The city of Pattaya is a self governing special municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri. However, it remains mostly a tourist city, with very light industry.
Pattaya is second only to Bangkok in high rise buildings, as many condos for foreign residents are built, and has a modest skyline. The city's economy benefits from its relative proximity to Bangkok.
Tourism
Pattaya ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with some 5.4 million visitors arriving in 2005. Increasing numbers of tourists come from the former Soviet Union and East Asia
Pattaya provides a vast array of tourism-related activities for fun loving visitors, from relaxing on the golden beaches, participating in land and sea-based sports to visiting the numerous attractions in and around Pattaya.
Shopping
In recent years, new shopping malls, outlet stores and jewelry stores have opened up, which has helped in increasing the length of stay of visitors to the city. Among the shopping malls and shops are:
- Central Festival, Pattaya Second Road – also has a SF Cinema City branch.
- Royal Garden Plaza, Beach Road / Second Road
- Index Living Mall (on Sukhumwit Rd)
- Mike Shopping Mall, Beach Road / Second Road
- Gem Gallery Pattaya, North Pattaya area
- Jewels Creation, 235/9 Walking Street Rd, South Pattaya
Nightlife
Pattaya is renowned for its nightlife. The city has hundreds of beer bars, go go bars, and night clubs/discotheques. The most famous include Tonys, Marine Disco, X-Zyte, Lucifer, Hammer, Mixx. New clubs and bars are opening all the time. The world famous Walking Street is the center of the Pattaya's nightlife. Many bars, discos and nightclubs, as well as several large massage parlours, are venues for sex workers. Other massage parlors exist which provide traditional non-sexual Thai massages.
