About Pattaya
Just a 2 hour drive from Bangkok lies the city of Pattaya. Pattaya is one of the oldest and now definitely the largest of Thailand 's beach resorts having sprouted from being just a tiny fishing village in the early sixties to become the most popular R&R location for U.S. Troops involved in the Viet Nam war.
Rowdy entertainment with lots of friendly girls was what the soldiers wanted and that's what they got. Agogo bars and countless Thai-style beer bars sprang up almost overnight to help the Americans ease the pressure on their wallets. The armed forces are long gone now but the raunchy party town is still going strong. Today's visitors are still mostly males looking to enjoy the same fun as their military predecessors but Pattaya now also caters for a broader range of tourists.
Being so close to Bangkok means Pattaya is very popular during the weekends with the relatively affluent city-workers eager to swap the chaos of Thailand's capital with the peace of a day or two at the beach or to enjoy some of the many other recreations on offer. There are also large numbers of of tour groups from other South East Asian countries as well as considerable numbers of back packers satisfying their curiosity about the famous party town. Its a huge melting pot of nationalities which mixed with friendly thai hospitality makes a stay in Pattaya a fascinating and unique experience.
Over the years many have found Pattaya's atmosphere so appealing that they've made it their home giving rise to a wealth of restaurants & bars offering cuisine from just about every country you can think of. Most are reasonably priced and together with the huge number of Thai restaurants help make Pattaya a food addict's dream come true.
Public Transport in Pattya
Pattaya is hands-down the easiest city to get around in Thailand thanks to its wonderfully cheap and simple baht bus system. A baht bus (called a songtaew in thai) is a small utility truck with easy-access passenger seating on the rear deck. Pattaya's roads are filled with them all running standard circuits round the busy areas. For example, if you want to get from the north end of Beach Road to the southern of 2nd Road just wave to one of the drivers and he'll pull over to let you hop in the back. 90% of baht buses going down the Beach Road loop back up 2nd road so there's not even any need to ask the driver where he's heading. When you want to get off just press the buzzer and he'll stop immediately (no bus stops necessary) and wait for you pass 10 baht through the passenger window. Getting across town is just as easy and can usually be acomplished by taking a maximum of 3 different buses.
If you need to go somewhere away from the normal routes then you can flag down an empty one and negotiate a "taxi" price which is typically between 100 and 300 baht depending on how far you wish to go. Take care to negotiate the price before you get on, however.
For people who are comfortable on the back of a bike there are hundreds of taxi bike stands throughout the city even in the most remote suburbs. If you are in a hurry or just don't want to pay the extra for a baht bus taxi then these little bikes are a very convenient way to go but be aware that its not the safest way to travel and you should always insist that the driver gives you a helmet to wear.
Is Pattaya Dangerous ?
As with most popular tourist destinations there is crime in Pattaya but it is, by comparison, very safe provided the visitor takes reasonable precautions. Be respectful of the Thais and their culture, pay your bill and remember to pack your common-sense when you leave home and you would have to be unlucky to have any bad experiences. A few additional suggestions to consider follow :
- Don't carry large amounts of cash.
- Don't wander in unlit areas, especially the beach, at night
- In Pattaya, its best to avoid the beach side of Beach Road in the evening due to pick-pockets.
- Don't even think about buying drugs. The penalties are extreme.
- Don't get into arguments or fights especially with Thai citizens. You may be in the right but you could still end up in jail. Walk away if at all possible.
- Be respectful when bartering. Its a game, so smile. Thais are exceptionally friendly and tolerant but a few can turn very aggressive when insulted. Do not mistake their politeness for weakness and remember that they always have more friends than you do.
- There have been just a very few reports of foreigners being drugged by their bargirl friend and then being robbed by her or her male partners in crime. Its rare but be aware.
- Wear a helmet if renting a motorbike. The police don't usually enforce the law with foreigners but there's a huge number of bike accidents so its probably an even better idea to wear one in Thailand than it is in your own country.
- Its a good idea to wear sensible footwear as dangerous obstacles are apparently mandatory on Thai footpaths.
- Carry your passport or at least a photocopy of it at all times in case you are stopped by police. It may save a fine and a visit to the station.
- Practice safe sex and take care when buying condoms in Thailand as they tend to be smaller sizes than in western shops.
- In Pattaya the most dangerous people are usually not Thai. Take care who you make friends with especially those who want to borrow money.