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Welcome to Pattaya
Pattaya Beach from atop Pratamnak Hill.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Pattaya has come a long way from when it was a sleepy fishing
village known as Thappraya. With goals to draw 10 million tourists in 2015,
Pattaya has become a sprawling city of resorts, attractions, restaurants and
festivals.
The 100 American soldiers who trekked to the area on June 29, 1962 likely
never imagined how it would grow. They were on leave from the American base
in Nakon Ratchasima and rented the resort home of Phraya Sunthorn at the
southern end of the current Jomtien Beach. It would mark the beginning of
tourism in future Pattaya.
Perhaps the future site for a
huge public park.
Nature, beaches, islands, natural parks, arts, culture
and tradition surround the city. It’s a city of film, music and sports with
hotels, resorts and leading vacation destinations plus
international-standard seminar halls equipped with world-class services and
facilities, including health services and international spas, beach games
and activities, adventures and exciting water, land and air sports ideal for
all ages and sexes.
The city’s calendar boasts continuous festivals and international tourism
events throughout the entire year and various relaxing activities to fulfill
tourists’ vacation needs.
Jomtien Beach is a huge
attraction for sun worshippers.
The ambience of the city is perfect for weddings in
temples of various religions, followed the ultimate romantic honeymoon.
Moreover, the seaside city is lined with department stores and leading shops
for tourists to enjoy shopping during vacations. Tourists also can enjoy
sumptuous and fresh seafood straight from fishing villages, local and
international food, and can enjoy their meals surrounded by music and
entrainment, providing a unique, memorable and creative experience.
Pattaya is divided into four main zones: north, central, south and Jomtien
Beach. There are also two groups of islands, called the Near and Far
Islands. The Near Islands consist of Koh Larn, Koh Krok, and Koh Sak. The
Far Islands - under the control of the Royal Thai Navy - are not legally
open to tourists, although scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy their
reefs.
Pattaya is world-renowned for
her exciting nightlife.
Combined with Koh Larn, Pattaya has a registered
population of more than 200,000 and an unofficial population of 750,000.
Most of Pattaya’s underlying population is made up of business owners and
retailers.
Pattaya Beach is known worldwide. In 2012, Pattaya was visited by almost
nine million tourists. Unfortunately, some of these were foreign criminals
posing as tourists. Pattaya also plays host to Thai criminals and alien
laborers committing crimes. Hence, Pattaya many times has been perceived in
a negative manner and as the center for foreign organized crime and human
traffickers. In 2011, CNNGo.com rated Pattaya as No. 2 on its list of world
beaches to avoid.
The public sector has taken serious action to accommodate tourists by
integrating police, administrative, local governments and relevant units to
help prevent crimes against tourists in order for Pattaya to grow. If the
plan succeeds, Pattaya could become the leading tourist destination in
Thailand; moreover, the plan could be implemented at other tourism
destinations such as Koh Samui, Phuket and other cities.
Currently, all sectors are rushing to set up the Tourist Service and Aid
Center run by Pattaya police and administrative officers, Marine Police, and
immigration officials at the site of the city’s original pier near Walking
Street.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said the Center will open as a
‘one-stop service’ since the city has already been allotted 3.5 million baht
for its operation and is currently in the process of approving the design
and contractor. The service center will most likely be finished within three
months and will open for use before New Year’s to accommodate the on-going
high-season tourists.
Sakchai Taengho, Banglamung’s district chief, stated that the district has
collaborated with Pattaya and police officers to solve issues faced by
tourists, including requiring speedboats operators to have accident
insurance and offering expedited cases for tourists at the Pattaya
Courthouse.
Regarding crime, there are policies being implemented for all sectors to
work together. Currently, local, tourism, marine, and Immigration police are
coordinating.
Once the Pattaya Tourist Service and Aid Center opens, visitors with visa
issues, injuries from accidents or even trials can ask for help and make
inquiries. It will be equipped with officers from various sectors to help
solve problems as fast as possible.
“The Marine Police will be stationed at Pattaya Bay and from now on, there
will be patrol boats in high-risk areas to prevent crimes against tourists
on water,” Ronakit said. “Pattaya has been assigned the responsibility of
water transport, therefore, it is vital that the city regulate the boat
operators systematically.”
Most of Pattaya’s tourists are from Russia and China these days. “They come
for entertainment, beaches and the islands and the government is developing
convenient travel to the city to prepare for future growth,” he said.
Improvements underway include the 810 million baht subterranean bypass under
Sukhumvit Road, a 430 million baht project to refill and expand Pattaya
Beach, and 490 million baht plan to bring water to Koh Larn.
While Pattaya City is implementing these various projects, the city’s real
estate is booming, leading to an increase in population.
Nevertheless, with the high season starting, Pattaya is planning a number of
events and festivals.
The Pattaya International Fireworks Festival will be Nov. 29-30 and the
Walk-Eat Naklua event later. The year will end with the annual Pattaya
Countdown week of concerts and fireworks.
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Agoda.com announces 2014 Gold Circle Awards winners
Singapore (17 November 2014) - Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading
hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group
(Nasdaq:PCLN), has announced the winners of its prestigious 2014
Gold Circle Awards, given to accommodations around the world
that embody the best qualities of the online hospitality
industry.
Now in its sixth year, the Gold Circle Awards are presented to
properties based on aggregate customer reviews, competitiveness
of pricing, utilization of Agoda. com’s custom-built Yield
Control System (YCS), and a deep understanding of the
complexities of the online booking industry.
“We are very pleased to announce winners of the 2014 Gold Circle
Awards,” said Errol Cooke, Vice President Global Hotels at
Agoda. com. “In an extremely competitive industry, these
properties have shown an outstanding level of commitment to the
intersection of cutting-edge technology and world-class service.
“As an established indicator of industry excellence, guests can
rest assured knowing that when they see the award displayed in
the lobby, they are staying at a highly-rated property at the
forefront of the online hospitality industry. We very much look
forward to expanding our relationship with these properties in
the future.”
For a full list of winners broken down by country and city,
please see the Agoda.com Media Room http://press.agoda.com/news
/2014/11/12/agodacom-announces-winners-of-the-2014-gold-circle-awards.html
Local winners included:
Pattaya: Amari Nova Suites Pattaya, Cape Dara Resort,
Flipper Lodge, Grand Bella Hotel, LK The Empress, Long Beach
Garden Hotel & Spa, Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa, Sea Two Pool
Villa, Sunshine Hotel & Residences.
Rayong: Bandara On Sea Rayong, Rayong Marriott Resort &
Spa.
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Marks & Spencer opens in Pattaya
Local officials join
Marks & Spencer Thailand Managing Director
Panagiotis Dimitroulopoulos to cut the ribbon to
officially open the new store.
Jetsada Homklin
International retailer Marks & Spencer
brought its British fashion, home décor and
luxury food sense to Pattaya with the opening of
its 15th Thailand location in Central Festival
Pattaya Beach.
Pattaya City Councilman Rattanachai Sutidechanai
and M&S Thailand Managing Director Panagiotis
Dimitroulopoulos hosted the Nov. 15 grand
opening at the beachfront mall with YWCA
Bangkok-Pattaya Center Chairwoman Praichit
Jetapai and other community leaders.
The party included a fashion show, highlighting
fall and winter styles, a concert by Bel Supol
and cooking demonstration by Praichit using
goods on sale at the Mark & Spencer branch.
The retailer, which has worked with mall
developer Central Pattana for 19 years, also
introduced grand opening promotions of up to 30
percent on men’s and women’s clothing.
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AoT invests Bt93 billion to upgrade three airports
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) plans to spend
Bt93 billion on improving Suvarnabhumi, Don
Mueang and Phuket airports to serve increasing
traffic.
During a visit to AoT headquarters on Thursday,
Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin said
the plan was aimed at increasing public
convenience.
For example, queuing time in front of
immigration booths would be reduced from an hour
to 15-30 minutes, the minister said.
Under the airport improvement project,
Suvarnabhumi Airport would have another runway,
renovation, higher cargo handling capacity and
better safety systems for clients, ACM Prajin
said.
AoT Chairman Prasong Poontaneat said Bt85
billion would be spent on Suvarnabhumi airport
including Bt20 billion for a satellite terminal.
Don Mueang Airport improvements will cost Bt3
billion to raise its passenger-handling capacity
to 30 million annually.
Terminal construction at Phuket Airport is
estimated at Bt5 billion.
AoT must borrow to fund part of the investment.
Meanwhile, it was calculating a budget to
improve duty-free zones at airports to attract
travelers, Prasong said. (MCOT)
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PM presents awards
on energy conservation
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha recently
presented awards to corporations doing
outstanding work on energy conservation and
development of alternative energy, which could
help lower Thailand’s reliance on imported oil.
Chairing the ‘Thailand Energy Awards 2014’ on
Friday, November 21, Gen Prayut presented awards
to the winners of the program where some 290
works competed in five categories, namely:
alternative energy, energy conservation, energy
personnel, creativity of energy, and support for
energy conservation and alternative energy.
The objectives of organizing the program were to
encourage firms and bank owners, and both the
public and the private sector to help in
reducing the country’s imported energy bill,
which now stands at Bt14 trillion yearly, and to
reduce carbon dioxide by over 181,000 tonnes
annually.
It also wants the private sector to continue
energy conservation and an educational
institution to open new curriculum aimed at
providing knowledge to students so that they
would not be left unemployed after graduation.
As many as 50 percent of graduates are now
jobless after graduation.
Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said
Thailand received 13 awards from the ‘ASEAN
Energy Award 2014’ and has been the energy
conservation leader in the region for nine
consecutive years.
The country has displayed leadership in the
field for the ASEAN Community, which is
scheduled to be implemented at end-2015, said
Narongchai.
He said the prime minister has appointed Deputy
Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devaluation as
chairman of an energy conservation program and a
study is being prepared on how to conserve
energy over the next five to 10 years.
Both the public and the private sector will be
encouraged to use LED bulbs, aimed at conserving
energy, while cooperation is being given by the
Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry
encouraging agriculturists to grow sugarcane,
cassava and palm oil for use in the production
of more biodiesel and ethanol for domestic
consumption, Narongchai said.
A fund will be supported by the Energy
Conservation Fund, he added. (MCOT)
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