Thailand is well known for its beautiful tropical beaches and friendly people, not to mention some of the most delicious food in the world. One of the places that showcases all that Thailand has to offer in a kind of one-stop-shop is the scenic seaside resort town of Pattaya on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast. Pattaya offers the tourist everything they could dream of, shopping, entertainment, dining, water sports, and more!
Pattaya is the perfect destination for you to get away from it all and enjoy the sunny side of life. Check into a luxurious Pattaya 5 star hotel and treat yourself to the experience of a lifetime as you are pampered by the dedicated staff and enjoy the delights of Thailand’s world-famous hospitality!
Much has been written about what to see and so in Pattaya, so today we will share some fascinating examples of what makes this sensational city by the sea so very special.
The Vietnam Connection – In its former life, Pattaya was just a sleepy fishing village until the 1960s when it began its growth into the tourism magnet it is today because of the Vietnam War. The conflict raging in the nearby war-torn country fortunately didn’t touch Thailand directly, but did change it in some major ways. The American servicemen fighting in the war needed a safe space to do some R&R, rest and relaxation during their tours of duty so they ended up in Thailand, specifically the beaches of Pattaya, and a tourism star was born- bars, clubs, resorts, and restaurants opened to accommodate the war-weary GIs and business began to boom!
After the war the Americans went home, but Europeans discovered Pattaya’s charms and began to come in droves to escape the cruel northern winters, and have done so ever since! While not many Americans frequent Pattaya anymore, they did leave something behind as a reminder, bright red ‘American Rice’, a popular cafe dish that is still served in resorts all over Thailand. The soldiers sometimes missed the tastes of home so they began to pour ketchup on their rice, and a culinary star was born!
Tappaya – Pattaya – Believe it or not, Pattaya used to be called Tappaya! The story goes that Phraya Tak, also known as King Thaksin, let his troops rest on the quiet beaches after marching down from Ayutthaya on the way to Chanthaburi in the year 1767. Phraya Tak’s forces encountered some resistance from Nai Klom, a local Burmese leader who attempted to intercept their march. When Nai Klom actually met Phraya Tak he had a change of heart and surrendered to him. Eventually, they joined forces and fought together.
To commemorate the event they named their meeting place Thap Phraya which means the ‘Army of Phraya’, and was simplified to Tappaya. Eventually, the name changed to one that was easier for Thais to say, Phatthaya, which means the southwest to northeast winds that blow from at the beginning of the rainy season. Today the name’s spelling in English has been simplified to Pattaya.
So, the next time you are lounging on the beach in Pattaya chatting with your fellow travellers, you can show off your erudite local knowledge!
