Pattaya Hotels
Festivals & Events

Pattaya Festival is usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism in Pattaya. Floral floats are paraded along the streets around town. The Miss Pattaya beauty contest is held as well as traditional and water sports competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are also set off. Arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale are also the features of this festival.

Koh Pra Sai Wan Lai Festival usually comes along with the heat in the month of April. This is the New Year festival of people in eastern region, considered as the same as Songkran festival in the central region. While people in the central region celebrate their New Year during Songkran festival, 13th -15th, the New Year festival in Pattaya falls on 16th or 17th, 18th or 19th, known as Wan Lai (Flowing Day). The festival is traditionally practiced by residents of Saensuk sub-district, based on the tradition of making a merit. Villagers from various places gather up to make a merit on the occasion of Thai New Year. Monks from every temple in the sub-district congregate to perform religious rites which start with merit-making and food-offering as well as bathing the image of Buddha. The following activities are building sand stupa or castle, water throwing, games, and folk sports. The center point of this festival is at Bangsaen.

Chonburi Buffalo Races Festival is an old tradition, annually held on the 14th full moon night of the 11th lunar month which falls in October. One of the festive days, farmers will bring in their buffaloes draped attractively with multi-colored satin cloths, and gather on the lawns of the Provincial Hall. Buffaloes can be presented to different types of competition; they are entered in races, best-decorated, and healthiest competitions. There is also a beauty contest for young women in "Nong Nang Ban Na Contest" or farm maidens.