PATTAYA, THAILAND – Pattaya approved a packed schedule of four major tourism and cultural projects ahead of the peak travel season, building on the success of the popular Naklua Walking Street Food Tour.
Committee reviews flagship projects
In Pattaya City Hall, Banjong Bantunprayuk, chairman of the tourism and culture committee, presented and evaluated progress on the four flagship projects. The committee concluded that the Naklua Walking Street Food Tour had clearly raised its standards this year and attracted large weekly crowds of locals and tourists.
Food tour upgrades and mascot
The event in the Naklua district was enhanced with new design elements, including elaborate site decorations, an additional craft market, street-art installations and open-air film screenings. A new mascot, “Nong Na Kluea,” served as a photo spot and check-in point, generating extra attention on social media.
Planned improvements for December festival
Despite the positive assessment, participants in the meeting proposed concrete improvements for the next Naklua Walk and Eat Festival in December. The area for open-air films was to be relocated or made more visible, as it had so far been rather hidden and attracted less audience, and more relaxed seating areas were planned around Bodhi-Tree Square to make visits more comfortable.
Chinese New Year in February 2026
The Pattaya Chinese New Year Festival was scheduled for 17 February 2026 and traditionally drew many visitors from Thailand and abroad. Central elements included religious ceremonies at three locations: in front of the monument to King Taksin the Great, at Khao Phratamnak (S. Tor. 5) and on the grounds of the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya. Highlights were to include the “Thai-Chinese Mr. and Miss Pattaya” competition and stage programs combining Thai-Chinese cultural performances.
Four-weekend Pattaya Music Festival in March
Following Chinese New Year, the Pattaya Music Festival was planned to animate the beaches over four consecutive weekends in March. Concerts were scheduled for 6–7 March at Pattaya Beach, 13–14 March at Jomtien Beach, 20–21 March at Samae Beach on Koh Larn, and 27–28 March at Bodhi-Tree Square in Naklua. The city administration aimed to offer varied live music experiences across several iconic coastal locations.
Songkran and Wan Lai traditions in April
To close the season, Pattaya prepared for the Naklua-Pattaya Wan Lai Songkran Festival on 18 and 19 April 2026, including the traditional rice-stacking ritual. Planned activities included food offerings to monks (alms ceremonies), the ritual bathing of Buddha statues and monks at the royal temple Wat Chai Mongkol, and various folk games and performances. According to the committee, these activities were intended to help preserve cultural heritage and create a lively yet tradition-focused atmosphere in Pattaya during the Songkran holidays.