Pattaya is a popular destination for lots of individuals that want to have a taste of Thailand. Therefore, it has a growing population of expats from different parts of the world. But how many expats live in Pattaya? Where are most of these expats from?
Foremost, it is quite difficult to determine the exact number of expats living in Pattaya as many of them are undocumented as living in the city. Nevertheless, according to Pattaya Mail, there are about 180,000 expats living in both Pattaya and Chonburi Province towards the middle of 2020. Based on this aggregated figure, the exact number of foreigners living in only Pattaya will be significantly less than 180,000.
It is worthwhile to realize that various expats live in Pattaya and its environs for different reasons. Besides, they are of different nationalities and have varying lifestyles. In this article, we will explain different things you need to know about expats that live in Pattaya.
Who are the expats living in Pattaya?
Let’s start by taking a closer look at the nationalities of the foreigners living in Pattaya. According to the report by Pattaya Mail, more than 86% of all expats living in Pattaya and Chonburi Province are manual workers from neighboring Southeast Asian countries. The Foreign Worker Employment Agency recruited and registered these foreigners from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Most of these workers contribute significantly to the retail, fishing, and construction sectors. Usually, they are allowed to stay for as long as 2 years at a time and can renew their stay.
About 8% of the expats in these areas are Europeans, Australians, and Americans. Many of them are staying in Pattaya because of marriage to Thais or studentship. Others are retirees that are living in the city to enjoy its affordable cost of living. However, it is worthwhile to understand that many Russians and East Asians are also joining the list of people that fall into this category.
The remaining percentage are tourists who are bound to leave the areas as soon as possible.
Why do expats live in Pattaya?
After explaining the nationalities of the expats living in Pattaya, you may want to know why these expats live in Pattaya. So, let’s dive into the reasons.
- Affordable cost of living
According to Expat, the cost of living in Pattaya is relatively lower than most other well-known cities in Thailand. Therefore, the city is a great choice for individuals that want to stay in Thailand without spending too much money. With about 600 to 1,000 USD, a single person can stay in Pattaya comfortably.
Lots of retirees that want to manage their finances are settling down in Pattaya. Even some students are staying in the city because it doesn’t cost a lot of money to live in Pattaya.
- Work
As stated above, many individuals from other Asian countries are living and working in Pattaya. These manual workers tend to focus more on working than enjoying the beautiful attractions that Pattaya has to offer. Nevertheless, they have good effects on the various sectors where they are employed.
- Nightlife
Some party animals love staying in Pattaya because the city is synonymous with great nightlife. Different neighborhoods within the city have great nightclubs and bars where you can spend a good part of the night. However, like in other places around the world, expats need to be careful when moving around at night.
- Nice environment
Although industry activities are affecting the beauty of Pattaya, the city is still filled with lush nature. There are lovely beaches, wildlife, and other things that can draw lots of expats closer to Mother Nature. Furthermore, the weather in Pattaya is considerably good for most parts of the year. Hence, many expats that want to avoid harsh weather are living comfortably in this wonderful city.
Therefore, a good number of foreigners are living in Pattaya because they want a great and less polluted environment to live in and enjoy the rest of their lives. It should be noted that many retirees are living in the city because of this reason.
- Marriage
Some expats are living in Pattaya because they are married to Thais who love staying in Pattaya. So, to protect their relationships, many foreigners have turned Pattaya into their new home.
- The relatively good health system
The health system in Pattaya is as good as most other cities in Thailand. The city has some large hospitals as well as other smaller private and public clinics. There are also many dental offices and pharmacies around the city. Therefore, if a foreigner has any health issue in Pattaya, they can quickly and easily access one of these health facilities.
- Various activities
Without a doubt, various outdoor activities can be enjoyed in Pattaya. From fishing to golfing, boating, elephant watching and riding, etc., you can take part in different activities in the city. Foreigners can take part in international Jet-Ski competitions, Seafood Festival, Firework competitions, and lots more. But there are many other places with better and more outdoor activities in Thailand.
Pattaya also has nice restaurants where foreigners can eat Western or Thai meals without any issues. Cinemas, supermarkets, massage shops, and lots more are also available in Pattaya for both expats and locals to enjoy.
Problems expats usually face when living in Pattaya
However, Pattaya is not perfect as it has some downsides for expats living there. These downsides include:
- The transportation network is poor and not as developed as that of Bangkok and other big Thai cities. So, to enjoy the city, foreigners may need to buy or rent a car, motorcycle, etc.
- Many of the beaches are polluted.
- Too much adult entertainment in the city. Hence, foreigners must be careful when staying in Pattaya with kids.
In a nutshell, tens of thousands of expats are living in different areas of Pattaya for a wide range of reasons. But the major reasons for living in the city include employment opportunities, marriage, affordable cost of living, good weather and environment, and availability of various activities.
