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Pattaya becomes a film city: ghosts, power and a new festival!
Pattaya will celebrate its first film festival from June 15 to 19, 2025 to promote the city as a creative film metropolis.
Pattaya becomes a film city: ghosts, power and a new festival!
On October 31, 2025, the door opened to an exciting seminar entitled “Thai Spirits, Soft Power and the Development of Pattaya as a Creative Film City” in the Grand Ballroom of the Cape Dara Resort in Pattaya. This event took place as part of the Pattaya Halloween Festival and was celebrated by the Mayor of Pattaya, นายปรเมศวร์ งามพิเชษฐ์ (Pramez Ngampichetsathit), opened. Next to him were the deputy mayor นายศิวัช บุญเกิด (Siwat Boonkerd) and eight well-known Thai film directors present.
A key aim of the seminar was to exchange ideas to promote Pattaya as a creative film city, with a desire to achieve UNESCO status in 2027. The focus was on topics such as the promotion of tourism and the use of Pattaya's natural and cultural resources. The idea of organizing a Thai Film Festival in Pattaya and investing in film productions was also discussed.
Tradition and nod to the past
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that this Halloween festival in Pattaya was held on a full scale for the first time. Nevertheless, the event was adapted to mourn the late Queen Sirikit. Some activities were reduced in form and a minute's silence and a Khon performance were held to honor the queen. The aim of these adjustments is clear: to improve Pattaya's image as a diverse tourist destination and increase revenue for local businesses.
From a cinematic perspective – Pattaya is on the rise
Pattaya has not only made a name for itself as a place for cultural events, but also plans large-scale film festivals. In this context, the first Pattaya Film Festival has been announced for the period from June 15th to 19th. Over 20 films will be shown, including both contemporary and classic works, as well as a special program for children. All films are free to view at the SF Cinema Marina, the Mahatai Pattaya Convention Center and a prominent booth on North Pattaya Beach. Loud Bangkok Post The festival is carried out by the city of Pattaya in cooperation with the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), the Thai Film Archive and the Ministry of Culture.
The festival, part of a long-term project to establish Pattaya as a “City of Film” in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, aims to increase the city's cultural vibrancy and make films from different cultures accessible to a wide audience. This also includes an international competition series with seven new films that have never been shown in Thailand. The price is $5,000 (172,900 baht).
Progress for the future
Not to be forgotten is the planned Pattaya Film Festival 2024, which will take place from August 21st to 25th, with events in relevant locations such as the Central Marina Shopping Center and Burapha University. The aim is to further highlight Pattaya as a “City of Film” and to offer further activities such as film competitions and workshops. An important step was a memorandum of understanding signed with 12 organizations in 2022 to further consolidate Pattaya's status. The aim is to promote the film industry and tourism as well as create awareness and engagement in the local community.
The plans to develop Pattaya as a film city are ambitious and promising. It remains to be seen how these initiatives will develop and what positive impulses they will bring to the local economy and culture.