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Travelling to Pattaya
By car
Pattaya can be reached in a 2.5-hour drive along Bangna-Trat Highway
via Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Si Racha. However, visitors can avoid
Chon Buri by opting for Highway 36, the new Chon Buri - Pattaya
- Rayong route or taking the motorway from Rama 9 Road.
By bus
Air-conditioned and regular buses depart from the Eastern Bus Terminal
(Ekkamai) and Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus
Terminal) on Kamphaengphet Road daily. Buses (air-con) depart the
Eastern Bus Terminal every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and
from Mochit II (Northern Bus Terminal) from 5.00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Departure times and fares may be obtained from the Eastern Bus
Terminal, tel. 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097 or the Northern Bus Terminal,
tel. 0 2936 2852-66.
There are also minibuses that travel directly from Bangkok Airport
to Pattaya at 9.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. daily. For more
information, contact the Bangkok International Airport, tel. 0 2535
1111.
In addition, most hotels in Bangkok provide bus services to Pattaya.
Contact the tour desk at your hotel for details.
By train
The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing
Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 a.m., tel. 0 2621 8701.
It takes about 5 hours to reach a station located near the Siam
Country Club.
By Air
Bangkok Airways provides daily flights connecting Ko Samui and
U-Taphao Airport. (Approximately 30 kilometers south of Pattaya).
Travelling in Pattaya
Pattaya City is divided into four major zones: North Pattaya, Central
Pattaya, South Pattaya and Chomthian. It should be noted that there
is a small mountain known as the Hill, located between South Pattaya
and Chomthian. For a visual illustration take a look at the Map
of Pattaya and Chomthian with the Hill.
Motorbikes are the most popular mode of transport in Pattaya. However,
transportation in the city is facilitated through the use of special
cars (song taew), customized pickup trucks with passenger seats
in a covered overhead back cabin. These pickups, known as Bahts-Bus,
can easily carry 8-10 passengers in the back, plus 1 or 2 passengers
in front. They circle around the city and are allowed to stop anywhere.
In addition to motorbike-taxis, the Bahts-Buses are the only form
of public transport permitted in Pattaya. If not occupied, they
also can be hired as private taxis. In fact, they are private vehicles
in most cases belonging to the drivers. There are so many of them
that they end up looking for passengers.
This compact city consists of 3 major roads that parallel each
other. Right along the beach is Beach Rd., which is a one-way road
from the north to south that is a few kilometers long. Second Rd.
is a hundred or so meters away and carries city transport mainly
from the south to north, although it is partly a two-way road. The
last road is Sukhumvit Rd, a continuation of the highway leading
to Bangkok. Many small streets called Soi(s) cross the roads. And
it's advisable to walk some of the small streets, which are enumerated
from north to south, although some have names. Second Rd. continues
on to South Pattaya and turns to Chomthian reaching Chomthian beach
within 5 minutes, and continues alongside Chomthian beach, which
is approximately 20 kilometers long with some secluded escapes.
Chomthian Beach Rd., which is a two-way road, also parallels Sukhumvit
Rd and is the only road in the Chomthian area, except for some connecting
streets. On the other side of Sukhumvit road are several country
clubs, golf courses and typical Thai rural villages, providing charming
escapes on the banks of sweet-water lakes and small streams in the
leisurely and relaxing countryside.
Many kinds of motorbikes, convertible monster Jeeps, sport and
passenger cars are offered for rent. A driver's license is not required
for driving around Pattaya and vicinity, so many tourists are tempted
get behind the wheel. It should be noted that in Thailand drivers
drive on the left lane, as in England and Japan.
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