CHONGQING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route will begin service May 31 between Wanzhou, a district in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, and the Thai resort city of Pattaya, according to local authorities.

Shenzhen Donghai Airlines will use a Boeing 737-800 for the direct flight, which will take about three hours and 40 minutes.

The flights will depart Wanzhou at 11:00 a.m. and arrive in Pattaya at 2:45 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The return flights are also scheduled for every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Wan Qinghua, an official with the Wanzhou Airport, said the new service will be the first direct air route linking Wanzhou with a foreign city.