Pattaya is a seaside resort city located in Chonburi Province on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Situated approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, it serves as the largest city within Chonburi and forms the core of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area. This conurbation, which includes Si Racha and Laem Chabang, constitutes the third-largest metropolitan region in Thailand. Administratively, Pattaya City operates as a special local government organization within Bang Lamung District, covering specific sub-districts and extending into adjacent areas to form Greater Pattaya.

The name Pattaya evolved from the historical march of Phraya Tak toward Chanthaburi before 1767, where his forces met those of Nai Klom at a site originally called Thap Phraya. The location was later renamed Phatthaya, meaning a specific seasonal wind. Originally a fishing village until the 1960s, tourism began during the Vietnam War when American servicemen arrived for rest and relaxation. Pattaya was granted official city status by the Thai government on 29 November 1978, becoming a special governed city that same year.

The urban landscape is defined by its coastline along Bang Lamung District, spanning from Naklua Beach in the north to Jomtien Beach in the south. Key landmarks include Phra Tamnak Hill, known as Buddha Hill for its temples, and the unfinished Sanctuary of Truth, constructed entirely of wood by Lek Viriyaphan in 1981. The downtown area features a grid of roads like Beach Road and Sukhumvit Road, with numerous sois branching off. Pattaya City covers the tambons of Nong Prue and Na Klua, while Greater Pattaya encompasses a much wider area including parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai.

Pattaya attracts over five million annual visitors, catering to both domestic tourists seeking weekend getaways and international travelers. While historically famous for its nightlife and sex industry, local authorities have attempted to shift public perception toward family-friendly attractions in recent decades. The city offers a wide variety of dining options and activities, supported by extensive hotel infrastructure. Despite efforts to improve beach quality, overdevelopment has impacted natural charms, though the area remains popular for its easy access from Bangkok and diverse cultural mix.

The municipality has a population of 119,532 as of 2019, while Greater Pattaya had 351,391 residents in 2021. The broader metropolitan area holds nearly one million people, with estimates suggesting the total urban population may approach half a million when including migrants and seasonal workers. Pattaya experiences a tropical wet and dry climate with hot, humid, and rainy seasons. The economy relies heavily on tourism, though it suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the city has received awards for integrity and transparency in development.