Since the 1960s, Pattaya has been developing so rapidly that the local government was unable to keep up with the administration. With the passing of the Pattaya City Act in 1978, the administration and infrastructure of Pattaya was combined Na Klua, to form the fifth government municipality. This marked the birth of Pattaya city, a popular vacation hub for tourists to Thailand.

Weather
Pattaya enjoys lovely tropical weather the whole year round, with temperatures ranging between 25.9° C (78.6° F) and 30.1° C.

Language
Thai. The majority of vendors in the tourist trade speak and understand simple English.

Time Difference
GMT +7h

Visas & Special Passes
Generally, foreign tourists who visit Thailand for short vacations or leisure of fewer than 30 days do not require a visa, but do check with the Thai embassy or consulate at your country before you depart for Thailand.

For people who wish to conduct business or work in Thailand, a visa and work permit are both required. Similarly, people who intend to live in Thailand for at least a year, without working, also require a visa

Non-Immigrant Visa 'B' (business and work)
Foreigners who wish to work, conduct business or undertake investment activities in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Thai Consulates-General.

Various categories of the Non-Immigrant Visa are currently provided to meet the needs and qualifications of individual business people. These include business visa Category 'B', business-approved visa Category 'B-A', and investment and business visa Category 'IB'.

The holder of Non-Immigrant Visa ‘B’ wishing to work in Thailand must be granted a work permit before starting work. More information about the work permit is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

Non-Immigrant Visa 'O-A' (Long Stay)
This visa applies to individuals aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a year without intention to work. Supporting documents showing a clean bill of health, no criminal record, and a certain level of assets are required.

One-stop Service Centre
Since 1997, Thailand has been operating a One-stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits to simplify procedures for applicants. The Centre is located on 207 Rachadapisek Road, Krisda Plaza, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310, tel: 02 693-9333-9. More information about visas and work permit, as well as other related processes, is available at www.mfa.go.th.

Currency
The Thai currency is the Baht. One Baht is made up of 100 Satang, but foreigners hardly ever come into contact with the Satang as the value is very low. Coins come in five denominations – the 25- and 50-Satang coins, and one-, five- and 10-Baht pieces. Notes come in various denominations from 20 to 1,000 Baht.

Shopping
Thailand, especially Bangkok, is a popular shopping destination. Pattaya has been a little slower to establish itself, but you can still find good-value buys like beachwear, flip flops, hats, lacquer ware, wood carvings, art pieces, ‘antiques’ and antiques, leather items like bags, belts and little souvenirs, wood furniture, fabrics, precious metals like gold and silver, and jewellery pieces. Tourist prices are highly inflated, and bargaining – with big smiles on both sides – is expected.

Gratuity
Most big restaurants and hotels will add a 10 per cent service charge, so there is no need to leave a tip unless the service is exceptional. At other places, tipping is not mandatory but always appreciated.

Business Hours
Office hours
From 8.30/9.00am to 4.30/5.00pm.

Shopping hours
Shops along the tourist stretch tend to open and close late, 10.30/11.00am to 10.00pm.

Eating Out
Thai food has taken the world by storm, and can be found in so many different countries. Rice with vegetable and meat dishes, and the famous tom yam soups are all a must-try, as are fresh seafood caught from the local waters, local tropical fruits and coconut juice. Regional and international cuisines are also widely available to cater to the expatriate community and foreign tourists.

Telephone
The telephone network in Thailand is quite liberalised, with various foreign players in the market. In Pattaya, you can find the presence of mobile phone service providers such as D-tac in Big C South Pattaya, Carrefour supermarket and Tesco Lotus; AIS (1-2-call) Telewiz in IT City (TukCom) and Carrefour supermarket; Orange telephone, internet and cable TV services (now owned by True), two floors up in Royal Garden Plaza.

Since 2006, the domestic access code of Thailand mobile numbering has changed from 0 to 08. Overseas calls to Thailand mobile numbers should be dialled thus:
New dialling format + 66 8 1234 5678
Old dialling format + 66 1234 5678

The mark '+' above stands for the international access code needed in the country you are calling from, such as 001 (Singapore), 0011 (Australia), 011 (USA), 00 (UK).

The Pattaya Expatriate Club has a comprehensive write-up about the telephone services in Pattaya, at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/telephonetips.htm.

Health
Healthcare in Pattaya generally good and relatively inexpensive, although there is a tendency for the healthcare centre to over-prescribe on medication. The four or five hospitals provide excellent healthcare at widely varying prices. Expatriates seem to favour the Pattaya International Hospital and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

Electricity
220V AC

Public Holidays
1 January – New Year’s Day; February – Makha Bucha Day; 6 April – Chakri Day; 13 to 15 April – Songkran; 1 May – Labour Day; 5 May – Coronation Day; May – Visakha Bucha Day; July – Buddhist Lent; 12 August – Queen’s Birthday; 23 October – Chulalongkorn Day; 5 December – King’s Birthday; 10 December – Constitution Day; 31 December – New Year’s Eve

*some dates are not filled in as they vary from year to year, depending on the calendar of reference.