip via an agency - expect to pay 500-600 baht for minibus collection from your hotel around 09:00, ferry from Bali Hai Pier direct to one of the main beaches (taking about half an hour), lunch, soft drinks, return ferry around 16:00, and minibus back to your hotel.
* Ko Saak (or Sak), less than 1 km north of Ko Laan, is a small horseshoe-shaped island with two interconnected beaches. The northern beach is popular for swimming and snorkeling, and the southern beach is a good place to see coral.
* Ko Khrok (or Krok), 2 km east of Ko Laan, is an isolated rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.
* Ko Phai (Bamboo Island) and other islands in the Ko Phai group - Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom), Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation, fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted. For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km / 2 hours), expect to pay 2500-4000 baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.
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