Pattaya in numbers
The city’s key facts, sourced and quotable
Pattaya lies around 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok in Chonburi province and counts around 120,000 registered residents; with newcomers and overwinterers, considerably more people actually live in the city. New-build condos cost 115,000 to 260,000 baht per square metre depending on location, with entry starting around 2 million baht. Foreigners can own up to 49 percent of a project’s floor area as genuine freehold in the foreign quota.
Live from Pattaya
The foreign quota
Your journey in numbers
How many people live here?
Location and getting there
Pattaya sits on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, around 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The transfer from Bangkok’s airports takes about 2 hours on the motorway; U-Tapao regional airport lies 45 minutes to the south. From Frankfurt you fly non-stop to Bangkok in a good 10.5 hours. The coral island of Koh Larn lies 45 ferry minutes off the coast.
People and city
Officially, Pattaya City counts around 120,000 registered residents (source: Wikipedia). The felt city is much bigger: many newcomers remain registered in their home province, plus tens of thousands of overwinterers and long-stay guests from Europe. The result is an international city with a large European community, international hospitals and an infrastructure that has grown far beyond the official population.
Climate at a glance
Pattaya is among the driest regions on the Gulf of Thailand, with temperatures around 30 degrees all year. The most pleasant season runs from November to March. You will find the details with monthly values in our travel-season guide. Time difference: Thailand is 6 hours ahead of Central Europe in winter, 5 in summer.
The property market in numbers
Our price index built on 11 dated developer price lists (as of July 2026) shows: new-build condos cost 115,000 to 260,000 baht per square metre depending on location and project. The lowest developer entry sits around 2 million baht, roughly 53,000 euros; beach-side off-plan starts at about 2.6 million. Conservatively calculated, gross rental yields run at 5 to 8 percent, realistically 4 to 6 percent net. Our project database currently covers 25 new-build and completed projects.
Where the numbers come from
Population: Wikipedia. Market data: our own Pattaya Price Index, based on dated original developer price lists (CC-BY, including CSV download). Legal framework: the Thai Condominium Act with its nationwide 49 percent foreign quota. All figures as of July 2026; we update quarterly.
Frequently asked questions
How many residents does Pattaya have?
Around 120,000 registered residents in Pattaya City (source: Wikipedia). The actual population is considerably higher, because many newcomers stay registered in their home province and tens of thousands of overwinterers live in the city for several months a year.
How far is Pattaya from Bangkok?
Around 150 kilometres to the southeast. The transfer from Bangkok’s airports takes about 2 hours on the motorway; U-Tapao regional airport is 45 minutes away.
What is Pattaya known for?
Historically as a seaside town with lively nightlife, today increasingly as an international residential and investment city: with one of Thailand’s largest condo markets, international hospitals, marinas and a large European community. Both belong to the honest answer.
What does a square metre in Pattaya cost?
New-builds cost 115,000 to 260,000 baht per square metre depending on location, entry from around 2 million baht. Source: our price index built on 11 dated developer price lists, as of July 2026.
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