NAUTICAL HISTORY
Pattaya is well-known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches, but it is also rich in naval history. The city was as an important logistics hub for the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and the war’s legacy is still present.
Naval activity in and around Pattaya, Thailand dates back to the Vietnam War. The city was a vital logistics hub for the US Navy during this time. Pattaya was a popular place for US Navy sailors to go on leave, and it also served as a place for leisure and recreation.
During the Vietnam War, Pattaya was a popular stop for many US Navy ships, including aircraft carriers. The United States Navy also established a medical facility in Pattaya to care for its injured servicemen.
Pattaya’s nautical heritage has faded since the end of the war, but the city still preserves a few artefacts, such as memorials and monuments honouring American servicemen and women who lived and worked in Pattaya throughout the conflict.
There is also a Royal Thai Navy base near the southern end of Pattaya beach. The base’s primary mission is to ensure the safety of Thailand’s eastern coast.
TEMPLES AND SHRINES
Pattaya also has several Buddhist temples and shrines, including as the massive Wat Yansangwararam, which is home to a 30-meter-tall Buddha statue and a facsimile of the Buddha’s footprint.
There is a significant Buddhist influence in Pattaya, as seen by the city’s many Buddhist temples and shrines. Wat Yansangwararam, a massive temple complex, is out because it contains both a duplicate of the Buddha’s footprint and a statue of the Buddha that is taller than 30 metres. To commemorate King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and spread Buddhism, the Thai government commissioned the construction of this temple.
An additional significant Buddhist temple in Pattaya is Wat Chaimongkron. The enormous golden Buddha statue housed in this temple is rumoured to be more than a century old and to have been relocated from Ayutthaya.
Wat Khao Phra Bat, another temple, is perched high above the city and is well worth visiting for the breathtaking vista it provides. Guests come to meditate and give offerings to the Buddha in front of the temple’s massive Buddha statue.
Many smaller Buddhist temples may be located all across Pattaya as well. When you visit one of these temples, you can relax and focus on your spirituality.
MOVIES AND TV
Pattaya is a well-known filming site, having hosted productions as diverse as “The Man with the Golden Gun” starring James Bond and the TV series “Hunter”, as well as being a popular spot for photo and video shoots.
Over the years, Pattaya, Thailand has served as a backdrop for a number of films and television shows. As an illustration, consider the following:
The beaches, islets, and the Dusit Thani Pattaya hotel were all used in the filming of the 1974 James Bond film, “The Man with the Golden Gun,” starring Roger Moore.
Pattaya and its surrounding environs were used as sites for the filming of the television series “Hunter” (1984-1991) and episodes of “Magnum, P.I.” (1980-1988).
The nightlife, beaches, and world-famous Walking Street of Pattaya and Bangkok were featured in the 2011 Hollywood comedy The Hangover Part II, which was filmed in both cities.
Pattaya has been used as a backdrop for several episodes of Korean dramas, including “The Penthouse: War in Life” (2020–2021).
“Dilwale,” a 2015 Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, was shot in Pattaya and other locations in Thailand.
While these are just a few, it should be clear that Pattaya has been and will continue to be a popular location for film crews.