Recently the status of Pattaya has been changing from simply a tourist resort to a business center as the area grows with the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Region operation of four light industrial estates, with a seaport, and modern loading and transport facilities.

Five international schools have opened nearby and there are now four major international hospitals in Pattaya alone.

There are three shopping centers whle several large supermarkets have branches in Pattaya and a number of international department store chains have opened shopping malls in the area.