Pattaya, Thailand – Hotels were sold out weeks before the International Fireworks Festival, with accommodation along Pattaya Beach Road reporting almost full occupancy as the city prepared for two nights of displays on 28 and 29 November 2025.
Nearly full hotels as demand surged
Accommodation providers along Pattaya Beach Road were practically booked out, the Pattaya-Chonburi Business and Tourism Association said, with overall occupancy running at about 99 percent. Association president Chutima Jiramongkol said only a handful of emergency rooms remained available.
“This year the demand is enormous. Many hotels had to turn requests away because everything is full,” Chutima said, noting a surge in visitors from South Korea following international recognition of the event.
Major event on the tourism calendar
The International Fireworks Festival, staged along the 2.7-kilometre stretch of Pattaya Beach, is one of the highlights of the local tourism calendar and draws visitors from across Thailand and overseas. Last year hundreds of thousands of people lined the coast, filling hotels, bars and restaurants and generating millions of baht in revenue for the city.
Organisers said the festival remains a vital economic driver for Pattaya outside the island’s peak season. In addition to the pyrotechnic displays, the programme included concerts, street parties and an expanded food and beverage offering, turning the beachfront into a colourful, high-energy spectacle.
Strong interest from South Korea
South Korea emerged as a particularly strong source market this year, organisers said. Chutima added that praise from South Korean partners for the festival’s organisation and creativity had helped attract more visitors from the country.
Traffic and transport measures
To ensure public safety, Pattaya authorities planned to close Beach Road to traffic for the two event days. The closures were expected to heavily affect Pattaya Second and Third Road, and officials urged attendees to use public transport.
“We want everyone to enjoy the festival, but please leave your cars at home,” authorities said, pointing to an anticipated increase in shuttle services and motorcycle taxis to ease congestion.
Warning on mobile networks and payments
Organisers also warned that local mobile networks could be overloaded by the expected crowds. Chutima cautioned that internet connections and mobile payment services might be unreliable and advised visitors to carry cash to avoid delays.
Despite the logistical challenges, the city was preparing for a weekend of music, light and celebration, with organisers and businesses expecting the festival to once again put Pattaya centre stage for millions of visitors and viewers.