PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya continues to reign as Thailand’s go-to getaway for long weekends, drawing a steady stream of domestic visitors regardless of the season. With its mix of beaches, nightlife, family attractions, and easy road access from Bangkok, the city routinely appears at the top of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) domestic travel rankings during holiday periods.
Whether it’s Songkran, Mother’s Day, or a public holiday break, hotels across Pattaya often report occupancy rates exceeding the national average. During the recent long weekend, Pattaya saw 90% hotel occupancy, while beaches and shopping venues noticed exceptional crowds, highlighting the city’s enduring appeal. Many Bangkok residents make short two- or three-day trips, while travelers from the Central and Eastern regions arrive in large numbers to enjoy beach activities, seafood dining, and popular entertainment spots.
Local businesses benefit from the influx, with restaurants, beach vendors, and tour operators reporting brisk sales each time a long weekend rolls around. The city’s mix of attractions — from family-friendly water parks and cultural shows to bustling markets and nightlife districts — ensures that Pattaya appeals to a broad range of domestic tourists.
Though September will not see a long weekend, upcoming breaks in October and December are expected to bring another surge of domestic visitors. Additionally, the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival on November 28-29 — while not a long weekend — promises to be a grand celebration, drawing large crowds and adding another highlight to the city’s event calendar.
City officials and tourism operators say the challenge now is to keep the momentum going year-round by promoting special events, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that the city remains both accessible and welcoming. For now, Pattaya’s consistent performance on every long weekend shows that it remains one of Thailand’s most dependable tourism powerhouses.
