Pattaya’s skies may shift from sunshine to storm, but its vibrant spirit shines through every weather change. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya, the coastal city that never quite slows down, continues to thrive no matter what the skies throw at it. One moment it’s sunshine glinting off the Gulf of Thailand, the next it’s a sudden downpour soaking beach umbrellas and street vendors alike. But rain or shine, Pattaya endures — and so do its people and visitors. As of July 1, the Thai Meteorological Department has issued a nationwide alert warning of heavy rainfall across much of upper Thailand, including the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions. Bangkok and surrounding provinces are expected to see thunderstorms in 70% of the area, with occasional heavy showers. Pattaya is not immune to the pattern. Located within the eastern region under alert, the city has seen intermittent bouts of sun, cloud, and torrential rain — sometimes all in the same afternoon. Yet this meteorological unpredictability hasn’t stopped locals from heading to markets or tourists from jet skiing through the waves between showers. The southwest monsoon currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is of moderate strength, paired with a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. This combination is causing unstable weather and moderate sea conditions. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea may reach up to 2 meters, with higher swells in thunderstorm areas. In the lower Andaman and upper Gulf of Thailand, including the Pattaya coastline, waves are expected between 1–2 meters. Authorities have advised small boats to exercise caution and avoid navigating in stormy conditions. Still, life in Pattaya goes on. From soaked flip-flops to sunlit strolls down Beach Road, the city rolls with the clouds — because in Pattaya, a storm is just part of the scenery.