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pattaya
History
Pattaya's name originated from the march of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin) and his followers from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi just before the fall of the former capital to the Burmese invaders in 1767.When Phraya Tak's army arrived at the vicinity of what is today's Pattaya, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom who tried to intercept him. But when the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline. And he surrendered without a fight. The place the two armies confronted each other, was later called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of the Phraya. This was changed to Phatthaya, which happens to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Today the spelling of the name has been simplified to Pattaya.
For the past centuries, 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, the sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors. Fishermen's huts along the beach were replaced by a full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses. Fishing vessels were adapted to become tourist boats. And the quiet powdery golden beaches are frequented by swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world. Places of nighttime entertainment have also sprung up and are popular among international tourists.
from http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/pattaya/pattaya_history.html
How to get there from Bangkok
By carPattaya can be reached in a 2.30-hour drive along Bangna-Trat Highway via Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Si Racha. However, visitors can avoid Chon Buri by opting for Highway 36, the new route of Chon Buri - Pattaya - Rayong or motorway from Rama 9 Road.
By busAir-conditioned and non-aircon coaches regularly depart from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit) on Kamphaengphet Road and Southern Bus Terminal on Borommarat Chonnani Road throughout the day.Departure times and fares may be obtained from: • The Easthern Bus Terminal, 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097
For taxi : Easthern Bus Terminal
• The Northern Bus Terminal, 0 2936 2852 to 66, 0 2936 3666
For taxi : Northern Bus Terminal
• The Southern Bus Terminal, 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200 (air-con bus) or 0 2434 5557 to 8 (non air-con bus).
For taxi : Southern Bus Terminal
There are also minibuses that go directly from the Bangkok Airport to Pattaya at 09.00, 12.00 and 19.00 hours daily. For information, contact the Bangkok International Airport, tel. 0 2535 1111.
Besides, there are bus services to Pattaya available at most hotels in Bangkok. Contact the tour desk at your hotel for details.
By train The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 hours. The journey takes about 3.30 hours.For details, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2220 4444 (RSVN),0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701.
For taxi : Hualamphong Station
from http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/pattaya/pattaya_history.html
Pattaya Festival
Pattaya Festival (early April)
To promote tourism in Pattaya, a variety of entertainment activities will be organized on Pattaya Beach, including games, folk plays and performances, demonstrations of making Thai traditional desserts and folk handicrafts, shows of martial art, beauty contests, sports competitions, sales of local products and foods, etc.
Pattaya"s Songkran Festival
Pattaya's Songkran Festival
The traditional Thai New Year or Songkran day which is locally called Wan Lai, is annually celebrated on 19 and 20 April, though elsewhere in the country the festival falls on 13 April. The activities in the festival include throwing water at each other for enjoyment, beauty contests, colourful processions, folk plays, and paying respect to the seniors of the family by pouring water on their hands.
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