The WTA's tour stop in the Thai beach resort town of Pattaya City has grown significantly in stature and status since its maiden staging at the Dusit Resort Pattaya in 1991, highlighted by being upgraded from Tier IV to International-level in 2009, when it became known as the PTT Pattaya Open.

Previous Pattaya City champions include Spainiard Conchita Martínez, who netted the last of her 33 titles here in 2005, Russian Vera Zvonareva and Slovak Daniela Hantuchova - a two-time winner.

"I play well under good conditions and surroundings," Hantuchova said. "I feel comfortable playing in Pattaya City. I love the weather, the courts are in the hotel and near the beach, and the people are so nice."

The tournament not only focuses on attracting the world's top tennis stars, but also supports local Thai competitors by offering them wildcards into the qualifying and main draws. Pattaya City earned acclaim in 2010 when players voted it as the WTA's International Tournament Of The Year.