PATTAYA: Foreign international media have turned their attention to Pattaya following a rest-and-recreation visit by U.S. military personnel, with city officials promoting tourism and showing its potential to stimulate the local economy while also using the opportunity to show the world Pattaya has much more to do than just nightlife.
On September 4th, 2026, Mr. Bancha Kullawanich, secretary to the Mayor of Pattaya, spoke on behalf of Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet in an interview with Tommy Walker, a foreign correspondent accredited with DW Media. The journalist asked about the U.S. service members’ stay in the city, as well as Pattaya’s economic conditions, tourism outlook, and efforts to reshape its public image.
Mr. Bancha said the visit of about 5,000 U.S. personnel from September 2 to 6, 2026, offered another chance to inject spending into the local economy. Officials expect expenditure of roughly $100–150 per person per day, flowing to attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, transport, and other services.
Observations around the city showed troops spreading out beyond nightlife. During the day, many visited cultural sites such as the Sanctuary of Truth, used shopping malls, dined out, and bought goods, showing that Pattaya’s tourism is not limited to evening entertainment.
The city is continuing to promote the message that “Pattaya is for all ages and genders,” through upgrades to infrastructure, beaches, amenities, and public safety, as well as family-oriented tourism. Officials are also advancing the Pattaya City of Film initiative to broaden the city’s appeal and raise its international profile.
Officials said the foreign media interest itself is an opportunity to present Pattaya’s strengths, economic activity, cultural tourism, leisure, and family attractions, weekly events and festivals, great golfing, islands, beaches, temples, water parks, zoos and aquariums, gardens, resorts, world class malls, adventure parks, movie theaters, family attractions like Ripley’s or Harborland, great restaurants, and more to reinforce its image as a diverse destination for a wide range of visitors and not just “nightlife” as some casual observers may think.
Photo and report: Ms. Chinanang Chumchuea, Public Relations Division, Administrative Section, Office of Tourism and Sports
