Results 11 to 16 of 16
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01-06-2008 #11
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Location
- 13°44’28.78 N 100°33’10.35” E
- Posts
- 354
Originally Posted by seanchai
if you go at night, a metered taxi will get you there fast, but he will also scare the living daylights out of you doing it. (i once got into a BKK cab at 4 am and we were at my destination in an hour's time. this was before the new highway too. i am so glad i fell asleep the moment i sat down and told him my destination or i would have sh*t myself for the whole hour.)
buses run a very frequent schedule to Pattaya, about every 1/2 hour, and run from very early morning to about 11 pm or mid-night, last time i checked. the Ekami bus terminal in BKK is also on the BTS skytrain route which makes it only 10 minutes from the Nana area.
if you are not a light traveler, and you got all kinds of kit with you, then by all means, relax and take a metered taxi, you're on a holiday. in BKK you just hail one as if you were going down the street, say Pattaya and negotiate a price, and off you go. to get a metered taxi in Pattaya, that will take you back, requires going to a service or to a few centrally located areas where the metered taxis hangout waiting to get a fare back to BKK. it always seems to cost more getting back. lol
further, a BKK metered taxi driver may not know Pattaya well, and if he seems to be lost, he is. so tell him to stop and ask directions. for someone who does not speak Thai, possibly wait until you get a driver who can communicate with you, many can. also, check the vehicle's status, especially the back seat. many taxis are 15 years old from the original fleet, and the back seat will be like a sling. not fun for 2 hours. just because it has a new paint job doesn't mean it is new inside. also, many cars get flooded during the monsoon season, then the seat cushions mold and putrefy, so if the car smells funny, that is what it probably is. 2 hours of breathing that can ruin your day, and if you get stuck waiting for a construction detour, that can become a 3 hour or 4 hour ordeal.
as you are leaving BKK tell the driver to stop at a mini-mart so you can get drinks and snacks if y9ou think you will want them. not a lot of places to stop on the highway, and at night many are closed. when you do stop ask the driver what he would like to drink. buy him a cola or a bottle of water, this measure of thoughtfulness will go along way, most of the time, and cost you bubkus. it is common practice to do these kinds of things here. it is considered impolite to eat or drink alone and not offer to share, just as it is in most places. gestures with merit return the same.
further, unless posted in the metered taxi, all toll booth fares are your expense above and beyond the cost of the ride.
metered taxi drivers most often rent their vehicle from a fleet service and they pay for fuel and cleaning the vehicle as well. at the end of the day they have managed to eek out a living. taxis with meters are only in the last 15 years or so and they just were allowed to raise the mileage fare for the first time this year. the cost of fuel is insane and drivers will relax and be better service providers if you show them that you realize the situation and pay your way without too much discussion.
very important: taxis change shift between 3 and 4 pm in BKK, if you want to go at that time, and you keep getting refused, that is probably what is happening. wait about an hour and then go, more traffic, rush hour, but they will go. i suggest 11 am, that gives them 5 hours to get you there, find another fare, and return without paying a penalty.
always make a note of the taxi number, it should be posted on the inside of the door where you sit in the back (do not sit up front even if invited, be safe) and make a note of the taxi color scheme. i know this because i had an altercation with one years ago, took the tag number, and was then told by the police that without a color code description of the car they can not fill out the report. i guess that is what is known as local color.
i do not say go by bus because it is solely cheaper, they almost always run on time and get there as fast or faster than any other way.
i used to live in Pattaya, not by choice, my company moved me there. after 3 years there i was chomping at the bit to be anywhere else. then a few years went by, i also spent a lot of time on Phuket, and i have come to conclude, as many others have for many of the same reasons, comparably it is getting better.
close to BKK, so many choices of everything that is available. you can be in the country side or at the beach in a matter of minutes. and for someone who has never been to any of these places, wants to have adult fun, it fills the bill.
just my opinion of course.
experience is everything!
been there, done that - goin' back fer mo' ...
does anyone know where i can find this cutie-pie
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01-06-2008 #12
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Finland
- Posts
- 367
I think PATTAYA is better! because there is also beatch and someting else!! Bangok only city!!! and dirty
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04-03-2009 #13Originally Posted by bkkldby
As someone who has spent the pretty much the past 10 years of my life in Thailand, this guy nailed it (and Ming) I believe.
Great post mate.
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04-03-2009 #14
- Join Date
- Jun 2004
- Posts
- 2,161
thanx for the GREAT info
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04-03-2009 #15
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Location
- Honolulu, Hi
- Posts
- 13
If you have the money go to Phuket! The hotels off the beach are in expensive, no bar fines, loads of ladyboys.
The beach is wonderful and the seafood is awesome. If I were going on holiday to Thailand and didn't have to work I would go to Phuket.
Also Phuket has loads of things to do outside of tranny-chasing.
Elephant treks, boat trips to outer islands, temples, not to mention you can rent a car or motor bike and ride around without the constant fear of dying or asshole Bhat buses like in Bkk and Pattaya.
I hate Pattaya it is dirty has nothing of any real value to offer other than sex.
Bangkok is fantastic it has loads of cultural attractions, loads of shopping, loads of bars and girls.
If it is just sex you want and you don't care to see any thing Thailand has to offer, go to Pattaya.
If you want all of the conveniences of home easy access to a bevy of talent you have seen on the web. Shopping and places to see. Stay in Bangkok.
If you love a nice beach, great food, exploring, and easy access to loads of LB. and lots of things to see. Go to Phuket.
Samui is nice but you get ripped off alot there. Phi Phi is nice it was all but destroyed in the Tsunami. It has rebuilt and is still over run with Back Packers.
My 2 cents
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04-04-2009 #16
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Posts
- 3,513
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