PATTAYA, THAILAND – Pattaya hosted its 13th St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 17 March, turning the Beach Road area into a green festival zone for the afternoon.
13 years of Irish celebrations in Pattaya
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place in Pattaya for the 13th time and had become a regular date in the city’s events calendar. The event was organized jointly by Pattaya City officials, the Irish Society of Pattaya and the Father Ray Foundation to combine cultural promotion with a sense of community.
According to the organizers, the parade aimed to showcase Irish heritage while encouraging participation from residents and visitors alike. The long-running celebration further underlined the role of international festivals in the city’s public life.
Afternoon start and Beach Road route
The official start time was scheduled for around 4 p.m., although activities began later in the afternoon as the program got under way. The procession moved mainly through Central Pattaya and South Pattaya along the beachfront and the Beach Road zone.
Spectators gathered along the route to watch the parade pass the seafront promenade. The organizers focused the activities on the central coastal stretch to keep the event compact and accessible.
Floats, music and green costumes
Planned elements included decorated floats, marching groups and performances with Irish music, accompanied by many participants in green clothing and shamrock-themed decorations. Local schools, community groups, businesses and international participants were also involved, according to the announcement.
Together they paid tribute to Ireland’s national patron saint St. Patrick and created a festive atmosphere in the city. The varied line‑up was intended to encourage people of all ages to join or spectate.
Charity focus – support for children
Part of the attention and fundraising momentum of the day benefited the Father Ray Foundation, which had provided support services in Pattaya for disadvantaged children and young people for many years. The parade thus served not only as a cultural spectacle but also as a platform to mobilize additional funds for projects helping children in need.
By linking the celebration to a local charity, the organizers highlighted the social dimension of the event. Visitors were encouraged to contribute to donations while enjoying the festivities.
Mayor backs image and tourism
Mayor Poramese Ngampichet had already highlighted the parade at a press conference in late February as a building block to enhance the city’s attractiveness. He emphasized that the event honored Irish heritage and at the same time strengthened togetherness in Pattaya by bringing residents, the private sector and authorities together in a positive setting.
“The event honors Irish heritage and at the same time strengthens togetherness in Pattaya by bringing residents, the private sector and authorities together in a positive setting.”
said Poramese Ngampichet, mayor of Pattaya.
Traffic – no full closure, but delays
Around the route, visitors had to expect lane closures, diversions and slow‑moving traffic, even though, according to the organizers, no complete road closures were planned. People who needed to travel through central Pattaya were advised to avoid the Beach Road area in the late afternoon.
They were also urged to follow short‑notice updates from Pattaya City and the Father Ray Foundation in case weather conditions or operational issues forced adjustments to the schedule. This was intended to minimize disruption while keeping the focus on safety and smooth procession management.
Your view
The organizers and local media raised questions about how such international cultural parades should be seen in Pattaya. Some discussion centered on whether they primarily acted as a tourism magnet or had become part of the city’s local culture.
There was also interest in experiences from previous years regarding traffic, safety and the general mood along Beach Road, and what the city should organize better in the future to balance festivities with everyday urban life.