Pattaya's sporting events promoted as main tourist attractions

Pattaya, one of Thailand's major tourist destinations, has been promoting its sporting events as main attractions to visitors.

Suladda Sarutilanond, head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Pattaya Office assured on Friday that Pattaya has a variety of regular sporting events to draw millions of visitors each year.

The sporting activities currently favorite among Pattaya visitors include triathlons, marathons, aquatic sports, car racing and golfing. The world-renowned beach resort, about 140 kilometers east of the Thai capital, has more than 20 world-class golf courses, she said.

About 70 percent of all Pattaya visitors is international ones, mostly from China, followed by those from Vietnam and Cambodia, who may travel by bus or car from the neighboring states. Others include tourists from South Korea, Japan, and India, according to the TAT's Pattaya director.

The Russians who topped Pattaya's visitors list over the last several years have been replaced by the Chinese, who largely enjoy those sporting events, she said. Endit