Pattaya Pattaya Beaches, Around 40 years ago Pattaya as we know it nowaday, didn't exist. There were only a small number of fishing villager in Pattaya bay. And because of the calm waters quiet place in eastern of Thailand between Sriracha and Sttahip. Where,in the old days salt used to be produced (Naa-Klua = salt fields). At that time people traveled about by foot or by bullock carts ,except of the main road from Bangkok to Sattahip,only a few dirt roads and tracks existed. Nevertheless we didn't call Pattaya at the first time, it was called "Tupphraya" the general name for the area which dated backed to the time when Pharaya Taksin (Duke Taksin) camped near here with the followers he has gathered to make Thailand independent from Burmese (Tupphraya – the Pharaya -army). But someone says the name "Pattaya" is come the name of the strong wind which came from the South West at the beginning of every rainy season. And the things were changed when Vietnam War started, the U.S.A. sent soldiers to come here to flight with the Vietnamese. American soldiers had the army base in Sattahip, which away from Pattaya around 90 Kilos. At every weekend they always come to Pattaya, and enjoyed swimming,diving to see a beautiful coral reef under the sea, beautiful and clean beaches and also go sunbath under the sun. After the Vietnam War finished, they went back to America and promote Pattaya. So the first tourists who come to Pattaya are Americans and that also the first beginning of the night life in Pattaya. US Military based in Thailand begun to use Pattaya for rest and recreation (R&R) and bigger hotels and entertainment places(including the oldest profession of them all) were built to cater for them.thus the '60s and ' 70s saw the most rapid change and development. In 1964 in view of its new Nakhon (Municipality), responsible now for its own administration. Today Pattaya is Thailand's premier beach resort and attracts annual more than a million tourists from all over the world. Pattaya provides standard hotels, restaurants, sports, entertainment and shopping facilities. The resort is Thailand's most important diving center and the east coast is also paradise for golfers.                                                                                                                                                                          Coral Island Koh Larn , situated to the West of Pattaya Strait,about 7.7 Kilometers from the shore,covering an area of about 4 square kilometers, popularly known as Coral Island and is 45 minutes by ferry or 20 minutes by speed boat from Pattaya Beach. There are beautiful beaches, clear water, and an abundance of coral. Visitors can view the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by diving down directly. A well-known beach is at Ta Waen Beach in the northern part of the Island, a 750 meters stretch of white sand with many stalls and shops. Sightseeing boats mostly dock in this area. There also Laemtien Beach and Samae Beach and Samae Beach on the south-western side, both are regarded as beautiful and interesting sports, especially Laemtien Beach which has remained clean and tranquil. On Saturdays,Sundays and holidays, sightseeing boats usually dock along this beach all the way to Laemtien, where there is coral. On the southern part is Nual Beach 450 metres in length. On this beach a hotel which accommodated a large number of tourists. This is another good place for viewing coral.