Pattaya, Thailand | World’s Best Cities

Pattaya, Thailand

Once synonymous with raunchy nightlife and beachside revelry, Pattaya is growing into a dynamic hub of leisure, investment and sustainable urban development. While its famed Walking Street still pulses with energy, Pattaya now offers a more nuanced allure, blending natural beauty, cultural heritage and ambitious modern projects fueled by talent attracted by its low unemployment and high labor force participation rates. The city’s beaches, including Jomtien and Naklua, are undergoing revitalization efforts to enhance their appeal to families and eco-conscious travelers alike, and Pattaya’s #75 ranking for Nature & Parks will likely improve as a result.Pattaya’s transformation extends to infrastructure and urban growth. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative, backed by significant government investment, positions the city as a critical economic and logistics hub in Southeast Asia. A major highlight is the development of the U-Tapao International Airport, set to become Thailand’s third-largest aviation hub by 2027, complementing high-speed rail connections linking Pattaya to Bangkok and other major cities. These projects aim to make Pattaya a key node in Thailand’s future-ready economic network. Tourism is also being elevated, with new luxury hotels like the InterContinental Pattaya Resort and the One Pattaya mixed-use development redefining upscale tourism. The city’s #46 overall Lovability index ranking will only improve with higher-yield visitor arrivals.