Song-Thaew
The shared song-thaew service is possibly the cheapest way to get around Pattaya city. The service is available all around the seaside resort and the surrounding areas. Throughout Thailand, the song-thaews are passenger vehicles adapted from a pick-up with canopy on the top and used as a share taxi. Song-thaew in Thai language literally mean "two rows", reported to two bench seats fixed along either side of the back of the vehicle. To the roof are attached curtains and plastic sheeting to keep out rain. The access for customers is in the rear of the vehicle, where there are not doors. Song-thaews that run all around the streets of Pattaya are in dark blue colour, while the white song-thaews run on Sukhumvit Rd. and go towards Si Racha and Sattahip. Song-thaews are omnipresent in the city; they run constantly in circle between the second road and beach road, but you will also find them parked near the beaches in the day or at end of Walking Street in the night, close to the main attractions or inside the parking of largest shopping malls waiting for customers. They run throughout the city from early morning until late at night. There are no official stops, a gesture with your hand is enough to get on board. When it stops, hop in the back of pick-up and grab a seat on one of the benches. Then press the buzzer to go down when you reach the destination. When the song-thaew stops completely jump down and walk to the driver to pay for your ride. Song-thaews will pick up other passengers all the way they run. The routes vary. Therefore, it is best to ask to the driver before boarding. Usually, the fare is around 10 Baht for short destination. For longer destination, for example from North Pattaya to Jomtien, the ride costs around 20 Baht. Songtaew can also be chartered for private group or alone. The fare should be negotiated beforehand, as typical Thai tradition.
Motorbike Taxi
Motorbike taxi is definitely the quickest way to travel around Pattaya. Thanks to its manoeuvrability, the bike can dodge the cars and quickly darting amid the traffic most chaotic. Nevertheless, cannot say that they are the most economical and safe means to move within the city. The shared song-thaews are cheaper although slower and definitely safer; instead the motorbikes are probably the most dangerous. Their stations are scattered everywhere around the resort city, but it is also possible to flag down one that pass by along the road. The motorbike taxi drivers are easily recognized. All licensed drivers in Thailand wear vests with number on the back, mostly orange or red with fluorescent strips, and the helmet, as per the law; most of drivers also carry a spare helmet to offer to passengers. The motorbike taxi drivers can be spotted in groups near street corners, close to shopping centres, hotels or offices, in the busy roads, near places of tourist interest and beaches or in waiting of customer at the bus terminal. The fares vary according to the distance of the destination, the hours of the day and the traffic. Normally a very short trip will cost between 40 and 70 THB; for longer distances the cost is in the order of 100 THB or a little more. All costs are negotiable, as typical Thai tradition.
Pattaya Taxi Service
Taxicab is a usual form of public transport in Thailand, highly appreciated and often used both by locals and visitors for their cheapness. Unfortunately, Pattaya itself does not have an efficient Metered Taxis service; however you will find some along the roads travelling from Bangkok to bring their customers to Pattaya. It is possible to flag down the available one. The available taxis are the ones with the glowing red vacant sign. The drivers are usually polite, but someone is reluctant to use the meter preferring to haggle on the price, in this case you insist decided but politely and if taxi driver still refuses, do not worry, come down quiet and look for a cheaper song-thaew. In Thailand, since 1992, taxis are all equipped with a taximeter that calculates the rate based on the distance covered. In all Kingdom, the fare is calculated as follows: 35 THB are charged for climbing into a taxi as a use fee; 50 THB to and from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports in the capital; 5.50 THB for each of the first 10 km; 6.50 THB per kilometer for 10 to 20 km; 7.50 THB per kilometer for 20 to 40 km; 8 THB per kilometer for 40 to 60 km; 9 THB per kilometer for 60 to 80 km; 10.50 THB for each kilometer more than 80 km away from the departure point. In the event that the taxi is slowed down by traffic and is forced to stop or move at less than 6 km per hour, there is an extra charge of THB 2 per minute. Highway tolls are to be paid by the passenger. Roughly, the cost of a 6-km ride is 71 THB, but can rise up to 170-200 THB in the event of heavy traffic. Alternatively, car services and non-metered taxis are available on an on-call basis which is more suitable for out of town destinations. It can be arranged through most travel agencies and many hotels and resorts. The price is more expensive than songthaew charter.
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