Moving around Pattaya

Moving around in bus or taxi

.
In Pattaya, there are a lot of taxis running along the streets, but don't expect to find a single air-con cab! The Pattaya taxis are just simple dark blue pick-ups with two row of seats in the back and they tour the city as taxis as well as busses and they are best known as Bath-bus (songthaew meaning "2 benches" in Thai)

As busses, they deserve the following roads:

- South Pattaya - Naklua Road (Naklua is the sister city extending Pattaya on the ...North)
- South Pattaya - Central Road up to Sukhumvit Road
- South Pattaya - Jomtien Beach
- 'The circle' from North Pattaya down to South Pattaya following Beach Road ...and back to North Pattaya following 2nd Road (Remark: most of the time from ...North Pattaya, they extend the "circle" till Naklua)

If you already know your destination and if your destination is on one of the main roads, don't ask anything to the driver. Just sign him down, step in the back, sit and enjoy the ride till you see that you have reached your destination. Then push the button on the ceiling and the driver will jump on his breaks and stop within 2 to 5 meters. Get out, walk to the door, don't ask anything just give the driver, or his girl friend who his sitting next to him and monopolize the only good seat, 10 baht per person (20 baht after 9 PM and double fare if you go to Naklua or come from Naklua), and don't be surprised if Thaï people have only to pay 5 baht (...if not in the company of a foreigner).

Advice: always carry the exact change, otherwise it could be difficult for you to get the correct change back...

If you have to reach a place out of the main roads, you just have to ask the driver to bring you there. Instantly he change is identity from bus driver to taxi driver and for you only J this means: not for the other passengers already on the bus-taxi or the one that he is still allowed to pick up while driving you to your destination L

The rate has also changed as automatically and for you only L

Explanation: by asking him to get out of his way to bring you where you want to go, you became at the same instant a special customer. Special customer = special price... and we strongly advise that you discuss this special price first to avoid any problem or rude attitude later.

If (and it happen but seldom) you encounter any problem with a driver, don't loose your temper nor your time in arguing. Take note of the large number written in white on the partition which separate the passengers from the driver and go fill a complain at the Tourist Police. The Tourist Police Station was on 2nd Road between Central Pattaya Rd and North Pattaya Rd just near The Grand Sole Hotel. But now... they are located on Pratamnak Road, in a corner going to the Bouddha Hill.

To get there just hire the next "taxi-bath-bus" and ask him to drive you there J

What's a taxi motorcycle ?

.
The taxi-motorcycles is an invention of Bangkok. It started more than 10 years ago and, at the beginning, it was only used to bring people back and for in small Soi (lane) where no busses nor taxis were available.
.
Now it is a rather popular way to move around and to beat the traffic mostly at rush hours. Even some ministers have been caught running to a meeting on the back of such engines.
.
The cost of a trip has to be bargained before and is between 40 and 80 baht depending of the distance.
.
Note that in Pattaya the passenger is not obliged to wear an helmet. While in Bangkok it is not advised to use them if you have a weak heart but it is a thrilling experience for those who like Russian roulette J

Renting a motorcycle

One of the most common way to move around Pattaya is to rent a motorcycle. It is the best and most enjoyable way to discover Pattaya and its surrounding, but also the most dangerous L

The small model is 100cc, looks a little like a bicycle, and is rented for 200-250 baht a day and around 150 if you rent it for a week or more. You can also rent big bikes and choppers but the prices are much higher (500 baht per day).

The problems are:

a) The traffic and the way most of the Thai are driving (go and read our driving page. Behind the humour there is a lot of truths) We advise you also to have a look at Laurence Wheeler web page about Thailand motorcycle Tour. These pages will give you a lot of informations and advices that you will not find here. The only point on which we disagree is that he don't explain clearly the limits of the type of insurance you can have for a motorcycle in Thailand.
.
b) If you come from the States or Europe, you will have to get used to the left hand side driving. Easy when you just have to follow the traffic. Quite unpredictable when you start your day on an empty road or soi.
.
c) The insurance. The standard insurance for a motorcycle cost less than one thousand baht and the maximum coverage is 10.000 baht L The consequence is that you will have to compensate for any damage exceeding these 10.000 baht.
.

Whose fault is it ?
.
It is common to hear that when a foreigner is involve in an accident, that the police puts all the blame on him. It is partly true and the reason is easily understood even if it is not a justification.

The reasoning is simple, The police officer in charge will consider that as on holiday, you are spending each day as much as your Thai adversary earn in one month.

In consequence if he put the fault on you, he is thinking that the only prejudice you will suffer, is to be deprive of a few beers. Not much in comparison with the amount of pain and sorrow that it would cost to your Thai counterpart.

Fair, not fair? the answer is up to you.
But you have to keep in mind that unless your Thai adversary did not drive really recklessly and is not completely drunk, the odds are that you will be hold responsible of any accident
.

Renting a car

Every thing we said above about renting a motorcycle is valid for "Renting a car" with the exception of the part concerning "insurance". And don't forget to read our Driving page and Laurence Wheeler page

International companies (Avis - Hertz - Budget) as well as Via Rent a Car, are trust worthy companies and rent only cars well insured and insured for renting and for foreigner with no Thai driving license.

High season
If you plan to rent a vehicle during the high season don't wait the last minute for making arrangement.
This is especially true if you plan a trip up country by mini-bus

Most of the other companies are small businesses which are unscrupulous and rent cars insured with the minimum legal coverage for a private vehicle. Most of the time their cars are not insured to be rented. You should also know that quite a few Thai insurance companies do not cover foreigners unless they have a Thai driving license.

So if you rent from such companies ask at least that they write on the contract (yours and their copy) that the car is fully insured. And even so you will never be sure that the insurance will cover you. So better rent from a well established company. It is maybe a little more expensive but at least you can sleep well... and if something bad occurs you will be well protected.

In Pattaya Via Rent a Car,on Pattaya 2nd Rd. opposite Royal Garden Plaza has the reputation of offering better rates.

.
The best way to visit the country
.
Is certainly to rent a car. If you are two to four people it is real cheap and maybe even the cheapest way to travel around Pattaya or go on a discovery trip to the North-East or any other part of Thailand and it is certainly cheaper than any tour bought from a tour operator.
.
And how much more fun!!!
.
But you have to get a little organized, even if almost all signs are translated in English and if all main roads are excellent and the smaller one are fairly good.
.
Buy a travel guide, the best one being the "Lonely Planet Survival Kit Thailand" (the last edition is the 7th) and a good road map. You might also need some kind of dictionary: choose a small one, easy to consult and with the Thai translation written in Thai. You look at the word and ask the opposite party to read the translation. It is the best way. And for god sake don't try to pronounce Thai words, at least no other one than Kop Khun Krap (Kop Khun Ka for women) and Sawatdee Krap (Ka)
- Meaning Thank You and Hello -
.
Moreover you are your own master. You go where you want, stop where you want, drive as you want J
.
The price for renting a Suzuki 4 wheels drive jeep is around 1.400 baht per day at Avis.
.

.
But before even thinking to rent a car, don't forget to read our Driving page and Laurence Wheeler page
.

Advices about driving

.
Don't forget to take with you your international driving license. We know that almost no motorcycles renting business will ask to see your license but in case of accident the police might. (The author confess that he drove with an expired international license for more than 8 years without problems even when checked by the police or when renting a car. It seems that nobody knows that an international driving license is never issued for more than one year J)
.
But he change his mind 5 year ago... and don't advise you to take a chance.
.
Driving in Thailand may be fun, but it is always a little dangerous. First most farang have to get used to left hand driving. Second they have to get used to the Thai way of left hand driving which has little to do with the Irish or British way.

We give you an inside look on this art in our page 'Driving in Thailand' The following advices are as pertinent even if presented in a more serious way:
.
1) This first one is just a tip: when you stop your car, stick on the windshield a large paper on which you will read: careful - I have to drive on the left hand side of the road
.
2) Always remember that a car may be trying to overtake you by the left.
.
3) On mountainous road never keep too near the inside of a curve as rain may have push part of the road down the slope L
.
4) If you have an accident, call the company and ask the operator to send a negotiator to make the speaking with the police.
.
Enjoy your trip

To rent a mini-bus with driver?

.
Is an idea worth studying if you are four or more people. The main advantage is that you don't have to do the driving your self and you can concentrate your attention on the scenery or watch a video or even sing some songs with the 'karaoke' machine installed in the mini-bus.
.
A mini-bus has 2-3 places infront - including the driver J - and 3 rows of 3 seats in the back. For a maximum comfort, we advise to limit the number of passengers to 6-7 adults.
.


	.

How much can it cost?
.
A minibus with driver for one day should cost you around 1.600 baht (around 15% more than a car with driver).
Meanwhile there are fixed prices for some excursions around Pattaya
which are cheaper.
This means less than 300 baht per person and per day.
.

The price has to be negotiated and depend greatly on the human contact you will have with the driver and how much he likes your projected trip. What you have to know, is that the fuel is not included in the price, as well as food and drinks for the driver. For long trips we advise you to invite the driver to share your table for meals except - of course - if you let him have a day or an evening free.
.
You may - but are not obliged - to provide sleeping accommodation for him (he will sleep in the bus). For long trips upcountry (few days) we think appropriate to give your driver, every evening, 100-200 baht to allow him to rent a decent room with shower in order to get a good night sleep.

Important

Select your driver your self. You may ask the hotel or a travel agency to find you a mini-bus with driver, but insist on having a look at the mini-bus and a chat with the driver before hiring him. Don't forget that you will have to live with him and trust him with your lifes for a few days and a few thousand kilometers.

.
You should also know that it is possible that your driver will want to do a slight detour of as much as a few dozen kilometers just to go greet some family members that he did not see for weeks, months or even years. Enjoy the meeting... it is part of the fun.
.
If such surprises disturb you too much, just choose another way of traveling.

Don't forget a good map and your Lonely Planet Thailand.

Back to table of contents	Pattaya guide	brought to you free of advertising by Welkom Inn Hotel The smallest resort in Pattaya
To the Welkom Inn home page