Many queries would come to mind when you are on planning to visit Pattaya. Questions like safety and traffic precautions there, clothing, electricity, television, car rentals, business hours etc. Our tips hopefully will be helpful.
ISD Code
ISD code for Pattaya is 38. All mobile phones in Pattaya are ten digit while telephone numbers are nine digit.
Safety
Thailand is a dependable country when it comes to safety. However you should be careful against reckless driving, fake gem scams, unhygienic food and sexually transmitted diseases. For real gems you should visit nearby Chantaburi. As for the latter you could control these with your sensible behaviour.
Traffic
Traffic in Thailand follows British ways. Vehicle moves on left side. However, drivers in Thailand are in habit of rash and careless driving. They could appear from nowhere and blast their vehicle on yours. You had better leave the driving task to a seasoned Thai driver rather than driving your vehicle yourself. Footpaths in Pattaya are not pedestrian friendly. Prefer back-or-chest-mounted baby carriers instead of strollers.
Business Hours
Most shops and stores are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Government offices and commercial concerns operate on a five-day week. Offices are usually open from 8:30 to 5:00 with a half to one hour lunch break. On public holidays, shops, stores and offices are closed. For list of public holidays, please check our related page.
Unhygienic Food
Many tourists in Thailand and Pattaya fall ill because of consuming unhygienic food. You could avoid it by just being careful where you are eating. Don't eat anything that hasn't been boiled or fried. Drink sealed, bottled water. Avoid purchasing ice in open. It is better to buy ice that is manufactured in factory. Refuse food or drinks offered by strangers or taxi drivers. Wash your children's hands frequently. This would help them escape from stomach bugs.
Tour Agencies
Never accept tours offered by strangers. Always take the services of a registered travel agency. If any person meets you claiming to be the representative of a travel agency, check with the agency before you hand him any money.
Clothing
In hot and humid weather, light, loose cotton clothing should be preferred. Better avoid nylon. Sweaters would be needed during cool season, evenings or if touring mountainous areas and remote national parks. Few restaurants and nightclubs follow dress codes. When coming out in the open sun, use sun blocks, hats and glasses.
Electricity
Electric current is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles) allover the country. Several plugs and sockets are used. Tourists with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.
Television and Video
The television system in Thailand is PAL as are the videos. If you purchase a video you won't be able to play it on NTSC systems in America or Japan.
Stray Animals
Don't let your children approach dogs, monkeys or other animals, for they are not as friendly as the Thais.
Getting Around in Pattaya
One can pick from plenty of options for moving around Pattaya. One can hire taxis, jeeps or cars, take songthaews (baht buses), board buses or ride motorbikes. With so many options around you need not bother about traveling around in Pattaya.
Hiring Jeeps and Cars
In Pattaya, one can also hire jeeps and cars. The tourists can search around, for different companies offer different prices and conditions. It would be advisable to rent from a reputable company such as Avis or Budget. However, you should keep in mind that most operates in Pattaya do not offer new vehicles. In case you hire a care, it would be better that you hire a driver too for driving on busy Pattaya roads could be frustrating for persons who are not used to it.
Songthaews (Baht buses)
This is a vehicle with a hard canopy top and one bench seat either side. Usually the vehicle moves on pre-settled routes, but for good price, they would take one anywhere in Pattaya. Most people in Pattaya use songthaews for moving around. Fares are written at the back of every taxi. These vehicles continually ply the Pattaya Beach Road and Pattaya 2 Road in counter clockwise circuits.
Taxis
One can hire air-conditioned taxis in Pattaya at will. However, one should not expect a new car. There are few metered taxis in Pattaya and one has to bargain with the driver to settle on an amount. Several taxi firms advertise standard tariffs. Most of the drivers can talk a bit in English and they could tell you a lot about local attractions and facilities.
Motorbike Taxis
Motorbike-taxis are the best option it one wants to reach somewhere quickly or conveniently. One can find motorbike taxis in every street of Pattaya, no matter how small it is. These are in service 24 hours a day and offer convenience. However, you should keep in mind that these motorbikers drive quickly and direrctly and it could be dangerous sometimes. Low cost and fast journey attract the motorists to these bikes.
Buses
Buses operate through three routes around the town as well as up to Jomtein and Sukhumvit Road. However, the buses are not regular and you can find taxis more often. Route of the buses is more or less similar to taxis. One can obtain information about bus routes from any travel agency or hotel.
