Pattaya is a perfect example of
how unmanaged, uncontrolled tourism destroys the environment and
natural resources. Originally a small fishing village, Pattaya turned into an internal tionally known seaside resort in the short span of twenty years. At present Pattaya is second only to Bangkok in the number of tourists it receives. One in every three tourists visiting Thailand travels to Pattaya. The city's earnings from tourism in 1991 were 15,000 million baht, or 15 percent of the national tourist income. Environmental
pollution and destruction, however,have brought about Pattaya's decline as a
desirable tourist destination.Research conducted by the National
Environment Board shows that since 1986 the quality of marine water at Pattaya has dropped below the acceptable standard, due to poor rubbish and waste water management;
and only 10 percent of the coral reef east of Lan Island (near Pattaya) remains.
Uncontrolled constructionalong the beachfront has added a further negative factor. All of the above resulted in a dramatic decrease in the numbers of tourists visiting Pattaya since 1987.