Pattaya then and now
Many nice details can sometimes be found in old books or even the Pattaya Trader. The development of Pattaya and Jomtien can also be clearly seen on the basis of photos. At the well-known viewpoint on Pratumnak Hill (Khao Phra Tumnak), the expansion of Pattaya can be followed like an oil slick. Every year a little bit more.
If one were to drive on the connecting road from Pattaya to Jomtien, the Thapphraya Road, few would realize that this was originally the original name of Pattaya, namely Thap Phraya. This was the name of King Taksin's army, who defeated the Burmese invaders in this area. The original name of Pattaya is Taphraya, derived from 'southwest wind just before the rainy season'.
Much has changed since then, partly due to the Vietnam War and the construction of U-tapoa in 1965 for maintenance and as a base for the B-52 bombers. In those days you could pay in dollars. A tical at that time was 1 baht and equal to 5 US cents and 20 baht stood for one dollar for many years. A ride by baht bus was then 1 baht. Amazing that after more than 50 years it is only 10 baht. Compare that with the Netherlands 50 years ago and now! A taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya was only 220 baht and a small hotel room in Pattaya was 300 baht per month.
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Indeed the only constant is the change and Pattaya and especially the Banglamung area along with Nongprue, is only expanding and getting more crowded. On certain days we can already walk over the cars at peak hours, so to speak, because I don't want to push anyone to do it. I can't imagine what it will look like in another fifty years. Anyway after me the deluge, but hope that the authorities keep things under control, especially in terms of housing expansion. It must remain viable.