Pattaya is one of the most urbanized areas in Thailand aside from Bangkok. The Eastern Seaboard of Thailand is not only a prime tourist destination but is increasingly being developed to meet the needs of Thailand's trade infrastructure. High speed trains and plans to connect Thailand's main port in Sattahip and Laem Chabang with the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport have spawned enormous projects along these routes.

Pattaya is visited by nearly 10 million people each year and with plans to redevelop Pattaya into an upper-class beach resort, the numbers rise constantly. The city's expatriate population is considered one of the largest in South East Asia. Chon Buri, a short way up north, is less diverse in its economy but has been a stable commercial center of the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand. The city relies on the large market in the province and is also one of Thailand's largest district outisde of Bangkok