PATTAYA, Chonburi — Pattaya welcomed the New Year with vibrant energy as large numbers of Thai and international visitors poured into the city, filling beaches and crowding ferry routes to nearby Koh Larn, reaffirming the resort city’s status as one of Thailand’s top year-end destinations despite growing currency headwinds.
Pattaya and Jomtien beaches were packed throughout the New Year holiday, with tourists soaking up the sun, enjoying seaside activities, and gathering for festive celebrations. At Laem Bali Hai pier, passenger boats ran at full capacity from morning to evening, transporting steady streams of visitors to Koh Larn amid long queues and high demand.
The strong turnout comes at a time when the Thai baht has strengthened significantly, hovering near 30 baht per US dollar, a level widely seen by tourism operators as a challenge for foreign visitor spending. Even so, Pattaya continues to draw crowds during peak holiday periods, supported by domestic travel and long-standing international demand.
Local authorities ramped up safety and security measures across beaches, piers, and major tourist zones to manage the surge of visitors. Officers were deployed to oversee marine safety, crowd control, and public order, helping ensure a smooth and secure New Year holiday atmosphere.
The scenes of busy beaches, crowded ferries, and festive celebrations highlight Pattaya’s resilience as a premier holiday hub, showing that even as currency pressures and rising costs weigh on the sector, the city continues to endure as a magnet for travelers welcoming the New Year by the sea.
