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Getting
to Pattaya
Pattaya Transportation
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 Bangkoks 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).
Getting around 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.
Partner Sites
www.pattayahoteltour.com
| www.pattaya-hotels.info
| www.hotel-pattaya.com
| www.1pattaya.com
Provided
by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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